Field Content and Communications Specialist

Field Content & Communications Specialist

Position Type: Specialist/Technician 
Location: Educational Leadership and Support Center, with regular travel to district schools and events
Reports to: Director of Strategic Communications
Schedule: Flexible schedule that includes selected evenings and weekends
Salary Range: $50,000.00 - $60,000.00

Description

The Field Content & Communications Specialist helps Cedar Rapids Community School District by telling the stories of its students, staff, and schools. This position covers events and visits schools across the district by gathering real-world stories, capturing and editing photos and videos, and producing timely content for digital and print media. The specialist also coordinates staff recognition programs, gathers newsletter content, and maintains the calendars, assets, and tracking systems that help the Strategic Communications team follow through on its work.

The successful candidate brings strong news judgment and time management skills, can work independently, and handles student privacy and sensitive information with care.

Roles and Responsibilities:

1. Field Coverage and Content Production

• Travel among CRCSD schools to interview students, teachers, and staff to create human-centered stories, photos, and videos of daily classroom activities and special events.
• Photograph and record video at school and district events, including selected athletics competitions and fine arts performances, including evening or weekend activities.
• Identify moments and stories that reflect student learning, staff contributions, district achievements, and district priorities.
• Edit photos and video for timely use across district communication channels and marketing.
• Write clear captions and short-form content for social media and other communications.
• Organize photo, video, and story assets, including relevant permissions and tags in the communication drive.

2. Recognition and District Communications

• Coordinate the staff shout-outs recognition program from submission and verification through scheduling and publication.
• Gather stories, photos, and updates for district newsletters; assist with writing, layout, proofing, and production.
• Coordinate and carry out assigned components of annual district publications and major marketing initiatives aligned with district priorities, including content development, production, promotion, and timeline management, under the direction of the Director of Strategic Communications.
• Support promotion of the district, including the district app, newsletter signups, school events, and other communication/marketing priorities.
• Create accessible content using alt text, captions, document checks, and approved templates.
• Provide backup support for routine website, newsletter, and production tasks.

3. Coordination and Follow-Through

• Maintain department calendars and track forms for building visits, content coverage, social media posts and analytics, staff recognition, and other priorities.
• Schedule meetings, take notes, document commitments, and track follow-up actions for change management work and various department projects.
• Help organize information and materials so colleagues can readily continue or transfer work.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Technical and Professional Competencies

Candidates should demonstrate:

• Strong photography and video capture skills, with the ability to perform basic video and audio editing.
• Sound news judgment and the ability to cover school events independently.
• Clear, accurate writing and careful proofreading.
• Strong organization, time management, and follow-through across multiple assignments.
• Strong interpersonal communication for interviewing diverse stakeholder groups in varied settings.
• Commitment to student privacy, accessibility, district brand standards, and responsible storytelling.
• Availability to work selected evenings and weekends through a flexible schedule.
• A valid driver's license and reliable transportation for travel between district schools and event locations.

Experience creating content for social media, newsletters or websites is preferred. School, journalism or community communications experience is a plus.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS / ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The position involves moving throughout schools and event venues, standing or walking during coverage, and using photography, video and computer equipment.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT:
Work takes place in an office, schools, and a variety of indoor and outdoor event settings. The schedule includes selected evening and weekend assignments. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

This description is not an exhaustive list of duties. Additional duties may be assigned.

The Cedar Rapids Community School District is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The district does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, gender, national origin, religion, age, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran status or disability.

Salary : $50,000 - $60,000