Chief Communications Officer

Position Type:
Administration - Central Office/Chief Communications Officer

Date Posted:
6/27/2024

Location:
Administration BuildingJob Title: Chief Communications Officer Wage/Hour Status: Exempt

Reports to: Deputy Superintendent Pay Grade: AP 10- 226 Days

Dept./School: Strategic Communications Date Revised: June 27, 2024

Primary Purpose: To plan, develop, implement, and maintain an effective inter-school and school-community network of communication systems and services that promote a climate of understanding, support, and cooperation with internal customers and external customers concerning the district's efforts to provide the best education possible for each student.

Qualifications:
Education/Certification:

• Master's degree with a specialization in one or more of the following fields preferred: communications, journalism, English, and/or public relations.
• Alternatives as determined by the Superintendent.

Preferred Experience:

• At least fifteen (15) years' experience in one or more of the following areas: communication and public relations programming, classroom teaching, and/or journalism news reporting.

Major Responsibilities and Duties:

• Supervise, develop, direct, and evaluate the District's public relations, marketing, communications strategy; execute effective campaigns/programs on a local, state, and national basis, with major emphasis on internal employee communications and communications between the District and the community.
• Serve as public relations counsel to the Superintendent, Board, and administrators.
• Assist the Superintendent, Board of Trustees, and administrators in explaining public opinions and administrative policies to the staffs of the school system.
• Participate in the activities of various civic groups and organizations within the community to foster better school public relations.
• Responsible for ensuring that the district brand is an accurate reflection of the district's vision and mission statement.
• Organize and coordinate the district-wide employee recognition programs.
• Attend meetings of the Board and prepare such reports for the Board, community, and staff as the Superintendent may request.
• Assist principals with staff relations by conducting or assisting with workshops for the staff and direct public relations seminars as called upon for professional and non-certified staff as part of the scheduled development activities.
• Supervise and evaluate the Communication Services staff.
• Develop and manage the Communication Services annual budget.
• Assist the Finance Department in preparing information materials on the annual budget process.
• Assist in recognizing students for educational achievements through the news media and other appropriate avenues.
• Attend professional meetings to continue to develop personal skills related to the field of school public relations.
• Serve as a primary contact for the news media.
• Assist the news media in obtaining background information for new stories about district programs or personnel.
• Send new releases and photographs about school and Board activities to the appropriate news media.
• Supervise the production of publications, brochures, and other communications.
• Maintain a public relations representative on each campus and assist the representative when needed.
• Maintain a digital file and record of all educational news of the school district as published by the district or news media.
• Cooperate with staff members in publicizing and promoting any performances, exhibitions, display, or special programs sponsored by the schools and open to the public.
• Supervise the production of special audio-visual presentations.
• Perform all other duties as deemed necessary by the Superintendent or designee.

Supervisory Responsibilities:
Staff as assigned.
Mental Demands/Physical Demands/Environmental Factors:
Tools/Equipment Used:
Standard office equipment including personal computer and peripherals
Posture/Motion:
Prolonged sitting and standing; occasional bending/stooping, pushing/pulling, and twisting
Repetitive hand motions, frequent keyboarding and use of mouse; occasional reaching
Lifting:
Moderate lifting and carrying (up to 30 pounds)
Environment:
Work inside; shared office space; occasional district-wide and state travel
Mental Demands:
Ability to communicate effectively (verbal and written); interpret policy, procedures, and data; coordinate district functions; maintain emotional control under stress.
The foregoing statements describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job and are not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties that may be assigned or skills that may be required.

Approved by: Mr. Brian Moersch Date: June 27, 2024

Reviewed by: Dr. Randy Davis Date: June 27, 2024