Job Description: Director of Communications
Company: Seguin Independent School District
Location: Seguin, Texas (ESC Region 20)
Job Category: Administrative
Job Type: Full-Time
Salary: $$80,500 - $117,800 -
Yearly
Director of Communications
SEGUIN INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT
Job Description
REPORTS TO: Chief Student Services Officer
PAY GRADE: Professional (P5)
DEPT/SCHOOL: Student Services
DAYS EMPLOYED: 226
DATE REVISED: April 2024
PRIMARY PURPOSE:
Provides strategic leadership in developing, achieving and maintaining the best possible proactive planning and communication outputs to support district initiatives that support student achievement. Coordinates, analyzes, and evaluates complex ideas and situations and communicates these items in easy-to-understand language. Effectively communicates (interpersonal, intercultural, and public speaking), negotiates, and advises. Supports schools and departments to provide communications/public relations training, counsel, and advice.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Education/Certification:
Bachelor’s degree in English, education, journalism, communications, public relations, or a related field.
Master’s preferred.
Special Knowledge/Skills:
Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills
Demonstrated skills in writing, editing, and public speaking
Thorough knowledge of media operations and public relations functions
Ability to use a personal computer to design and produce district publications, to provide internal & external communication, and to continually update the district’s website
Bilingual (Spanish, preferred)
Experience:
Minimum two years of supervisory experience
At least five years of work experience in education, public relations, journalism, communications, or a related field
MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:
1. Communicate the district’s mission to build mutually beneficial relationships between the community and Seguin ISD.
2. Articulate instructional practices, programs, accomplishments, goals, and new directions to parents and the community.
3. Provides communication and information to the Board of Trustees, Superintendent’s Leadership Team , campuses, and school community as needed. Guides campus administration in messaging to the community.
4. Serve as district spokesperson and coordinate all media coverage including monitoring and maintaining a positive and professional district presence and profile of Seguin ISD.
5. Maintain a strong working relationship with all news media outlets including Spanish channels and newspapers.
6. Provides proactive strategic support and problem-solving to position the district in the most favorable and transparent position with the community and marketplace.
7. Develop branding initiatives and positive public relations to include the ongoing monitoring of SISD public perception as part of the Strategic Plan.
8. Directs staff in the proactive implementation and enhancement of high quality, full-service communication –internal, external, public relations, marketing, media, social media, web, multilingual programs—that effectively promote the district, its departments, and its services.
9. Directs strategic internal and external communication plans and activities.
10. Provides leadership and training to district staff related to effective communications, marketing, and incident/crisis response.
11. Develops and implements marketing and branding strategies.
12. Provides strategic leadership and oversees the district’s media relations activities and uses such opportunities to strengthen the district’s message to its community. Provides media relations training when needed.
13. Provides strategic leadership on critical district projects and initiatives to support the superintendent and leadership team to ensure engagement and clear focus on equitable student achievement.
14. Develop and maintain effective internal communications to improve understanding, team building, and morale.
? Assist the Superintendent in explaining public opinion and issues to the staff.
? Coordinate special events/programs such as the Teacher of the Year program, opening-of-school activities, district-wide luncheons, and banquets.
? Develop and implement student achievement incentive programs.
? Recognize teachers, staff, and students on a regularly scheduled basis.
15. Update, edit, and add information to the district website in a timely fashion. Photograph district events for publications and displays.
16. Implement the policies established by federal and state law, State Board of Education rule, and local board policy in the public information/community involvement area, including a thorough understanding of FERPA and the Texas Open Records Act.
17. Determine and implement long and short-range goals of the Communications office, ensuring that both are supportive of the goals of the district.
18. Develop, articulate, and implement a crisis communication plan, working as part of the district’s emergency response team.
19. Define and manage the Public Information Office program and fiscal needs in the budget development process to include being a key communicator in bond initiatives.
20. Attend conferences and workshops, as required, to remain current on educational issues as they pertain to the Public Information Office, including professional participation in the Texas School Public Relations Association (TSPRA).
21. Provide training to district administrators and employees, as appropriate, in media relations, marketing, and other topics related to publicity and public information.
22. Attend all school board meetings, prepare agenda items and reports as requested by the Superintendent, and assist the media in understanding board agenda items and actions.
23. Assist the Superintendent with participation in the Seguin Education Foundation.
24. Support district policies and procedures.
25. Project a positive image and demonstrate professional, ethical, and responsible behavior.
26. Perform other duties as assigned.
EQUIPMENT USED:
Computer including applications of word processing, desk-top publishing, Internet, e-mail; multimedia audio-visual equipment; and camera
WORKING CONDITIONS:
Mental Demands:
Ability to maintain composure in stressful situations, to problem-solve, to work collaboratively with others, and to work on multiple projects/tasks within a given period; ability to communicate effectively (verbal and written), interpret policy, procedures, and data, and coordinate district functions
Physical Demands/Environment Factors:
Ability to transport materials/supplies to be used in presentations, work irregular hours, evenings and weekends, and some travel required
Other:
Work as a team member and with peers, teachers, campus personnel, and principals; professional demeanor, resourcefulness, communicate effectively with diverse groups and accept supervision; work without day-to-day supervision; regular and punctual attendance at the workplace.