Supervisory Public Affairs Specialist (Media Manager) (IS-1035-14) - Smithsonian Institution

Description

• Pass Pre-employment Background Check and Subsequent Background Investigation for position designated.
• Complete a Probationary Period.
• Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer.
• The position is open to all candidates eligible to work in the United States.  Proof of eligibility to work in U.S. is not required to apply.
• Applicants must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. 

OVERVIEW

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Plans, directs and executes national and international communications campaigns to convey complex information concerning SI programs, research on program related areas, responsibilities and outreach activities. Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with members of the top tier national and international news media, specialized groups interested in SI programs and with non-SI museums and academic and research organizations. Responds to information requests from local, regional,national and international news media, as well as specialized and general publics, on various programs in written and oral form, often requiring detailed explanations of performance in a particular situation.
• Serves as spokesperson for SI and units. Manages media relations for senior leadership. Manages
• crisis communications. Partners with OPA managers for the creation and maintenance of photo and video archives.

• Serves as principal advisor. Provides guidance, assistance and consultation to other specialists in SI museums and research centers in initiating and maintaining direct contacts with the public, specialized groups, community and governmental entities and crisis communications. Evaluates community relations and outreach programs and recommends modification when appropriate. Prepares and oversees articles for publication in print, broadcast, blogs, podcasts and online media. Serves as principal advisor to the Director of OPA and the Assistant Secretary for Communications and External Affairs on all media matters. Works with Office of Government Relations on congressional communications, Office of General Counsel for information requests, Office of Advancement for donor communications and marketing colleagues for partnerships and advertising.

• Performs all the major aspects of a supervisor which include:
  • interviewing and selecting candidates for positions
  • training
  • assigning work
  • conducting performance evaluations
  • recommending promotions, reassignments and other personnel actions
  • reviewing the completeness and thoroughness of work assignments
  • counseling employees on problems related to work responsibilities
  • adjudicating complaints
  • responding to technical inquiries from subordinates to facilitate the completion of work
• Demonstrates leadership in planning and directing activities. Ensures the development and implementation of goals and objectives. Formulates policies and procedures. Ensures the integration of policies with those of other OPA teams.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

• Requires mastery of the principles, methods, practices, and techniques of media relations/communications combined with the highest analytical skills to plan optimal ways to convey information on controversial and often hotly contested issues to target audiences that are diverse and represent a wide variety of viewpoints, concerns, and interests.
• Requires the skill to apply this mastery to develop new methods and approaches in planning, integrating, and evaluating the media relations program for SI in an innovative and creative manner.
• Requires expert representational skills necessary to create meaningful communication interchanges with journalists as well as individuals and groups with antagonistic and opposing positions. 
• Requires exceptional ability to tactfully offer constructive advice and criticism to senior executive staff throughout SI on a wide variety of public affairs matters.
• Requires a mastery of oral communication skills and specific experience as a spokesperson for an organization.
• Requires a mastery of written communication skills.
• Requires a minimum of three years experience working with video and/or film production.
• Requires a minimum of six years communications experience in a media, cultural, and/or scientific, and/or art, and/or complex education organization.