Director of Communications
Director of Communications
Administration Building – Job #2022-08
Open Until Filled-First Consideration May 24, 2022
The Northshore School District has the eighth-largest pupil enrollment in Washington State. The district contains approximately 125,000 people and enrolls approximately 23,000 students in grades K-12. The District has 35 schools and programs, including four comprehensive high schools, six middle schools, and 21 elementary schools. Northshore encompasses 60 square miles, stretching from Lake Washington on the west to the Snoqualmie River Valley on the east, and from Mill Creek and Maltby on the north to Redmond and Juanita on the south. Building on a strong base of public education founded in the community in 1878, Northshore offers comprehensive and rigorous educational opportunities to all learners, including challenge, pre-AP/IB and AP courses, an International Baccalaureate diploma, multiple alternative education settings; a nationally recognized music and fine arts program; diversified career and technical education offerings; an outdoor education program; and strong special and compensatory education programs. The district employs 3,000+ people of which approximately 1,600 are certificated. The District provides a spectrum of induction support to new teachers, including central and building level mentorship, and is committed to the on-going professional development of staff through course offerings and weekly release for teacher collaboration and planning. The district lies within close proximity of five universities and six community colleges for continuing education. The Northshore School Board seeks staff and community input for its planning; citizens are involved through a variety of special committees and task forces, and web surveys. The district has excellent community support and parental involvement and benefits from continuous voter support of school levies (since 1942).
SCOPE OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
This position directs, plans and/or coordinates the district’s communication and community relations program through a racial and educational justice lens, ensuring effective two-way communication between the district and staff and public while overseeing management of partnership and volunteer programs, and the district switchboard. Essential functions are listed below; this list is not exhaustive and may be supplemented as necessary:
- Plans, organizes, directs, and coordinates the district’s communication and community relations programs, including development activities and community and business partnerships.
- Acts as a liaison and facilitates two-way communication between the district and the community, administration and staff, and the news media.
- Promotes district events, issues, and accomplishments through writing, photography, and/or video, using communications channels such as social media, the district website, and district publications.
- Directs the implementation of strategies for gaining support of schools by gathering data, analyzing attitudes, and planning ways to reach various audiences.
- Responds to requests for information from the Superintendent, members of the School Board, district employees, citizens or community groups, and the news media.
- Serves as district spokesperson and is involved with all crisis situations, crisis communication and crisis planning. Coordinates press and media relations/releases.
- Prepares internal and external district publications. Utilizes a variety of communication channels, both print and electronic, to keep staff members, parents, and the community informed about Northshore schools. Maintains primary District website and mobile app.
- Prepares informational materials needed for levy and bond elections; interprets current Public Disclosure Commission guidelines to assure the district’s compliance.
- Serves as primary district liaison with the Northshore Schools Foundation (NSF). Works collaboratively with the NSF to plan and implement development goals in support of public education.
- Assists and supports schools and departments with their communication and public relations plans and activities.
- Publicizes staff members’ accomplishments and activities; plans and facilitates special events.
- Selects, supervises, trains, motivates, and evaluates assigned staff.
- Performs related duties consistent with the job description and employee assignment.
Salary:
NNRAP Administrator Level B; $187,691.00 - $197,193.00 per year with additional stipend for Master or PhD/EdD degree (based on the 21/22 salary schedule).
Work Year:
Full time, 12-month position. 8.0 hours per day; 260 days per year, 25 vacation days, 14 paid holidays, 2 personal days. FLSA exempt (Exempt from overtime provisions).
Minimum Qualifications:
Education and Experience
BA in communications, public relations, marketing or related field; five years of increasingly responsible experience with community relations and three years of management experience supervising staff. Master’s degree and experience in a public education setting preferred. Additional qualifying experience may substitute for the educational requirement.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
- Knowledge of current trends in media relations, and marketing, including multi-media production techniques and electronic communication channels.
- Knowledge of regional media and community resources.
- Knowledge of the principles and practices of supervision.
- Skill in planning, organizing and coordinating community relations needs in a large, diverse organization with multiple programs and sites.
- Skill in human relations and problem-solving.
- Skill in effective decision-making.
- Ability to make effective oral presentations to staff, the community, and media.
- Ability to develop and produce creative, persuasive, and effective written and multi-media communications.
- Ability to effectively manage program budget and resources.
- Ability to exercise independent judgment.
- Ability to work calmly and effectively under pressure and in crisis situations.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff and the public.
- Ability to operate a computer and software programs relevant to job responsibilities.
Working Conditions:
Required to provide crisis communications support and attend Board of Directors’ meetings, community meetings, professional development meetings, and other meetings beyond normal working hours to represent the District; required to meet inflexible deadlines; required to deal with distraught or angry people.
Application Procedure:
So that we can fully assess their qualifications, we require that all applicants submit a complete application packet, including:
- Classified Administrator Application Form (Complete on-line at www.nsd.org)
- Letter of application addressing your ability to perform the job duties and meet the qualifications as listed above. The letter should provide specific examples of your work experience, accomplishments, and achievements that demonstrate your ability to perform the work. (Upload and attach to application)
- Resume (Upload and attach to application)
- You may also submit other supporting information of your choosing, including letters of recommendation.
Incomplete applications are not considered. Applications must be submitted by midnight PST on the closing date.
UPON HIRE:
If hired, you must complete an I-9 Employment Eligibility form in compliance with the Immigrations Reform and Control Act. Employment is contingent upon clearance by the Washington State Patrol and Federal Bureau of Investigation.