Digital Media Specialist

Chicago Public Schools•Chicago, IL

4d•Onsite

About The Position

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is a district on the rise, serving over 325,000 students in 500+ schools and employing over 45,000 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. Aligned with our transformed philosophy, we are steadfastly focused on ensuring that the District provides resources equitably to support every student, every school, and every community. Six core values guide the work we do every day for our students – student-centered, whole child, equity, academic excellence, community partnership, and continuous learning. Each role in the district supports our vision that every student deserves a rigorous, joyful, and equitable learning experience. The Office of Communications promotes the District’s vision, mission, activities, and priorities, as well as aids schools by promoting their work and assisting in crisis situations through a full range of tools, channels, and strategies designed to engage key internal and external stakeholders. Job Summary: Reporting to the Director of Digital Communications, the Digital Media Specialist serves as a primary social media content producer for the Office of Communications. This role focuses on capturing, producing, and publishing compelling digital content that highlights the achievements of students, teachers, principals, and school communities. By aligning multimedia production with modern digital trends, this role helps drive the district's daily social media presence and storytelling efforts year-round. This is a full-time, exempt position that will be paid for time worked on a salary basis.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree in Visual Arts, Film, Digital Production, photography, or similar discipline from an accredited college or university, required
Minimum of three (3) years of professional experience in video filming and editing and photography, with a comprehensive portfolio of relevant digital work
Experience filming in HD with either a video camera or high-product DSLR
Access to reliable transportation to to travel to-and-from events across the city, required
Must be able to lift 50 lbs. in order to support loading A/V gear to-and-from events when assigned
Ability to self-manage multiple photo and video projects and deadlines at once
Ability to evaluate current social media trends and translate them into relevant content for the district, with the agility to pivot tactics based on real-time performance data
Ability to effectively use traditional digital equipment (HD cameras and video cameras) and/or cellular phones for content creation
Strong attention to detail
Ability to brainstorm and develop creative content ideas that align with established communication strategies and meet specific campaign deliverables
Ability to think creatively and strategically on ways to connect with various CPS stakeholders and grow the district’s digital presence
Proficient in Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn, as well as social media management platforms such as Sprout Social
Proficient in working in a content management system such as WordPress and/or Epi
Proficient in Google Workspace tools including Docs, Sheets, and Slides
Demonstrated high level competency in Adobe Suite (Photoshop, Premiere Pro, Elements, Lightroom, Illustrator)
Excellent written and oral communication skills
Ability to work collaboratively with others and implement feedback on various projects
Ability and willingness to learn and enhance skills and technique while helping others in the virtuous teaching cycle

Nice To Haves

Experience in portrait photography, preferred
Valid driver’s license, preferred
Bilingual in English and Spanish or English and Polish, preferred

Responsibilities

Acts as a core content producer and publisher for the team by assisting the Senior Social Media Specialist with writing, scheduling, and monitoring organic posts across all District and CEO social media channels
Works closely with the Senior Social Media Specialist to develop, maintain, and execute the district’s content calendar and publishing schedules
Contributes to team ideation, storyboarding, shot schedule, production and editing of high quality videos and photos on digital and video platforms while meeting deadlines; Keeps content aligned with current social media trends and pacing
Works directly with the Senior Social Media Specialist to deliver compelling, highly shareable multimedia content tailored to the specific demographics of each social media platform
Supports the internal video production process adhering to project schedules, honoring deadlines, and communicating proactively to digital team members on all aspects of production including critical milestones, deliverables, and due dates; Ensures all video assets are optimized for social media algorithms, aspect ratios, and platform-specific formats
Helps with the shot set up for on-location and in-studio video production including camera, lighting, audio, and directing subjects
Supports with event setup including configuring and troubleshooting multiple video cameras, microphones, sound systems, multi box, cables, livestream set-up, production etc.
Contributes to the post-production processes and research sources for photos, video, and music, exports audio for transcription, makes transcript highlight recommendations, and uploads final files to YouTube and internal filing system
Contributes to the video asset management processes, organizes and ingests video footage, attaches metadata, creates and maintains systems for both archival and new assets
Other duties as assigned