Chicago Public Schools is hiring: Media and Communications Specialist in Chicago

CPS Careers | Search | Apply | Get Hired Posting Date Feb 12, 2025, 9:35:36 AM Primary Location Central-42 West Madison Street (Family & Community Engagement) CPS Non-Union Job Grade: S06 Estimated Annual Salary Range 58,000.00 - 76,000.00 Position Type: Non-Union Position Overtime Status Exempt Final salary offers are dependent upon candidate qualifications. JOB DESCRIPTION Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is a district on the rise, serving over 320,000 students in 500+ schools and employing over 44,000 people, most of them teachers. CPS has set ambitious goals to ensure that every student, in every school and every neighborhood, has access to a world-class learning experience that prepares each for success in college, career, and civic life. In order to fulfill this mission, we make three commitments to our students, their families, and all Chicagoans: academic progress, financial stability, and integrity. Six core values are embedded within these commitments – student-centered, whole child, equity, academic excellence, community partnership, and continuous learning. Chicago Public Schools (CPS) recently launched Together We Rise, CPS’ five year strategic plan setting ambitious goals to ensure that every school community has inclusive and collaborative partnerships that will ensure every child—in every school and every neighborhood—has access to a world-class learning experience from birth, resulting in graduation from high school college- and career-ready. When schools and families support each other, students of all backgrounds and various abilities achieve at higher levels. The Office of Family and Community Engagement (FACE) works with internal and external stakeholders to empower families and communities to have an active voice in their child’s educational experience. FACE strives to co-create spaces where parent and partner voices and experiences inform successful and supported plans and initiatives by engaging impacted stakeholders along the Spectrum of Inclusive Partnerships. Job Summary: Reporting to the Director of Accountability, the Media & Communications Specialist will build and lead the marketing and communications strategy for small and large-scale education projects in support of advancing both the District’s and FACE’s mission and vision. The Media & Communications Specialist is integral in the development of marketing strategies and timely content that seeks to expand awareness of the department and district initiatives while engaging key audiences, including school communities, families, external partners, and internal CPS departments. This individual will serve as an internal consultant to CPS Leadership and support with project management, stakeholder relations, digital media, communications and implementation. This is a full-time, exempt position that will be paid for hours worked on a salary basis. This Job Will be held accountable for the following responsibilities: Strategic Communication Planning: Develop and implement communication strategies that align with the district’s five-year strategic plan and FACE priorities by collaborating with FACE Leadership to design department-specific communication plans and ensure alignment with the overarching office strategy. Content Creation & Design: Craft compelling and visually appealing content, including graphics, presentations, videos, and written materials and ensure content meets branding, accessibility, and visual identity standards across all communication channels. Internal & External Collaboration: Foster and coordinate cross-departmental collaboration and facilitate communication across FACE teams and other district departments to ensure alignment with district-wide initiatives. Digital Marketing & Social Media: Develop and execute digital marketing strategies to promote events, professional learning opportunities, and initiatives by managing engagement and tracking content performance across social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube, etc.). Audience Engagement & Community Relations: Ensure communication efforts reach diverse audiences, considering linguistic, multiethnic, and multicultural needs by managing and enhancing engagement with students, parents, and community leaders through storytelling and multimedia content. Content Distribution & Email Campaigns: Draft and distribute email communications, newsletters, website content, and other digital content to keep stakeholders informed by developing templates, toolkits, and materials for internal teams and schools. Event Coverage & Storytelling: Develop long-form stories based on interviews and event coverage to highlight key initiatives and elevate parent and partner stories, by attending and capturing school and community events through photography, video, and interviews. Campaign Management: Develop and manage targeted communication campaigns for key FACE-led and district initiatives like LSC Elections, Back to School, and other large-scale engagements. Training & Guidance for Stakeholders: Provide guidance to FACE Leadership and other engagement teams on best practices for communication and digital content to ensure consistent messaging across all units and train stakeholders on communication processes and tools. Other duties as assigned. Education Required: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Social Justice, Public Affairs, Communications, Journalism, Marketing, or related field of study. Experience Required: Minimum of three (3) to five (5) years of experience in community engagement, project management and/or communications field. Minimum of two (2) to three (3) years of experience in driving innovation, best practices, and achievement of strategic objectives to best serve families and communities, developing presentations and content marketing, project management and leadership. Must adhere to Performance Guidelines established by Senior Leadership. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Ability to travel to different site locations is required. Ability to work evening and weekend work hours are required. Demonstrated excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills. Knowledge of HTML, Word, Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Adobe Creative Suite, Google Suite, and other relevant platforms. Knowledge of Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and other relevant social media platforms. Demonstrated proficiency in capturing and editing digital content. Ability to design and lead the implementation and tracking of digital and traditional marketing campaigns. Deep understanding of CPS policies and structure. Ability to successfully lead, manage, and deliver on multiple high-level projects simultaneously. Strong interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate with all levels of management and staff. Ability to motivate and influence others. Ability to work with difficult situations with multiple interests/parties involved. Ability to multi-task and adapt in a fast-paced environment. Strong planning, organization and time management skills. Strong quantitative and qualitative analysis, problem solving and troubleshooting capabilities. Knowledge of or the ability to quickly learn CPS systems. Conditions of Employment: As a condition of employment with the Chicago Public Schools (CPS), employees are required to: Establish/Maintain Chicago Residency: Employees are required to live within the geographic boundaries of the City of Chicago within six months of their CPS hire date and maintain residency throughout their employment with the district. The Chicago residency requirement does not apply to temporary/part-time positions, however, all CPS employees must be residents of Illinois. CONNECT WITH US Keep in touch to hear about our organization. #J-18808-Ljbffr