Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority

Compensation

Full Description

Location: Metro Building at Eisenhower WMATA Reference: 260003 Summary The Senior Communications Manager supervises the Communications Managers (COMMS 1) within the Metro Integrated Command & Communications (MICC) Center. The leader in this role is responsible for guiding daily messaging on all Metro-owned channels used by the MICC Communications Section to communicate operational readiness or disruptions during a 24/7 period. The incumbent ensures that Metrobus and Metrorail service and system information is communicated promptly, concisely, and transparently to both customers and internal Metro staff. Additionally, the person chosen for this role is responsible for maintaining up-to-date processes, procedures, and training requirements for the MICC Communications Section and advises the Director of MICC Communications on necessary departmental changes. The Senior Communications Manager serves as the subject matter expert and acts on the Director's behalf to ensure customer communications is a priority for the MICC. Essential Function Principal Job Duties • At the request of the Director, manages the hiring of Communications Managers, Assistant Communications Managers, Public Communications Coordinators, and Communications Agents. • Manages staff development, training, succession planning, and ensures performance evaluations of all staff align with Metro's Human Capital policies. • Maintains and promotes awareness and accountability with safety policies and procedures while performing job functions. Promotes a positive safety culture and encourages reporting of safety concerns consistent with our Agency Safety Plan, other regulatory requirements within the Safety Management System, and just culture principles. • Establishes and promotes awareness of standard operating procedures and guidelines and leads the planning, development, management, and implementation of new or revised policies and procedures. • Ensures customer communication strategy during incidents is in compliance with the Communications Section's guidance documents and manuals. • Coordinates all planned events to ensure accurate, timely, and reliable dissemination of information to customers. • Ensures effective implementation of operating plans, schedules, instructions, and playbooks. • Participates in meetings with other Metro departments to discuss bus and rail advisories and is responsible for dissemination of the information for the Director and staff. • Reviews technical requirements/user specifications for the Communications Section and identifies areas for process efficiencies. • Serves as the Communications Section's point of contact user testing of new/updated applications and software. • Oversees document management for the Communications Section and ensures that the section's SharePoint page is up to date. Ensuring desk manuals, PA schedules, and other documentation is provided and maintained for accuracy and responding to audit requests. • Approves leave requests, supervises assignment and vacation selection process. • Leads after-action reviews, recommends commendations, improvements, and/or corrective actions to include the development of Lessons Learned, Safety Standdown, and refresher training sessions. Other Duties • Assists the Director in creating presentations and reports for leadership, preparing memorandums for staff. • Coordinates with other MICC section's colleagues to engage the Communications section staff in safety observations and inspections. • Oversees Local 2 Grievance processat the Step 1 Level. • On Director's behalf, participates in EOC during emergencies. • Take on additional responsibilities as assigned by the Director. • Maintains and promotes awareness and accountability with safety policies and procedures while performing job functions. Promotes a positive safety culture and encourages reporting of safety concerns consistent with our Agency Safety Plan, other regulatory requirements within the Safety Management System and just culture principles. The functions listed are not intended to limit specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Nor is it intended to limit in any way the right of managers and supervisors to assign direct and control the work of employees under their supervision. Qualifications Minimum Education Bachelor's degree in Business Management, Public Relations, Communications, Public Administration, Public Affairs, or other related fields. Minimum Experience A minimum of eight (8) years of progressive management experience including the supervision of staff in a customer service and/or operations control center environment. Preferred Qualifications • Master's Degree • Control center experience • Multi-lingual • Operations Radio communications experience Medical Group: Satisfactorily complete the medical examination for this position, if required. The incumbent must be able to perform the essential functions of this position either with or without reasonable accommodations. Evaluation Criteria: Consideration will be given to applicants whose resumes demonstrate the required education and experience. Applicants should include all relevant education and work experience. Evaluation criteria may include one or more of the following: • Skills and/or behavioral assessment • Personal interview • Verification of education and experience (including certifications and licenses) • Criminal background check (a criminal conviction is not an automatic bar to employment) • Medical examination including a drug and alcohol screening (for safety-sensitive positions) • Review of a current motor vehicle report Closing: WMATA is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by applicable federal law. This posting is an announcement of a vacant position under recruitment. It is not intended to replace the official job description. Job descriptions are available upon confirmation of an interview. Application Deadline: 1/17/2026, 11:59 p.m. To apply for this position, visit WMATA's Career Center Equal Employment Opportunity