Description

About FirstLine Schools 

In 1998, FirstLine Schools (FLS) started the first charter school in New Orleans. In 2022-23, FirstLine will operate four (Pre)K-8th grade schools, serving ~3,400 students. Our mission is to create and inspire great, open admissions public schools in New Orleans. Our faculty is a diverse and talented group dedicated to our students’ success and to their own growth as teachers. Our schools are led by leaders who hold themselves accountable for student achievement and teacher development. We have approximately 450 employees. 

Position Summary 

The Communication Coordinator is responsible for assisting the Communication Director and the communication/development team as needed in the following areas: 

• Visual and graphic desi 
• Marketing, Communication, and Brand Management 
• Digital Media Development 
• Parent Communication and Student Recruitment 
• FLS Network Events 
• Special Projects as needed 

The Communication Coordinator works with the Communication Director and others in the organization to assist in the development and implementation of communication strategies with FirstLine’s key constituencies (students/families, alumni, teachers, community supporters, funders, prospective funders, and board members). The Coordinator’s primary responsibilities are in digital media development, marketing, and communication in an effort to promote a positive public image among FirstLine’s various audiences and advance FirstLine’s brand. 

This position will also collaborate with others in the organization to achieve brand consistency, coordination of messages, and the highest standards for external communication. This position is responsible for assisting in the development and coordination of organization-wide visual communication and design, including electronic and print communications. They will also support all student recruitment efforts for the FLS network.

Position Responsibilities: 

Marketing, Communication, and Brand Management 

• Graphic design of FLS marketing collateral for external and internal communication (teacher 
• and student recruitment, internal and external branding) 
• Assists with the coordination of photography schedules, assists with the selection of photos for print and electronic communication and manages photo archives ? Supports the creation and visual development of all collateral materials for major organizational initiatives (to include Edible Schoolyard when needed) 
• Assists in celebrating successes as needed 

Digital Media Development 

• Supports the management of the FLS website, including ongoing updates and redesigns ? Assists with preparing materials for internal communication including “This Week at FirstLine” email blasts, “Stall Street Journal” posters, Mardi Gras calendars, and Staff Portal 
• Manages Communication Team email account 
• Helps develop and lead strategic social media campaigns (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube) 
• and assists with major media outreach 
• Cultivates social media communities, posts, coordinates appropriate content, and responds quickly to comments and feedback on all social media channels 
• Other duties as assigned 

Parent and Staff Communications and Student Recruitment 

• Collects submissions to craft weekly staff newsletter (This Week at FirstLine) and sends to staff 
• Assists Communication Director in disseminating key information to staff via the 
• Communication email account 
• Designs, orders, and disseminates the Stall Street Journal to network office and all four schools 
• Assists Communications Director, Chief Development Officer, and Executive Director of Operations 
• in disseminating crisis communications via email, robocalls, social media, and the website 
• (weather-related closures, etc.) 
• Supports student recruitment through digital media campaigns 
• Assists with all other internal and external communication initiatives as needed 

FLS Network Events 

• Supports the creation of collateral, marketing materials, and donor communications (Edible Evening, Professional Development Days, etc.) to promote network events 
• Assists in planning and executing events, including helping with set-up and break-down

Requirements

Education & Experience 

• BA or BS (college graduate) 
• Strong oral and written communication skills 
• Strong knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite (Including Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator) 
• Strong knowledge of Canva 
• Experience with WordPress (or other website platforms) 
• Strong software skills: Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint; Google Applications 

Characteristics & Skills 

• Project and time management skills 
• Keen attention to detail 
• Strong research (internet and other) and writing skills 
• Strong critical thinking skills 
• Ability to work with frequent interruption and to simultaneously manage a variety of tasks 
• Ability to work in a self-directed manner, with a willingness to ask questions 
• Commitment to helping close the achievement gap 
• Commitment to working in a public charter school 
• Model the FirstLine Commitments 
• We Keep Learning 
• We Work Together 
• We Are Helpful 
• We Are the Safekeepers of our Community 
• We Share Joy 
• We Show Results 

Physical Requirements 

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be required to sit, walk, stand, talk, and hear. 
• Light lifting of equipment may be required (up to 20 lbs.) 

The COMMUNICATION COORDINATOR reports to the Communication Director for FirstLine Schools 

This is a full-time position at 40 hours a week. FirstLine Schools offers a comprehensive benefits package with a generous 403b plan. 

FirstLine Schools provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws.