Communications Director - Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department (FEMS)

Washington, DC

Full Time

Deputy Mayor for Public Safety and Justice (DMPSJ)

Manager/Supervisor

POSITION:   Communications Director
OFFICE:        Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department (FEMS)
OPEN:            November 3, 2025
CLOSE:         November 21, 2025
GRADE:        Excepted Service, Grade 10 (ES-10)
SALARY:       $150,000.00

This is an Excepted Service position. Selected candidate must be a District resident or establish residency within 180 days of hire.

Current District of Columbia residents will receive priority and advanced preference for screening and interviews.

BACKGROUND

This position is located in the Media and Community Relations Division (MCRD), Office of the Fire Chief, District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department (FEMS). The Media and Community Relations Division is responsible for representing the Department fairly and accurately in the news media, maximizing positive media coverage of the Department, generating widespread interest among the community and Department members in the Department's external partnerships, effectively communicating change to Department members and obtaining feedback, and ensuring the timely dissemination of information to all internal and external audiences.

This position serves as Chief Communications Officer. Incumbent has primary leadership and overall responsibility for achieving the agency’s objectives in the areas of employee communications, information services, and media and public relations; and plans and administers multi-faceted, comprehensive, internal and external communications program. As principal Public Information Advisor, incumbent provides expertise and guidance during the development of departmental policies, programs, and decisions, to ensure that effective communication strategies are incorporated into the Department’s operations across all functional areas. Incumbent arranges for media coverage of departmental activities.

MAJOR DUTIES

Direct and manage daily operations of the communications office, including supervision, project assignment, performance management, and staff development.
Develop and execute comprehensive communications, media relations, and marketing strategies that advance and sustain the Department’s mission and priorities.
Provide strategic input and play a key role in shaping internal and external messaging that reflect the Department’s values, culture, and engagement goals, using technology and analytics to maximize reach and impact.
Collaborate with leadership on coordination of information across divisions to ensure consistent, timely communication with the public, media, and stakeholder groups. Serve as spokesperson and manage media inquiries on Department programs and policies along with Public Information Officer.
Liaise with the Mayor’s Office of Communications, the Deputy Mayor for Public Safety and Justice, and agency partners to ensure appropriate coverage of emergency response, key events, and initiatives. Determine the best format and forum for public information releases.
Track, analyze, and evaluate communications performance and public sentiment to identify trends, measure impact, and inform continuous improvement.
Prepare talking points, speeches, statements, and briefings for the Fire and EMS Chief and executive leadership as directed.
Review and approve communications initiatives and promotional proposals to ensure alignment with Department goals and standards.
Represent the Department in committees, interagency forums, and public presentations, as directed.
Perform other related duties as assigned.

COMPETENCIES, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Deep understanding of the Department’s mission, goals, and operations to ensure all initiatives align with organizational priorities and public safety objectives.

Expert knowledge of marketing, communications, media relations, and journalism principles, including digital platforms, website management, and video and print production.
Strong ability to design and lead integrated communications strategies that convey complex information, support decision-making, and enhance public understanding of Department programs and policies.
Proven analytical, strategic, and creative skills to develop and implement outreach initiatives, manage competing priorities, and communicate effectively with diverse audiences including officials, media, and the public.
General knowledge of performing communications/public information duties within emergency management and incident coordination frameworks to ensure overall general preparedness, and effective communication and alignment during incident response, Joint Information System/Center, and incident recovery.
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills for developing reports, presentations, and media materials, and for representing the Department in public and intergovernmental settings.
Demonstrated ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders at all levels.
Leadership experience in supervising staff, setting priorities, evaluating performance, and guiding professional development.
Proficient in Microsoft Office and other communications-related applications and platforms.

SUPERVISORY CONTROLS

The incumbent reports to the Fire and EMS Department’s Deputy Chief of Staff, who provides general administrative and policy direction in terms of broadly defined program objectives, within the parameters of approved departmental plans. Incumbent independently plans, designs and executes the assignment, resolving most problems that arise, coordinating the work with others, if necessary, and interpreting policy on their own initiative in terms of established objectives. The supervisor is kept apprised of decisions, commitments and controversial matters, issues or problems with widespread policy implications and far-reaching effects on the agency. Results of the work are considered technically authoritative and are normally accepted without significant change. If the work is reviewed, it concerns matters such as fulfillment of program objectives and the effect of advice and influence on the overall activities of the Department.

GUIDELINES

Guidelines consist of District of Columbia’s laws and regulations, departmental policies, rules, and regulations, technical, legal and operational policy manuals, standard operating procedures, and industry best practices. The incumbent exercises considerable judgment in interpreting and adapting existing precedents, in developing new or improvise approaches to analyze, develop and present authoritative information or analyses on controversial subjects to persons with conflicting views. Incumbent uses initiative and resourcefulness in establishing new communication approaches within the context of established policy.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is performed primarily in person in an office setting, Monday through Friday. Time in the field is frequently required for related events. Position is not eligible for overtime.

SPECIAL NOTE - SECURITY SENSITIVE

This position is deemed security sensitive. The incumbent of this position will be subject to enhanced suitability screening pursuant to Chapter 4 of DC Personnel Regulations, Suitability – Security Sensitive.

RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT

There is a legal requirement that each new appointee to the Excepted Service either:

be a District of Columbia resident at the time of appointment; or
become a District resident within one hundred eighty (180) days of appointment.

The law also requires that Excepted Service employees remain District residents during the duration of the individual’s appointment. Failure to remain a District resident for the duration of the appointment will result in forfeiture of employment.

If you are interested in this role, please upload your resume and answer the questionnaire. Only the candidates deemed most suited for the position based on resume will receive a call to schedule further discussion.