Director of Communications - 1.0 FTE - Communications Department
Apply NowCompany: Portland Public Schools
Location: Portland, OR 97229
Description:
Posting Timeline
PPS strongly encourages and recommends everyone who is able, to be vaccinated and remain current on the COVID-19 vaccine.
This job is open until filled. Applications will be reviewed as received. Portland Public Schools reserves the right to make a hiring decision at any point during the posting period.
Position Details
Portland Public Schools (PPS) is seeking talented people from diverse backgrounds and experiences to lead change and inspire PPS students. At PPS, every employee, despite having different roles, is an educator. We hope to attract talented educators who model the core PPS Educator Essentials .With the District's focus on eliminating systemic racism and its adverse impact on student learning, we seek to hire individuals who bring to our district a deep commitment to racial equity and social justice. Non-Discrimination / Anti-Harassment Policy
The Opportunity
Under administrative direction and in support of the Board of Education and Superintendent of Schools, lead the creation, development and implementation of the Districts' strategic communications plans and programs, with an emphasis on written communications, digital content, social media and web based strategies; manage staff in providing content in multiple languages; lead development of community outreach programs and calendars of related events; provide project direction, guidance and oversight to ensure the dissemination of accurate information across a variety of district communication mediums.
Representative Duties
A Bachelor's degree in Journalism, Communications, English or a related field is required. Active membership in a recognized print media association such as AAJA, NABJ, NAHJ, SPJ, RTNDA or a similar organization is desirable.
Experience
Five (5) years of experience in journalistic writing, public relations or a related communications discipline, one year of which must include successful experience leading staff or teams is required. Experience working in a large urban school district or complex public organization is highly desirable. Any other combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities may be considered.
Salary Range : $130,997 - $156,417
FTE :1.0
Work Year : 260 days
Benefits Information
Portland Public Schools (PPS) offers several competitive and comprehensive benefit packages to employees.Fringe benefits include medical, dental, vision, prescription, life and disability insurance, employee assistance program, 403(b) retirement savings plan and various leave and professional development programs. Depending on the insurance option selected by the employee, there may be an employee contribution toward insurance.
Portland Public Schools is a public employer and participates in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS/OPSRP). Eligible employees are required by statute to contribute 6% of salary on a pre-tax basis to OPSRP/IAP, after serving six months under a PERS employer.
For moreinformation about additional benefits or compensation options by employee group, please visit our website at: https://www.pps.net/Page/1635
PPS strongly encourages and recommends everyone who is able, to be vaccinated and remain current on the COVID-19 vaccine.
This job is open until filled. Applications will be reviewed as received. Portland Public Schools reserves the right to make a hiring decision at any point during the posting period.
Position Details
Portland Public Schools (PPS) is seeking talented people from diverse backgrounds and experiences to lead change and inspire PPS students. At PPS, every employee, despite having different roles, is an educator. We hope to attract talented educators who model the core PPS Educator Essentials .With the District's focus on eliminating systemic racism and its adverse impact on student learning, we seek to hire individuals who bring to our district a deep commitment to racial equity and social justice. Non-Discrimination / Anti-Harassment Policy
The Opportunity
Under administrative direction and in support of the Board of Education and Superintendent of Schools, lead the creation, development and implementation of the Districts' strategic communications plans and programs, with an emphasis on written communications, digital content, social media and web based strategies; manage staff in providing content in multiple languages; lead development of community outreach programs and calendars of related events; provide project direction, guidance and oversight to ensure the dissemination of accurate information across a variety of district communication mediums.
Representative Duties
- Lead development of the District's communications and community outreach plans; oversee creation of a wide variety of district-wide written, digital, web and social media communications, multi-cultural outreach and marketing and public relations materials; consult with key district stakeholders to lead the creation of various print media communication products such as press releases, posters or graphic design, digital media such as web design, videos, social media and related communications.
- Provide consultative services and support to the Superintendent, senior leaders, management and others to ensure accurate and appropriate messaging of district outreach, initiatives and programs.
- Develop story ideas regarding District services, programs, initiatives and special events to be deployed and used throughout multiple communications channels.
