Public Information Officer - Mayor's Office of Community Affairs (MOCA)

Mayor's Office of Talent and Appointments (MOTA)

Washington, DC, USA

Published: 6/14/2022

Full Time

Job Description

POSITION:  Public Information Officer
OFFICE:       Mayor’s Office of Community Affairs (MOCA)
OPEN:          November 21, 2025
CLOSED:    December 5, 2025
GRADE: Excepted Service, Grade 5 (ES-5)
SALARY: $72,586.32

This is an Excepted Service position. Selected candidate must be a District resident or establish residency within 180 days of hire.

Current District of Columbia residents will receive priority and advanced preference for screening and interviews.

backgroundThe Mayor’s Office of Community Affairs (MOCA) is the essential connection between District of Columbia residents and the Executive Office of the Mayor (EOM). MOCA plays a vital role in helping to improve the quality of life for residents of the District of Columbia by collaborating with neighborhood organizations and other city agencies to address community issues. MOCA establishes partnerships with communities, conducts and coordinates events, town halls, forums, and projects in support of carrying forward mayoral initiatives at the community level. Serving as a liaison between the Mayor and community organizations, civic groups, and Advisory Neighborhood Commissions (ANCs), MOCA establishes partnerships with communities to create open communication and continuous engagement between District of Columbia residents and the Executive Office of the Mayor. To learn more about MOCA, please visit https://moca.dc.gov/.

The Public Information Officer is responsible for managing the creation and implementation of strategic communications for the Mayor, MOCA, and the District of Columbia to engage, empower, and improve the quality of life for our communities. Working with the Executive Office of the Mayor Communications team and with MOCA leadership, the Public Information Officer will use a variety of tools and strategies to ensures the presentation of a strong and positive message to the public regarding the Administration’s policies and programs.
Major duties

Establish and maintain excellent relationships with local and regional media outlets, including print and broadcast journalists, and bloggers; respond to media inquiries; proactively engage with local and regional media to pitch stories.
Plan, direct, and execute a comprehensive public information strategy on the initiatives and functions of the Mayor's Office of Community Affairs; collaborate with senior leadership to plan and develop goals and objectives for implementing long and short-term communications.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with District government agencies and community partners.
Analyze communications issues and advise the Director and Director of Communications on public perceptions to the Administration's programs and activities.
Develop, manage, and send MOCA newsletters.
Develop and utilize a variety of communication outlets to inform and engage the public in MOCA's mission, values, and programs.
Evaluate communications efforts and achievements, recommending appropriate modifications.
Create briefing memos, talking points, articles, websites, social media postings, and other communications on a wide variety of issues.
Use feedback and evaluation systems to evaluate effectiveness of communications activities.
Participate in senior staff meetings and serve on committees, as assigned by the Director.
Perform other duties as assigned.

COMPETENCIES, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of the mission, goals, objectives, policies, procedures, and regulations of MOCA.
Knowledge of the program services provided through MOCA and other partnering agencies.
Mastery of the principles, methods, and techniques of effective communications.
Mastery of the methods, practices, and procedures used in public relations, marketing and research, mass media, advertising, special interest groups, community relations, and government relations, as they relate to large organized projects and initiatives.
Strong analytical, strategic, and creative skills to develop and implement public outreach programs; and skill in developing strategies to disseminate information.
Superior ability to work well under pressure and meet tough deadlines in a fast paced, demanding environment.
Ability to effectively develop, organize, and present ideas and concepts to diverse groups, including government officials, journalists, analysts, and District residents.
Superior writing, verbal and presentation skills.
Strong, persuasive, compelling, and engaging writing skills, in order to convey information concerning complex programs and functions to public individuals having diverse levels of understanding of the agency's programs and activities.
Superior skill in responding orally to criticism of the agency’s functions or performance; and to logically and effectively explain programs, functions, and activities, in order for the public to gain an understanding of the agency's efforts.
Superior skill and ability to formulate, articulate, and coordinate an overall communications program that integrates departmental issues and conveys complex information regarding policies, programs, and decisions.
Superior interpersonal relationship skills to serve as the principal advisor and authority on communication issues for the agency and to work with the senior leaders to address problem solving through communications.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum three (3) years of experience in public relations, communications, public policy, or a related field.
Demonstrated connections to and past interactions with members of the local and regional press corps.

Work environmentThe work is performed primarily in-person in an office setting. Time in the field is frequently required for related events.
SPECIAL NOTE - SECURITY SENSITIVEThis position is deemed security sensitive. The incumbent of this position will be subject to enhanced suitability screening pursuant to Chapter 4 of DC Personnel Regulations, Suitability – Security Sensitive.
RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTThere is a legal requirement that each new appointee to the Excepted Service either:

be a District of Columbia resident at the time of appointment; or
become a District resident within one hundred eighty (180) days of appointment.

The law also requires that Excepted Service employees remain District residents during the duration of the individual’s appointment. Failure to remain a District resident for the duration of the appointment will result in forfeiture of employment.

If you are interested in this role, please upload your resume and answer the questionnaire. Only the candidates deemed most suited for the position based on resume will receive a call to schedule further discussion.

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