Communications Specialist

POSITION DESCRIPTION

POSITION TITLE

Communications Specialist

SCHOOL/DEPARTMENT

Communications

SALARY

Pay Grade 72 (range $55,134 to $59,423) + supplement

FLSA STATUS

Exempt

REPORTS TO

Chief Public Information Officer

SUPERVISES

WORK WEEK SCHEDULE

Monday – Friday; some evenings and weekends

WORK HOURS

40 Minimum (8 am – 5 pm)

NUMBER OF MONTHS PER YEAR

12

POSITION PURPOSE:

The Communications Specialist supports student success by supporting district communications and public relations while ensuring that strategies are aligned with the district vision, mission, goals, and strategic plan. The Communications Specialists work with minimal supervision, perform effective innovative, and responsible professional work to support the overall communications efforts of the Orange County Schools. Work involves strategizing, crafting, and delivering internal and external communications on various topics and issues, being sensitive to the audience’s needs and intent of the message, and designing programs that increase awareness, shape perception/opinion and influence behavior. This position takes a lead role in developing and executing internal and external communication plans and initiatives, and supports the division’s media relations efforts as needed.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS, CERTIFICATION AND LICENSE REQUIREMENTS:

Bachelor’s degree in public relations, communications, journalism or a related field and experience in public relations, community relations, communications, partnership development, fundraising or graphic design.

Three (3) to five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in public relations and communications. Strong background in the effective use of social media, computer technology, website design, marketing and publications, and data analytics for the purpose of continuous improvement.

KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS:

• Considerable knowledge of the principles and practices of journalism, public relations, community relations, marketing, parent engagement, public engagement, social media outreach, database marketing and partnership building, including but not limited to AP Style, and digital/social/new and emerging digital media communication techniques
• General knowledge of School Board policies, educational communications, and school public relations.
• General knowledge of the needs of key publics within OCS and the Orange County community.
• General knowledge of computer software applications used in the maintenance of Internet and Intranet Websites, social media outreach, electronic communications and database marketing, online research and other information technologies.
• Ability to write, research, develop, execute, and evaluate comprehensive communication/public relations/marketing plans.
• Possess skills in developing analyzing various communications research techniques, including but not limited to public opinion polls, online surveys, readership evaluations, social media metrics, media relations metrics and related areas.
• Ability to conceptualize, develop, research, write, and produce various publications with compelling content and design on a timely basis; e.g. newsletters, news releases, annual reports, information magazines, etc.
• General knowledge of photography, art/design, video production, printing production, digital communications production, as well as Web design and content.
• Ability to use a variety of office technologies and software packages including word processing, relational databases, presentation, video editing, online surveys, finance/spreadsheets, etc.
• Ability to establish and maintain moderately complex records and files, and to prepare reports from such data.
• Ability to communicate effectively in writing as well as verbally in a variety of settings from one-to-one to small group and large group presentations.
• Ability to plan and coordinate group activities and special events.
• Ability to exercise independent and professional judgment and initiative in applying standards to a variety of work situations.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees, parents, media representatives, community leaders and the general public.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES:

• Creates, researches develops and writes accurate, informative, compelling and persuasive content that may be used across a wide variety of platforms, including but not limited to print and digital formats, social media, websites, video, mobile applications and emerging technologies as well as special events, face-to-face (interpersonal) and small/large group presentations.
• Coordinates and communicates with cross-departmental teams to plan and execute district events or campaigns for internal and external audiences, and helps maintain the district’s contact databases.
• Planning and implementing events or campaigns to meet and/or further communications goals and objectives and working with multiple OCS departments, as well as internal and external stakeholders.
• Represents OCS at internal and external meetings and events, as well attend all board meetings.
• Works with the Chief Public Information Officer to develop content and present professional development sessions to build principal and internal employee capacity regarding effective communication, customer service, marketing, media relations, social media outreach, public engagement, and related topics.
• Serves as primary marketing liaison for schools and departments, including “choice schools,” career and technical education, academically gifted, equity office, Family Academy, facilities and construction, etc.
• Manages employee recognition campaigns (web, social media, print, website) and community partners.
• Works with the Chief Public Information Officer to secure sponsors and donations, manage communications with these groups/individuals, and coordinate programs’ visibility and sustainability.
• Coordinates and executes internal and external recognitions for twice-monthly Board of Education meetings, as well as preparing slide presentations and related media for display to the Board and public.
• Assists school support in their outreach and communication efforts to parents and the community, and facilitates distribution of approved materials from outside groups to students and families.
• Stays abreast of new research, strategies, tactics, tools, and best practices in employee communications, school marketing, crisis communications, public engagement, and related areas to build and maintain support for OCS and public education.
• Represents department and district at community and professional meetings, and assists with press conferences and media relations as needed.
• Assist with the OCS media line as necessary, fielding calls, coordinating and shaping interviews and stories, and placing OCS news stories in local, state and national outlets.
• Provides communications support in crisis situations to include: inclement weather, disruptions to campus operations and infrastructure, student/staff safety, and information security.
• Assists with crisis/emergency communications and school-based communications on issues and incidents as needed, which may involve working outside normal hours to support district and school administrators.
• Performs other related work as required.

WORKING CONDITIONS

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Work is considered light physical work requiring the exertion of up to 20 pounds of force.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Employees in this position are required to work in indoor and outdoor environments, and come into direct contact with OCS staff, students and the public.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The following signatures acknowledge that the supervisor has verified the accuracy of the position description, has discussed position requirements with the employee, and has advised the employee of work performance expectations

Reviewed by: Employee’s Signature

Date

Approval by: Supervisor’s Signature

Date

The completed and signed position description shall be maintained at the employee’s work location, shall be reviewed with the employee by his or her immediate supervisor, should be revised as required, and shall serve as the basis for all required evaluations.

DISCLAIMER: The above statements are intended to describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this position. They are not intended to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and skills that may be required of the employees assigned to this position. This description may be revised by the supervisor, with HR review and approval, any time.