Press Assistant

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is one of the largest school districts in the United States, serving over 320,000 students in 600+ schools and employing approximately 40,000 people, most of them teachers. CPS has set ambitious goals to ensure that every student, in every school and every neighborhood, has access to a world-class learning experience that prepares each for success in college, career, and civic life. In order to fulfill this mission, we make three commitments to our students, their families, and all Chicagoans: academic progress, financial stability, and integrity. Six core values are embedded within these commitments - student-centered, whole child, equity, academic excellence, community partnership, and continuous learning.
The Office of Communications promotes the CPS vision, mission, activities, and priorities for all internal and external communication. In addition, the office supports schools by promoting their work and assisting in crisis situations through a full range of tools, channels, and strategies designed to engage key internal and external stakeholders.
Job Summary:
Reporting to the Executive Director, Media Relations, the Press Assistant is responsible for supporting the media relations team in promoting CPS' vision and mission across local and national media outlets in a proactive and transparent way. Responsibilities include but are not limited to: coordinating with leadership to develop, manage and organize communications activities, including tracking incoming press inquiries, response status, press materials, talking points, and advisories. Projects will be assigned on a case-by-case basis.
The Press Assistant will be held accountable for the following responsibilities:

• Track incoming media requests from reporters and response status.
• Maintain and update media and stakeholder contact lists on a consistent basis.
• Monitor media and compile daily news clips as well as monthly and annual media reports for the communications department and District staff.
• Distribute press releases, media advisories, fact sheets, and other press correspondence to media.
• Establishes and maintains effective and collaborative working relationships with members of the media, internal staff (central office and schools), and Chicago government partners.
• Support press conferences and events involving District leadership.
• Support the media team with ongoing projects.
• Conduct research for press inquiries.
• Draft advisories and press releases.
• Post press releases to the website.
• Pitch positive stories to local media outlets.
• Other duties as assigned.

In order to be successful and achieve the above responsibilities, the Press Assistant must possess the following qualifications:
Education Required:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university is required; concentration in communications, political science, journalism, English, or public relations preferred

Experience Required:

• Minimum of two (2) years of experience in communications, marketing/PR, political campaigns, or education policy.
• Experience working in dynamic, high-intensity situations is preferred.

Other Requirements:

• Occasional on-call night and weekend work is required

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Excellent attention to detail, written, verbal, and interpersonal skills.
• Possesses strong research, critical thinking, and analytical skills.
• Effective listening skills.
• Proficiency in Spanish is preferred.
• Adapts well to rapidly evolving situations.
• Possesses an eagerness to learn and grow.
• Demonstrates a strong working knowledge of media publications and outlets.
• Demonstrates a sense of urgency in accomplishing goals and objectives to ensure success.

Conditions of Employment
As a condition of employment with the Chicago Public Schools (CPS), employees are required to:

• Establish/Maintain Chicago Residency - Employees are required to live within the geographic boundaries of the City of Chicago within six months of their CPS hire date and maintain residency throughout their employment with the district. The Chicago residency requirement does not apply to temporary/part-time positions, however, all CPS employees must be residents of Illinois.
• Be Fully Vaccinated Against COVID-19 - Unless approved for a medical or religious exemption, all employees are required to be up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccinations, including boosters, and to submit proof of vaccination to the district within 30 days of hire. "Up-to-date" on vaccination is defined as being at least two weeks past all primary vaccine doses and any applicable boosters.