VetJobs
Director of Public Affairs - DFSS
VetJobs, Chicago, Illinois, United States, 60290
Job Description
Chicago Dept. of Family & Support Services (DFSS)
This position will serve as a key leadership role in the department and will 1) coordinate and oversee the department's public affairs and media relations activities, 2) develop strategies to create and maintain a positive image of the department, 3) direct public information programs to convey the department's mission, goals, and services to the general public and 4) promote goodwill for the department through public relations activities and media campaigns. This position will report directly to the Commissioner and may manage staff.
The Director of Public Affairs will provide both strategic and tactical leadership to the department. This includes:Serve as the spokesperson for DFSS programs, including creating presentations that can be shared with the Mayor's Office, funders, media and aldermen.Develop overall communications plan for the department to support program and administrative divisions as well as special initiatives.Support the program divisions to develop and disseminate public information and vide products, i.e., press releases, ads, annual report, fliers, newsletters, publications, etc.Utilize innovative tools to promote DFSS programs and drive service uptake.Plans and coordinates community outreach events.Prepares communication materials in a variety of formats.Advises city staff in media relations and public information policies and procedures.Works on special projects related to departmental communications.May attend on behalf of the department committee meetings, special aldermanic briefings and other position related meetings or events.Key FunctionsUnder the direction of the Commissioner, the Director of Public Affairs is responsible for developing and executing the internal and external communication strategies of the department. Position responsibilities include:
Public Affairs - 50%Serves as a liaison to various City groups (e.g., the Mayor's Press Secretary's Office, City Council) regarding public information issues;Serves as department spokesperson with media representatives;Plans, coordinates and executes press conferences, interviews, special events and other programs of city and public interest with departmental staff, dignitaries, political and community leaders;Develops content for messages to be communicated to the public (e.g., public service announcements, press releases, press briefings, intranet and internet websites, feature articles, and promotional materials);Fosters good public/media relations by notifying the media of newsworthy events, providing pertinent information in a timely manner;Serves as liaison with public relations, marketing and media representatives, community groups, and other outside stakeholders;Coordinates assigned activities and events with other city departments; andParticipates in video-taped and telephone interviews with the media
Executive/Internal Communications - 30%Works closely with the Mayor's Press Office to ensure timely delivery of programmatic information affecting the City of Chicago, community areas, our vast network of DFSS' delegate agency partners, and federal and state government entities;Researches, drafts, and edits speeches and talking points for the Commissioner and other senior leadership staff;Drafts newsletters and communication updates to be shared department-wide
Marketing Materials and Community Relations - 10%
Manages the design and content of city publications, including informational booklets, brochures, posters and flyers;Develops and disseminates public information and video products, i.e., press releases, ads, annual report, newsletters, publications, etc. in conjunction with all divisions;Develops and implements methods and materials to promote special events sponsored by DFSS;Organizes communication activities and campaigns to foster public understanding of DFSS programs and services
Digital Communications - 10%
Develops strategies to create and maintain a positive image of the department including social media platformsDirects public information programs to convey the department's mission, goals, and services to the general publicResearches, develops, writes, and coordinates digital media campaign for program divisions to foster public awareness
Certificates/Security Clearances/Other
THIS POSITION IS EXEMPT FROM THE CAREER SERVICE
Mission
Working with community partners, we connect Chicago residents and families to resources that build stability, support their well-being, and empower them to thrive.
Background - Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS)
DFSS is the largest human and social service funder in the City of Chicago. The department serves approximately 400,000 vulnerable Chicagoans every year through seven program areas: children and youth services, human services, workforce, seniors, gender-based violence and homelessness. The department provides critical services through its network of 330 not-for-profit agencies with an operating budget of $668 million in federal, state and local funding.
Salary and Benefit Information:
For more information regarding compensation with the City of Chicago, please visit: https://www.chicago.gov/content/dam/city/depts/dhr/supp_info/JobClassification/2023_2024_Classification_and_Pay_Plan.pdfFor more information regarding benefits please visit: https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/fin/benefits-office.htmlCOMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY:
To further our commitment to hiring applicants with diverse experience the City of Chicago has adopted the following ordinances 2-74-020 and 2-74-075. The ordinances provide a preference to applicants who meet minimum qualifications and who are veterans of the Armed Forces, and/or residents of Socio-Economically Disadvantaged Areas (SEDA) and/or Chicago Public School (CPS) high school graduates to be referred to departments for consideration. These hiring preferences do not apply to bidders, as Collective Bargaining Agreements define the hiring process for bidders. For positions covered by a collective bargaining agreement, bidders will be considered before external candidates.
