Job description

COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR (DOT)

DEPARTMENT: DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

DIVISION: Office of the Director

OPENING DATE: 12/01/22

CLOSING DATE: 01/01/23 11:59 PM

SALARY: $62.67 - $71.79 Hourly
$114,064.00 - $130,653.00 Annually
PAY GRADE: 841A

JOB TYPE: Non-Union (99)

NAME OF BARGAINING UNIT UNION: Non-Union (99)

LOCATION: Two Capitol Hill, Providence

SCHEDULED WORK DAYS: HOURS OF WORK Monday - Friday; 8:30AM - 4:00PM

WORK WEEK: Non-Standard

ASSIGNMENT(S)/COMMENTS: As a senior confidential managerial employee, assignments may require weekend hours, travel and other off hour business activities as an agency representative. This position is in the Unclassified Branch of State Service per RIGL 36-4-2 (5) viii.

JOB NUMBER: 5310-10000-268

CLASS DEFINITION:

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES: To serve in a highly responsible policy and communications capacity to the Director of Transportation by relieving him/her of certain complex administrative tasks; to develop and maintain a continuous liaison with and between the Department and the various media representatives; to be responsible for special projects development; to initiate, plan, coordinate and review a continuous public affairs, media and community relations program; and to do related work as required.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED: Works under the general direction of the Director of Transportation with considerable latitude for the exercise of initiative and independent judgment; assignments are subject to review for results obtained and adherence to rules, regulations, and prescribed policies and procedures.
SUPERVISION EXERCISED: Plans, supervise and reviews the work of subordinates and exercises functional supervision over other staff positions assigned to assist in performance and execution of any specific project.

ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLES OF WORK PERFORMED:

To serve in a highly responsible policy and communications capacity to the Director of Transportation by relieving him/her of complex administrative tasks.

To develop and maintain a continuous liaison with and between the Department and the various media representatives.

To be responsible for developing and maintaining a continuous liaison with and between the various divisions of the Department, and other state agencies' communications programs.

To be responsible for the prepetition and coordination of assignments and special projects which require departmental policy approval and authorization prior to implementation.

To schedule briefings for the Director with departmental engineering and other officials and/or local officials, and to prepare the agenda, as instructed, by the Director.

To represent the Director, as assigned, in contracts with federal, state and local officials to provide information that explains the purpose and scope of current state and interstate transportation programs and their impact on local planned or existing highway programs.

To conduct fact-finding investigations of complaints or objections and to prepare reports on the complex ones for consideration and decision by the Director and/or department officials.

To contact divisional officials for the purpose of obtaining the information and recommendations for the use of the Director in planning, coordinating and directing the various communications services of the Department; to consult with such officials regarding legislation and existing laws and regulations for the purpose of obtaining recommendations relating to their purpose, content and need.

To provide information to governmental officials, the public or interested parties in accordance with the established policies.

To serve as the principal source within the Department for the preparation and release of media information material in accordance with instructions and policies.

To be responsible for the planning, coordination and review of the continuous public affairs, media and community relations program.

To be responsible for researching, writing and editing news releases, articles, and feature materials for use of the news media and advertising agencies; to schedule a continuous flow of informational material to the general public and affected communities for the purpose of providing timely information to improve public understanding and reception to departmental objectives.

To maintain satisfactory relationships with all media representatives, educational institutions, community organizations and the general public to secure cooperation in the placement use and distribution of informational service.

To keep departmental officials informed of the Director's decisions and recommendations on programs and policies; to contact such officials at frequent intervals relative to such decisions and recommendations and to make reports thereon.

To continuously oversee the development and maintenance of all departmental Internet, social media and Web Site information and communications programs.

To do related work as required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS FOR APPOINTMENT:

KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS AND CAPACITIES: A thorough knowledge of the principles practices and techniques of communication programs; a thorough knowledge of federal, state and local transportation programs; the ability to conduct fact-finding investigations of complaints raised by local officials, or civic groups, in connection with the effect of such state programs; a thorough knowledge of computers and Internet communications technology; a thorough knowledge of, and the ability to evaluate, the attitudes and reactions of interested and affected groups and their demands and needs for information about the department's programs and objectives; the ability to resolve such complaints and objections or to prepare reports thereon for consideration by the Director and/or departmental officials; the ability to review proposed legislation, existing laws and regulations and to report to the Director any need for amendment thereof; the ability to work in a liaison capacity; a thorough knowledge of computers and Internet communications technology; a thorough knowledge of, and the ability to evaluate, the attitudes and reactions of interested and affected groups and their demands and needs for information about the department's programs and objectives; the ability to research, write and edit news releases, articles, and feature materials for use of media and publicity agencies; the ability to communicate effectively with media representatives, educational institutions, community organizations and the general public; and related capacities and abilities.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
Education: Such as may have been gained through: possession of a Master's Degree in Public Administration, Journalism or a related field from a college of recognized standing; and
Experience: Such as may have been gained through: considerable employment in a highly responsible position involving responsibility for the research, analysis, policy development and dissemination of information.
Or, any combination of education and experienced that shall be substantially equivalent to the above education and experience.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:

Considerable professional experience in a highly responsible Media/Communications/Policy development position in the public or private sector is highly desired.

Applications must be filed online at:

http://www.apply.ri.gov

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $114,064.00 - $130,653.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible schedule
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Holidays
• Monday to Friday
• On call
• Weekend availability

Experience:

• Writing skills: 1 year (Preferred)

Work Location: One location

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