Communications Strategist and Team Lead 12077-2024

8 hours per day, 12 months per year

Fair Labor Standards Act Status: Exempt

Annual salary: $112,050

We appreciate your interest in employment with Vancouver Public Schools (VPS). All applications are considered and reviewed. The most qualified and competitive applicant(s) that possess directly related experience and expertise, training, and education may be invited to participate in the interview/selection process. As part of the selection process, the District conducts confidential reference checks to include former and present employers and also requires a criminal background investigation. Unfortunately, due to the number of applications received, not all applicants will receive an interview.

Résumés should include education, relevant experience (including current position), and skills which highlight the qualifications of the position to which a person is applying.

All district employees are encouraged to review their personnel file periodically to ensure that their file includes current and relevant documentation that supports their degree, education or credits, experience, training, etc., as it relates to qualifications described on job postings.

Position Summary

Vancouver Public Schools’ Communications Strategist and Team Lead acts as the content team lead who works closely with other members of the communications team and internal staff to provide communications expertise, content, and support in order to provide the information and two-way communications our students and community need. This position works collaboratively with people and cross-functional teams across the organization as well as with media and other external stakeholders. You will plan and execute content from start to finish, often working with urgency and at unplanned hours if the situation demands. In this role, your experience solving problems, anticipating audience needs and wants, and interpreting ongoing feedback in order to create compelling content of various types is integral to the important work of the school district.

This position will:

Serve as the communications content team lead and strategist

Create and/or co-create, manage, and execute content (e.g., media responses, urgent community updates, editorial calendar, newsletters, webpage, and social media) strategy

Under the guidance and supervision of the Executive Director, implement strategic communication plans that support the long-range goals and objectives of the school district.

Improve the understanding of, and support for, district initiatives and priorities by maintaining relationships and communications with multiple audiences and stakeholders including staff, parents, community members, media, business leaders, public officials and service agencies.

Develop and maintain working relationships with diverse community leaders, organizations, and members of the media.

Work closely with other administrative and school-based teams to discuss content strategies for multiple different needs, areas, and purposes

Conduct, monitor and evaluate results to gauge students, community and staff opinions and attitudes concerning education and the district as well as the effectiveness of implemented communications tactics.

In collaboration with other team members, review, manage and report on analytics and progress surrounding communications tactics including those on digital platforms such as social media and websites.

Lead and facilitate weekly team content strategy meetings

Think contextually – be able to use and distribute created content in more ways than its intended purpose.

Work closely with the Executive Director of Communications to design and implement the media relations strategy, including developing and updating press and media lists, and cultivating and maintaining relationships with press/media. This position will serve as the back-up Public Information Officer.

Serve as a key crisis communications and media relations point person

Write content appropriate for varying audiences and mediums including the web, newsletters, and social media

Interview students, family, and staff to write spotlight, blog and news stories

Help to prepare staff for media interviews.

Create talking points as appropriate.

Work well with both the Communications team and other staff to co-develop collateral and communications

Perform other related duties as assigned

Mental Demands

Required to represent Vancouver Public Schools on potentially controversial matters; required to meet deadlines and support a variety of committees. Occasionally required to deal with distraught, hostile or angry individuals over sensitive matters. Required to understand different cultures and build bridges amongst groups within our district.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in journalism, public relations, communications, writing, English or a related field; Master’s degree or APR preferred but not required

Five to seven years of increasingly responsible experience in communications, public relations, or marketing

Demonstrated knowledge, experience and ability with media relations

Knowledge of current trends and challenges associated with education in the United States and in Washington state highly preferred

Ability to work in teams with a shared mission and vision, assist in the development of short-term and long-term goals, and demonstrate creative strategies and processes related to strategic communication and public engagement

Able to effectively communicate with internal and external audiences in a positive and hopeful manner

Active listener who can maintain a customer-oriented focus both internally and externally

Ability to work independently, to think critically, to solve problems and to maintain confidentiality

Maintain high standards for ethics, accuracy, organization and meticulous attention to detail

Demonstrated ability to organize, set priorities, and coordinate activities and to manage multiple tasks, projects and budgets under tight deadlines and within established procedures.

Demonstrated ability with writing, digital and website communications, social media, preferably in a school education setting.

Bi-lingual and biliterate preferred (English Spanish, Russian or Chuukese)

Graphic design and photography experience preferred but not required.

Commitment to Equity and Belonging:

Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships with a wide variety of people.

Able to work independently, to think critically, to solve problems, and to maintain confidentiality.

Knowledge/awareness of ones own cultural identity and desire to learn about the cultural identity of others.

Support a positive school environment that celebrates, respects, and values diversity, and where each student, parent and staff member feel they belong.

Participate in activities and discussions that lead to increased cultural competence

Ability to recognize each person as a unique individual even as we celebrate their group cultural competence.

Demonstrates a commitment to equitable outcomes for all students.

The ability and desire to establish positive relationships with persons regardless of race, gender, physical ability, sexual orientations or religious belief, with an active commitment to equity for all persons.

Other requirements:

This position requires in-office, in-person work to effectively collaborate with other on-site school administrators.

Ability to participate in team activities associated with internal and external communication, and to assist in the production and evaluation of publications, websites, presentations, videos and special events

Ability to easily and effectively communicate with a variety of people in person, online and on the telephone

Ability to advance and adapt with technological changes and work with program applications

Regular attendance to carry out the duties and meet the responsibilities of the position

Required use of personal vehicle

Ability to respond quickly and work flexible hours and weekends if the situation demands

Reports To: Executive Director of Communications

Terms of Employment:

Twelve-month based on the Professional-Technical classification – salary to be established by the board of directors

Evaluation:

Performance of this job will be evaluated in accordance with school board policy and administrative regulation.

It is understood that the district has the right to transfer and assign employees to best fit the needs of the district.

Benefits/Compensation:

Salary range: New employees will start at the minimum hourly rate in the salary range. However, employees who have verified prior years of service in a similar occupational status from other Washington School Districts or Education School Districts, may receive experience credit towards salary placement. Salary schedules can be accessed here (https://vansd.org/salary-schedules/) .

Benefits: Employees who are anticipated to work at least 630 hours may be eligible for health, dental, vision, flexible spending accounts, life, and disability insurance benefits. Detailed information, including further eligibility criteria, can be found here (https://www.hca.wa.gov/employee-retiree-benefits/school-employees) .

Retirement: Employees may be eligible for retirement benefits through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems (DRS). Eligibility is based on FTE. Detailed information can be found here (https://www.drs.wa.gov/) .

Time Off: Vancouver Public Schools offers paid holidays and paid time off, including but not limited to, sick, vacation, personal, and bereavement leave.

Sick Leave: 8 hours per month (part-time employee accrual will be proportionate to their FTE).

Personal Leave: 3 days per school year

Twelve (12) month full-time Pro Tech employees are eligible to accrue ten (10) days vacation at one (1) – five (5) years of service. The accrual days are incrementally improved by five (5) days at the completion of five (5), eleven (11) and twenty (20) consecutive years of service respectively.