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CATS Public & Community Relations Manager #2303-208700-01

Date Opened
Tuesday, March 21, 2023 10:45 AM
Close Date
Friday, May 12, 2023 9:50 AM
Section
Charlotte Area Transit
Salary
  • $72,874 - $81,983/year
Employment Type
  • Full Time

Overview

The City of Charlotte is the largest municipality in North Carolina and the 17th largest city in the United States, with a total population of more than 872,498 citizens. A major commerce center, Charlotte hosts several of the nation’s largest banks and technology companies.

Also known as the Queen City, Charlotte is home to the Carolina Panthers, the Charlotte Hornets and the NASCAR Hall of Fame. We work hard to ensure that the community will be a winning city for everyone – a truly remarkable place to live, work, learn and play. Join us in helping to keep our City thriving, ensuring upward mobility and advancement in the workplace.

Summary

The Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) is seeking a knowledgeable and enthusiastic public and community relations (PR) manager in its Marketing and Communications Division. The successful candidate will be passionate about storytelling, developing strong communications strategies and building relationships that strengthen the reputation and image of CATS. The PR manager works to coordinate messages and distribute information to internal audiences along with updating City agencies including the City of Charlotte Corporate Communications, the City's leadership team, City Council, the community and media. The PR manager is primarily dedicated to coordinating communications and functions on behalf of the Chief Executive Officer. The position will manage communications with internal and external constituencies to include coordinating with the appropriate offices to create effective communication, particularly in dealing with timely or crisis situations.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

  • Lead CATS’ communications efforts by developing/executing public and community relations strategies that educate and increase awareness about various CATS services, projects and initiatives.
  • Work effectively and efficiently to achieve goals in a fast-paced, dynamic environment; respond quickly to emerging situations  
  • Manage a team of PR professionals to be strong collectively and individually while maintaining morale  
  • Successfully collaborate with Marketing and Communications teammates, other CATS staff, other City departments and external organizations to carry out CATS’ mission
  • Oversee media relations, including building relationships with reporters, facilitating interviews, holding press events, etc.
  • Coach leadership staff through media and community interactions
  • Manage and participate in on-call duties that require overnight and weekend media line coverage
  • Performs related duties as required
  • Development key strategies, processes, workflows, protocols with regard to media relations/crisis communications
  • Identify opportunities on editorial pitching calendars, compile and develop master calendars, execute and secure opportunities
  • Develop and disseminate pitches, jump on the phone, meet a reporter, set up interviews, coordinate segments and articles, and get in front of stories
  • Prepare formal presentations and draft a variety of key correspondence to include, but not limited to, talking points, speeches, letters, memoranda, notes, and articles
  • Professionally represent the CATS to internal/external constituencies; as well as manage and coordinate internal communications between departmental divisions and units
  • Provide ad-hoc research in support of management and advice regarding sensitive issues that rise to the level of the Chief Executive Officer
  • Monitor and report on media, social media and engagement. Completes baseline and monthly reporting regularly.
  • Directly support continuous implementation and compliance of the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) State Safety Oversight Program Standards (SSOPS) and Federal Transit Administration (FTA) regulations 49 CFR Part 673 and 672 related to the Safety Management System (SMS) and the CATS Agency Safety Plan (ASP). Support Safety performance goals of CATS.
  • Encourage employees to proactively support and report safety concerns following the CATS Safety Reporting options as described in your training and in the ASP.
  • As part of your responsibility to support the CATS Safety Culture, report safety concerns and issues through the various methods established by CATS as outlined in the ASP.
  • Advocate and promote a strong safety culture within CATS with regard to transportation services, capital programs, facility operations and maintenance, worksite procedures, employees, and customers following SMS and ASP. 
  • Participate in internal and external ASP audits.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

  • Demonstrated leader
  • Excellent consulting, writing, presentation and communication skills
  • Ability to learn, understand and present complex issues as they relate to CATS’ stakeholders, government agencies and the general public
  • Experience with proactive media outreach & thought-leadership strategies
  • Knowledge of public relations best practices
  • Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees, media and general public
  • High proficiency level of computer skills using Microsoft Word, Outlook, Power Point, and Excel.
  • Must be able to work outside of traditional 8a-5p hours

Preferred Qualification

Bachelor’s Degree with five (5) year of  relevant work experience

OR

Any equivalent combination of training and experience that provides the required knowledge and abilities

Minimum Qualifications

Associate’s Degree in Public Relations, Communications, Journalism, and or related field of study with seven (7) years of relevant work experience

OR

Any equivalent combination of training and experience that provides the required knowledge and abilities

Conditions of Employment

The City's Background Check Policy requires background checks to be conducted on final internal or external candidate(s) applying for any position with the City of Charlotte. The type of information that will be collected as part of a background check includes, but is not limited to: reference checks, social security verification, education verification, criminal conviction record check, and, if applicable, a credit history check, sex offender registry and motor vehicle records check.

Background checks must be in compliance with all federal and state statutes, such as the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). The checks must be consistent with the guidelines set forth by these laws requiring organizations to obtain a candidate's written authorization before obtaining a criminal background report, motor vehicle records check or credit report; and to properly store and dispose of information derived from such reports.

Final candidates must pass a pre-employment drug-screening test and physical examination. During the selection process, candidates may be asked to take a skills test, and/or participate in other assessments.

How To Apply

Apply online.

Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job.

You are welcome to visit the City of Charlotte Human Resources Department lobby where we have workstations available. Our office is located at 700 East 4th Street, Suite 200, Charlotte, NC 28202. Our hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (EST), excluding official City holidays.

Anyone seeking an accommodation to apply for a job may call (704) 336-2285 for assistance or you may email questions to CityHrJobPostingsNotify@ci.charlotte.nc.us.

Benefits

The City of Charlotte provides a comprehensive benefits package to all employees.

Click here to learn more about the City of Charlotte’s benefits.

The City of Charlotte is a drug and alcohol-free workplace.

In Conclusion

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