Job Description

** APPOINTMENT TYPE:** Permanent Exempt - Full Time appointment not to exceed three (3) years. **** This position is excluded by the Charter from the competitive Civil Service examination process and shall serve at the discretion of the Appointing Officer.

Application Opening: June 9, 2023

Deadline to Apply: June 26, 2023

Recruitment ID: 136532

Salary: $104,416 to $126,906 annually

Please Note: A cover letter and resume must be attached to the online application.

Division: Executive Director

Section/Unit: Chief of Staff Office/Strategic and Internal Communications

Work Location: 1 South Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, CA

Work Hours: Monday-Friday; 8:00am-5:00pm

_ Section Description:_

The Chief of Staff Office (COS) is within the Executive Director Division of the SFMTA and operates at a tactical, strategic and operational level working with the executive and senior management team of the agency to advance key strategic initiatives, communications and relationships. The COS is responsible for leading key multi-divisional projects; managing and tracking strategic initiatives; monitoring goal and objective achievement through measurements of benchmarks and the analysis of agency data; supporting the Director of Transportation in relations with the mayor and San Francisco Board of Supervisors; and developing key agency strategic internal and external messaging.

_ Position Description: _

COS Strategic and Internal Communications Team members inform and engage the public, customers, elected officials, key partners and our own employees about the services the SFMTA provides to San Francisco. They are strategic, skillful writers and content producers, strong communicators and creative thinkers. The team focuses on the SFMTA’s distinctive culture, values and approach to the big transportation policy issues of the day. They shape the SFMTA’s stories, the ordinary and the extraordinary, to shine a light on what goes on at the SFMTA and how the agency is advancing San Francisco’s transportation goals.

The Public Relations Officer will evaluate the SFMTA’s internal communications program to understand what’s working and what needs to be improved. They will transition the agency away from communications tactics that are not effective and will pilot new tactics, including those that rely on new technologies. They will also develop and implement communications plans and campaigns to keep the SFMTA’s 6,000 employees informed about the agency’s vision, goals and values, new policies and practices, training opportunities and other initiatives. Their communications messages will instill a sense of pride and belonging among SFMTA employees, and their tactics will focus on reaching employees who don’t regularly access their work email accounts. They will use a variety of communications tactics, including blog posts, videos, photos, posters, staff meetings, the agency’s intranet and in-person outreach, among others.

_ Examples of Important and Essential Duties:_

• Evaluates the SFMTA's internal communications program to understand what's working and what needs to be improved.
• Researches new internal communications tools and pilots new tools with small groups of employees.
• Creates and implements a plan to roll out new communications tools and phase out current communications tools that aren't effective.
• Develops a content strategy for internal communications that is rooted in the SFMTA’s values.
• Implements proactive and strategic communications initiatives for internal audiences.
• Works closely with staff from all divisions of the agency to develop internal communications that keep employees informed, inspired and connected to the SFMTA’s mission and culture.
• Creates written content such as blog posts, talking points, social media posts and posters, and visual content such as videos, infographics and photo stories.
• Manages the SFMTA intranet and the SFMTA internal digital sign/video display system, including producing some of the content.
• Uses specialized software, including SharePoint and Omnivex Moxie Studio, to develop and update content for the SFMTA intranet and electronic signage.
• Advises and counsels agency leaders on the right messages for specific employee audiences and the best ways to reach those audiences.
• Organizes and coordinates internal events such as employee recognition programs and town hall style meetings.
• Develops metrics by which SFMTA internal communications will be evaluated for success.
• Trains SFMTA communicators and other staff members in internal communications best practices.
• Performs other communications duties as assigned, including for external audiences.

Qualifications

_ Minimum Qualifications:_

1. Possession of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in public relations, journalism, English, mass communications, public administration, public policy or a closely related field; AND

2. Four (4) years of verifiable full time professional experience in editorial, newspaper, magazine, radio, television, public relations, social media, digital engagement, or advertising. This experience must be equivalent to job code 1312 Public Information Officer for the City and County of San Francisco and must include at least one (1) year of experience in planning and conducting a public relations, public information, or public education program.

_ Substitution:_

• Additional experience as described above may be substituted for the required degree on a year-for-year basis (up to a maximum of 2 years). Thirty (30) semester units or forty-five (45) quarter units equal one year.
• Possession of a master’s degree from an accredited college or university in public relations, journalism, mass communications or a closely related field may substitute for up to one (1) year of the required experience.

** Notes:**

1. Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications by the final filing date unless otherwise noted.

2. One (1) year full-time experience is equivalent to 2000 hours. (2000 hours of qualifying work experience is based on a 40-hour work week). Any overtime hours that you work above forty (40) hours per week are not included in the calculation to determine full-time experience.

_ Desirable Qualifications:_

The stated desirable qualifications may be used to identify candidates advancing to the interview process and/or to identify job finalist(s) at the end of the selection process when referred for hiring.

• Excellent writing skills.
• Experience developing and implementing employee-focused communications campaigns.
• Skills in video production and editing, photography, graphic design or infographics development.
• Experience managing and updating websites or intranet sites.
• Up-to-date knowledge of communications, media practices, technologies, trends and opportunities.
• Demonstrated ability to translate technical information into easily understandable and digestible concepts.
• Demonstrated ability to thrive in a dynamic, diverse and fast-paced environment.
• Excellent interpersonal skills: honesty, tact, responsiveness, emotional intelligence and self-awareness.
• High ethical standards for self and others.
• Conversant in current transportation and transit issues.
• Conversant in concepts of equity, inclusion and social justice and how these relate to the work of a transportation agency.
• Demonstrated ethos of public service.
• Knowledge of San Francisco neighborhoods, stakeholders and politics.
• Passion for the SFMTA’s work and mission.

Additional Information

** Verification:**

Applicants may be required to submit verification of qualifying education and experience at any point during the recruitment and selection process. More information can be found at: https://sfdhr.org/information-about-hiring-process#verification. Falsifying one’s education, training, or work experience or attempted deception on the application may result in disqualification for this and future job opportunities with the City and County of San Francisco.

** Selection Process:**

Applications will be screened for relevant qualifying experience. Additional screening mechanisms may be used to determine candidates' qualifications. Only those applicants who most closely meet the needs of the Agency will be invited to move forward in the selection process.

• Information About the Hiring Process
• Conviction History
• Employee Benefits Overview
• Equal Employment Opportunity
• Disaster Service Worker
• ADA Accommodation
• Right to Work
• Copies of Application Documents
• Diversity Statement

For questions or inquiries, please contact the analyst, Tracy Pon at Tracy.Pon2@sfmta.com or Lisamarie Chavis at Lisamarie.Chavis@sfmta.com.

_ CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT:_ All City and County of San Francisco employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment. Someone is fully vaccinated when 14 days have passed since they received the final dose of a two-shot vaccine or a dose of a one-shot vaccine. Any new hire must present proof of full vaccination status to be appointed. Any new hire who will be routinely assigned or occasionally enter High-Risk Settings, must provide proof of having received a COVID-19 booster vaccine by March 1, 2022, or once eligible.

The City and County of San Francisco encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (associated with cancer, a history of cancer, or genetic characteristics), HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under the law.