Director of Communications and Public Relations

Director of Communications and Public Relations

Salary: $105,694 - $135,534

Purpose: To control the flow of communication between the District and all community/media outlets. Design and curate media for print on all platforms. The primary point of contact for the District as it relates to managing, developing, implementing, directing, strengthening community outreach, and engagement through marketing and public relations.

Qualifications: Bachelor's Degree required in communication, marketing, public relations, public policy administration, or a related field required, Master's Degree preferred. Multilingual preferred. Minimum of three years of experience in journalism, marketing, school communications, and/or public relations or related field required. Experience in developing and/or leading parent/community forums. Thorough knowledge of desktop publishing, word processing, and related computer skills. Experience in multi-level communications such as; marketing, public relations, website design, internet use, social media interactions, crisis management, and/or external company interactions. Ability to work collaboratively with instructional leaders, and community members. Ability to work flexible hours including occasional evenings and weekends. Outstanding oral, writing, and editing skills with a demonstrated ability to translate technical or complex subject matter for general audiences. Highly organized, self-starter, and proactive approach to communication.

Reports To: Superintendent

Maintains Liaison With: District Administration Print and Electronic Media Outlets Community and Civic Organizations Business Partners both local and abroad Building Administrators Superintendent/Board Student Groups such as Superintendent Ambassadors and Junior Board Members Regional Office of Education

Essential Functions:

• Serves as chief spokesperson in the absence of the Superintendent.
• Demonstrates a proactive approach to communicating on behalf of the District.
• Leads the District-level communications as it relates to marketing, media covered events, school related events, social media, press releases, audio, video, and more.
• Demonstrates excellent decision making and communication skills especially during crisis situations.
• Serves as the liaison between the District and all community/media outlets.
• Collaborates with other Community leaders to further develop relationships, strengthens the communication, and collaboration with our community partners/agencies
• Prioritizes multiple projects and presents on-time results.
• Assists District Administration and Title I Schools in promoting school-based family engagement systems and activities that create strong supports for teaching, learning and student achievement.
• Periodically surveys public opinion regarding the District and/or current issues in education.
• Routinely attends school functions, speaking engagements, special school/District events, and community events that have a direct impact on the District.
• Posts via social media, as well as develops, newsletters and/or news media releases.
• Develops and maintains the District Calendar, District Website, and the online District Directory.
• Ensures all messaging and/or materials coming from the District is transparent, current, consistent, and positive messaging.
• Organizes press releases and/or venues for statements to the press.
• Organizes and oversees District events such as High School Graduation, Hall of Fame, Retirement Banquet, etc.
• Serves as community engagement advisor to the Superintendent, and Board of Education.
• Supervises staff and interns as appropriate.
• Assists Teaching and Learning in reporting clear and valid student achievement information and other indicators of student success.
• Manages family and community engagement budgets.
• Maintains continued education of professional practices in the field, affiliates with the appropriate organizations for continued growth, and best practices.
• Keeps abreast and informs the Superintendent of newsworthy information that has a direct impact on the District or student achievement; Federal, State, and Local.
• Helps promote the District's Strategic Plan, Vision and Mission, and Diversity Statement.
• Assists the Student Services Department in managing and communicating information regarding the Magnet School lottery process.
• Performs other duties as may be assigned by the Superintendent.

Grade Level: 16

Terms of Employment: Salary is based upon salary schedule established by the Board of Education. 261 days per year.

Evaluation: Performance of this job will be evaluated in accordance with provisions of the Board's policy on Evaluation of Professional Personnel.

Physical Demands: Handle work which deals mostly with people, objects, equipment in a general setting; depth perception and field of vision are important. Employee regularly is required to bend, stoop, twist, turn, reach, lift (up to 50 pounds), carry, pull, push, climb, and kneel; walking and standing approximately 50-75% of each shift. Employee must recognize differences in sound, such as voices/noises that are loud and playful instead of angry and combative; ability to differentiate tones and volumes in conversation.

Mental Demands: Administrator must ensure that children are supervised at all times, and that children are involved in safe and appropriate activities. There may be a number of situations happening at once, and the Administrator must be prepared to handle accidents and emergencies at any time.

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 Administrator will be working in a busy and occasionally noisy environment. There may be a number of activities and situations happening at once, and the Administrator will have to supervise, or make sure students are supervised at all times. Decatur Public Schools is an equal employment opportunity employer with an affirmative action plan.