What are the responsibilities and job description for the Specialist, Media Relations position at Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools?
JOB GOAL
Responsible for promoting the district's reputation through multiple communication channels and assisting with development and implementation of a strategic communications plan. This includes covering school events, providing information regarding data releases, keeping media informed of key issues and decisions related to the district, and overseeing media relations and information gathering in crisis situations.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
None
Minimum Requirements
Knowledge, Skills & abilities
Responsible for promoting the district's reputation through multiple communication channels and assisting with development and implementation of a strategic communications plan. This includes covering school events, providing information regarding data releases, keeping media informed of key issues and decisions related to the district, and overseeing media relations and information gathering in crisis situations.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
- Assists in implementing a strategic communications plan that involves local, regional, state and national media.
- Maintains an awareness of national, state and local educational timeframes and events.
- Researches and solicits information from schools and district offices to aid in proactive storytelling.
- Prepares and distributes press releases, media tip sheets, feature stories, public statements, media advisories and public service announcements.
- Responds daily to media inquiries and assists school and district staff with media questions, appearances and responses.
- Plans and manages an ongoing effort to develop a relationship and communicates with the media.
- Organizes and executes press conferences and media briefings to share information related to district priorities, offerings and opportunities.
- Monitors media coverage of issues, events and trends; informs senior leadership team of items that impact the district.
- Serves as liaison to key communicators (departments and schools).
- Serves as a member of the crisis incident management and response team and may be called to a district location at any time.
- Stays up to date on current technology and software, and current research, trends and best practices.
- Maintains timely and accurate information pertaining to reports and responses to media and other key stakeholders.
- Organizes meetings with local media to discuss procedures, processes, key issues and ways to work better in gathering and disseminating information.
- Assists with media response training for school and district-based administrators.
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
None
Minimum Requirements
Knowledge, Skills & abilities
- Superior written and oral communication skills
- Ability to interact and engage professionally with internal and external stakeholders
- Ability to share ideas with others in a clear and informative manner
- Ability to meet deadlines and successfully manage and execute multiple projects simultaneously
- Must be self-directed with strong initiative for action
- Excellent presentation skills
- Self-starter who works well in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment
- Ability to communicate courteously, work effectively, and collaborate with colleagues from all levels of the organization and with people of all ages, abilities and cultural backgrounds
- Ability and means to travel on a flexible schedule as needed; reliable, immediately accessible transportation a must
- Ability to work flexible hours as needed to accommodate a variety of project schedules
- Ability to communicate effectively with a variety of audiences, orally and in writing, including electronic media
- Operating knowledge of computer programs, including email, word processing, spreadsheets, and databases
- Bachelor's degree in communications, public relations, journalism or a related field from an accredited institution
- Three years of experience in television, radio or print newsroom, or as a practicing media relations professional
- Any equivalent combination of education and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential duties and responsibilities of the position
- N/A
- Master's degree in marketing, communications or public relations or journalism
- Strong photography skills and expertise
