Coordinator of District Communications

PRIMARY PURPOSE

• To market school district stories, achievements and programs through effective communication between the district and community 
• To promote and facilitate communication within the district. 

QUALIFICATIONS

   Education/Certification

• Bachelor’s degree in education, journalism, communications, public relations, or related field
• Minimum of three years of experience with public relations and media relations

  Special Knowledge/Skills

• Excellent oral and written communications skills
• Strong public relations, organizational, skills, interpersonal skills 
• Self-starter who takes initiative toward the position’s purpose
• Skilled in - Google Suite, Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, and communication related programs such as ParentSquare, Constant Contact, etc. 
• Knowledgeable of the legal aspects of journalism
• Flexible and able to handle multiple projects and activities simultaneously
• Ability to work and excel within a team-oriented environment
• Ability to professionally and effectively interact with culturally and economically diverse communities
• Broad knowledge of the Amarillo and Canyon communities
• Ability to meet established deadlines and perform well under stressful conditions

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

• Communicate district’s mission, goals, and activities to community and district employees
• Write, publish, and disseminate employee and community newsletters routinely
• Create and disseminate brochures, recruiting materials, and other district publications
• Prepare news releases for district and campus news, special events, and announcements
• Represent the district in on-camera and written media interviews as the central point of contact
• Take initiative in developing student, staff, and district stories for media release at least twice per month
• Establish and maintain strong and proactive lines of communication with district businesses and organizations
• Maintain effective working relationships with media in both Canyon and Amarillo, including assistance with media-initiated stories and coordinating the media’s presence on campuses
• Develop effective lines of communication with each campus principal and other campus personnel
• Assist with presentations for district leadership as needed
• Assist with the development of district election communications, such as tax rate elections and bond elections. 
• Review and approve requests for dissemination of non-school related materials
• Market district achievements to the community in various ways including positive social media posts multiple times per week
• Attend CISD Board of Trustees meetings and coordinate the student and staff recognition each month
• Collect, evaluate and prepare information for the CISD website. Assisting with ensuring the website is current, user-friendly, and an effective method of communication for the district
• Coordinate and fulfill requests for records under Public Information Act
• Have an understanding of District Emergency Operations Plan and District Emergency Operations Team
• Serve as the Public Information Officer and perform duties related to emergency response communications
• Coordinate and facilitate district special events, such as Business and Community Leaders Luncheons, Top 10 Awards, Teacher of the Year Recognition, etc. 
• Assist with planning and promoting campus and district student events, such as Trades Day, Career Signing Day, and Competitive Edge Week, etc. 
• Attend monthly meetings of Council of PTAs and the Education Foundation board in the role of District Representative
• Frequent in-person check-ins with the superintendent (approx 2-3 times per week)
• Maintain confidentiality by protecting personal or proprietary information from unauthorized access, disclosure, or sharing
• Perform other duties as assigned

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Supervises Media and Communications Specialist

WORKING CONDITIONS

     Mental Demands/Physical Demands/Environmental Factors

• Frequent district-wide travel
• Occasional out-of-district travel 
• Forty-hour work week with possibility of additional evenings and/or weekend events as needed.
• Office hours at the District Support Center (8:00am - 5:00pm) unless advance notice of being away
• Maintain emotional control under stress