Rio Rancho District Office- Coomunications Department

240-day contract

Job Title:        Communications Director

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university; preferably with courses in journalism, communications, broadcasting, media, and/or marketing and public relations.
• Minimum of five (5) years of experience primarily in media, communications, or public relations or such alternatives to the above qualifications as the Superintendent may find appropriate and acceptable.
• Two (2) years of proven experience as managing director or other managerial position.

Position Description

• The Communications Director works directly with the Chief Communications, Strategy and Engagement Officer to plan, organize, control, and direct a highly visible and proactive program of public relations and communications extending to the District’s employees, parents, and community.
• The Communications Director provides for the coordination and distribution of information to District administrators, employees, the public, and the media regarding the District’s programs, policies, events, and initiatives.
• The Communications Director assists in facilitating cooperative relationships with city, county, and state organizations, as well as businesses to project a positive image of Rio Rancho Public Schools.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of school communications, media relations, parent/community engagement, and community relations;
• Understanding of how schools function within the community and support the community;
• Knowledge of school curriculum and operations particularly related to the interface with the community;
• Familiarity with district policies and regulations pertaining to media, student and staff confidentiality; Demonstrated organizational and interpersonal abilities;
• Professional written and oral communication skills;
• Ability to maintain high level of professionalism and confidentiality regarding students, staff, parents, and school matters; and
• Requires a very high level of expertise in Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint, and the nuances of social media.

Essential Job Responsibilities

• Works directly with the Chief Communications, Strategy and Engagement Officer to plan, develop, organize, and direct a highly visible and comprehensive public relations program to enhance the District’s image to its wide variety of constituents;
• Assures accurate and timely dissemination of information;
• Oversees and distributes information to District administrators, employees, the public and media regarding the District’s programs, policies, events, efforts and related District information;
• Oversees the Mass Notification System;
• Oversees the FERPA process in regards to notices, directory information, etc.;
• Assists in the development and implementation under the direction of the Chief Communications, Strategy and Engagement Officer the District’s strategic plan for community relations, interagency collaboration, internal communication systems, and parent and community engagement;
• Establishes means of communication with District employees;
• Oversees the public information relative to new or developing programs; writes or reviews articles and statements; and advises District administrators and other personnel on public-relations aspects of such programs;
• Provides oversight, direction and evaluation of the Special Events Specialist, the Communications Specialist and other positions as directed;
• Provides training for the Board, site administrators and other staff members regarding relations with news media;
• Initiates and maintains communications with the non-English speaking media and the populations they represent;
• Gathers information, verifies accuracy, and informs the Superintendent, Cabinet members and others on emerging situations;
• Serves as media liaison among the Superintendent, Board members, and District staff;
• Provides for contacts and immediate responsiveness to emergencies at all times including receiving and assessing information, cooperating with news media, law enforcement, and others, and informing appropriate District personnel;
• Exercises independent judgment and discretion as the District’s spokesperson to the media;
• Oversees the planning, organizing, and development of video/multi-media productions;
• Attends School Board meetings and serves as a liaison to the media;
• Coordinates requests for interviews, responds to questions, and provides results of Board actions as appropriate;
• Works independently with little direction;
• Reads, interprets, applies, and explains rules, regulations, policies and procedures;
• Writes clear, concise, accurate reports, articles, and speeches in easily understood language;

• Possesses the ability to deal with highly confidential information;

• Complies with state-approved New Mexico Administrative Code of Ethical Responsibility of the Education Profession and the RRPS Employee Standards of Conduct and upholds and enforces rules, administrative directives and regulations, school board policies, and local, state and federal regulations; and
• Employee may be assigned other duties based on the needs of the district during the term of employment.

Work Hours:  Work hours are established in employment contract.  Additional work hours may be assigned by the Chief Communications, Strategy and Engagement Officer.

Accountability: 

Reports to: Chief Communications, Strategy and Engagement Officer

Evaluated by: Chief Communications, Strategy and Engagement Officer

Bargaining Status:    NBU

Functional Profile: Persons assigned to this position must possess the ability to engage in certain physical tasks as part of their job duties.  The following section identifies the nature and expected frequency of those tasks and is not intended to describe all job tasks in this position.  Individual work assignments may vary from the representative tasks described herein.

Application Procedure:

The following documents must be attached to complete this application:

• One (1) transcript from each crediting college or university if not current in personnel file
• Resume
• Letter of Interest
• 3 current signed/dated letters of recommendation