Public Information Officer

Job Title: Public Information Officer

FLSA Status: Exempt Work Days: 210

Reports To: Deputy Superintendent

Salary Administrative Scale: Officer Scale (based on Step)

JOB SUMMARY This position supports student success by ensuring that the District’s communications program is aligned with District goals, and by facilitating the development of accurate and timely internal/external communication and information processes that contribute to and encourage community involvement in the District’s efforts to meet the instructional needs of students.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Essential duties of this position include the following. Employees in this position perform some or all of the following tasks. Other duties may be assigned.

1. As the district Public Information Officer, coordinate crisis communications for the district and participate in regional school safety planning efforts.

1. Support leadership in responses to inquiries and complaints received from citizens, news media and school district personnel.

1. Provide professional public relations counsel and assistance to the district office administration, School Board and school administrators

1. Provide live-streaming and technological execution to the School Board of Trustees during meetings of the Board and/or district staff

1. Coordinate and oversee various district special events (graduation, Superintendent's Art show, Teacher Appreciation, etc..)

1. Recommend innovative and promotional avenues of communication for various types of media and counsel top management on effective communication strategies.

1. Serve as information liaison between the total school system and the community at large and as an intermediary between school and district-level administrators/officials and the media.

1. Create, manage, and maintain district and school websites and social media platforms while providing staff training, guidance and insight on school website/social media maintenance. This includes regular updates and audits to the district/school websites and district social media. Ensure consistent branding and messaging.

1. Write communication policies and procedures for handling sensitive information or media contact.

1. Facilitate all advertising, promotions, publicity and public outreach activities as well as manage contracts for advertising, sponsorships and other promotional activities. 

1. Improve public opinion of CCSD by engaging constituents through appropriate media platforms and targeted communication forums.

1. Contact media representatives to initiate articles and news releases about District programs; communicate with media representatives about sensitive or controversial information; create press kits and other media information.

1. Develop and maintain accurate records of the district’s public relations

1. Develop, implement and evaluate comprehensive internal and external district communication plan including, but not limited to, publications, media relations, electronic communications.

1. Establish and maintain two-way communication systems among schools, offices, departments and the district and among the district, the media, and the public.

1. Organize, assimilate and disseminate facts about Chester County Schools to the public through news media. 

1. Oversee the production of video and audio communication materials for both school and district administrative staff

1. Provide in-service training as required on media, public and community relations.

1. Provide professional assistance in the development of various publications (brochures, newsletters, information bulletins, annual financial documents) for school and departments.

1. Establish annual objectives and conduct internal and external assessments to determine the effectiveness of district and school-level communication programs.

1. Utilize and manage digital systems including the district’s auto dialer/notification system and mobile app.

1. Participate in regional and statewide school public relations associations such as SC/NSPRA Public Relations Associations such as SC/NSPRA Public Relations Association.

1. Maintain appropriate certifications and training hours as required.

1. Comply with applicable District, state, local and federal laws, rules and regulations

1. Other duties may be assigned as needed

 MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

1. Bachelor’s Degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism or Marketing and three to four years' related experience in public relations or equivalent combination of education and experience.

1. Ability to communicate fluently verbally and in written

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Proficiently use the following programs: Google Applications, MS Word, MS PowerPoint, Adobe Creative Suite and WordPress.

Experience working as a public information officer.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to  enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

-Familiar with a variety of the communication concepts, practices, and procedures. 

-Demonstrated success in collaborating with diverse teams at an executive level.

-Familiarity with FEMA Incident Command System (ICS) and have completed basic introductory ICS courses.

-Works well with others from diverse backgrounds. Focuses on solving conflict; maintaining confidentiality; listening to     others without interrupting; keeping emotions under control; remaining open to others’ ideas and contributing to building a positive team spirit.

-Ability to present information and material to small and large groups. Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints  from students, parents, staff, regulatory agencies or members of the community. Ability to write reports and correspondence.

-Ability to manage a budget and actively engage in district budgeting process.

-Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram or schedule form.

-Proficiency in the usage of internet software, e-mail and word processing software. Ability to type accurately and proficiently.

-Demonstrated proficiency in developing and implementing large-scale projects.

-Demonstrated success working collaboratively with community partners. Ability to appropriately communicate with students,  teachers, parents, members of the community and others  including vendors, law enforcement and other agencies.

-Ability to exercise good judgment and work in an environment with constant interruptions while maintaining organization.     Proven record of working well in a team-environment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to walk; sit; use hands for fine manipulation, handle or feel and reach with hands and arms using a keyboard and video display terminal. The employee is frequently required to stand and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl and climb stairs. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision.

Occasionally perform work beyond a standard 40-hour work week when workload requires.

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.

The work environment is a standard office setting including standard office equipment (fax, copier, phone, computer, 10-key, etc.). The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate.

OTHER Note: This is not necessarily an exhaustive or all-inclusive list of responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, efforts, functions or working conditions associated with the job. This job description is not a contract of employment or a promise or guarantee of any specific terms or conditions of employment. The school district may add to, modify or delete any aspect of this job (or the position itself) at any time as it deems advisable.