Digital Media Specialist

Chicago Public Schools•Chicago, IL

10h

About The Position

The Digital Media Specialist is a full-time, exempt position in the Chicago Public Schools Office of Communications, reporting to the Director of Digital Communications. The role is a primary social media content producer, capturing, producing, and publishing digital content that highlights the achievements of students, teachers, principals, and school communities. The specialist helps drive the District’s year-round social media presence and storytelling by aligning multimedia production with current digital trends. The Office of Communications promotes the District’s vision, mission, activities, and priorities; supports schools by promoting their work; and assists in crisis situations through communication tools, channels, and strategies for internal and external stakeholders. CPS serves more than 300,000 students in over 500 schools and employs more than 45,000 people.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Visual Arts, Film, Digital Production, Photography, or a similar discipline from an accredited college or university.
At least three years of professional experience in video filming and editing and photography, with a comprehensive portfolio of relevant digital work.
Experience filming in HD with a video camera or high-product DSLR.
Reliable transportation to travel to and from events across the city.
Ability to lift 50 pounds to help load and unload audiovisual equipment for assigned events.
Ability to self-manage multiple photo and video projects and deadlines simultaneously.
Ability to evaluate current social media trends, translate them into relevant District content, and adapt tactics based on real-time performance data.
Ability to use traditional digital equipment, including HD and video cameras, and/or cellular phones for content creation.
Strong attention to detail.
Ability to brainstorm and develop creative content ideas aligned with communication strategies and campaign deliverables.
Ability to think creatively and strategically about connecting with CPS stakeholders and growing the District’s digital presence.
Proficiency with Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and social media management platforms such as Sprout Social.
Proficiency with content management systems such as WordPress and/or Epi.
Proficiency with Google Workspace tools, including Docs, Sheets, and Slides.
High-level competency in Adobe Suite, including Photoshop, Premiere Pro, Elements, Lightroom, and Illustrator.
Excellent written and oral communication skills.
Ability to collaborate with others and implement feedback on projects.
Willingness and ability to learn, enhance skills and technique, and help others in a teaching cycle.
Establish and maintain residency within the geographic boundaries of Chicago within six months of hire and throughout employment; all CPS employees must be Illinois residents.

Nice To Haves

Experience in portrait photography.
A valid driver’s license.
Bilingual in English and Spanish or English and Polish.

Responsibilities

Assist the Senior Social Media Specialist with writing, scheduling, and monitoring organic posts across District and CEO social media channels.
Help develop, maintain, and execute the District’s content calendar and publishing schedules.
Contribute to ideation, storyboarding, shot schedules, production, and editing of videos and photos for digital and video platforms, meeting deadlines and reflecting current social media trends and pacing.
Produce multimedia content tailored to the demographics and formats of specific social media platforms.
Support video production schedules and deadlines, proactively communicating milestones, deliverables, and due dates to digital team members.
Optimize video assets for social media algorithms, aspect ratios, and platform-specific formats.
Assist with on-location and in-studio video setup, including cameras, lighting, audio, and directing subjects.
Support event setup, including configuring and troubleshooting video cameras, microphones, sound systems, multi boxes, cables, and livestream production.
Contribute to post-production, research sources for photos, video, and music, export audio for transcription, recommend transcript highlights, and upload final files to YouTube and the internal filing system.
Organize and ingest video footage, attach metadata, and create and maintain systems for archival and new video assets.
Perform other duties as assigned.