Summary
Description
Jeffco Public Schools (Jeffco) is located in Jefferson County, Colorado. It is the second largest school district in Colorado serving 75,000 students across 145 schools. With 14,000 employees, the district is the largest employer in Jefferson County and has provided educational excellence for more than 70 years.
Jeffco embraces the spirit of the West and the natural beauty of the Rocky Mountain region with the county spanning more than 770 square miles running the length of the western edge of the Denver metropolitan area. The district is diverse in both population and geography, from urban to rural, including the mountain communities in the foothills west of Denver.
Overall, Jeffco has 31% of students that qualify for free and reduced lunch, an indicator of poverty, and 34% minority (25% Hispanic) student population. The district is implementing a new strategic plan, Jeffco Thrives 2025 that is focused on providing a world-class education that prepares all Jeffco students for bright and successful futures as local and global citizens. Come join us!
Jeffco Public Schools is a Single-State Employer. All candidates hired by Jeffco Public Schools must reside within the state of Colorado.
ABOUT THE SCHOOL/DEPARTMENT
The Jeffco Public Schools Communication Services Department believes in the pride and purpose of Jeffco Public Schools and is committed to being a reliable voice for the community and beyond. As such, we provide many different services for schools, the district, and the broader community: branding/graphics, district website management, local/national media relations, social media channels, video production, crisis communications, community relations & outreach, athletics/activities promotion, and raising awareness of events, educational opportunities, and support services. Utilizing our website, online and print publications, social media, and outreach, we work to publicize the important work taking place in Jeffco Public School as it serves the Jeffco Generations Vision. Serving nearly 75,000 students and their families, 145 schools, 14,000 employees, and the Jefferson County community at large, Communication Services strives to inform, engage and inspire.
ABOUT THE JOB
This position, as part of the Communications Services team, will be responsible for coordinating and implementing marketing communications strategies and comprehensive supporting plans to achieve district goals. Along with other members of the communications staff, the Sr. Specialist will establish key messaging and content generation to inform, engage and inspire all stakeholders. The Sr. Specialist will recommend strategy and tactics for communications support in the areas of school marketing, graphic design, social media and project management to oversee deliverables in support of communication plans. This role works to ensure that all stakeholders understand and engage in the process of achieving the goals of the district's strategic plan. The Sr. Specialist will synthesize complex information and create content that resonates with internal and external audiences, delivered through a matrix of communication platforms.
HOURS AND DAYS WORKED
Desired Start Date: 07/01/2025
Sr Comm Spec – Marcom & Admin
Annual Position
FLSA: Exempt
FTE: 1.00000 , Hours/Day: 8.000 , Days/Year: Year Round
Salary Plan, Grade, Step: JCA – Administrator – 229 days , G06, 1
Min-Mid Annual Salary Range: $88,435.00 – $105,358.00 Effective as of: 06-16-2024
Compensation schedules for Jeffco Schools can be found here. Starting salary for non-licensed roles is based on the candidate's relevant work experience and education. Additional considerations may be given for job-specific certifications and skills. Applicants should submit all relevant and verifiable education, training and work experiences at the time of application. Starting Salary for licensed educators is based on the step and lane schedule found here.
PRE-EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENT
The successful new hire or rehired candidate will be responsible to complete and incur the fingerprinting and processing fee of $54.50 through an appropriate fingerprinting vendor and the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, within 48 hours of offer acceptance.
RESPONSIBILITIES
SUMMARY Responsible for coordinating and implementing marketing communications strategies and comprehensive supporting plans to achieve district goals. Along with other members of the communications staff, the Sr. Communications Specialist will establish key messaging and content generation to inform, engage and inspire all stakeholders. The Sr. Specialist will recommend strategy and tactics for communications support in the areas of school marketing, graphic design, social media and project management to oversee deliverables in support of communication plans. This role works to ensure that all stakeholders understand and engage in the process of achieving the goals of the district's strategic plan. The Sr. Communication Specialist will synthesize complex information and create content that resonates with internal and external audiences, delivered through a matrix of communication platforms.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
Develop compelling messaging and communication templates for the district in support of district vision and goals.
Develop, write, design, and manage production of communications materials, including ideation, writing, formatting, designing, editing and proofreading publications; newsletters; web and social media content; media and public relations materials; print collateral; and promotional materials, FAQs, etc.
