Peoria Unified School District is hiring: Public Relations Coordinator in Peoria

Position Type:

District Support

Date Posted:

12/20/2024

Location:

District Administration Center - Glendale, AZ

Closing Date:

01/10/2025

Additional Information: Show/Hide

Position Title: Public Relations Coordinator

Department: District Administration Center Public Relations

Supervisor: Communications Manager

Term of Employment: 12 Month

Salary Classification: Classified Exempt 4

Job Summary: The public relations coordinator works with the public relations team members to effectively carryout the department's communication goals, including supporting effective, transparent, clear, consistent and high-quality communications to stakeholders for the Peoria Unified School District. The coordinator will contribute to communication plans which are designed to achieve measurable results. They will create content and monitor district social media pages; support social media training to staff; assist with communicating to external audiences; assist with crisis communication, as needed; and assist with all department special events and activities, as needed.

Essential Functions: Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include, but are not limited to, the following tasks, duties, knowledge, skills and other characteristics. This list is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by incumbents in this class.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES generally include the following. Other duties may be assigned:

* Support the communications and public relations department with a focus on communicating to external audiences:

* Drafting content for parent and community newsletters

* Creating a content calendar for the district's social media accounts

* Engaging with district alumni

* Writing news releases and media pitches

* Preparing and disseminating content received by other departments to using district-approved communication tools (ex. ParentSquare)

* Implement effective ways to be successful in storytelling, such as collaborating with school site councils, site webmasters who oversee social media and school websites, and PTSO/Booster Club Presidents who have a pulse on activities happening at each school site.

* Source new ways and support the department in effectively sharing district updates with constituents who are not parents to increase community connectedness.

* Support the department in a secondary role to update the district website and school websites to ensure public-facing content and photos are kept timely and relevant for all audiences and updated frequently.

* Attend events at schools throughout the district to capture photos or videos of staff or students, as needed.

* Work with other team members to source positive news stories and share it through a variety of platforms including the website, social media and newsletters.

* Monitors social media to provide timely responses, when necessary, and to keep other team members apprised of education-related issues or discussions that could impact the district.

* Monitor local news outlets for district and school-related content.

* Host professional development sessions for school site webmasters to ensure that schools' social media accounts are following best practices for communicating with external audiences.

* Attend special events to provide support and resources to other communications team members.

* Assists with scheduling media requests at school sites, as needed.

* Interviews staff or students to support opportunities for storytelling through social media, the district's biannual magazine, or through other communication outlets.

* Serve on the district's Emergency Operations Team and assist the department with drafting and/or disseminating communications during a crisis, as needed.

* Support the communication department by drafting content (e.g. district publications, media releases, crisis management, communication plans, etc.) for the purpose of ensuring optimal public relations for the District and assisting school sites with communications.

* Develops and carries out various projects for the department, including support for the Communications Manager and Chief Communications Officer in leading the Community Connection area of the district's Strategic Plan.

* Performs other duties as assigned or required.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

* Knowledge of applicable federal, state, county and city statutes, rules, policies and procedures

* Skill in managing multiple social media accounts and staying on top of current social media trends

* Knowledge of applicable Peoria Unified School District and department policies and procedures.

* Enjoys working in a team-environment but can work independently on projects, as needed

* Proficient in meeting deadlines with little support

* Knowledge of AP style requirements

* Proficient in taking photos to promote a person, product or organization

* Skill in using Microsoft products proficiently, including but not limited to, Teams, Word, Excel and Forms;

* Skill in public speaking and strong written communication skills required.

* Experience with Arizona's Public Records law included in A.R.S. 39-121 through 39-161 preferred

* Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relations with co-workers, vendors, students, parents, the general public, and others doing business with Peoria Unified

* May be required to lift and carry heavy, bulky supplies and materials weighing up to 20 pounds

* May be required to work outside normal working hours

* May be required to travel to perform work functions

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

* Bachelor's degree, preferably in journalism, communication, creative writing, OR equivalent combination of experience and/or education from which comparable knowledge, skills and abilities have been achieved. Experience working in school public relations preferred. Bilingual preferred but not required.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

* Must be able to pass a fingerprint and background clearance check

* Must be able to obtain and maintain an Arizona driver's license

Attachment(s):

* Salary Schedule