Employee Vaccination Requirement:
City of Chicago employees must, as a condition of employment, be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 effective October 15, 2021. This Policy applies to all City employees. If you are not able to receive the vaccine for medical or religious reasons, you may seek approval for an exemption in accordance with applicable City processes. For more information on the vaccine policy please visit: https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/dhr/supp_info/city-of-chicago-employee-vaccination-policy.html
ALL REFERENCES TO POLITICAL SPONSORSHIP OR RECOMMENDATION MUST BE OMITTED FROM ALL APPLICATION MATERIALS SUBMITTED FOR CITY EMPLOYMENT.
The City of Chicago in an Equal Employment Opportunity and Military Friendly Employer.
Additional Qualifications/Responsibilities
Minimum Qualifications
Training & Experience:Equivalent to a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in business or public administration, political science, journalism, marketing, public relations or a related field.Four to six years of responsible experience in journalism, mass media communications, or public relations and a bachelor's degree in journalism, mass media communications, public relations, advertising, marketing or a related field. Other combinations of experience and education that meet the minimum requirements may be substituted.Bilingual, Spanish speaking preferred or highly recommendedThree to five years of increasingly responsible supervisory experience in an administrative or staff capacity in a private or public organization involving regular contact with elected/appointed officials and media representatives.
Knowledge of:Principles and practices of public administration, marketing and public relations as they relate to municipal government;Current English usage and journalistic styles, both for broadcast and print;Principles and methods of preparing, producing, and disseminating information using various forms of communication media;Graphic design principles, typography, and layout techniques;Principles and practices of public relations and public information, including conduct of media relations relative to public agencies.
Ability to:Plan, direct, and control the administration and operations of the Public Information Office.Gain cooperation through discussion and persuasion.Interpret and apply City policies, procedures, rules, and regulations.Compose news articles, speeches, radio and television scripts, reports and letters;Develop and deliver effective presentations;Perform varied and responsible assignments involving the use of initiative and independent judgment;Analyze and interpret complex and sensitive information on a wide range of subjects and topics;Ability to maintain effective audio-visual discrimination and perception needed for making observations, communicating with others, reading and writing, and operating assigned office equipment;Communicate orally with other employees, members of the media, other agencies, and the public by telephone, in a one-to-one, face-to-face setting, and in a group settingPlan and coordinate all components of promotional and informational activities;Communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing, tailoring the message to the intended audience.Supervise, train and evaluate assigned personnel.Perform related duties and responsibilities as assigned.Reviews and approves budget requests for the public affairs unit, as required.
Chicago Dept. of Family & Support Services (DFSS)
This position will serve as a key leadership role in the department and will 1) coordinate and oversee the department's public affairs and media relations activities, 2) develop strategies to create and maintain a positive image of the department, 3) direct public information programs to convey the department's mission, goals, and services to the general public and 4) promote goodwill for the department through public relations activities and media campaigns. This position will report directly to the Commissioner and may manage staff.
The Director of Public Affairs will provide both strategic and tactical leadership to the department. This includes:Serve as the spokesperson for DFSS programs, including creating presentations that can be shared with the Mayor's Office, funders, media and aldermen.Develop overall communications plan for the department to support program and administrative divisions as well as special initiatives.Support the program divisions to develop and disseminate public information and vide products, i.e., press releases, ads, annual report, fliers, newsletters, publications, etc.Utilize innovative tools to promote DFSS programs and drive service uptake.Plans and coordinates community outreach events.Prepares communication materials in a variety of formats.Advises city staff in media relations and public information policies and procedures.Works on special projects related to departmental communications.May attend on behalf of the department committee meetings, special aldermanic briefings and other position related meetings or events.Key FunctionsUnder the direction of the Commissioner, the Director of Public Affairs is responsible for developing and executing the internal and external communication strategies of the department. Position responsibilities include:
Public Affairs - 50%Serves as a liaison to various City groups (e.g., the Mayor's Press Secretary's Office, City Council) regarding public information issues;Serves as department spokesperson with media representatives;Plans, coordinates and executes press conferences, interviews, special events and other programs of city and public interest with departmental staff, dignitaries, political and community leaders;Develops content for messages to be communicated to the public (e.g., public service announcements, press releases, press briefings, intranet and internet websites, feature articles, and promotional materials);Fosters good public/media relations by notifying the media of newsworthy events, providing pertinent information in a timely manner;Serves as liaison with public relations, marketing and media representatives, community groups, and other outside stakeholders;Coordinates assigned activities and events with other city departments; andParticipates in video-taped and telephone interviews with the media
Executive/Internal Communications - 30%Works closely with the Mayor's Press Office to ensure timely delivery of programmatic information affecting the City of Chicago, community areas, our vast network of DFSS' delegate agency partners, and federal and state government entities;Researches, drafts, and edits speeches and talking points for the Commissioner and other senior leadership staff;Drafts newsletters and communication updates to be shared department-wide
Marketing Materials and Community Relations - 10%
Manages the design and content of city publications, including informational booklets, brochures, posters and flyers;Develops and disseminates public information and video products, i.e., press releases, ads, annual report, newsletters, publications, etc. in conjunction with all divisions;Develops and implements methods and materials to promote special events sponsored by DFSS;Organizes communication activities and campaigns to foster public understanding of DFSS programs and services
Digital Communications - 10%
Develops strategies to create and maintain a positive image of the department including social media platformsDirects public information programs to convey the department's mission, goals, and services to the general publicResearches, develops, writes, and coordinates digital media campaign for program divisions to foster public awareness
Certificates/Security Clearances/Other
THIS POSITION IS EXEMPT FROM THE CAREER SERVICE
Mission
Working with community partners, we connect Chicago residents and families to resources that build stability, support their well-being, and empower them to thrive.
