What drives you? Are you driven by strategic thinking? Are you driven by creativity? VDOT Richmond District is seeking a dynamic creative thinker to work as a Communications Specialist Senior for the District’s Communications Office to provide support to the Communications Manager, District Engineer, and other VDOT staff regarding communications with key local, state, and federal audiences, including the media, government officials, non-profit and private sector organizations, and the general public. The incumbent will establish and maintain effective relationships with media, execute the District’s and VDOT’s strategic communication plan, and implement local and statewide initiatives within the Richmond District. Position will maintain employee publications and internet site, web content, external newsletters, press releases, brochures, reports, and outreach initiatives. Applicants should have knowledge of communications methods and theory as they relate to public relations and media relations are key skills for this position.

• Communication Programs and Initiatives: Direct and manage internal and external communication vehicles, such as newsletters, website maintenance, digital information stations, reports, and social media. Build relationships and develop information sources with all levels of employees in the organization. Refine and innovate communications pipelines.

• Public Outreach Events: Plan and implement project ribbon-cutting, groundbreaking, public meetings, and other events including site logistics, invitations, talking points, media pitch, speakers, and agenda. Plan and implement internal events and celebrations as planned. Represent the District at partner events as applicable.

• Media Relations: Serve as an official spokesperson for specific areas of responsibility. Establish and maintain media relationships. Develop message and talking points on current and emerging issues. Draft and distribute media alerts and releases, maintaining media contact lists.

• Field Visits: Regularly visit construction sites and other locations to investigate story leads, interview staff, gather photos and video footage, and lead tours for the media and general public.

• Emergency Response: Assume duties at Area Command when emergency communications are required. Serve as official spokesperson, working closely with the media to ensure information is issued accurately and efficiently. This duty includes occasional extended and overnight hours.

• Collateral Production: Draft and design fact sheets, brochures, and other information items. Manage the planning and production of publications, videos, and presentations. Coordinate with subject-matter experts and vendors for production elements and information.

• Executive Support: Develop and edit weekly reports, talking points, and other communications for executive staff in the district and at Central Office. Serve on District and statewide committees. Lead project teams to establish goals and execute communication efforts.

Incumbent must be available to serve as media contact as part of the after-hours on-call rotation.

In addition to a rewarding work experience, VDOT offers excellent health and life insurance benefits, pre-tax spending accounts, state funded short- and long-term disability, paid holidays, vacation, tuition assistance, free wellness programs, and a state retirement plan with options for tax-deferred retirement savings including employer matching.

We are a “Virginia Values Veterans” (V3) official certified company and state agency that provides hiring preference to Veterans and Members of the Virginia National Guard in support of Executive Order 29, (2010). If you are a Veteran or Virginia National Guard Member, we urge you to respond accordingly on your state application.

We have Shared Values and a Code of Ethics: your success in our organization depends upon modeling these values, therefore please access the following link: https://www.virginiadot.org/about/missionandvalues.asp to review them and, if in agreement, we welcome you to apply.