Communications and Media Specialist

TITLE:  Communications/Media Specialist

REPORTS TO: Director of Communications/Superintendent 

JOB GOAL

Serves as the District's chief media person and as an intermediary between school administrators/officials  and  media  professionals in order  to provide  information  on district and school initiatives, activities, policies, and operations.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Develop, direct, and oversee  the day to day operations of the District's Public Information and

Public Relations.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Works with  the  Superintendent  to  establish  and  maintain  best  practices  in  regard  to departmental procedures for medial relations
• Responds to media requests for information and facilitates media interviews with district personnel
• Oversees public records requests, providing timely and complete responses to requests for information pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)
• Plans, creates,  coordinates  and  evaluates  communication  strategies  and  channels  to improve communications
• Maintains an effective and efficient flow of information to internal and external stakeholders
• Writes news releases and prepares information for the Superintendent
• Arranges press conferences and facilitates interviews with School Board members, district administrators, and other school personnel
• Develops and distributes the VWSD e-mail newsletter
• Maintains the District Activities Calendar
• Provides "The Leader In Me" training
• Attends all School Board  meetings to provide information to the media and to facilitate interviews with School Board members and district officials
• Develops a comprehensive  marketing plan to support the district's communications goals and Strategic Plan
• Works with district and school staff to create strategies and communications tools using all communication media
• Identifies key communicators in the community (business and civic leaders, Chamber, local government, etc.) and develop ongoing partnerships to support marketing efforts
• Develops and implements guidelines to ensure consistency of "brand"
• Oversees the print shop and Channel 16
• Researches trends in education for the purpose of creating story ideas with a Vicksburg Warren School District focus that can be pitched to media outlets
• Coordinates communications and logistics within the Office of Communications and with other VWSD offices and schools
• Assists in the planning and execution of events
• Assists in the communication of district goals to the community
• Assists in disseminating information and coordinating publicity for district events
• Develops and  maintains  the  school  district's  media  resources  -  Website,  Facebook, Twitter, Let's Talk, etc.
• Compiles media clips for dissemination to district personnel
• Coordinates with Emergency Management and the district's head of safety as needed
• Performs other related duties as required

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with experience in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Marketing, or related field or its equivalent in years of experience

QUALIFICATIONS

Demonstrated ability to work with stakeholders including families, governmental agencies and the business community

• LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to respond  to inquiries  or complaints.   Ability to write  speeches  and articles for publication the conforms to prescribed style and format.   Ability to effectively present information to top management, public groups, and the school board.

• PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit and talk or  hear.     The  employee   is  occasionally  required  to  stand,  walk,  reach,  bend  and sometimes lift up to 25 pounds.   Mobility skill are necessary  to access a variety of work locations.

• OTHER SKILLS

Ability  to  interpret  and  extensive  variety  of  technical  instructions  in  mathematical  or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.  Must keep accurate, up-to-date records.

• WORK ENVIRONMENT

The  work  environment  characteristics  described  here  are  representative  of  those  an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations  may  be  made  to  enable  individuals  with  disabilities  to  perform  the essential functions.

CLASSIFICATION UNDER  FLSA Exempt

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT

12 monthly (240 days)

SALARY

ADMIN