Public Information Officer- Director of Communications-Permanent with Full benefits-Available 01/27/2025

Public Information Officer- Director of Communications-Permanent with Full benefits-Available 01/27/2025

Resume Required.

Please view the attached job descriptions.

For inquiries, please email: Dr Gregg Slate  at greggoryslate@davidson.k12.nc.us

Title: Public Information Officer- Director of Communications

Reports to: Superintendent

Terms of Employment:12 Months

Salary: Pay Grade- Director II -Admin Salary

GENERAL STATEMENT OF JOB

With limited supervision, this position performs responsible professional work in leading the district Public Relations program. The Public Information Officer manages and coordinates all aspects of the communications program, including, but not limited to: information flow to staff and the public, employee communications, media relations, district websites, publications, collateral materials, marketing, special events, and social media communications. Work also involves researching, planning, developing and executing internal and external communication programs, managing media relations, managing crisis communications at the district and school level, and developing and producing high-quality communications tools and materials to meet specific audience needs in a variety of formats.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Follow all rules, policies and procedures of Davidson County Schools, along with state and federal regulations pertaining to school system issues.
• Liaison to the Superintendent in planning, developing, coordinating, promoting and publicizing news and information about the school system.
• Serve as the point of contact for the school system with news media outlets by assisting representatives in obtaining background information, setting up interviews, providing story ideas, and handling problem areas of coverage.
• Supervise the Public Relations Coordinator and collaborate on communications projects.
• Assist with organizing and publicizing special programs/events/tours at schools and for the school system.
• Provide key information concerning points of reference and planning whenever the superintendent or his/her designee is requested to provide information to employees, families, students and the public.
• Prepare all system-wide publications, print, audio and/or video and serve as a resource for school and student publications.
• Develop and maintain the school district website and assist departments and schools with keeping pages updated regularly.
• Research and draft guidelines for updating and posting information on school websites.  Monitor updating of school websites.
• Write news/media releases and other communications materials for media outlets.
• Partner with district leadership to draft forward-facing Strategic Planning documents, district scorecards and 100-day action-cycle documents.
• Initiate and follow through with all marketing plans for the district.
• Follow all policies during emergency situations.  Ensure emergency information is understandable, reliable, and delivered as fast as possible.  Utilize entire staff and other district staff to ensure emergency information is available to anyone who needs it.
• Serve as the point of contact for notifying the community and media outlets regarding inclement-weather decisions.
• Organize student and employee recognition programs for the district.
• Advise the Superintendent on potential public-relations outcomes relating to shifts in existing programs, policies or other issues.
• Assist principals, staff members, program directors and others in publicizing and promoting any performance, exhibition, display or special program sponsored by the schools and open to the public.
• Attend Board of Education meetings and provide support.
• Assist the Board of Education and Superintendent in drafting policies.
• Maintain a working relationship with community leaders and community organizations, including the Davidson County Chamber of Commerce.
• Annually submit a budget plan to the Superintendent.
• Perform all other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Superintendent.

Performs related work as required.

ADDITIONAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Performs other related work as required.

MINIMUM TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE

• Undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university in Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, Communications or related field
• Five years’ experience in journalism, marketing, communications; public school or local government experience preferred
• Excellent skills in oral and written communication, critical thinking and problem solving, and a high level of comfort working and collaborating in a team environment
• Excellent skills in Microsoft Office, Google Suite and publication software
• Excellent skills in website content/development and social media platforms
• Ability to manage multiple priorities with both short- and long-term timelines

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Must be able to perform the physical life functions of reaching, fingering, pushing pulling, grasping, talking, walking, hearing and repetitive motions. Must be able to perform light work exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally; up to 10 pounds of force frequently and/or constantly. Must possess visual acuity to produce and review written reports and records including mathematical calculations, operate a computer terminal, analyze data, and to read detail specification, comprehensive reports, schematic drawings and plans.

 
DISCLAIMER
The preceding job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees to this job.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Updated 12/2024