What are the responsibilities and job description for the Communications Specialist position at Hamilton County Schools?
Overview
Hamilton County Schools, located in Chattanooga, TN, is working to ensure that all students thrive and experience a future without limits. We are committed to excellence for every student and are seeking outstanding leaders, teachers, support staff, and district employees who desire to make a difference in the lives of students. With nearly 75 schools, we are confident that you can find your place in Hamilton County.
Learn more about working for Hamilton County Schools at careers.hcde.org and get to know us and our strategic plan, Opportunity 2030.
The purpose of this job is to support the work of the Hamilton County Schools’ Communications Department in the following areas: copywriting, social media, photography, event planning, email marketing, and more.
Responsibilities
- Acts in a professional, respectful, and welcoming manner at all times.
- Lead writing efforts for the communications team.
- Craft copy for a variety of audiences, channels and mediums (e.g., newsletters, ads, websites, social media, etc.)
- Support content development for the district’s social media channels
- Assist in the writing of executive communications for various members of the senior leadership team of HCS.
- Contribute to marketing campaigns for strategic priorities of HCS.
- Support events for internal and external stakeholders such as ribbon cuttings, State of the System, etc.
- Assist in building key messages from relevant audiences.
- Contribute to the development of creative assets.
- Experience with graphic design, email marketing, social media management, photography, video, copywriting, etc.
- Serve as liaison between communications and other departments.
- Coordinates logistics for public relations events, livestream, Zoom, etc.
- Manages a public facing email channel and connects the public to relevant stakeholders
- Develops skills and knowledge to serve as backup and provide assistance to other positions on the Communications Team, including, but not limited to, website maintenance, social media activities, photography, and other duties as assigned.
- Follows established procedures to ensure assigned areas are safe.
- Works collaboratively with all stakeholders.
- Attends work and arrives to work on time.
- Maintains confidentiality.
- Adheres to the Teacher Code of Ethics as defined by Tennessee Law.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
- Attends meetings as needed.
- Prepares or completes various forms, reports, correspondence as required.
- Performs general/clerical tasks, which may include answering telephone calls, typing documents, making copies, sending/receiving faxes, filing documentation, processing incoming/outgoing mail, or running errands.
- Operates a computer to research, organize, compose, and design press releases and various public information and education materials.
- Operates other technology devices and uses a variety of social media platforms to perform essential functions of job.
- Monitors inventory of equipment and supplies; ensures availability of adequate materials to conduct work activities; initiates requests for new/replacement materials.
Qualifications
Knowledge/Education/Experience:
- Four-year degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, or closely related field required.
- One (1) year relevant experience, internship, and/or training that involves social media, copywriting, marketing, and public relations required.
- Previous experience with public schools preferred.
- Or, any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Skills/Qualifications:
- Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing with stakeholders inside and outside HCDE.
- Ability to establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships inside and outside HCDE.
- Ability to work in a highly visible and fast-paced work environment.
- Ability to work under pressure and deal effectively with unexpected events in a timely and appropriate manner.
- Demonstrates understanding of traditional media and is comfortable working with social media platforms, including websites, Facebook, Twitter and other new media.
- Ability to research, organize, compose, design and deliver press releases, public information, and education materials.
- Ability to use handheld camera or other basic photographic device and to share online.
- Ability to use multiple technology devices to complete essential functions of job.
- Demonstrate excellent planning, organizational, problem-solving, decision-making, and time management skills.
Compensation:
Salary is based on a combination of relevant education and experience.
Minimum Salary – Grade E
Salary Scale
