Communications and Media Specialist

Vicksburg-Warren School District•Vicksburg, MS

About The Position

Serves as the District's chief media person and as an intermediary between school administrators/officials and media professionals in order to provide information on district and school initiatives, activities, policies, and operations. Develop, direct, and oversee the day to day operations of the District's Public Information and Public Relations.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with experience in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Marketing, or related field or its equivalent in years of experience
Demonstrated ability to work with stakeholders including families, governmental agencies and the business community
Ability to respond to inquiries or complaints.
Ability to write speeches and articles for publication the conforms to prescribed style and format.
Ability to effectively present information to top management, public groups, and the school board.
Ability to interpret and extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.
Must keep accurate, up-to-date records.

Responsibilities

Works with the Superintendent to establish and maintain best practices in regard to departmental procedures for medial relations
Responds to media requests for information and facilitates media interviews with district personnel
Oversees public records requests, providing timely and complete responses to requests for information pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)
Plans, creates, coordinates and evaluates communication strategies and channels to improve communications
Maintains an effective and efficient flow of information to internal and external stakeholders
Writes news releases and prepares information for the Superintendent
Arranges press conferences and facilitates interviews with School Board members, district administrators, and other school personnel
Develops and distributes the VWSD e-mail newsletter
Maintains the District Activities Calendar
Provides "The Leader In Me" training
Attends all School Board meetings to provide information to the media and to facilitate interviews with School Board members and district officials
Develops a comprehensive marketing plan to support the district's communications goals and Strategic Plan
Works with district and school staff to create strategies and communications tools using all communication media
Identifies key communicators in the community (business and civic leaders, Chamber, local government, etc.) and develop ongoing partnerships to support marketing efforts
Develops and implements guidelines to ensure consistency of "brand"
Oversees the print shop and Channel 16
Researches trends in education for the purpose of creating story ideas with a Vicksburg Warren School District focus that can be pitched to media outlets
Coordinates communications and logistics within the Office of Communications and with other VWSD offices and schools
Assists in the planning and execution of events
Assists in the communication of district goals to the community
Assists in disseminating information and coordinating publicity for district events
Develops and maintains the school district's media resources - Website, Facebook, Twitter, Let's Talk, etc.
Compiles media clips for dissemination to district personnel
Coordinates with Emergency Management and the district's head of safety as needed
Performs other related duties as required