Deputy Spokesperson (1373)

About the role

The SFMTA, a department of the City and County of San Francisco, oversees Muni, parking and traffic, bicycling, walking, and taxis. Over one million people get around San Francisco and rely on us to ensure safe and reliable travel.

Mission: We connect San Francisco through a safe, equitable and sustainable transportation system.

Vision: A city of diverse and vibrant neighborhoods seamlessly connected by safe, reliable, affordable transportation for all.

Division description

The Chief of Staff & External Affairs Division is responsible for the management of and distribution of communications, marketing and community outreach with the purpose of disseminating clear, valuable and timely information with agency customers, community and key stakeholders, city and regional partners, members of the press and the SFMTA workforce. The division includes the chief of staff office, government affairs, media relations, community outreach and engagement, digital and brand management (including special events), creative services, and strategic and internal communications. These functions support the entire SFMTA.

Role description

Under the direction of the Media Relations Manager & Chief Spokesperson within the Chief of Staff & External Affairs Division, the Deputy Spokesperson serves as an integral communications representative for the SFMTA. The position manages a high volume of complex and high-profile communications and reputational issues, coordinating messaging across the agency. The Deputy Spokesperson is a key point of contact for the media, providing timely and accurate information both in proactive and reactive opportunities to include updates on daily operations, policy changes, and critical incidents. This individual plays a critical role in advancing the SFMTA’s mission while providing transparency and strengthening public trust and informing and educating the public on SFMTA projects and services.

Examples of important and essential duties

• Acts as the agency’s voice while promoting SFMTA activities and responding to real-time news inquiries via television, radio, and written statement interviews.
• Responds to daily inquiries from local and national media, drafts press releases and talking points and organizes press conferences.
• Identifies potential news stories to clearly communicate achievements.
• Aids in developing coordinated campaigns to educate the public on safety, operational efficiency and financial updates and transportation policies.
• Serves as an on-call representative for late-breaking news or transit emergencies, providing live updates to the public and media partners as needed.
• Conceptualizes impactful, data-driven, and compelling communications collateral including messages, talking points, social media posts, video scripts, and speeches.
• Identifies emerging topics and leads the development and execution of proactive communication plans.
• Advises and counsels the Communications Director as well as executive and senior management on media and audience strategies.
• Uses data to evaluate, adjust and target communications.
• Performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Nature of work

The position may require working weekends and nights on an as-needed basis, driving a motor vehicle, working outdoors in varying weather conditions, standing, walking, and/or sitting for prolonged periods of time, occasional lifting of objects weighing up to 15 pounds and the transport of materials and equipment.