- Build communications capacity throughout the district and implement strategic communications initiatives and plans; plan, create, execute and assign various communication projects related to initiatives, programs, events and activities to improve school, and community relations.
- Collaborate and lead communications team, department leadership and internal project leaders to identify, develop and promote opportunities that share district message and positive events.
- Manage programs and oversee staff in the accurate translation and interpretation of print communications into a variety of languages which support non-English speaking and English as a second language students, parents, caregivers and other District stakeholders; ensure District-recorded telephone communications are accurately translated and conveyed through the auto-dial call system.
- Establish and maintain partnerships with internal stakeholders to ensure consistent coverage, unified image and overall communication support; work with internal stakeholders to obtain accurate information and assist with appropriate and timely distribution of information.
- Ensure the accurate and timely delivery of public records as requested; oversee staff, processes, procedures and systems implementation for public records requests.
- Monitor internal communication channels and media reports, determine appropriate responses and keep impacted parties up to date about particular situations.
- Work closely with communications department leadership, colleagues and staff on and across a variety of campaigns, initiatives and programs to ensure united and cohesive messages are delivered throughout the district and community.
- Maintain, develop and implement strategies for expanding communications with students, families and district stakeholders in a richly diverse, multi-ethnic, multi-cultural and multilingual population.
- Oversee content standards, strategies and implementation of district-wide online activity including creative and written content for district and school communications webpages, home pages, news sites and other web pages, as needed.
- Monitor all phases of projects, from conception to delivery, ensuring deadlines are met; evaluate and report on the effectiveness and reach of communication strategies.
- Coordinate special events and lead communication projects concerning the school district; promote awareness surrounding district information or initiatives and share PPS accomplishments, needs and goals.
- Participate in planning and coordinating district programs, media events and press conferences; prepare work plans, strategies for information dissemination, press kits, talking points and related materials; collaborate with communications team and internal project leaders to identify, develop and promote opportunities to share district message and positive events.
- Maintain a working knowledge of significant developments in education and educational policy and new and emergent communications technologies or trends and their uses as vehicles to support communication goals.
- Demonstrate a commitment to the Portland Public Schools Equity Initiative by developing a thorough knowledge and application of the district Racial Educational Equity Policy, Equity in Public Purchasing and Contracting and other board policies; participate in staff development, in-services and trainings related to diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace and in K - 12 education; model appropriate behaviors; develop, recommend, implement and communicate improvements to school and business practices with awareness and understanding of their impact in a racially and culturally diverse community.
- Supervise the performance of assigned personnel; interview and select employees, assign, monitor and review work, provide corrective counseling and disciplinary actions, as necessary.
- Monitor assigned budgets, approve expenditures in accordance with established policies and guidelines; negotiate or coordinate contracts for designated communication services following PPS Equity in Public Purchasing and Contracting board policy.
- Serve on district committees and lead district initiatives or partnerships as assigned.
- May serve as a back-up for articulating public communications as directed.
- Perform other duties as assigned
A Bachelor's degree in Journalism, Communications, English or a related field is required. Active membership in a recognized print media association such as AAJA, NABJ, NAHJ, SPJ, RTNDA or a similar organization is desirable.
Experience
Five (5) years of experience in journalistic writing, public relations or a related communications discipline, one year of which must include successful experience leading staff or teams is required. Experience working in a large urban school district or complex public organization is highly desirable. Any other combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities may be considered.
Salary Range : $130,997 - $156,417
FTE :1.0
Work Year : 260 days
Benefits Information
Portland Public Schools (PPS) offers several competitive and comprehensive benefit packages to employees.Fringe benefits include medical, dental, vision, prescription, life and disability insurance, employee assistance program, 403(b) retirement savings plan and various leave and professional development programs. Depending on the insurance option selected by the employee, there may be an employee contribution toward insurance.
Portland Public Schools is a public employer and participates in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS/OPSRP). Eligible employees are required by statute to contribute 6% of salary on a pre-tax basis to OPSRP/IAP, after serving six months under a PERS employer.
For moreinformation about additional benefits or compensation options by employee group, please visit our website at: https://www.pps.net/Page/1635