Salary: $78,315.00 - $90,166.50 Annually

Location : LA 70119, LA

Job Type: Full Time

Job Number: 0125-01

Department: 8500 - Communications

Opening Date: 01/20/2025

Closing Date: 1/31/2025 5:00 PM Central

Description

Non-Represented Employment Opportunity

To apply for this exciting career opportunity, please visit norta.com/jobs

This bulletin is posted to establish or add to a qualified list of candidates

This classification is at-will and the incumbent serves at the pleasure of the hiring authority.

This job specification is not to be construed as an exhaustive list of duties, responsibilities, or requirements.
The Regional Transit Authority gets people moving around New Orleans. Our transit services bring hard-working commuters to their jobs, students to their schools and fun seekers to entertainment, shopping areas and restaurants. We provide mobility to residents of the city as well as tourists, taking them to and from their hotels to historical neighborhoods and countless attractions. RTA's system includes 5 streetcar lines, 30 bus routes, 2 ferry routes and paratransit services. Our passengers take more than 19 million rides every year.
REPORTS TO

Chief of External Affairs

TITLES OF POSTIONS REPORTING DIRECTLY TO THIS JOB

None

JOB SUMMARY

The Communications Manager, PIO, is an initiative-taking and strategic professional responsible for crafting and delivering messages that advance RTA's goals and programs. Reporting to the Chief of Staff, this role oversees the creation, execution, and evaluation of the RTA's internal and external communications plans. The Manager plays a critical role in supporting strategic communications, maintaining brand integrity, and managing reputation initiatives.

This position ensures all public-facing correspondence, including CEO talking points and briefs, aligns with the agency's Strategic Mobility Plan. While not the primary spokesperson for the agency, the Manager must be prepared to serve in this capacity when necessary and is responsible for leading crisis communications efforts.

Additionally, the Manager assists the Chief of External Affairs in managing external relations and developing effective communication strategies.

Examples of Duties

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The functions 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 upon request

Strategic Planning and Communications

Develops, evaluates, and updates the strategic communications plan to align with RTA's vision, goals, and values.
Advises leadership on communication strategies with a deep understanding of community needs.
Ensures public-facing messaging, including press releases, publications, and CEO briefs, aligns with strategic objectives.
Leads crisis communication efforts and implements emergency communication protocols.
Manages consultants and external resources for communication support.

Media and Public Relations

Oversees media relations, preparing leadership for interviews and public appearances.
Coordinates press conferences, special media events, and publicity campaigns for RTA initiatives.
Monitors and responds to media coverage, ensuring accurate and consistent messaging.

Digital and Content Management

Oversees content creation and delivery across print, web, social media, email, and other platforms.
Analyzes web and social media metrics to refine communication strategies.
Updates and manages digital assets, ensuring alignment with RTA's branding and goals.

Stakeholder Engagement

Serves as a liaison to elected officials, community leaders, and stakeholders to address concerns and foster relationships.
Keeps stakeholders informed of project impacts and progress, including construction updates and safety outreach.
Represents RTA at public meetings, career fairs, and other community events.

Internal Communication and Support

Develops internal communication plans to empower staff as RTA ambassadors.
Facilitates inter-departmental communication teams and training initiatives.
Researches and resolves internal and external concerns related to RTA operations.
Prepares reports, newsletters, correspondence, and talking points for management and officials.
Contributes to ensuring that the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) policies and programs of RTA are carried out.

OTHER FUNCTIONS

Performs other job-related duties which are in keeping with the goals and objectives of RTA.

Qualifications

EDUCATION

Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism or related field with a high level of knowledge of media relations; master's and/or APR Certification preferred.

OR: An equivalent combination of education and experience that demonstrates the ability to perform the position duties

EXPERIENCE

Four (4) to seven (7) years of experience in professional or managerial level media relations, government relations, and community relations including spokesperson responsibilities for a complex public or private organization.

LICENSING REQUIREMENTS/DEMANDS

A valid Louisiana Driver's License or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions
Must submit to a criminal background check, the results of which must meet hiring criteria for the role.

This position has been deemed as essential and will serve, when activated, on the RTA's All Hazards Incident Management Team (IMT) in a Command Staff or General Staff role under the National Incident Management System (NIMS) Incident Command System (ICS). Successful completion of FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) Incident Command System (ICS) training (IS-100, IS-200, IS-700, and IS-800) is required within 60 days of hire.

WORK ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer. Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.

AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EEO STATEMENT

NORTA is an equal opportunity employer. All aspects of employment including the decision to hire, promote, discipline, or discharge, will be based on merit, competence, performance, and business needs. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law. All employment decisions are based on job-related standards and must comply with the principles of equal employment opportunity.

OTHER DUTIES

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

Proficiency in crisis communications, media relations, public relations, and campaign strategy. Know how to assess and influence public opinion.
Strong people skills and ability to collaborate with diverse stakeholders.
Principles and practices of strategic planning, project planning, public communications plan development, and the production of support materials.?
Exceptional presentation, editing, analytical, and general communication skills and techniques including verbal, written, web, media, and other technology.
Proficient skill and knowledge of software and publishing tools and current/emerging social-media platform strategies, functions, tools, analytics, and processes. Ability and interest to stay current with new technologies and technological advances.
Editing, composition, and general design principles for news and features
Structure, functioning and protocol of local news, government, public agencies, and community groups.
Incident Command System and PIO functions.?
Strategic, organized, flexible, and creative thinker with the ability to analyze complex problems, find creative solutions, and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, politically sensitive environment.
Must be initiative-taking and practice good judgment in making decisions both independently and within a team.
Ability to maintain strict confidentiality and demonstrate high-level of personal integrity and ethics.
Knowledge of ADA, FTA regulations, and public transportation systems is a plus.
Must read, write and speak English

Company Benefits

Insurance Coverage:
Available Health, with no waiting period and Life choices are:

United Health Care
Traditional 80/20 health plan as well as 60/40 health plan
High Deductible Health Plan
Dental Coverage - Available with no waiting period
Vision Coverage - Available with no waiting period

Group Life Insurance
Company paid life insurance and AD&D at one times your salary
UNITED HEALTHCARE
Supplemental Life insurance - Coverages include employee, spouse & child(ren)

UNUM
Short and Long Term Disability - Administrative Personnel

Flexible Spending Plan: (FSA/Dependent Care FSA) Employee funded flex spending plan. This plan is funded through payroll deduction, before taxes which reduces your taxable income.

Employee Assisted Program: 24/7confidential consultation and counseling at no extra cost.

Retirement Savings: Mass Mutual Retirement Savings Plan 457b deferred compensation plan with a 50% employer match, up to a 5% max.

Company Paid Holidays: Thirteen (13) paid holidays - 12 designated and 1 floating per year

Paid Time Off: Full time employees accrue PTO based on their length of service with RTA on a bi-weekly basis.

New Orleans Regional Transit Authority jobs

Communications Manager PIO