Senior Communications Officer

Job Description:

Senior Communications Officer

Description

Basic Function and Representative Duties

BASIC FUNCTION:

Under direction of the District Superintendent or designee, serve as district’s spokesperson, district media liaison, and coordinator of communications and public information; plan, organize, direct and implement proactive communication strategies, special events, programs, and initiatives to inform and engage the district’s employees, parents, and broader community; oversee the content andeffectiveness of the district’s print and electronic communication vehicles including publications, websites, telephone/email alert systems, and social networking media; supervise and evaluate the performance of assigned personnel.

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

• Serve as district spokesperson, district media liaison, and coordinator of communications and public information; plan, organize, and direct proactive communication strategies, programs, and initiatives to inform and engage the district’s employees, parents, and broader community.
• Lead and oversee the development, design, and production of publications including but not limited to visual presentations, internal and external websites, social media, newsletters, brochures, digital marketing, advertising, and surveys.
• Assist in the development of District and issue-specific communication strategies.
• Attend Board of Education meetings and advise the Board and administration on matters relating to community opinions toward the District and its programs.
• Lead, plan, and organize special events, activities, and marketing to enhance District public information; represent the District at community events/meeting as necessary.
• Assist in the development of District and issue-specific communication strategies, including response strategy during emergencies, critical incidents, and high-profile situations; coordinate with law enforcement and public safety organizations as needed; provide advice and assistance to the Superintendent and other district leaders on addressing communication regarding sensitive and/or confidential matters; support principals and site leaders during critical incidents, including coordinating and implementing a timely communications strategy; function as a lead member of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) team.
• Analyze district communication metrics for effectiveness including reach, engagement, tone and issue coverage and provide leadership in improving the process.
• Convene and coordinate the work of the Superintendent’s Communications Team (including Technology, Superintendent’s Office, Specialists, translators, and contractors) to ensure prioritized planning and completion of projects.
• Manage the work of district communications staff to ensure quality control, effectiveness and accuracy in the preparation and dissemination of all print publications and electronic communication platforms, including graphic, publishing, and writing support as well as translation/interpretation staff and contracts; ensure communications are provided to the community in multiple languages as appropriate.
• Collaborate with District leaders around Public Records Act requests and responses in accordance with the California Public Records Act; collaborate with District leaders, Board of Education members and staff to receive, review and provide records in accordance with law; consult with District legal counsel to develop response strategies.
• Maintain professional relationships with newspapers and other media representatives.
• Research and writes articles and speeches for use by the Superintendent, Board of Education members, and other staff as needed.
• Seek out and cultivate news and information resources for developing stories that reflect the district’s positive efforts for transparency and community outreach.
• Collect information and prepare news releases, including appropriate photographs and videos for mass media as well as special publications for student and staff recognition.
• Coordinate and distribute information to District administrators, employees, the public, and media regarding the district’s programs, policies, events, activities, accomplishments, and related key messages.
• Provide input and oversee district website content and social media communication to ensure consistency, clarity, and accuracy of information.
• Manage and coordinate the public information pages in conformance with federal and state regulations and district policy.
• Participate in the development of the annual budget for communications and public information in the district; analyze and review the budget and financial data on a continuous basis and maintain appropriate expenditures in accordance with established limitations.
• Coordinate specialized committees, as assigned, including reviewing permanent art installations at school/district sites.

OtherDuties

? Perform related duties as assigned.

Knowledge and Abilities

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES

KNOWLEDGE OF:

Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal skills

Excellent English usage spelling, grammar, punctuation, composition, and vocabulary

Current technology, principles, and techniques for the performance of duties; including graphics design, internet design, web publishing, and publication/print software

Excellent analytical and critical thinking skills and ability to use good judgment when making independent decisions

Current and emerging video and multimedia video and multimedia production procedures, best practices, methods, techniques, and terminology

Professional video editing software

Social media applications

Diverse cultures in the community

Innovative trends in multimedia communications

Principles, methods, procedures, and strategies concerning a public information, communications, and community relations program within a public school

Advanced journalism techniques, modern news media structure, and processes foreffective media relations

Organization and services provided by public agencies, particularly in the area of education

Legal mandates, California Education Codes, policies, regulations, and guidelines pertaining to the distribution of news and public information

Public Relations’ Code of Ethnics

California Public Records Act

Copyright laws

ABILITY TO:

Establish and maintain positive relationships with District staff, Board members, news media, and the general public duties

Plan, organize, and direct their own work as well as the work others

Operate professional video production and editing equipment

Prepare written statements of administrative procedures

Exhibit discretion and tact with information received and given

Remain abreast of the emerging and changing social media techniques

Prepare and present written and oral reports to diverse audiences that effectively represent the school district to the community

Effectively analyze situations and make decisions

Prepare a variety of professional communications as requested

Demonstrate good judgment, a strong sense of ethics, and professionalism

Exhibit sensitivity to diversity, cultural competency, equity, and access

Promote educational excellence for all students for a diverse community

Plan and supervise district events

Work independently with minimal supervision

Supervise the posting of district communications on web platforms

Lead in the engagement of stakeholders and implement effective communication practices

Attend meetings, events, and other activities outside regular school hours

Education, Experience and Other Requirements

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:

Any combination equivalent to: bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, broadcasting, media, marketing, public information, or related field and five (5) years of administrative public sector and/or public-school experience in communications, or other related fields in a supervisory role in communications.

