Job Description
JOB/POSITION TITLE:
Communications Specialist
DEPARTMENT NAME:
Communications
POSITION SUMMARY:
Under the leadership of the Communications Manager, the Communications Specialist is responsible for creating and coordinating the distribution of communications to increase internal and external awareness and marketing of RTA services, programs, and promotions.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
• Produces high-quality written materials; writes in a tight, polished and compelling fashion.
• Develops and writes for communication materials such as newsletters, brochures, press releases, talking points, web and social media copy, advertising, audio scripts, and any other communication mediums as required.
• Exercises strong judgment while working in close collaboration with staff across RTA to propose and vet communications strategies and messages.
• Identifies likely news media stories well in advance and develops effective communication strategies; writes releases and advisories to outside transit publications or other local media on behalf of RTA and/or individuals within RTA.
• Participates in media monitoring activities, searching, gathering, and distributing daily media clips about RTA or the transportation industry; tracks clips that include or infer RTA.
• Assists in the planning, scheduling, and staffing of RTA external events, contests, and promotions to drive ridership and revenue.
• Supports the Communications Manager on matters as directed; prepares and presents staff reports and other necessary correspondence; attends and participates in professional group meetings; maintains awareness of new trends and developments in pertinent fields.
• Maintains updated materials on agency's internal communications app and external customer alert system.
• Ability to produce and edit professional-grade photos and videos of RTA events and communications to disperse through a variety of mediums, including social media.
• Assists in planning, implementing, and evaluation of RTA's public relations efforts.
• Develops the timeline and communications activities for each service change and coordinates activities with Operations, Planning and Scheduling Departments.
• Writes and provides photos for the marketing portion of the monthly Customer and Business Development Report for the board packet.
• Manages communications-related projects as assigned by the Communications Manager.
• Maintains and monitors daily the agency’s social media accounts, including but not limited to Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, SnapChat, and TikTok.
• Assists in planning, implementing, and evaluation of RTA's public relations efforts.
• Develops the timeline and communications activities for each service change and coordinates activities with Operations, Planning and Scheduling Departments.
• Writes and provides photos for the marketing portion of the monthly Customer and Business Development Report for the board packet.
• Other duties as assigned.
COMPENTENCIES:
To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:
• Communications - Must possess excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills. Expresses ideas and thoughts both verbally and in written form and exhibits good listening and comprehension; keeps others adequately informed; selects and uses appropriate communication methods. Highly versed in social media such as Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter and Snapchat.
• Managing Customer Focus – Promotes customer focus and establishes customer service standards; provides training in customer service delivery; monitors customer satisfaction via social media channels; develops new approaches to meeting customer needs.
• Business Acumen – Understands business implications of decisions; displays orientation to profitability; demonstrates knowledge of market and competition; aligns work with strategic goals.
• Organizational Support – Follows policies and procedures; completes administrative tasks correctly and on time; supports organization’s goals and values; benefits organization through outside activities; supports affirmative action and respects diversity.
• Attendance/Punctuality – Is consistently at work and on time; good at self-management of assigned tasks; ensures work responsibilities are covered when absent; arrives at meetings on time.
• Language Skills-- Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, press releases, news articles, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.
• Mathematical Skills-- Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.
• Computer Skills-- To perform this job successfully, an individual should be proficient with computer software systems including Excel spreadsheets, word processing (Word), e-mail (Outlook) and PowerPoint. Must have prior experience managing business-related social media accounts, including but not limited to: Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, with experience using Snapchat and YouTube. Digital photo and video production and editing experience required.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
None
WORKING ENVIRONMENT:
Standard office environment. Normally seated with freedom of movement. May handle some light materials and supplies. Some work will be done outside of the office, as needed.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Job may require lifting and moving boxes of 20-pounds or more.
POSITION TYPE & EXPECTED SCHEDULE:
Full-time, exempt position.
TRAVEL:
Minimal travel required. Travel would include to RTA-sponsored events within Montgomery & Greene counties as needed; to RTA transit centers and offices as needed to distribute materials and for events; and to transit industry training when specified and/or approved by the Communications Manager.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
• A Bachelor's degree in Communications, Marketing, Journalism, Business Administration or other relevant subject required.
• Three (3) – five (5) years of marketing, communications, or journalism experience.
• Must be able to demonstrate and provide professional writing samples, including press releases and/or reports.
• Proven ability to manage communications process for complex issues and effectively interact with senior level decision makers.
• Must have prior experience managing and promoting business-related social media accounts.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
None
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
This is an exempt, pay grade 13 position with an initial salary hiring range of $42,986 (minimum) to $53,734 (midpoint), dependent on qualifications and experience.
THE GREATER DAYTON REGIONAL TRANSIT AUTHORITY (RTA) IS AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.
Company Description
Greater Dayton Regional Transit Authority (RTA) is a public transportation agency providing services for Montgomery and Green County. Greater Dayton RTA offers a competitive pay structure and excellent benefits including paid vacation, health and life insurance, health and wellness program, on-site fitness center, OPERS, Ohio Deferred Compensation Plan, long-term disability, education assistance and more.