Job Description: District Communications Officer

Company: Celina ISD
Location: Celina, Texas (ESC Region 10)
Job Category: Public Relations
Job Type: Full-Time
Salary: $ - Yearly

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District Communications Officer

Primary Purpose:

Create and lead communications strategies to promote positive public relations between the school district and community. Work with a variety of stakeholders to set the tone for messaging that promotes the district’s values and objectives. Develop strategic relations with media outlets, local businesses, and community partners to enhance those relationships and to support marketing opportunities. Prepare and provide information to the public about the activities, goals, and policies of the school district, and distribute pertinent information to all employees.

 

Qualifications:

Education/Certification:

• Bachelor’s degree in English, journalism, communications, or related field
• Special Knowledge/Skills:
• Excellent public relations, organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills
• Strong personal team-building and team-working qualities
• Ability to speak effectively before groups of employees, parents, or the public
• Ability to communicate effectively in both written and oral forms with all levels of management, both internal and external to the district
• Thorough knowledge of media relations and public relations functions
• Ability to use various software as well as web and cloud-based technologies for creatively communicating district and campus information

Experience:

• Minimum of 2 years journalism, communications, and/or marketing experience
• School district, campus, or educational work experience preferred

 

Major Responsibilities and Duties:

 

Public and Community Relations:

• Establish and drive a multi-channel communications strategy as the information liaison between the school district and the community.
• Serve as district spokesperson and coordinate media coverage including preparing press releases and publishing articles and photos in local media and other publications.
• Project a positive image to the public on behalf of the students, staff, and leadership of the district.
• Work with leaders across the organization to identify, define, and produce messaging based upon the needs of each campus and the entire organization.
• Ensure that public information activities contribute to the attainment of district goals and objectives.
• Design, prepare, and edit district publications including newsletters, recruitment brochures, programs for special events, and other publications.
• Serve as district representative on community committees as required. Demonstrate awareness of district-community needs and initiate activities to meet those needs including speaking at civic organization meetings and make presentations.

 

Policies, Reports, and Law:

• Develop and publicize reports related to the performance of the district and articulate district goals and objectives.
• Comply with policies established by federal and state law, State Board of Education rule, and local board policy.
• Compile, maintain, and file all reports, records, and other documents as required.
• Serve as the contact person for all open records requests, overseeing the delegation and fulfillment of all requests.

 

Budget and Marketing:

• Develop and administer the department budget based on documented needs and ensure that operations are cost effective and funds are managed wisely.
• Develop a “brand voice” and maintain the integrity of the brand across all platforms.
• Oversee the development and updating of district and campus web pages to ensure the information presented is accurate and timely.
• Establish strategic relations with a wide range of partners to explore resources and funding that will enhance district initiatives.

 

Other:

• Work with other district leaders to facilitate and lead campus and district improvement committees.
• Serve as a liaison between the district and the Education Foundation.
• Support and enhance a cohesive communications/public relations strategy with the district and Education Foundation.
• Develop training options and/or improvement plans to ensure exemplary operation of the communications
• Answer incoming calls and respond to routine inquiries from public, media, board of trustees, and staff as directed.
• Follow district safety protocols and emergency procedures.

 

Supervisory Responsibilities:

None currently.

 

Mental Demands/Physical Demands/Environmental Factors:

• Tools/Equipment Used: Standard office equipment including personal computer and peripherals; camera; video camera
• Posture: Prolonged sitting; occasional bending/stooping, pushing/pulling, and twisting
• Motion: Repetitive hand motions including frequent keyboarding and use of mouse; occasional reaching
• Lifting: Occasional light lifting and carrying (less than 15 pounds)
• Environment: May work prolonged or irregular hours; frequent districtwide and statewide travel
• Mental Demands: Work with frequent interruptions; maintain emotional control under stress