Description

Metropolitan Transportation Authority Office of the Inspector General

 

 

Job Title: Deputy Inspector General for Communications

Salary: $129,643 - $162,054

Open & Closing Dates:  10/24/2023 - Open Until Filled

Agency: Office of the Inspector General/ Metropolitan Transportation Authority

Location: New York City, New York

Hours: 37.5 per week; Full-Time – 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (7.5 hours/day)

The Office of the MTA Inspector General:

The Office of the MTA Inspector General (MTA/OIG) is a New York State Authority created as an independent oversight entity to review the operations of the MTA and its constituent agencies: the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR), Metro-North Commuter Railroad (MNR), the New York City Transit Authority (NYCTA) and Bridges & Tunnels (B&T). The MTA/OIG performs audits and conducts investigations into complaints from any source, including commuters and members of the public who access our MTA transit system, or upon its own initiative.  It is the mission of the MTA/OIG to promote safety, integrity, transparency, economy, and efficiency in MTA agencies and programs while also detecting and deterring waste, fraud, abuse and misconduct.

The MTA/OIG includes investigative attorneys, auditors/analysts, investigators, administrative and executive staff.

Position Summary:

The Deputy Inspector General for Communications (“DIG/Communications”) reports directly to the MTA Inspector General as a member of the Executive Staff of the MTA/OIG.  The DIG/Communications serves as the public face of the MTA/OIG, providing information to the MTA, MTA Board, and the public on OIG activities.  The DIG/Communications is responsible for developing and implementing media strategies through print, on-line, and social media platforms, that promote the important work of the MTA/OIG to the MTA, its employees, the MTA Board, outside agencies, and the public.  The DIG/Communications serves as the public relations liaison to the communications departments of the MTA, its subsidiary agencies, the MTA/OIG Advisory Board, and outside agencies, including the NYS Governor’s Office, local, state and federal agencies and prosecutors’ offices, as well as various media outlets. The DIG/Communications also collaborates with the other members of the Executive Staff to develop communications strategies to promote a cohesive public message on the work and mission of the MTA/OIG.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Responsible for providing executive insights and developing media strategies in support of the MTA/OIG mission to uncover waste, fraud, abuse and mismanagement within the MTA and its subsidiary agencies.
• Manages all aspects of the work of the MTA/OIG Communications Unit to ensure that media communication plans are developed and implemented, including in print, on-line, and on social media platforms.
• Manages the news content of the MTA/OIG external and internal websites and MTA/OIG pages on social media platforms.
• Monitors content of MTA/OIG social media platforms and its on-line communities to ensure respectful and appropriate engagement with the public and responds, where appropriate, to comments.
• Plans and hosts press conferences on major news regarding the mission and activities of the MTA/OIG as well as to address any crises that may arise.
• Organizes interviews between the media, outside organizations, transportation communities and the MTA/IG and Executive Staff.
• In coordination with the MTA/IG and Executive Staff, manages and alleviates any public relations crises that occur.
• Coordinates public relations work among the Audit, Investigations, and Legal Divisions to ensure efficient and effective public relations communications of overlapping areas of inquiry.
• Collaborates with the MTA/IG and Executive Staff to ensure that a cohesive public message on the important mission and goals of the MTA/OIG is disseminated to the MTA, the MTA Board, outside agencies and the public.
• Coordinates press releases and communications activities with local, state and federal agencies and task forces as necessary. 
• Regularly briefs the Inspector General and members of the Executive Staff on the status of communications plans and press releases in development.
• Prepares press releases, speeches, articles, social media posts and other materials for public dissemination. 
• Prepares the Annual Report for the MTA/OIG and develops a communication plan.
• Analyzes data from the MTA/OIG external website and social media platforms and prepares summaries for the MTA/IG and the Executive Staff.
• Develops, implements, and communicates media strategies and procedures for working effectively with the media.
• Develops and maintains a strong, collegial working relationship with members of the MTA Communications Department, MTA/OIG partner agencies, and outside media.
• Works with the Chief of Staff and other members of the Executive Staff to develop staff management programs, including recruitment, training and performance appraisal.
• Works with the Director of Information Technology to ensure that the Communications Unit has access to software necessary to carry out the work of the Unit.
• Attends monthly meetings of the MTA Board and its Committees and other meetings as directed or required by the Inspector General.
• Plans and executes special events, conferences, and seminars as directed or required by the Inspector General.
• Works with the MTA/IG procurement unit to determine which newspaper, magazine and other media MTA/IG should subscribe and to manage those subscriptions.
• Supervises the work of the Assistant Director for Communications & Public Affairs.
• Other duties as assigned by the MTA Inspector General or the IG’s designee.

Position Requirements:

• A Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited educational institution in communications, journalism, public relations or a related field.
• Minimum of fifteen years of journalism, communications, or public relations experience in a public information/public relations role in a large media organization, including a minimum of five years supervisory experience of reporters or communications/public relations staff.
• Demonstrated analytical skills, critical thinking skills, impartial judgment, and research aptitude.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent public speaking and interpersonal skills.
• Superior organizational skills with an attention to detail and a demonstrated strong work ethic.
• Knowledge of modern media and social media platforms, techniques, and procedures, especially relating to issues concerning complex white collar, cyber-criminal, fraud, financial and transportation investigations.
• Ability to handle multiple projects and responsibilities while maintaining careful attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to work in a high-pressure environment.
• Ability to interact effectively with MTA/OIG Executive and Senior Staff, MTA Headquarters and Agency staffs.
• Ability to travel on short notice, if required.
• Knowledge of governmental operations and management in transportation or transportation-related agencies is preferred.
• Knowledge of operations and practices of Inspectors General or other governmental agencies is preferred.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office 365 modules, including Outlook, OneDrive, SharePoint, Word and Excel.
• Knowledge of data analytics software is preferred.
• This position is approved for teleworking at the discretion of the Inspector General.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to diversity.

How to Apply:

Please submit a resume and cover letter to: [email protected]