LICENSES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

Ability to use an alternative mode of transportation to perform job duties.

Incumbents in this classification may be required to speak, read and write in a designated second language other than English.

Working Conditions and Additional Information

WORKING CONDITIONS

Environment :

General office environment; however, duties and responsibilities may occur outside school buildings and facilities on a school campus

Driving a vehicle to conduct work as necessary

Work evening or variable hours

Incumbents in this classification will come in direct contact with school site staff, students, parents, and the public

Physical Demands:

Hearing and speaking to exchange information and make presentations

Seeing to read computer screen and a variety of printed materials

Dexterity of hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboardfor extended periods of time

Sitting or standing for extended periods of time

Bending at the waist, crouching, or kneeling and reaching overhead, above the shoulders and horizontally to file and retrieve materials

Lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling and/or moving objects weighing up to 25 pounds

EXAMINATION INFORMATION:
The first step in the examination process is the application screening and whether or not the candidate meets the minimum qualifications listed.
The testing process may consist of a written exam; an oral exam; a performance exam; a structured interview (SI); a qualification appraisal interview (QAI); an evaluation of training & experience/education (T&E) and/or any combination thereof .
All tests will have a passing score set between 50 and 99 depending of a variety of factors affecting that specific recruitment.
All candidates must pass the first examination process to be invited to the next step/test in the process.
As the testing process consists of a minimum of two examination processes; the weight of each those processes may be determined at any step in the processes.
Qualified candidates will be notified of the date, time, and place of the examination(s)/test(s).
Candidates will be notified of the minimum pass points/test score for each examination and/or test in the examination process.

OTHER : Proof of identification for completion of Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, must be submitted at the time of processing for employment.

SALARIES : All salaries as stated are based on present information and are subject to change. Appointments are made at the minimum salary shown in the posting and increases are granted at intervals based on anniversary date.

Notification of Non-Discrimination Policy
The Berkeley Unified School District is committed to fostering a positive working environment for its employees. Accordingly, BUSD practices shall be free from discrimination, harassment, intimidation and bullying of any employee based on an employee’s actual race, color, ancestry, national origin, ethnic group identification, age, religion, marital status, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or gender expression; the perception of one or more of such characteristics; or association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics.

The Board also prohibits retaliation against any district employee or job applicant who complains, testi?es or in any way participates in the district's complaint procedures instituted pursuant to this policy.

The following employee has been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination regarding Board Policy 4030:

Compliance Officer and Title IX Coordinator
2020 Bonar Street, Room 116
Berkeley, CA 94702
Phone: 510-486-9338
Email: nondiscrimination@berkeley.net

SALARIES: All salaries as stated are based on present information and are subject to change. Appointments are made at the minimum salary shown and increases are granted at intervals based on satisfactory service.

BENEFITS: Health plans provide for full coverage for employees and families in the area of medical and dental insurance to a negotiated maximum. All employees who work an average regular assignment of less than 5-1/2 hours a day (.72 FTE or less) shall be entitled to health insurance coverage and dental insurance coverage on a pro-rated basis. This position is covered by Social Security and may be eligible for California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS), with joint employee and employer-paid contributions. Current members of CalPERS working in other California state, county, city, and school districts can transfer retirement service credit to the District. All employees are enrolled in an Employee Assistant Program (EAP). The District also offers various optional benefits including life insurance, short-term disability, Vision Service Plan (VSP), and a medical and dependent care flexible spending option.

VACATION: Classified (non-represented) Management, District employees shall accrue vacation as follows:

Eighteen (18) working days per year.

HOLIDAYS: Annual employees receive seventeen (17) paid holidays per year:

Independence Day

Labor Day

Veterans' Day

Thanksgiving Holiday (3 Days)

Winter Board Holiday (3 Days)

New Year's Holiday (2 Days)

Martin Luther King's Birthday

Lincoln's Birthday

Washington's Birthday

Spring Board Holiday

Malcolm X's Birthday

Memorial Day

School Year employees may receive sixteen (16) paid holidays, including all of the above except Independence Day (4th of July).

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: Classified employees may also participate in professional development activities to enhance their careers.

HEALTH AND CHARACTER INVESTIGATIONS:

Candidates selected for appointment may be required to pass a medical examination given by a Commission-designated physician to determine physical fitness for District employment. The Commission may disqualify any eligible candidates on the basis of the examining physician's report. The District also conducts a fingerprinting background check for all potential candidates for hire. All convictions must be declared and explained on the application; failure to do so will automatically disqualify the application. Tuberculosis tests must be completed and a negative result must be supplied prior to beginning work.

Closing Date/Time: 1/30/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary:

$130,284.00 - $158,244.00 Annually