<p>General Job Information</p> <p>There is only one city in the country that can say it is the Nation's Capital - Washington, D.C. Given that distinction, the Metropolitan Police Department is the premiere law enforcement organization in the city. We receive over 22 million visitors a year, have almost 700,000 residents, and 21,000 private business. The Department consists of more than 4,200 members: approximately 3,550 sworn members and over 650 civilian employees. We are one of the most diverse and highly trained departments in the country. We have the honor of safeguarding and protecting not only our nation's residents, but also people from all over the world.</p> <p>The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) offers an attractive benefits package. The benefits package includes competitive compensation, health insurance, prescription drug coverage, dental, vision, short- and long-term disability and life insurance, as well a strong retirement benefit and saving options. Employees are also eligible for our employer contributed 401a plan after one year of employment. Additional perks such as discounts on wireless carriers, gym memberships, amusement park tickets and much more! Additional information can be found at: DCHR Benefits</p> <p>The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is seeking a dynamic and experienced communications professional to serve as the Director for the Office of Communications. This executive leadership role is located within the Executive Office of the Chief of Police (EOCOP) and leads MPD's Office of Communications (OC) Team that consists of professional staff and sworn members. The Director of Communications is responsible for developing and executing comprehensive communications strategies to enhance the department's reputation, support its mission, and foster trust between MPD and the communities we serve. This position is central to shaping how MPD presents itself internally and externally-including to employees, D.C. residents, media, visitors, key stakeholders, partner agencies, and elected officials.</p> <p>The incumbent will be responsible for the following:</p> <p>Leadership & Strategy:</p> <ul> <li>Leads a cross-functional communications team of professional staff and sworn members, fostering growth and development, collaboration, and innovation. </li><li>Serves as a trusted thought partner to the Chief of Police and the department's senior leadership, advising on communications strategies, employee engagement, and public messaging. </li><li>Develops and oversees multi-channel communication strategies that align with MPD's tagline, Policing with Purpose. Serving with Care. </li><li>Collaborates effectively with internal MPD bureaus (e.g., HR, Legal, IT), the Executive Office of the Mayor, and local/federal law enforcement partners to ensure alignment across messaging. </li><li>Participates in the interview and selection process for vacant positions within the Office of Communications, in collaboration with designated superiors in the chain of command. </li><li>Assigns, monitors, and evaluates projects delegated to team members, providing ongoing guidance and ensuring alignment with strategic communications goals. </li><li>Reviews, approves, and when necessary, modifies the work of subordinates to ensure quality, accuracy, adherence to best practices, and brand consistency. </li><li>Conducts quarterly and annual staff performance evaluations, prepares related documentation, and provides counsel and regular feedback on job performance. </li></ul> <p>External Communications: Media Relations / Digital & Visual Communications:</p> <ul> <li>Builds and maintains relationships with national and local media outlets. </li><li>Oversees all media relations activities including inquiries, news releases, remarks, press events, and crisis communications, and conducts internal media training. </li><li>Establishes trust and foster a culture of partnership, consensus, collaboration, and transparency with the Executive Office of the Mayor, local and federal law enforcement public information officer (PIO) partners. </li><li>Develops proactive storylines and narrative strategies that promote MPD's public safety priorities and accomplishments. </li><li>Responds to urgent incidents, inquiries and breaking events with clear, accurate, and timely information. </li><li>Oversees digital storytelling efforts across MPD's website, social media, and internal platforms. </li><li>Ensures visual content (photos, videos, graphics) aligns with brand standards and strategic objectives. </li><li>Tracks digital engagement metrics to refine strategies and reaches target audiences. </li></ul> <p>Internal Communications:</p> <ul> <li>Designs and implements communications that inform and engage MPD's workforce. </li><li>Implements executive communication best practices across all channels; write speeches, leadership messages, presentations, talking points, video scripts, FAQs and newsletters that elevates the voices of the Chief of Police and leaders to target audiences. </li><li>Serves as a strategic partner to executive leadership, advising on messaging, tone, and delivery to ensure clarity, consistency, and impact. </li><li>Crafts and edits high-quality content for various internal channels (email, intranet, town halls, leadership