Assistant Director Of Communications

ABOUT OUR DISTRICT:

The Syracuse City School District is undergoing a new phase of innovation and transformation with the goal of ensuring that all students graduate high school with the skills needed to be ready for college and career. For Syracuse, all means all - including students who fall behind or have been considered "hard to serve" for a host of reasons. The School Board and Syracuse community have charged Superintendent Anthony Davis with improving student achievement, and he is seeking a dedicated and diverse team of school leaders and teachers to partner with him in moving the district toward its goals. The Syracuse City School District represents 34 schools and 4 alternative education programs, serving 19,000+ students Pre-K-12 of whom 77% qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, 18% are served by the Office of Special Education and 78% are students of color.

 JOB DESCRIPTION:

The Assistant Director of Communications will support public relations work associated with the school District, advising administrators on various social media services, writing and/or editing speeches, scripts, new releases and other informational materials, and monitoring, updating, and maintaining the district's main website page. They will support The Director of Communications and Director of Media in the communications Department.

REPORTS TO: Director of Communication

 RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Supports the Director of Communications to identify communication strategies and develop the creative elements needed to convey messages effectively.
• Supports the operation and content of the district's various social media outlets including Twitter and Facebook.
• Serves as an editor/writer for the school system web site, newsletters, news releases and other publications.
• Serves as communications designee and/or provides support in crisis situations when designated in the absence of the Director.
• Assists and advises the Superintendent in the production of video messages.
• Works with the Director generate newspaper and web stories to promote the successes of the school system.
• Works with the Director of Communications in planning, organizing and directing internal and external school, community and staff communication programs for the school system.
• Assists in writing draft messages for administrators and reviewing proposed messages with the Communications Director.
• Ensures that communication products effectively deliver message to intended audience.
• Develops and maintains relationships with non-traditional stakeholders (i.e. senior citizens, business and community members) to increase community involvement.
• Plans and implements special events for the district and supports community events.

 TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES

• Write a variety of different content to support communications and marketing efforts, including newsletters, website copy, and brochures and press releases.
• Assist communications team in developing and implementing a communications strategy designed to further districts objectives.
• Monitors analytics and creates reports detailing the successes and failures of Communications campaigns and strategies.
• Stays up to date on industry trends and makes recommendations for adjustments to communications strategies and practices.
• Responds to media inquiries and maintains relationships with journalists and other members of the press in the absence of the Director.
• Along with the Director, plans press conferences and other promotional events to help keep the organization top of mind.
• Coordinates volunteers, support staff, vendors and more to support promotional events.
• Performs outreach to press outlets, magazines, influencers and build strategic partnerships to grow brand notoriety.

 MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Must have demonstrated experience in school district public relations or a related field with a minimum of three (3) years' experience.
• A Graduate from a regionally accredited or New York State registered college or university

with a baccalaureate degree and two (2) years of professional level work experience, or its

part time equivalent, in journalism, communications, public relations or a closely related field; 0r,

• Six (6) years of professional level work experience, or its part time equivalent in journalism, communications, public relations or a closely related field.

SALARY: Salary range between $90,000 - $95,000 depending on experience.