POSITION SUMMARY:
Under the supervision
and at the direction of the Chief Communications and Community Engagement
Officer, the Associate Superintendent for Communications and Community
Engagement plans and conducts a broad information program concerning public
education and all functions and services of the school system. The broad scope of the position includes the
development of comprehensive and proactive communications strategies, the
cultivation of media relations, and the delivery of relevant news and analysis
to the Board of Education, the Superintendent’s leadership team, school
district employees, news media and community leaders.
DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.
Works in
tandem with the Superintendent of Schools, Chief Communications and Community
Engagement Officer and senior leadership of the school district to develop a
strategic communication plan, aligned with PGCPS’ mission, vision and goals, to
enhance the district’s image and “brand” while imparting public information in
a transparent manner;
Synchronizes
endeavors among offices with distinct responsibilities for employee/student
diversity matters; family and community outreach/engagement; and
business/corporate partnerships so as to ensure that efforts are coherent,
consistent, cost-effective, coordinated and on message;
Supervises
the Communications Department, Media Relations, Translation and Interpreting,
Public Engagement, and Community Partnerships;
Develops
and updates key internal and external communications, presentations, fact
sheets and messages (in various multi-media formats) for the Superintendent and
other key officials to use as needed to highlight the exemplary work and
achievements of the school system as the opportunity to use them arises, often
with short notice;
Drafts
and edits remarks, speeches, addresses, presentations, letters to the editor,
submissions for social media and commentaries (with the input and assistance of
subject matter experts within the school district) to be delivered or submitted
by the Superintendent of Schools, Chief Communications and Community Engagement
Officer or other senior leadership, with the intent of reflecting the mission,
vision and goals of the school district;
Serves as
a key member of the senior leadership team as to crisis management in responding
to exigencies of the day or emergencies as they occur, fashioning a coordinated
effort that is communicated both within and outside the school district and to
key stakeholders;
Creates
and implements a marketing program, including PSAs, that enhances PGCPS’s image
in the eyes of the public, elected officials, and the corporate and grant
community, with a recognizable “brand” reflective of a school district on an
upward trajectory able to meet the needs of all its students;
Considers,
from time to time, the efficacy of polls, surveys and other instruments to
gauge the sentiment of staff, students and/or parents and their usefulness in
supporting the school system’s approach to issues and programs;
Reviews
the manner in which the organization’s website can be a more effective and
efficient means of communicating with parents and staff; and
Performs
other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS:The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
Outstanding
oral and written communication skills, human relations skills and technical
skills;
Extensive
knowledge of and experience with print, broadcast and digital media;
Ability
to work as a member of a team, maintaining sensitive and confidential
communication;
Proven
skills in public relations program management, research, planning,
communication, marketing and evaluation;
Experience
working with senior management in an organizational structure;
Ability
to work independently in a variety of situations often requiring extensive
contact with local public leaders, local media representatives, community
members and special interest groups;
Ability
to think boldly and innovatively with the ability to develop and enact new
ideas;
Experience
in planning, implementing, evaluating, budgeting and personnel management; and
Excellent
analytical and critical thinking and judgement skills.
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:
Master’s degree in communications,
public relations, journalism or related field required. A minimum of seven (7)
years of increasingly higher-level leadership experience in the field of
communications in the public and private sector is required. Experience in school system communications
preferred.
CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:
None Required.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Supervises and provides
guidance for assigned departments.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, talk, hear, walk, sit, and use fingers, tools or controls. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision such as to read handwritten or typed material, the ability to adjust focus, and depth perception. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may occasionally push or lift up to 25 lbs.
WORKING ENVIRONMENT:
The work environment characteristics are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
None.