Provide creative support to Board of Education, Superintendent, Community Superintendents, principals, department managers, and other members of the communication services department.
Generate new techniques to make communications more effective.
Manage communications projects according to guidelines and are delivered on time.
Participate in the strategic planning and implementation of new communications initiatives.
Conduct activities related to logistics, reporting, training, and processes.
Assess and troubleshoot escalated problems and apply expert understanding to resolve complex challenges of stakeholders; and focus on root cause identification to achieve systemic and sustainable improvement.
Ensure appropriate key stakeholder involvement in planning, goal setting, and implementation to achieve buy-in of work products. Ensure purposeful, positive, and professional interactions and relationships with all stakeholders; and enable consistent application of work products across the district.
Build collaborative, cross-functional team relationships to establish communication strategies and ensure a consistent message for targeted internal and external audiences.
Implement and evaluate systems for testing communications efforts, obtain and process insights to ensure continued improvement and effectiveness.
Manage the review and approval process with key stakeholders before releasing communications materials.
Perform other duties as assigned.
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.
EXPERIENCE 5 years' of experience in communications, with an emphasis in content development, graphic design, web development, journalism and/or public relations.
EDUCATION AND TRAINING Bachelor's Degree in graphic design, journalism, marketing, communications, or public relations or related fields.
CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, & REGISTRATIONS None
SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, & EQUIPMENT Exceptional graphic design, writing, proofreading and editing skills with a demonstrated ability to translate complex subjects into engaging stories for diverse audiences preferred. Demonstrated experience with web content management (CSS/HTML), Adobe design software (Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop etc.), Google Drive/G-Suite, project management, and social media management tools. Proficient using and troubleshooting current information technologies, including the Internet, all Microsoft Office software products (e.g. Excel, Word, etc.), electronic calendars, and standard office systems. Knowledge of Associated Press style of writing, public speaking, and management skills. Creativity and outgoing personality required. Effective oral communications skills, strong attention to detail, and ability to work collaboratively with others on the team and cross-departments. Ability to work under pressure with multiple deadlines. Aptitude for variety and changing expectations and fast-paced environment. Strong interpersonal communication skills and a demonstrated ability to foster collaborative relationships across a variety of teams and stakeholders preferred. Ability to synthesize and accurately communicate complex issues in an understandable manner. Adept at anticipating the need for information based on political trends and emerging issues.
DECISION MAKING Requires independent judgment, strategic planning, discretion, and an understanding of the impact a decision may have on public opinion to develop public relations programs; address concerns raised by the public and media; and represent the district soundly and professionally. Requires collaboration with Communications Services employees; Community Superintendents; Superintendent; instructional and information technology personnel; and district legal counsel. Errors could potentially result in additional cost and/or embarrassment to the district.
COMMUNITY RELATIONS Daily contact with classified and professional staff and administrative leadership team to maintain relationships; and with parents, general public, and media to negotiate controversial matters. Weekly contact with school and district leadership and department managers to recommend communications messages.
SPAN OF CONTROL This position has no supervisory responsibilities, but will act as a team lead with internal communications, crisis communication support and other communication and marketing priorities, guiding work delegation to other team members.
EDUCATIONAL DELIVERY Frequently answers parent, student, prospective families of students, and community inquiries for schools, especially after school hours, and during scheduled breaks. Provide support services for educational resources and Communications Services. Support the instructional programs by providing material and services to school sites directly. The majority of time is not spent on the school site; however, frequent school visits, partnering with school leadership, and engagement in school/community activities is expected.
COMPLEXITY OF WORK Work is assigned by the Director of Communications as well as self-assigned and directed. Independent judgment is exercised daily. Must have good working knowledge of District policies and procedures to be responsible to staff and community. Ability to accurately define problems so that the necessary people can be involved to effectively resolve the issue. Must have strong understanding of education culture, local community and communications strategy best practices; and be able to analyze the impact of decisions on the organization's reputation.
The physical demands, mental functions, and work environment factors described here 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.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle or feel; and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to sit; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, or crouch. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
MENTAL FUNCTIONS While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to communicate, and use interpersonal skills. The employee is frequently required to analyze, synthesize, evaluate, and negotiate. The employee is occasionally required to compare, coordinate, instruct, compute, and compile.
WORK ENVIRONMENT While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.
