Title: Director of Communications

State Role Title: PR & Mktg Mgr III

Hiring Range: $120,000 - $133,618

Pay Band: 6

Agency: Department of Juvenile Justice

Location: Central Office

Agency Website: www.djj.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: State Employee Only - E

Job Duties

The Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) protects the public by preparing court-involved youth to be successful citizens. DJJ is committed to excellence in public safety by providing effective interventions that improve the lives of youth, strengthening both families and communities within the Commonwealth.

DJJ is currently seeking a Director of Communications. This role provides leadership, direction, and day-to-day management of internal and external communications staff, programs, and resources. Strategically aligns internal and external communication and marketing campaigns to advance agency goals and initiatives. Develops, influences, and promotes agency communication policies. Identifies opportunities to promote the agency’s image. Provides consultation and support services to all agency divisions and units in the development of communications strategies.

Job responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Strong relationship-building skills.
  
• Ability to ensure accuracy and consistency in all communications.
  
• Strong verbal communication and presentation skills for both internal and external audiences.
  
• Ability to ensure accuracy and consistency in all communications, while capturing the intent of agency leadership.
  
• Ability to respond effectively to changing environments and emerging communication trends.
  
• Awareness of legal and ethical standards in communication, including accessibility, privacy and intellectual property.

Minimum Qualifications

• Considerable knowledge of communication strategies and principles, brand management, and marketing principles.
  
• Considerable knowledge of strategies to engage employees and promote organizational culture.
  
• Knowledge of DJJ facilities, programs, systems, goals, and objectives.
  
• Skill in leading and managing communication teams and cross-functional collaboration.
  
• Considerable knowledge of content creation for various media (ex. social media, websites, video, publishing, email).
  
• Considerable knowledge with social media platforms, digital marketing, and online reputation management.
  
• Working skill in the use of personal computers utilizing graphic design and desktop publishing applications as a public relations tool.
  
• Skill in analyzing communication impact.
  

Additional Considerations

• An equivalent combination of education/training and/or experience in communications, journalism, English, criminal justice, social science, marketing, or a related field.

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.

Lay off Policy 1.3: If you have been affected by DHRM Policy 1.3 layoff and possess a valid Interagency Placement Screening Form (Yellow Card) or a Preferential Hiring Form (Blue Card), you must submit the card before the closing date for this position. The Card may be submitted with the state application as an attachment.

DJJ Welcomes Veterans: DJJ is committed to hiring and retaining veterans. If applicable, please submit form DD-214 with your state application. Please include your name and the position number in which you are applying along with the DD-214.

Supplemental Questions: You may be required to respond to position-specific questions at the end of this application. This information may help us evaluate your credentials and qualifications for the job. Failure to respond to any questions may disqualify you from further consideration.

Status Updates/Confirmation: Once you submit your online application, you will instantly receive an application confirmation number. You may use this number to track the status of your application during the recruitment process. Please refer to your account for the status of your application. Updates will not be provided via telephone.

Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Contact our Human Resources Department for further assistance.

Equal Opportunity Employer: The Department of Juvenile Justice practices fair and equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. It is our policy to prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, political affiliation, genetics, or disability in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce. Qualified individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Contact Information

Name: Bianca D. Stewart Williams, Talent Acquisition Consultant

Phone: 804-588-4410

Email: djjrecruit@djj.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.