Communications Assistant Director

Posting Expires: 11/18/24

Salary Range: $78,092.30-$97,588.60

Job Description:

his position is vital to ensure the smooth and efficient management of the Atlanta Department of Transportation’s Communications and Community Engagement team. This team is responsible for responding to media inquiries in a timely and accurate manner, addressing crisis communications needs, providing direction and guidance in regard to the vast community engagement efforts in which ATLDOT engages, coordinating open records responses, offering strategic communications counsel to senior leadership, and other duties. The Deputy Director will facilitate the Office’s administrative needs, while also utilizing a strong background in communications, journalism, and public affairs to fill in for the Director of Content and the Director of Community Engagement when needed.

 Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Researches, writes, edits and proofreads published content (speeches, remarks, statements, press releases, key messages, video scripts, promotional content, executive communications and other editorial content for promotional and public outreach purposes) on behalf of the Atlanta Department of Transportation (ATLDOT). 

• Translates ideas and objectives into messaging that relates to the topic, speaker, and intended audiences; as well fact-check all communications and content to ensure accuracy. 

• Incorporates key Mayoral and ATLDOT priorities and messaging into materials, according to event and audience. 

• Composes editorials, press releases, statements, announcements, social media messages or articles representing the ATLDOT Commissioner and other ATLDOT Senior Staff. 

• Develops and maintains a deep knowledge of the Department's projects and priorities to inform all communications materials, including editorial content. 

• Takes a lead role in developing/writing and editing all editorial content and communications materials. 

• Creates strategic messages, remarks, talking points and speeches for the ATLDOT Commissioner and the Commissioner’s surrogates.

 • Composes departmental briefings and presentations. 

• Develops website content and other editorial content in collaboration with subject matter experts and project staff. 

• Develops content to support emergency notifications (NotifyATL messages, robocalls, and other rapid response messages). 

• Provides first-draft edits, including grammar and spelling corrections, as well as content edits, as necessary.

 • Identifies opportunities to create or enhance ATLDOT collateral and marketing materials, information and promotional content, and delivery channels (i.e. brochures, fact sheets, newsletter content, branded programs, videos, social media, etc.).

 • Identifies inconsistencies and/or ambiguities in content regarding facts/data as needed and follows up with appropriate contacts to clarify and confirm.

 • Remains aware of and monitor factors within the Metro area (and nationally) that may affect material or content direction and when appropriate, place heavy importance on current events and knowledge of shifting transportation industry and policy landscapes. 

• Willingness to work off-hours and weekends on occasion, based on fluctuating news cycles and event calendars. 

• Participates in Office’s Open Records coordination • Participates in Community Engagement Activities 

• Serves as liaison to business, professional, religious, community and civic groups for continuous positive public relations. 

• Reviews complaints and identifies trends and discusses plans for correction. 

• Reviews and evaluates reports regarding constituents and community stakeholders. 

• Responds to questions, complaints and requests for information by telephone, in person or by mail from citizens, city employees and department heads. 

• Responds to, or initiates, engagement with various community groups relating to special projects and events. 

• Speaks to community, civic, religious, business and professional groups to provide information and positive public relations concerning activities and initiatives of the department. 

• Performs other duties as assigned 

Decision Making 

• Uses independent judgment in routine and non-routine situations. 

Leadership Provided:

• Supervises and evaluates assigned staff, handling all employee concerns, directing work assignments, counseling and disciplining employees when necessary, and completing employee performance appraisals. 

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

This is a partial listing of necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the job successfully. It is not an exhaustive list.

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