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