Summary
Description
Terms of employment
Full-time, 260 days (Depending on start date). Salary is based on education and experience and will be prorated per our Admin/Prof Tech Salary Schedule ($81,232 – $121,685). The District provides its employees with a comprehensive benefits program including medical, life, and dental insurance. The District provides three medical plans for which it pays the full premium for employees, and a fourth option is a buy-up plan for which the district pays the majority of the premium. In addition, the District pays the full employee premium for dental insurance and life insurance. The District contributes to PERA on each employee's behalf and offers additional retirement savings options as well as optional supplemental insurance. Employees also receive paid time off. Worker’s compensation and unemployment insurance are provided in accordance with State law.
Position Purpose
This position is responsible for all district wide communication and marketing as well as state and local media coverage. This position will utilize effective communication methods and tools to plan, organize, and direct the operations and activities of district communications, including public relations, strategic communications, marketing and awareness activities to enhance community understanding of Weld RE-5J School District’s mission, goals, objectives, services and activities. Direct media relations, strategic publications, video production, website, graphic design, social media, crisis communications, public engagement, and community outreach. Advise and support the Superintendent, Board of Education, and district staff regarding internal and external communications and media relations. Report to the Superintendent or their designee.
Essential Performance Responsibilities:
- Develop and direct a comprehensive communications program to support the District’s vision, mission, and goals.
- Together with the Superintendent, represent the district as its spokesperson through all appropriate channels, including community outreach, broadcast media, the internet, and social networks and other communication channels.
- Contribute leadership to the organization beyond assigned accountabilities to champion the Weld RE-5J School District mission, vision, and strategic plan, including the development and management of a strategic plan for communications, media relations and marketing.
- Direct the writing and editing of speeches, articles, reports, resolutions, and correspondence for the Weld RE-5J School District School Board, the Superintendent of Schools, and District Directors.
- Prepare and direct the writing, design, production, and/or distribution of publicity brochures, newsletters, booklets, flyers, and multimedia programs.
- Manage media relations; including working with media for the purpose of informing the public of an organization's mission, policies and practices in a positive, consistent and credible manner; coordinating directly with persons responsible for producing the news and features in the mass media; building the critical and necessary organizational relationships with members of the press and media.
- Provide and implement consistent communication strategies to support outreach to individual school communities and their internal and external stakeholders.
- Support consistent information, messaging, consensus building and community understanding of issues related to the Weld RE-5J School District challenges and success.
- Collaborate with the Technology Department and others to utilize electronic communications tools, including Web presence and social media to keep the community informed about and engaged in District priorities, policies, practices, challenges, and opportunities.
- Establish internal communications channels as appropriate to support a robust and consistent messaging environment throughout the Weld RE-5J School District system that aligns with and extends the District’s mission, vision, and strategic plan.
- Leverage internal communications channels to support organizational change management initiatives as appropriate.
- Facilitate and support the effectiveness and efficiencies of communications efforts within District schools, divisions, departments, and other areas.
- Assist and advise schools and District departments regarding internal and external strategic communication and marketing programs to support increased capacity of the organization to actively market programs and inform media outlets of school-based activities.
- Direct and assist with writing, designing, producing, and/or distributing marketing materials and collateral items such as brochures, announcements, newsletters, presentations, white papers, booklets, flyers, agendas, website content, invitations, and multimedia programs.
- Provide proactive and strategic media relations, marketing, and communications counsel for District leadership, ensuring that potential public relations concerns and issues are identified and addressed.
- Establish and coordinate a public relations campaign that leverages the Weld RE-5J School District’s position as an education leader in the state/nation to enhance the stature, visibility and presence of the school District
- Develop and implement crisis communication plans to effectively respond to emergency situations and serve as a member of the District’s crisis response team.
- Establish feedback and monitoring mechanisms to measure and track the status of Weld RE-5J School District’s image throughout stakeholder communities.
- Develop and prepare the annual preliminary budget for communication, media relations and marketing; analyze and review budgetary and financial data; control and authorize expenditures; and analyze outcomes to determine the positive return on investment.
- Assist in identifying grant opportunities and supporting the development of compelling grant applications.
- Collaborate with district leaders to communicate funding needs and ensure grant proposals align with the districts mission and priorities
- Evening and weekend work as needed for meetings, events and emergencies
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions
Additional Duties
Performs other related tasks as assigned by the Superintendent of Schools and other central office administrators as designated by the Superintendent.
Note: The above description is illustrative of tasks and responsibilities. It is not meant to be all inclusive of every task or responsibility.
Confidential Information
- Staff members shall not access, receive, transmit or retransmit material regarding
students, parents/guardians or district employees that is protected by confidentiality
laws. - If material is not legally protected but is of a confidential or sensitive nature, great care shall be taken to ensure that only those with a “need to know” are allowed access to the material.
- Staff members shall handle all employee, student, and district records in
accordance with applicable district policies. - Staff members who intentionally disclose student records, other confidential student information and/or district information may be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination.
Equipment
Uses standard office equipment (software) such as computers, printer, copy and fax machines, and telephone.
Travel Requirements
Travels to school district buildings and professional meetings as required.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Knowledge of public relations practices, procedures, techniques, and terminology.
- Knowledge of principles, practices, and basic understanding of effective communications, media relations and marketing to support an aligned vision and a positive relationship with the media and press.
- Ability to meet with media and press outlets and establish open lines of communication; represent the District as the spokesperson and promote District educational priorities and communicate educational needs.
- Ability to interpret, apply, and explain rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
- Ability to establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others.
- Ability to analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action.
- Demonstrated ability to maintain a high level of initiative.
- Possess superior writing, editing, verbal, and interpersonal skills, especially in communicating complex policies and practices to varied audiences.
- Ability to work cooperatively with the media, Weld RE-5J School District Board of Education, and all levels of District employees, students, community partners, and the public.
- Possess personal characteristics including, but not limited to poise, perspective, integrity, flexibility, professional demeanor, and personal appearance necessary for success as an administrator in the District.
- Ability to exemplify integrity, candor, and high ethical conduct.
- Ability to participate and work in a team environment.
- Ability to maintain honesty and integrity in all aspects of the job.
- Ability and willingness adhere to attendance requirements, including regular and punctual employee presence.
- Ability to promote and follow Board of Education policies, Superintendent policies and building and department procedures.
- Ability to communicate, interact and work effectively and cooperatively with people from diverse ethnic and educational backgrounds.
- Ability to recognize the importance of safety in the workplace, follow safety rules, practice safe work habits, utilize appropriate safety equipment and report unsafe conditions to the appropriate administrator.
Education and Training
- Bachelor degree in communications or related field
- Master’s degree preferred
- At least 7 years of increasingly responsible private or public experience and demonstrate capabilities in the fields of media relations, marketing, and communications.
- 5 years of the required 7 years of experience must be in a leadership/managerial capacity. Thorough knowledge and experience with the principles and practices of media relations, marketing, and journalism.
- Familiarity with the field of K-12 education preferred
- Fluency in Spanish a plus but not required
Certification/License
- Criminal background check required for hire
- Valid Colorado driver’s license
