Starting Salary: Communications Specialist I $57,931 - $81,104 or Communications Specialist II $61,417 - $89,239
Opportunity to help coordinate communications for a nonprofit association of local governments committed to shaping a better region. The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) is seeking applicants for a Communications Specialist responsible for media relations and member and stakeholder communications, including the production of a wide variety of print and web content. The Specialist will work collaboratively with COG’s subject matter experts and area officials on a range of topics, including transportation, the environment, housing, health, and public safety.
EXAMPLES OF WORK
Writes and edits media advisories and press releases—can translate technical jargon into common English usage acceptable to news media and the public;
Responds to media inquiries and contacts reporters and editors to promote COG’s members, research, and reports;
Provides media relations support before, during, and after meetings and events and sets up interviews for officials and staff experts;
Produces newsletters using email marketing software, writes news features for the COG website, and helps create multimedia products, such as videos and podcasts;
Updates social media accounts; helps organize information on COG’s website; maintains database of media and other contacts;
Writes talking points and speeches; creates presentations for senior management staff, elected officials, and other COG members;
Writes, edits, and designs publications and marketing materials in collaboration with COG program staff; ensures proper organizational branding; acts as a liaison with designers and printers;
Works with senior management staff to plan major events like the association’s annual meeting; takes photographs at events and meetings;
Reviews media and other information sources for news pertinent to COG and identifies news clips to highlight for members and staff.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
This job has no supervisory responsibilities.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Demonstrated strong writing skills and ability to write for public consumption; an eye for detail and proofreading skills; knowledge of public relations goals and practices; knowledge and ability to respond to journalistic methods and techniques, including a knowledge of journalism; knowledge of local, state, and federal government and regional issues; ability to maintain good relationships with co-workers, personnel of other agencies, the news media, and the general public; good judgment and tact when interacting with officials and senior management staff; ability to manage projects like reports and other printed publications; ability to work under deadline to produce high quality work; ability to multi-task and set priorities.
Education and Experience
Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Communication, Journalism, Media, Public Relations, History, Government, Political Science or related field and two to three years of experience in writing and producing publications, journalism, public relations, local, state or federal government, or nonprofit organizations or any equivalent combination of knowledge and training which provides the required knowledge, experience, skills and abilities.
Computer Knowledge and Skills
Knowledge of Microsoft Office, web content management and association management systems, email marketing software, and social media programs, familiarity with audio and video production software and graphic design programs (Canva, Photoshop) a plus.
Communication Skills
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret City and County Council meeting materials, technical reports, general business periodicals, and professional journals. Ability to write newsletter articles, press releases, reports, blogs, and business correspondence. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from officials, senior management staff, the news media, and the general public.
Reasoning Ability
Ability to solve practical problems in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations
No Requirements
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to walk; sit; and use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee is occasionally required to stand and reach with hands and arms. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
To apply for this position, please submit your cover letter, resume, writing sample and salary requirement to:
777 North Capitol Street, NE
Suite 300 - Attention: OHRM
Washington, DC 20002-4239
Or visit our website at: www.mwcog.org
Fax: 202-962-3715
Identification/Right to Work
Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments is committed to compliance with federal and state laws requiring that MWCOG only hires workers who are lawfully entitled to work in the United States (U.S. citizens or nationals and non-citizens with valid work authorization) without discrimination. MWCOG does not sponsor Visas of any type. All persons employed by Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments are required to comply with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 by presenting documents to verify identity and authorization to work in the United States.
Acceptable forms of identification are listed by the Department of Homeland Security / U. S. Citizenship and Immigration Services on Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification
MWCOG is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation or any other class protected by state or federal laws in admission or access to our programs, services, activities, hiring, and employment practices.