communications, digital signage, video, and social platforms). </li></ul> <p>Events:</p> <ul> <li>Leads communications planning and execution for internal and external events. </li><li>Partners with internal teams to ensure messaging consistency and operational excellence. </li><li>Oversees design, printing, writing and presentation development for key events and speaking engagements. </li><li>Helps with the planning and execution of annual signature events such as the MPD Annual Awards Ceremony, Women's Conference, etc. </li></ul> <p>Marketing:</p> <ul> <li>Partners with the Recruiting Team to support recruiting campaigns and branding strategies. </li><li>Develops marketing materials and digital content that promote MPD as an employer of choice and help potential candidates understand what it's like to work at MPD. </li><li>Oversees the research, planning, development, and execution of marketing initiatives to align with overall business goals to market MPD's brand, and support recruiting outreach. Manages the Ride Along Program ensuring applicants are vetted and scheduled. </li><li>Aligns messaging across job boards, social media, recruitment events, and career pages, recruitment ads, and email campaigns. </li><li>Coordinates the intake, vetting, scheduling, and programming for international delegation requests. </li></ul> <p>Community Outreach:</p> <ul> <li>Develops and implements strategies and organize programs to engage and support community members, partners, faith-based organizations, business owners, civic organizations and other stakeholders to build relationships, identify needs and connect them with relevant services and resources. </li><li>Develops and implements programs that address public safety concerns, provide transparency, and build trust. </li><li>Supports the execution of volunteer programs and grassroots engagement. </li></ul> <p>Performs other related duties as assigned.</p> <p>Licensures, Certifications and other requirements</p> <p>N/A.</p> <p>Education</p> <p>Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, or a related field or a master's degree is preferred.</p> <p>Work Experience</p> <p>Applicants must have at least one (1) year of experience equivalent to at least the MS-15 grade level, or its non-District equivalent, gained from public or private sector.</p> <p>Five (5) to ten (10) years of specialized experience for this position include: experience developing and implementing communications and marketing strategies/plans for an agency; experience in media relations, special events planning and publicity, social media and web content development; experience in digital marketing including message development, analyzing metrics and identifying trends, with at least three (3) years of supervisory experience.</p> <p>One (1) year of prior management/leadership experience required.</p> <p>Work Environment</p> <p>Work location is in an office environment. Work is sedentary and may require walking and standing in conjunction with travel and attendance at meeting and conferences away from the work site and carrying light items, such as laptops, papers, books, small parts, and driving an automobile.</p> <p>Other Significant Factors</p> <p>The Metropolitan Police Department is a 24-hour, 7 days a week operation. Your position is "emergency" and subject to rotating shifts, to include weekends and holidays.</p> <p>This position is deemed as "Security Sensitive" pursuant to Chapter 4 of the D.C. Personnel Regulations, in addition to the general suitability screening and criminal background check (pre-employment and periodic), individuals may be subject to the following checks and tests:</p> <ul> <li>Traffic record check (as applicable); </li><li>Pre-employment drug and alcohol test (as applicable); </li><li>Consumer credit check (as applicable); </li><li>Reasonable suspicion drug and alcohol test; </li><li>Random drug and alcohol test; </li><li>Return to duty or follow-up drug and alcohol test; and </li><li>Post-accident or incident drug and alcohol test. </li></ul> <p>The incumbent is required to possess and maintain a valid motor vehicle operator's permit.</p> <p>This position is "At Will". At will employment applies to the Management Supervisory Service (MSS). All positions and appointments in the MSS serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority and may be terminated at any time with or without cause. This position is not in a collective bargaining unit.</p> <p>If the position you are applying for is in the Career, Management Supervisory, or Educational Service at an annual salary of one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000) or more, you must establish residency in the District of Columbia within one hundred eighty (180) days of the effective date of the appointment and continue to maintain residency within the District of Columbia throughout the duration of the appointment.</p> <p>The District of Columbia Government is an Equal Opportunity Employer: all qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, genetic information, disability. Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination, which is also prohibited. In addition, harassment based on any of the above-protected categories is prohibited.</p> <p>Click here to review additional information Employee Disclosure & Information for Applicants</p>