The Communications team supports the District's Strategic Plan by ensuring families, staff, and the broader community receive clear, accurate, and timely information. Through a variety of communication tools and strategies, the team works to build awareness and understanding of district programs, priorities, and decisions. By partnering with departments across the District, the team helps share information in ways that are accessible, transparent, and responsive to community needs. This includes highlighting the work happening in our schools and sharing stories that reflect the joy of learning and the achievements of students and staff. The team also develops systems, processes, and procedures that help remove barriers to information, strengthen community engagement, and build trust, while ensuring communications align with district policies and applicable laws.

Job Summary

The Communications Specialist is responsible for supporting many of the aspects of daily communications to various stakeholders. This role serves as a pivotal member of the communications team and reports directly to the Executive Chief of Communications. It requires a systems-thinker and the ability to support multiple projects simultaneously while ensuring deadlines are met. The Communications Specialist must collaborate with school, department, and cabinet leaders to ensure equitable outreach, accessible communication, and deep engagement with all stakeholders to ensure alignment with organizational goals and the district's brand.

The Communications Specialist will be held accountable for the following responsibilities:

Support in the development of short, medium and long-range communications plans and strategies that align with organizational and department goals, including project tracking and evaluation
Responsible for managing district-wide internal and external comprehensive event calendars to help ensure that department and district organizational objectives are met efficiently and effectively.
Manages the District Translator/Interpreter and provides oversight for the translation and interpretation request process in order to ensure equitable access to district and school information. Additionally provides support for enhancing outreach to meet families where they are by reducing language barriers
- Collaborate as needed with the Director of Multilingual Services to ensure all state requirements are met as well as proper budgeting and oversight related to grant requirements
Manage the district's weekly Fast Five community-based newsletter, including writing, editing, coordinating visuals, and sending via Constant Contact; ensuring that stories are engaging, diverse in content, and equitably represent schools across the District; and ensuring information is distributed in a timely way in accordance with an established editorial schedule
Oversees content development for the District 65 website, school websites, and employee intranet (with support from departments) and establishes a system for ensuring timely routine updates, including a system for maintaining school websites in collaboration with school staff
Serves as liaison and proactively builds relationships between the District and all news media (print, radio, television, and web-based media) and responds to all media requests on behalf of the District; supervises the production and distribution of all news releases; and arranges for media visits in accordance with student media consent guidelines
Assist staff in planning and publicizing school- and district-related events and activities through a variety of district communication channels in collaboration with other communications team members
Manage the district's mass notification system including sending community-wide messages and building capacity among school leaders and department staff in using the system to effectively reach various stakeholder groups
Oversee District 65 social media channels and provide training, oversight and support to all employees using social media. Monitor other social media channels and respond as appropriate.
Document and share moments from classrooms and school events through simple video and photo content that highlights student learning.
Oversees all aspects of the High Five! Staff Recognition Program
Oversees Care & Concern notification process to staff
Submit invoices and support management of communications budget
Support cabinet, department, and school leaders with messaging and writing for community, parent/caregiver, and staff communications, presentations, etc.
Is available outside of regular working hours, on occasion, to attend events, respond to crisis events, and initiate communications through various district communication channels.
Serve as liaison and provide communications support to Foundation 65
Ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations and district policy regarding transparency, the disclosure of public information and accountability.
Performs other duties as assigned.

In order to be successful and achieve the above responsibilities, the Communications Specialist must possess the following qualifications:

Education Required

Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, marketing, or a related field from an accredited college or university

Experience Required

Minimum of five years of communications related experience
Experience working in a school system preferred

Terms Of Employment

Twelve-month year (July 1 to June 30)

Salary And Benefits

Salary range: $45,000-$75,000

Competitive benefits package.

Selection Process

Qualified applicants will be contacted for an interview.

Every Child, Every Day, Whatever It Takes

Evanston/Skokie School District 65

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Communications Specialist