Public Affairs Director - Salary Range: $95,000-100,742

Company Description

A best-in-class city that attracts best-in-class talent, Philadelphia is an incredible place to build a career. From our thriving arts scene and rich history to our culture of passion and grit, there are countless reasons to love living and working here. With a workforce of over 30,000 people, and more than 1,000 different job categories, the City of Philadelphia offers boundless opportunities to make an impact.

As an employer, the City of Philadelphia values inclusion, integrity, innovation, empowerment, and hard work above all else. We offer a vibrant work environment, comprehensive health care and benefits, and the experience you need to grow and excel. If you're interested in working with a passionate team of people who care about the future of Philadelphia, start here.

What we offer

• Impact - The work you do here matters to millions.
• Growth - Philadelphia is growing, why not grow with it?
• Diversity & Inclusion - Find a career in a place where everyone belongs.
• Benefits - We care about your well-being.

Agency Description

The Philadelphia Streets Department and the divisions within it are responsible for the City's vast network of streets and roadways. Included among many duties are the ongoing collection and disposal of residential trash and recyclables, as well as the construction, cleanliness, and maintenance of our entire street system.

The Streets Department's mission is to provide clean, green, and safe streets in a cost-effective and efficient manner. The department delivers a number of City services that are critical to maintaining the public health and safety in our communities. These essential services include, but are not limited to, curbside trash and recycling collection, maintaining all traffic control devices and street lighting, the construction and maintenance of 320 bridges and 2,525 miles of streets and highways and snow and ice removal.

Job Description

Position Summary:

This is public affairs work directing the communications and public relations programs and activities of the Streets Department. The employee in this class plans, directs and coordinates the work of a staff of public relations and communications personnel and contracted providers engaged in preparing communication, public relations and ceremonial materials and participating in the promotion of departmental activities. Work includes directing the activities of public relations and social media staff and contracted providers engaged in a variety of public relations and communications-related activities, ensuring that the public affairs and public information needs of the various divisions are met, and advising departmental officials on public relations matters. Work is performed under the direction the Streets Commissioner.

Essential Functions:

• Plans, assigns, and coordinates the work of a staff of public affairs and communications employees and contracted providers engaged in preparing a variety of communications, promotional, and publicity materials for the Streets Department; reviews, approves, and edits for policy, content and style a variety of materials such as news releases, advertisements, event rundowns, speeches, fact sheets, websites and brochures; determines and directs the distribution of news releases to the appropriate media.
• Confers with departmental officials on the development and revision of communications policies; makes recommendations for implementing new communications strategies; prepares major agency publication material for informational release; prepares reports on departmental activities and accomplishments.
• Directs the activities of public relations and social media professionals engaged in writing internal and external communication projects; directs the activities of personnel engaged in designing layouts for a variety of flyers and brochures and preparing charts, graphs and posters; directs the activities of contract providers engaged in developing and managing media campaigns as needed, assisting with the development and coordination of press/media events, preparing artwork for various printed educational products, and managing the Departments web site.
• Ensures that the communications and public relations needs of the divisions are met on a timely basis; contacts media representatives and coordinates the arrangement of press conferences, press briefings, and public appearances; coordinates the ceremonies as necessary, establishing the order of presentation, arranging for the presence of appropriate individuals, and ensuring that photographs are taken and distributed.
• Solicits media input, plans news conferences, and arranges for airtime on local television and radio stations; arranges for the preparation of sites for special events and news conferences; attends events to ensure that all required arrangements have been made.
• Prepares news releases, advertising, event rundowns, correspondence, fact sheets, and copy for brochures, flyers and public service announcements; conducts research required to prepare informational materials.
• Plans and directs the implementation of marketing and educational campaigns to promote departmental activities and programs to targeted audiences.
• Provides communications and public relations counsel to departmental officials as required; serves as liaison for agency officials with the news media; serves as the primary point of contact with the media.
• Coordinates Department's responses to Access to Public Records and Freedom of Information requests.
• Perform related work as required.

Competencies, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of communications and public relations principles and practices used in the preparation and dissemination of informational materials in all types of media.
• Excellent analytical, verbal and written communication skills.
• Knowledge of modern communication principles and practices.
• Proven success in developing collaborative relationships, and a successful track record of providing successful advice and counsel to senior leaders.
• Excellent leadership, influencing and negotiation skills.
• Professionalism and judgment, ability to apply critical thinking, tactfully handle various situations, using highest level of diplomacy and customer service.
• Ability to think critically and analyze information, metrics and statistical data.
• Excellent project management and ability to pay strict attention to detail remain focused and work in situations involving multiple interruptions.

Qualifications

• Completion of a bachelor's degree program at an accredited college or university with major course work in journalism, communications, marketing, public relations or a related area.
• Five years of professional experience in the communications/public relations field, two years of which has been at the supervisory level directing communications/public relations activities with responsibility for promoting and advertising programs, disseminating communication information and materials, and coordinating publicity events.
• Any equivalent combination of education and/or experience determined to be acceptable by the Streets Department, which has included possession of a bachelor's degree as an educational minimum.

Additional Information

TO APPLY: Interested candidates must submit a cover letter and resume.

Salary Range: $95,000 - $100,742

Discover the Perks of Being a City of Philadelphia Employee:

• Transportation: City employees get unlimited FREE public transportation all year long through SEPTA's Key Advantage program. Employees can ride on SEPTA buses, subways, trolleys, and regional rail for their daily commute and more.
• Parental Benefits: The City offers its employees 6 weeks of paid parental leave.
• We offer Comprehensive health coverage for employees and their eligible dependents.
• Our wellness program offers eligibility into the discounted medical plan
• Employees receive paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
• Generous retirement savings options are available
• Pay off your student loans faster - As a qualifying employer, City of Philadelphia employees are eligible to participate in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. Join the ranks of hundreds of employees who have already benefited from this program and achieved student loan forgiveness.
• Unlock Tuition Discounts and Scholarships - The City of Philadelphia has forged partnerships with over a dozen esteemed colleges and universities in the area, ensuring that our employees have access to a wide range of tuition discounts and scholarships. Experience savings of 10% to 40% on your educational expenses, extending not only to City employees but in some cases, spouse and dependents too!

Join the City of Philadelphia team today and seize these incredible benefits designed to enhance your financial well-being and personal growth!

*The successful candidate must be a city of Philadelphia resident within six months of hire

Effective May 22, 2023, vaccinations are no longer required for new employees that work in non-medical, non-emergency or patient facing positions with the City of Philadelphia. As a result, only employees in positions providing services that are patient-facing medical care (ex: Nurses, doctors, emergency medical personnel), must be fully vaccinated.

The City of Philadelphia is an Equal Opportunity employer and does not permit discrimination based on race, ethnicity, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, source of income, familial status, genetic information or domestic or sexual violence victim status. If you believe you were discriminated against, call the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations at 215-686-4670 or send an email to faqpchr@phila.gov.

For more information, go to: Human Relations Website: http://www.phila.gov/humanrelations/Pages/default.aspx