Muscatine Community School District

Position Description

SECTION I:  GENERAL INFORMATION

SECTION II:  JOB SUMMARY

The Director of Communications and Community Relations provides leadership and direction for all district-wide external and internal communication. The Director ensures excellence in all publications, internal and external communications, public relations, customer service, and marketing efforts. The Director also provides leadership, guidance, and support to the Board of Education, superintendent, and district staff in the development of key communications that promote, highlight, and raise awareness about the district and building activities, events, and department initiatives.  

SECTION III:  ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Tasks involved in fulfilling the above duty/responsibility:

• Develop, implement and regularly evaluate the district’s internal and external communications strategy and ensure it is cohesive, consistent and effective in supporting the district’s mission.
• Advise the School Board, superintendent, administrators, and other district staff on strategies for effectively communicating district messages and relating to diverse audiences.
• Provide leadership and/or serve on district committees that support communication.
• Develop and maintain relationships between the district and its key stakeholders, including staff, parents, community members, city officials, businesses, and legislators.
• Facilitate periodic polling of public opinion on current issues of importance to the district in order to plan strategic communications.
• Develop, update, and communicate district crisis communication plan.

Tasks involved in fulfilling the above duty/responsibility:

• Promote positive relationships between the district and the community.
• Serve as a liaison between the district and the news media, businesses and other community members
• Manage the media relations function of the district by serving as the district’s chief spokesperson, distributing news and information and maintaining contacts.  

• Provide public and media relations advice, counsel, and training to the School Board, superintendent, administrators and other staff.

Tasks involved in fulfilling the above duty/responsibility:

• Develop and direct the school district’s marketing initiatives and positive image promotion. This includes developing and implementing marketing strategies to promote district services, achievements, referendum initiatives, business partnerships, and the overall development and promotion of the public image of Muscatine Community School District.  
• Assist in the marketing of events such as open houses, preschool registration, kindergarten roundups, school orientations, and community forums. 
• Provides leadership, support, and collaboration for district educational initiatives, business partnerships, and equity services as well as community collaboration with the city, county, and community

Tasks involved in fulfilling the above duty/responsibility:

• Establish guidelines and standards for print, electronic, and other public communications materials.
• Manage the district-level print production function, including in-house printing jobs and outsourced projects such as registration guides, building information packets, etc.
• Oversee district and school websites.
• Plan, prepare, and manage the distribution of wide-audience communications such as district videos, newsletters, calendars, handbooks, and back-to-school mailings.
• Assist the School Board, superintendent, and other district administrators in researching and preparing speeches, articles, news releases, and other communications.
• Consult with site administrators and central departments regarding site-specific and department publications.
• Provide leadership in the development, implementation, and management of Web content and communications.
• Provide leadership to district staff, community members and students with the design and development of new uses of the internet that promote community communications.
• Develop concepts, write script, secure photos and supervise production of multimedia presentations for special events, marketing or cable television programming.

Tasks involved in fulfilling the above duty/responsibility:

• Serve as a member of the Superintendent’s cabinet
• Provide leadership and /or support for special projects and/or events
• Attend regular and special meetings of the Board of Education and subcommittees as assigned, and participate in deliberations, and prepare written background materials as appropriate.
• Monitor legislative proposals
• Perform all other duties as assigned by the Superintendent.

Other duties as assigned

SECTION IV:  KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Advanced skills in writing, editing, and publication productions
• Attention to detail
• Highly developed presentation and communication skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills, positive attitude, and ability to work in teams
• Proficient in technology that includes internet, presentation software, and desktop publishing
• Experience in synthesizing and accurately communicating complex issues in an understandable and timely manner
• Skilled at anticipating the need for information based on educational trends and emerging issues
• Knowledge of data collection and ability to organize, interpret, and present such data in an understandable format to diverse audiences
• Demonstrated ability to design, produce, and develop print documents, web communications, and multimedia presentations
• Personal integrity and honesty
• Ability to deal with and resolve conflict
• Ability to de-escalate situations
• Ability to manage complex communication projects involving multiple sites and numerous individuals
• Ability to work successfully under pressure and handle multiple and changing priorities and requests from a wide variety of sources with attention to detail and deadlines
• Knowledge of established policies, protocols, and procedures and the ability to ensure compliance with the same
• Demonstrated ability in successful marketing
• Ability to make judgments on the appropriate method to communicate a variety of district issues and/or news stories
• Ability to read and interpret complex reports on a variety of education-related issues
• Ability to evaluate and coordinate the use of outside resources in the preparation and dissemination of public information
• Ability to supervise staff and manage department budget
• Evidence of an understanding of the school and community culture 
• Commitment to carrying out the vision, mission, and belief statement of Muscatine Community Schools

SECTION V:  EDUCATION / CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s degree in communication, journalism, marketing, education or related field/ Master’s degree preferred

SECTION VI:  EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• Five years of job-related experience in public relations or marketing with experience in public education preferred

SECTION VII:  COMPETENCIES AND/OR VALUES COMMON TO ALL POSITIONS

• A clear and demonstrated commitment to the District's mission, which is to ensure high-quality, innovative, challenging education where all learners are valued and respected.
• Performing assigned responsibilities consistent with the District’s established Core Values.
• Advancing the District’s mission and values through careful attention to the key issues of Learning, Environment and Resources.

SECTION VIII:  PHYSICAL JOB REQUIREMENTS

(Indicate according to essential duties/responsibilities):

The physical job requirements described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the primary functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary functions.

Note:  Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the School Board may find appropriate and acceptable.

Salary: Competitive Salary

Benefits: Comprehensive Benefits Package