Director, Communications Department : District of Columbia

 

Director
Communications Department

Washington, DC
 

AMERICAN FEDERATION OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES
Affiliated with the AFL-CIO
80 F St NW, Washington, DC 20001-1528

MEMORANDUM:  Human Resources\Vacancy # 25

DATE:  April 25, 2017

TO: AFGE Human Resources Department

FROM: J. David Cox, Sr.
National President

SUBJECT: Vacancy Announcement – Director, Communications Department, G14, NBU

The purpose of this memorandum is to advise you that a vacancy now exists for the position of Director, Communications Department effective immediately.

Selection to fill the vacancy will be made according to the National Executive Council’s policy on hiring.

Official Station:  National Office

All interested applicants must apply in writing only to this email: jobs@afge.org,  Attention: Vacancy Announcement #25 to the Human Resources Department.  Expressions of interest from (internal candidates) must be received by the close of business on Wednesday, May 3, 2017.

cc: National Executive Council
Director, Finance

FOR BULLETIN BOARD POSTING
NOT TO BE REMOVED
(ADDITIONAL COPIES OF THIS POSTING MAY BE OBTAINED FROM
AFGE WEBSITE)

POSITION DESCRIPTION

American Federation of Government Employees
Office of the National President
Communications Department
Exempt

CLASSIFICATION:  DIRECTOR, COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT

I.  INTRODUCTION

As a union whose issues are constantly intertwined with government and public policy, and as a union representing 670,000 government workers for whom information is key, the AFGE external and internal communications programs and department are critical to building a powerful voice for government workers and successfully representing their interests.

            Under the direction of the National President, the Communications Department serves to:                

            1) create, implement and manage the Federation’s internal and external communications program in support of the goals, objectives and positions of the union for the purpose of informing, educating and motivating members, leadership, potential members, union staff, opinion leaders, political leaders, and the general public; 2) increasing overall visibility and marketability of the union at all levels; and 3) assist and advise the communications efforts of locals, districts, councils and other national headquarter’s departments in support of the Federation’s goals and objectives. 

II.  MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE DIRECTOR

The Director shall be expected to initiate, implement and manage programs, direct staff and provide the leadership to fulfill the mission of the Communications Department under the direction of the National President at a high level of quality, effectiveness, and efficiency.  This includes:

1. Directing the union’s public affairs and public relations activities as well as serves as a spokesperson among others for the union.  The Director shall aggressively promote, market, and communicate the union’s goals and objectives to the news media, members of Congress and other audiences for the purpose of establishing AFGE as a credible organization in the development of public policy. Maintains high-quality relationships with the news media and aggressively promotes AFGE’s interests to the media. Arranges news interviews with key Federation leaders, places articles, and news releases, develops content for radio, print, web, social media, and other special activities to communicate AFGE’s message to the news media. In addition, the Director shall assist locals, councils and districts in establishing ongoing local media relations activities and successful internal communications program.

2. The Director will develop an active public affairs programs that targets key markets that are important to achieving the union’s goals and objectives, and implement appropriate communications programs to inform them of the Federation’s goals and objectives.

3. The Director will develop, in collaboration with the Legislative and Policy Departments, and manage strategic messaging that engages target audiences and key constituencies in order to advance AFGE’s mission and accomplish its organizational objectives.

4. The Director will manage and maintain AFGE’s brand standards, as outlined in the Official AFGE Brand Guidelines, and enforce brand management with all internal and external entities where the AFGE logo and other branded property is used.  The Director will provide guidance/recommendations to National President and the National Executive Council on any alterations to the Official AFGE Brand Guidelines.

5. Direct and improve an internal communications program to educate and mobilize union members in support of the union’s objectives and to encourage non-members to join AFGE.  The Director will supervise assistance to locals, councils, and districts on the production of publications, audio, digital video and other media to achieve these objectives.

6. Direct and continuously improve an electronic communications system for rapid and timely communications with locals, districts and councils, to provide them with current information, talking points, position papers and strategy.  The Director should stay abreast of advances in communications technology for the purpose of making recommendations for improvements.

a. The Director remains fully informed on major events within the federal sector and DC, government, and relate the impact of these events on the membership and on the union’s goals and objectives.  Remains fully informed on major developments within the labor movement, political and current affairs, and the economy and relates the impact of these events on the membership and union’s goals and objectives.

7. Develops and manages the Department’s budget in accordance with union policy under the direction of the National President.

8. Manages the professional and technical performance of personnel and perform routine supervision and labor relations within the Department. Makes the recommendation regarding the hiring, dismissing, or promoting employees in accordance with established policies and subject to the approval of the National President.

9. Serves as a liaison with other AFL-CIO and union public relations and editorial personnel to inform and coordinate the union’s positions on issues.

10. Attends sessions of the National Executive Council and reports on these meetings in the union publications.

11. Plans and executes special projects, drafts speeches, etc., for the National President and other principals/departments as needed with the approval of the National President.

III.  CONTROLS OVER WORK

    The Director reports directly to and works under the supervision of the National President.  The Director should have a sound command of how government functions, unionism, and AFGE policies and procedures.  Performance is measured in terms of operating effectiveness and achievement of program goals.  The Director maintains strict neutrality in all internal AFGE union affairs. 

IV.   QUALIFICATIONS

Applicants for this position must have a bachelor’s degree from a four-year course in an accredited college or university in journalism, public relations, English or related field; extensive successful experience in molding opinion via public relations or public affairs employment and internal communications; ability to understand complex issues quickly and create a successful messaging and marketing approach; show increased responsibilities throughout career; must have excellent writing and verbal communications skills; understand the printing process, the applicable use of digital media techniques and remain current on communications technology; have the ability to work cooperatively with employees, other department directors and supervisors; demonstrate leadership skills to effectively manage and motivate employees</span></span>

This is a high-intensity position which requires the ability to work hard, travel frequently, handle many issues at one time, deal with all kinds of personalities, and work well in a team setting.

V. PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job, the incumbent is regularly required to communicate with others in the department as well as AFGE staff and members outside of the department.  This position requires the ability to often lift products associated with regular office items including binder, printer paper, electronics weighing up to 20 pounds.  The physical demands described here are presentative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

Incumbent will perform the bulk of his or her duties in an office environment and at a desk with a computer.  Incumbent must be able to work in a seated position for extended periods of time.  Incumbent must be able to pick up and deliver documents between individuals, office and on occasion other buildings.

Incumbent frequently communicates information with AFGE staff, members, union officers, by talking and listening on a phone and/or telephone conference call.  Must be able to understand questions posed by these individuals, remain patient, pleasant and exchange accurate information with them.
Sufficient ability to read a computer screen for long periods of time while closely observing the details of digital documents is required.  Operates a computer and a computer printer almost constantly.  Out-of-the-area and overnight travel will be expected.

VI. EEO STATEMENT

AFGE provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, personal appearance, gender identity and/or gender expression.  In addition to federal law requirements, AFGE complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.  The policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

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