Director of Communications
Primary Purpose:
Promote positive communication between the school district and community. Prepare and provide information to the public about the activities, goals and policies of the school district. Distribute pertinent information about the district and its activities to employees.
Education/Certification:
Bachelor’s degree in English, journalism, communications or a related field Special
Special Knowledge/Skills:
- Broad knowledge of all aspects of the district’s work
- Experience working in all aspects of education at the federal, state and local levels
- Strong facilitation and team-building skills
- Ability to focus on multiple tasks at once
- Excellent public relations, organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills
- Ability to speak effectively before groups of employees, parents and 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 software to develop spreadsheets, perform data analysis, and do word processing
- Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills
Experience:
3 to 5 years’ experience in journalism or communications
Experience with bond referendums
Major Responsibilities and Duties:
Public and Community Relations
1. Directs the office of communications, and manages all aspects of internal and external district
communication, including the website, and all written and electronic publications.
2. Serve 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.
3. Ensure that public information activities contribute to the attainment of district goals and objectives.
Highland Park ISD Job Description
4. Design, prepare, and edit district publications including newsletters, recruitment brochures, programs
for special events, and other publications.
5. 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.
6. Provides support for schools and departments in communication with the public.
7. Serves as the Public Information Officer for the district, directing the response to all Freedom of
Information Act requests.
Policies, Reports, and Law
8. Develop and publicize reports related to the performance of the district and articulate district goals
and objectives.
9. Comply with policies established by federal and state law, State Board of Education rule, and local
board policy.
10. Compile, maintain, and file all reports, records, and other documents as required.
11. Follow district safety protocols and emergency procedures.
Budget
12. Develop and administer the department budget based on documented needs and ensure that
operations are cost effective and funds are managed wisely.
Personnel Management
13. Select, train, supervise, and evaluate staff and make recommendations relative to assignment,
retention, discipline, and dismissal.
14. Develop training options and/or improvement plans to ensure exemplary operation of the
communications function.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
Supervise, evaluate, and recommend the hiring and firing of the communications specialist.
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
