NEW YORK (WPIX)—
After making cuts to the MTA media relations office, MTA Headquarters is advertising for a Senior Writer to assist in media relations. A main component of the job, according to the summary on mta.info, would be working "with the MTA Chairman on a regular basis to prepare speeches, remarks and talking points for the Chairman for presentation at public appearances." Also, the writer would help prepare remarks for MTA Chairman Jay Walder to present at Board meetings and other events.After making cuts to the MTA media relations office, MTA Headquarters is advertising for a Senior Writer to assist in media relations. A main component of the job, according to the summary on www.mta.info, would be working "with the MTA Chairman on a regular basis to prepare speeches, remarks and talking points for the Chairman for presentation at public appearances." Also, the writer would help prepare remarks for MTA Chairman Jay Walder to present at Board meetings and other events.
PIX 11 News Reporter Greg Mocker contacted transportation offices in other metropolitan areas. Chicago, Miamia, Philadelphia, Washington, DC and Atlanta do not have writers or speechwriters. Atlanta has two staff members in its office. Dallas Area Rapid Transit has no one with that specific title. Media relations and communications are in separate groups. Most any staff member in those groups would be involved in speechwriting, an officer told Mocker.
Chicago Transit says "CTA does not employ a dedicated speechwriter. Depending on the subject matter and audience, the appropriate CTA staff member is assigned to prepare remarks and gather relevant information from other departments as needed." The Bay Area (SF) Rapid Transit says several jobs include speech writing but not as an exclusive job. Linton Johnson, a BART Media Officer, says in an email, "there is more than enough writing work to hire at least one writer if not more."
A Spokesperson for Metro in Los Angeles says there is no senior writer title in it's 6 person office.
Mocker also spoke with speechwriter and pubic speaking coach Jezra Kaye with Speak Up for Success. She says it appears to be an entry-level position based on the qualifications for the job.
The MTA job offers a minimum salary of $75,322. It does not advertise a maximum amount but says a mid-range would be $94,152. The hours of work are described as 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM (7.5 hours per day) and "the position may be required to work non-traditional hours and attend various functions often at off-site locations."
The position would assist the Director of MTA Media Relations "with media relations tasks, including but not limited to answering media calls, editing and drafting press materials and organizing media events and press conferences."
