Publications Representative

Chicago Transit Authority•Chicago, IL

About The Position

Writes and coordinates the production of public information materials to communicate Authority services effectively to customers and employees. The role prepares, writes, edits, proofreads, and coordinates materials about CTA service; monitors CTA’s website daily to ensure information is current; and helps develop and monitor special website sections about construction and other projects. It manages customer alerts and flyers for service improvements and changes across buses, rail cars, stations, and online channels, including drafting alert language, sketching reroute maps, collaborating with Graphics, and generating maps. The position coordinates with internal departments to ensure consistent public messages, manages periodic updates to the CTA bus and rail system map and other cartographic publications, and processes external requests to use CTA maps, logos, and printed information. It also conducts research and writes for special projects, gathers information for planning upcoming service changes, and files, indexes, and tracks customer alerts. The role requires accommodating approval processes, strict deadlines, and fast turnaround times, as well as developing expert knowledge of the CTA system, routes, and services. The work takes place under general office conditions and includes visits to CTA locations, where the employee is subject to existing weather conditions. CTA residency requirements apply: exempt non-union employees must live within the CTA Statutory Service Area when hired or within six months of starting employment.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, or a combination of education, training, and experience related to the position.
Two years of experience in writing.
Strong communication skills.
Ability to write and express oneself clearly, logically, and comprehensively.
Ability to accommodate project approval processes and meet strict deadlines and fast turnaround times.
Ability to develop expert knowledge of the CTA system, routes, and services.
Exempt non-union employees must live within the CTA Statutory Service Area at the time of employment or within six months of beginning employment at CTA.
Applicants hired must comply with CTA’s residency ordinance.

Responsibilities

Prepare, write, edit, proofread, and coordinate production of materials regarding CTA service.
Monitor the CTA website daily to ensure posted information is current.
Assist in developing and monitoring special website sections about major construction and other special projects, ensuring the latest service changes and information are reflected.
Manage distribution and posting of time-sensitive customer alerts and flyers for service improvements and changes on buses, rail cars, rail stations, and online channels.
Create customer alert content and language, sketch reroute maps for designers, collaborate with the Graphics department to ensure accuracy, and generate maps for alerts.
Coordinate with Planning, Media Relations, External Electronic Communications, Bus and Rail Operators, and other internal departments to establish uniform public information messages.
Coordinate and manage typically semi-annual updates to the CTA bus and rail system map and other periodic cartographic publications.
Process external requests to use the CTA bus and rail system map, CTA logo, and other printed information in maps, guidebooks, wallet cards, and related printed materials.
Write and conduct research for special projects.
Report and gather information to support interdepartmental planning for upcoming service changes and related publications across various media.
File, index, and track all customer alerts produced in the department.
Perform related duties as assigned.