Assistant Director of Communications

Full-Time and Permanent; 7.
5 Hours/Day; 252 Days/Year; 12 Months/Year DEFINITION The employee who serves in this position will assists the Chief Strategy, Innovation, and Community Engagement Officer and the Director of Communications in implementing the division’s strategic plans and initiatives, with a focus on managing and expanding digital and print media for Norfolk Public Schools (NPS) in support of its communications efforts.
This position requires excellent writing and editing skills as well as extensive knowledge of different media platforms and the function and best practices for each, implementing the use of these platforms as an effective means of communication and storytelling.
This employee also has working knowledge of graphic design, photography, and videography.
The Assistant Director will be responsible for growing the division’s digital footprint, website and intranet, creating social media and newsletter content, and reviewing and scheduling content submitted for publication by other team members.
The Assistant Director will also provide support to the Director for comprehensive communications campaigns, improving internal communications such as the employee newsletter and intranet site, along with press releases and other written materials.
The individual who serves in this position will provide support for the division’s Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) program by managing an assigned portion of the division’s requests.
Additionally, this individual will support the communications team with other duties as assigned.
SUPERVISION The Assistant Director of Communications duties are performed under the direction of the Chief Strategy, Innovations, and Community Engagement Officer.
Work is performed under the supervision of the Director of Communications.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE CLASS (may not include all duties performed) Works closely with the Director of Communications to provide supervision for the communications staff.
Assists with the design and execution of a plan that increases the division’s digital and print media footprint, including increasing engagement (likes, shares, retweets, followers) on existing platforms, verifying the division’s accounts on those platforms, and establishing and growing additional social media channels.
Creates original content for division digital and print media including photos, graphics, videos, and text and reviews content submitted by other team members when necessary.
Assists with the design and execution of an internal employee newsletter as well as development and maintenance of content for an intranet site.
Assists in responding to resident and community comments and posts that tag/@ mention NPS on social media platforms.
Supports communications team in carrying out communications campaigns and initiatives.
Develops, coordinates, and executes effective social media campaigns for NPS programs and initiatives to effectively engage community stakeholders.
Responds to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests and ensures the division’s compliance.
Completes FOIA training, registers as division FOIA officer, trains in FOIA management software, assists other staff in ensuring FOIA requirements (including record collection, fees, and deadlines) are met, works with record holders to identify and review responsive records, and provides FOIA training to division staff on a recurring basis.
Acts in the absence of the Director of Communications, fulfilling many of the duties of that position.
Performs other duties and manages accountability aspects of special projects as assigned, including draft, edit, and review of materials such as newsletters, social media, presentations, press releases, publications, videography, and web developer assignments, and etc.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES Thorough knowledge of social media platforms including, at minimum, Facebook, X, Instagram, and Linked In.
Understands concepts, practices, and strategies for using social media and demonstrates a willingness to learn and embrace new platforms.
Extensive knowledge of using mobile devices to capture pictures and video in support of social media, and ability to create and post content from these devices independently, without error.
Ability to create graphics using Adobe Creative Cloud, Canva, or other graphic design tools.
High-level professional writing and storytelling skills; excellent editing skills.
Knowledge of best practices for hashtags, emojis, and memes and the functionality of each platform (buttons, scheduling, tagging, etc.
) to support social media content.
Ability to plan, coordinate, organize, schedule, and prioritize activities, functions, and assignments.
Ability to independently identify and cultivate continuing social media stories/campaigns/efforts and create ways of improving and sustaining content.
Ability to establish and maintain successful working relationships with superiors, peers, government officials, community organizations, business leaders, and the news media.
Knowledge of or willingness to learn applicable federal and state laws, regulations, and directives such as the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
Ability to work under pressure with tight deadlines, including emergency and critical situations, and the ability to calmly communicate with internal and external audiences during these situations.
Demonstrated ability to effectively organize and present information, both orally and in writing.
Ability to work within time constraints and under stressful conditions.
Must demonstrate courtesy and respect to all stakeholders.
Ability to maintain effective and productive working relationships with school administrators, staff, community members, media, and public officials.
MINIMUM EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS Master’s degree in English, communications, journalism, public relations, or related field.
Minimum of three years of experience in strategic social media plans.
Previous experience in the public sector and/or public schools is preferred.
LICENSE None PHYSICAL ATTRIBUTES Work requires normal physical effort associated with working in an office environment.
Additional work environments include school settings, board meetings, and athletic events.
HAZARDS Work involves exposure to normal, everyday risks.
UNUSUAL DEMANDS This position may require flexible or additional work hours, including on-call duties, responses, and work during emergency situations including inclement weather, active threat, or other school closure.
Furthermore, this work is subject to changing requirements, priorities, and interruptions.
Resilience under pressure is essential.
Work is performed in an office setting as well as throughout the school division and school community.
Additionally, work requires continuous professional development in the areas of communications, media, community, and public relations.
Primary Location COMMUNICATIONS & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT Salary Range $72,908.
00 - $125,664.
00 / Per Year Shift Type Full-Time JOB CONTACT INFORMATION Name Erika Ricks Title Human Resources Technician Phone 757-628-3905 Email ericks@nps.
k12.
va.
us