668A - Director of Communications

 

Qualifications:

  1. Bachelor's degree in English, journalism, communications, or a related field, preferred.

  2. Master’s degree in Communication, education or related field, preferred.

  3. Eight years experience in journalism, communications, or a related field.

  4. Experience in communication, some of which shall have been in a supervisory capacity.

  5. Demonstrate broad knowledge of the theories, principles, practices, methods, materials and trends related to modern management and various types of communication.

  6. Ability to manage the fiscal, physical, and human resources necessary to carry out the function and programs of the Office of Communications and Public Relations.

  7. Ability to supervise and lead.

  8. Capacity to establish and maintain collaborative working relationships with personnel assigned to schools, other departments, public entities, and citizens.

  9. Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the Board of Trustees may find appropriate.

Special Skills/Knowledge:

  1. Strong organizational, communication and interpersonal skills.

  2. Demonstrated skills in writing, editing, and public speaking.

  3. Thorough knowledge of media operations and public relations functions.

  4. Expertise with desktop publishing software

Supervises:  Coordinator of TV Operations and support staff assigned to the communications department

Reports to:    Superintendent of Schools

Terms of Employment:  Administrative/Professional Pay Grade 6, 226 days Wage/Hour Status: Exempt

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

 

1.       

Promotes positive school and community relations.

2.       

Serves as public information officer and designated spokesperson for the District with the media.

3.       

Attends meetings and assists the TISD Foundation as needed.

4.       

Responds to requests for data and District information as required in compliance with the Texas Public Information Act.

5.       

Communicates effectively with the media and plans meetings and activities to enhance dialogue with media on an ongoing basis.

      6.

Leads in the development, management, evaluation, and modification of multifaceted activities of the Office of Communications and Public Relations.

7.       

Provides news release services and distribution of photographs to area newspapers, educational journals, and chambers of commerce for publication.

8.       

Works with the Instructional Division, Financial Services Division, Facilities Services Division, and Human Resources Division to provide public information and public relations activities in support of programs and services within those divisions.

9.       

Ensures that cable television Channel 19 provides informative and interesting district information.

10.      

Provides public relations counsel for District staff.

11.      

Monitors news media daily and maintains and distributes news clippings to the Board of Trustees, Superintendent, and key staff related to Tyler ISD specifically and to the education field in general.

12.      

Uses effective communication strategies in dealing with staff, parents, and community.

13.      

Articulates mission and goals of the District to the public.

14.      

Works with the staff in crisis situations that involve media coverage.

15.      

Prepares and activates the District telephone recording regarding school closings and updates telephone notification network.

16.      

Coordinates the Board Recognition segment of the Board of Trustees meetings.

17.      

Assists the Superintendent in the preparation of materials for special activities such as speeches and presentations.

18.      

Provides public information to the District's website.

19.      

Monitors and responds to messages left on the District's communication-link telephone number and the district website.

20.      

Coordinates, plans, and implements special projects such as bond election campaigns, groundbreakings, building dedications, convocation, retirement and staff service recognition, and Trustee awards.

21.      

Coordinates the design and printing of District publications such as the annual districtwide activity calendar, holiday cards, newsletters, new resident information packets, brochures, employee recruitment materials, handbooks, and district forms, instructional materials as requested, emergency plan manual development and distribution and other manuals and miscellaneous publications.

22.      

Coordinates the printing of District stationary and employee business cards.

23.      

Prepares and distributes Board Action Report following each regular meeting of the Board of Trustees.

24.      

Implements the policies established by federal and state law, State Board of Education rule, and local board policy in the public information area.

25.      

Prepares and monitors the annual budgets for the Communications Office and the TV Operations department.

26.      

Improves leadership skills through self-initiated professional development activities.

27.      

Performs duties in a professional, ethical, and responsible manner as defined in the TEA Code of Ethics for Educators.

       28.

Uses information provided through the District appraisal process to improve performance; evaluates the job performance of employees to ensure effectiveness.

       29.

Performs other tasks and assumes such responsibilities as related to the position and as assigned.

      30.

Plans short- and long-term communications objectives for the office and school division. 

 

 

 

Equipment used: Personal computer, telephone, printer, calculator, fax machines, copier, 35 mm camera, digital camera, video camera, scanner, software for multimedia, graphics design, spreadsheet and word processing environments.


Working Conditions:
Mental Demands: Reading, ability to communicate effectively (verbal and written); maintain emotional control under stress; coordinate district-wide functions.  Work under the pressures of deadline and oversees multiple projects simultaneously.

Physical Demands: Repetitive hand motions; prolonged use of computer terminal. Frequent district-wide travel; occasional prolonged and irregular hours.

The foregoing statements describe the general purposes and responsibilities assigned to this job and are not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills that may be required. 1/04 sr