Communications Specialist

Position Function/Purpose

The Communications Specialist will be a key member of the Communications department. This role will assist the Chief Communication Officer in preparing and providing information about activities, goals, accomplishments, and policies of the school district, employees, students, and community partners through a variety of platforms – newsletters, press releases, social media, district web site, smart phone apps, blogs, videos, etc.

Essential Functions

1. Interviewing, researching, writing and editing news releases, articles, feature stories, speeches and other promotional materials for use on the web, in print publications, and other platforms.

2. Manages social media efforts for the district, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Youtube. Works with Chief Communications Officer to develop a content strategy plan and consistent timeline for posting to the district’s social media accounts. This includes creating and coordinating interesting and compelling content (text, video and/or graphics), as well as developing creative ways to actively engage audiences and promote Midland ISD, staff and students.

3. Works with other departments to ensure coordinated promotion of district events, including proactively reaching out to employees, students, parents, and the community. Works with Chief Communications Officer to create and implement strategies for promotion of events (timing, channels, materials, etc.).

4. Helps create professional, brand-compliant graphics that can be used on various platforms (posters, invitations, programs, social media graphics, etc.).

5. Acts as primary still photographer/videographer for Midland ISD.

6. Helps maintain and manage website and blog content.

Qualification Requirements

7. Intermediate knowledge of Adobe Creative Cloud products, especially Illustrator, Lightroom, Spark, 25Live calendaring, OmniUpdate, Wordpress, email marketing programs, and basic knowledge of HTML and CSS. Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, or similar program, with 3-5 years of work experience.

8. Advanced knowledge of Adobe InDesign, Photoshop and Premiere. Exceptional writing and communication skills, including ability to tell a compelling story, with a command of grammar and AP style.

9. Excellent interpersonal and speaking skills, both in person and by phone, with a high level of professionalism.

10. Advanced knowledge of social media, including best practices for engaging audiences in a professional context on each platform. Ability to maintain/monitor social media accounts outside of normal business hours.

11. Skilled photographer who knows how to frame a shot to tell a story using a digital camera. Skilled videographer with the ability to tell a compelling story using a digital SLR camera, recording and lighting equipment, and non-linear editing software.

12. Detail-oriented, especially with regard to accuracy and proofreading.

13. Ability to manage multiple projects and work assignments, while consistently meeting deadlines. Self-starter with the ability to accomplish projects with little supervision. Ability to take direction well and be open to constructive criticism.

Equipment used

1. Telephone

2. Computer and printer

3. Copy Machine

4. Digital Camera

Work Environment

The environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Must be able to maintain emotional control under stress. Occasionally required to travel to facilities within the district. May be required to work after school and weekends.

All MISD employees are expected to maintain an extreme degree of confidentiality by following the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) for student information and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) for employee and student information.

Midland Independent School District provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for

employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race,

color, religion, age, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status,

sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by

federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring,

placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and

training.