Office of Human Resources

8400 River Road

Laurel, MD 20724
(202) 299-3100 (O)
(202) 299-3306 (F)
www.dyrs.dc.gov
GOVERNMENT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA





Job Description

Job Title: Public Information Officer
Location: Washington, DC
Status: Regular Full-Time

HOW TO APPLY: Submit cover letter and resume to Sharmin Islam at sharmin.islam@dc.gov
Subject Line: Public Information Officer Posting

General Job Information

Agency: DC Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS)

Tour of Duty: Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5:00pm

Collective Bargaining Unit (Union): This position is not in a collective bargaining unit

Duration of Appointment: Management Supervisory Services (At-Will)

Number of Vacancies: One (1)

Salary Range: $91,201 - $127,682

Duties

This position is located in the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS), Office of the Chief of
Staff. The incumbent serves as the Public Information Officer for the Department and will be
responsible for developing and utilizing a variety of communication modalities to inform, involve and
engage DYRS and its stakeholders in the support of the DYRS mission.

The incumbent will work in collaboration with senior leaders to plan and develop goals and objectives
for implementation of long and short-range communications' efforts of the Department.

Arranges for media coverage of Departmental activities and for interviews with the Director and/or
other appropriate Department staff.

Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with members of the news media, inter/intra


governmental agency managers, the public, and groups interested in the Department's programs and
initiatives

Analyzes communications issues and advises the Chief of Staff and other senior leaders regarding the
perceptions and reactions of the public, special interests, the Mayor's Office, and City Council to the
Department's programs and activities. Evaluates communication efforts and achievements and
recommends appropriate modifications.

Develops issue papers, presentations, and testimony in support of Departmental initiatives and in
response requests from Executive Branch agencies and District of Columbia Council. Creates compelling
and persuasive strategy papers, talking points, articles, Web sites, and other communications on a wide
variety of issues. Plans and directs the preparation of informational materials to be used by the print
and electronic media, professional publications, and the public.

Develops strategies, techniques and distribution methods to ensure that Departmental employees have
various and continuous access to information, including material for newsletters, intranet postings,
flyers, posters, events, and audio-visual support.

Maintains liaison with the Mayor's Office of Communications and representatives of the media to
ensure appropriate and timely coverage of events, accomplishments, and activities of interest or
concern to the public. Depending upon nature of information to be released, determines appropriate
format and forum to be used, i.e., news release, public service announcements, radio/TV talk shows,
feature stories, etc.

Qualifications

Education Requirement: Bachelor's degree in journalism, communications, public relations or related
field.

Specialized Experience: Experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills,
and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the
work of the position to be filled. To be creditable, at least one (1) year of specialized experience must
have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the
occupation in the organization.