ES-1001-06

Job Summary

This position is in the D.C. State Board of Education (SBOE). The mission of SBOE is to provide policy leadership, support, advocacy, and oversight of public education to ensure every student is valued and learns the skills and knowledge necessary to become informed, competent, and contributing global citizens. The position also supports the two offices within the agency (Office of the Ombudsman for Public Education and Office of the Student Advocate) on an as needed basis.

The incumbent in this role is responsible for managing and disseminating information on behalf of SBOE; ensuring accurate and timely communication with the public, media, and stakeholders; helping to maintain transparency and public trust by crafting messages; responding to inquiries; and coordinating communication strategies during crises or events of public interest.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Provides leadership and strategic insights on communication matters to the Executive Director and the agency's leadership team (Executive Director, Deputy Director of Policy and Research, and Budget and Operations Officer).
• Develops a long-range strategic communications plan to improve and sustain agency missions and executes short and long-term marketing, communications, and public relations strategies for SBOE.
• Directs and supervises the Strategic Communications Fellow, collaborating with SBOE teams to delegate communication tasks effectively.
• Acts as the agency's principal spokesperson for all media inquiries and responses. Oversees external communications and coordinates media events and interviews to facilitate the agency's engagement with the public and media outlets.
• Develops statements, talking points, and key messaging to align Agency communication with Board objectives.
• Manages media relations and cultivates public relationships related to agency programs and initiatives to ensure effective communication and engagement with the media and the public.
• Updates the SBOE website, including headline rotation, adding new content, and removing outdated information.  
• Uses various methods and techniques in achieving communication goals, such as news releases, radio and television scripts, feature articles, personal appearances, news conferences, exhibits, brochures, pamphlets, social media, etc., and schedules State Board Members for interviews and special appearances.
• Produces press releases, advisories, fact-checking documents, and statements and coordinates internal media training and interview preparations to ensure the agency's communication efforts are well-prepared, accurate, and effectively disseminated to the public and media.
• Monitors news and social media related to the State Board and DC local education, creates public relations content for SBOE, and keeps tabs on news and social media discussions related to the Board and regional education.
• Coordinates public information and media responses during crises and emergencies to provide information and address public concerns during critical situations.
• Reviews the agency's public-facing work, providing guidance and evaluating messaging to ensure a unified and effective communication strategy within the agency.
• Serves as the Agency FOIA Officer, assisting with information requests and ensuring timely responses.

Qualifications and Education

• Specialized experience that demonstrated thorough knowledge of principles and methods of communication enables the incumbent to function as an advisor on all public affairs issues and emergencies. Expert knowledge and foresight to analyze public reaction to agency policies and programs and develop recommendations in communications planning to account for repercussions. Expert skill in writing and editing materials to prompt the public and targeted demographics into taking action and getting involved in agency programs and services. Keen eye to develop materials that convey high-level information to reach diverse population levels in plain language.
• Demonstrated ability to plan, organize, and coordinate large events involving numerous vendors and participants to boost engagement and awareness of the Board brand.
• Excellent communication skills and articulation in sensitive and complex issues. Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with other office managers and staff, internal and external stakeholders, and elected officials.
• Expert guidance in adjusting messaging and program priorities based on public perception and reaction to current events. 
• Bachelor’s Degree/advanced professional degree in a related field or equivalent combination of education is preferred.

Residency Requirement

The law also requires that Excepted Service employees maintain District domicile during the appointment period. Failure to maintain District domicile during the appointment period will result in forfeiture of employment. 

Special Requirements

The incumbent of this position is subject to enhanced suitability screening under Chapter 4 of D.C. Personnel Regulations, Suitability – Security Sensitive. This position is classified as “Security Sensitive” due to the position’s duties and responsibilities.

Security-sensitive positions are positions of special trust that may be reasonably expected to affect the access to or control activities, systems, or resources subject to misappropriation, malicious mischief, damage, or loss or impairment of communication control.

The Communications Director is responsible for managing and disseminating information on behalf of SBOE, ensuring accurate and timely communication with the public, media, and stakeholders, and helping to maintain transparency and public trust. This role involves crafting messages, responding to inquiries, and coordinating communication strategies during crises or events of public interest. The routine duties that justify this position's security-sensitive designation include managing media relations and cultivating public relationships related to agency programs and initiatives to ensure effective communication and engagement with the media and the public. The incumbent coordinates public information and media responses during crises and emergencies to provide information and address public concerns during critical situations and acts as the agency's principal spokesperson for all media inquiries and responses.

License and Certification

None

Working Conditions/Environment

The work is performed in an office setting.

Other Significant Factors

Duration of Appointment: Excepted Service

Tour of Duty: Monday – Friday, 9:00 to 5:00pm

Pay Plan, Series and Grade: ES-1001-06

Salary Range: $75,880 - $113,820 Per Annual, target salary for this position is $90,000.

Collective Bargaining Unit: This position is not in the Collective Bargaining Unit

Promotion Potential: No Known Promotion Potential

Position Designation: This position is designated as security sensitive and therefore the incumbent of this position will be subject to enhanced suitability screening pursuant to Chapter 4 of DC personnel regulations, Suitability and as such, incumbents of this position shall be subject to criminal background checks, and background investigations, as applicable.

Security sensitive positions are positions of special trust that may be reasonably expected to affect the access to or control of activities, systems, or resources that are subject to misappropriation, malicious mischief, damage, or loss or impairment of control of communication.

The District of Columbia government maintains a drug-free work environment policy. All District employees are subject to post-accident/incident and reasonable suspicion drug and alcohol testing.

EEO Statement: The District of Columbia Government is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, family responsibilities, matriculation, physical handicap, or political affiliation.

Closing Date is Friday, March 29, 2024 

Interested candidates must submit a cover letter and resume to Bernice Butler at [email protected].  Only individuals who meet the minimum qualifications will be contacted. Applications will be screened as they are received. All cover letters and resumes must be submitted by 11:59 pm on Friday, March 29, 2024 to be considered for this position.