Title: Communications Director #00082
State Role Title: PR & Mktg Mgr III
Hiring Range: $122,000 - $133,000
Pay Band: 6
Agency: Dept of Emergency Management
Location: VDEM Headquarters
Agency Website: https://www.vaemergency.gov/
Recruitment Type: General Public - G
Job Duties
The Communications Director will be an integral and critical part of the agency’s leadership team. The Communications Director serves as the agency’s senior leader for public information, crisis communications, external and internal engagement. This position directs statewide communications strategies and manages the agency’s digital presence.
This position is responsible for establishing strong working relationships and acting as a central resource across all divisions of the agency. Role is responsible for assuring intentional cultural sensitivity and inclusivity in all internal and external communications, messaging and all activities delivered from the Communications division, including interviews with the public and media, relaying broad perspectives and stories. Serves in the Joint Information Center within the Virginia Emergency Support Team.
All VDEM employees are designated as essential personnel and may be required to work during emergency situations, such as inclement weather, and natural or man-made disasters/events as directed. This may require irregular work hours, work at locations other than the official duty station, and may include duties other than those specified in the employee’s official EWP.
Minimum Qualifications
-Experience in public affairs, strategic communications, and/or crisis communications
-Proven ability to develop and execute comprehensive marketing and communications strategies aligned with organizational mission
-Demonstrated success leveraging branding, digital strategy, social media, and innovative communication platforms to enhance public engagement and organizational visibility
-Demonstrated experience advising executive leadership and serving as a lead spokesperson; skilled in preparing executive briefings, legislative testimony, and media communications
-Strong knowledge of emergency management and public safety operations, including emergency activations and information release during ongoing incidents and recovery efforts
-Working knowledge of federal, state, and local government operations, processes, and applicable laws governing public communications
-Demonstrated leadership ability, including supervising and developing staff, fostering collaboration, and managing performance in fast-paced, high-visibility environments
-Proven ability to plan, implement, oversee, and evaluate complex projects and strategic initiatives; experience developing and managing program budgets
-Ability to prioritize competing demands, exercise sound judgment, and make independent strategic decisions under pressure
Additional Considerations
- Experience with disaster preparedness, response, and/or recovery
- Experience within a state emergency management agency or public safety organization
- Familiarity with the Incident Command System (ICS), Joint Information System (JIS), and Emergency Operations Center (EOC) operations
- Experience managing public safety communications programs, and considerable experience managing government press conferences and live media interviews
- Experience with government budget management
Special Instructions
You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.
You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.
Applications will only be accepted on-line through the State Job website. Applications must include all work history and references. The decision to interview an applicant is solely based on the information provided in the application materials. Therefore, it is essential to provide enough information to make this assessment.
Employment is contingent upon satisfactory results of a fingerprint-based criminal history background check, Division of Motor Vehicle check, employment reference check, and E-Verify. The selected candidate must complete a State of Personal Economic Interests as a condition of employment, if applicable (Va. Code 2.2-3114). Other financial, credit, driving, or degree verification checks prior to employment may be required for certain positions. A one-year probationary period is required of all newly hired and re-hired Commonwealth of Virginia employees.
The salary for this position is negotiable up to the maximum hiring range listed in this posting. Offers will not be made outside of the hiring range. This is a restricted position due to the funding source.
Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Minorities, Individuals with disabilities, Veterans, and people with National Service experience are encouraged to apply.
VDEM does not provide sponsorship to prospective or current employees. Applicants applying for a position with our agency must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of employment.
The Virginia Department of Emergency Management is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Contact Information
Name: Human Resources
Phone: (804) 366-7942
Email: Recruitment@vdem.virginia.gov
In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.
Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.