Background - Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS)
DFSS is the largest human and social service funder in the City of Chicago. The department serves approximately 400,000 vulnerable Chicagoans every year through seven program areas: children and youth services, human services, workforce, seniors, gender-based violence and homelessness. The department provides critical services through its network of 330 not-for-profit agencies with an operating budget of $668 million in federal, state and local funding.
Salary and Benefit Information:
For more information regarding compensation with the City of Chicago, please visit: https://www.chicago.gov/content/dam/city/depts/dhr/supp_info/JobClassification/2023_2024_Classification_and_Pay_Plan.pdfFor more information regarding benefits please visit: https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/fin/benefits-office.htmlCOMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY:
To further our commitment to hiring applicants with diverse experience the City of Chicago has adopted the following ordinances 2-74-020 and 2-74-075. The ordinances provide a preference to applicants who meet minimum qualifications and who are veterans of the Armed Forces, and/or residents of Socio-Economically Disadvantaged Areas (SEDA) and/or Chicago Public School (CPS) high school graduates to be referred to departments for consideration. These hiring preferences do not apply to bidders, as Collective Bargaining Agreements define the hiring process for bidders. For positions covered by a collective bargaining agreement, bidders will be considered before external candidates.
Employee Vaccination Requirement:
City of Chicago employees must, as a condition of employment, be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 effective October 15, 2021. This Policy applies to all City employees. If you are not able to receive the vaccine for medical or religious reasons, you may seek approval for an exemption in accordance with applicable City processes. For more information on the vaccine policy please visit: https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/dhr/supp_info/city-of-chicago-employee-vaccination-policy.html
ALL REFERENCES TO POLITICAL SPONSORSHIP OR RECOMMENDATION MUST BE OMITTED FROM ALL APPLICATION MATERIALS SUBMITTED FOR CITY EMPLOYMENT.
The City of Chicago in an Equal Employment Opportunity and Military Friendly Employer.
Additional Qualifications/Responsibilities
Minimum Qualifications
Training & Experience:Equivalent to a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in business or public administration, political science, journalism, marketing, public relations or a related field.Four to six years of responsible experience in journalism, mass media communications, or public relations and a bachelor's degree in journalism, mass media communications, public relations, advertising, marketing or a related field. Other combinations of experience and education that meet the minimum requirements may be substituted.Bilingual, Spanish speaking preferred or highly recommendedThree to five years of increasingly responsible supervisory experience in an administrative or staff capacity in a private or public organization involving regular contact with elected/appointed officials and media representatives.
Knowledge of:Principles and practices of public administration, marketing and public relations as they relate to municipal government;Current English usage and journalistic styles, both for broadcast and print;Principles and methods of preparing, producing, and disseminating information using various forms of communication media;Graphic design principles, typography, and layout techniques;Principles and practices of public relations and public information, including conduct of media relations relative to public agencies.
Ability to:Plan, direct, and control the administration and operations of the Public Information Office.Gain cooperation through discussion and persuasion.Interpret and apply City policies, procedures, rules, and regulations.Compose news articles, speeches, radio and television scripts, reports and letters;Develop and deliver effective presentations;Perform varied and responsible assignments involving the use of initiative and independent judgment;Analyze and interpret complex and sensitive information on a wide range of subjects and topics;Ability to maintain effective audio-visual discrimination and perception needed for making observations, communicating with others, reading and writing, and operating assigned office equipment;Communicate orally with other employees, members of the media, other agencies, and the public by telephone, in a one-to-one, face-to-face setting, and in a group settingPlan and coordinate all components of promotional and informational activities;Communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing, tailoring the message to the intended audience.Supervise, train and evaluate assigned personnel.Perform related duties and responsibilities as assigned.Reviews and approves budget requests for the public affairs unit, as required.