General Description

Leads, coordinates and supervises the operations of the communications and community engagement department and the constituent services and student leadership department. Performs work under broad departmental policies and established objectives and interprets policy on own initiative; decisions and actions impact the entire system and extends into the community; directs and evaluates multi-unit program and professional support staff; requires absolute personal responsibility and liability for accuracy of information. Directs, coordinates and supervises the operations of the Department of Government, Policy, and Media Relations; the Department of Constituent Services and Student Leadership; the Office of Family and Community Engagement, the joint school division-county government Print Shop, and the partnership with Communities in Schools on Chesterfield.

Essential Job Functions

• Provides oversight and support to the Department of Government, Policy and Media Relations.
  
• Provides oversight and support to the Department of Constituent Services and Student Leadership.
  
• Provides oversight and support to the Office of Family and Community Engagement.
  
• Provides oversight and support to the joint school division-county government Print Shop office.
  
• Provides oversight and support to the Communities in Schools of Chesterfield.
  
• Coordinates school division’s overall communications program, including public information, digital presence and systemwide publications, and assists with school-based communication needs.
  
• Develops school division’s comprehensive strategic communications plan and individual issues-based communications plan; provides support for school-level communications plans.
  
• Oversees constituent services operations and supports the department in the facilitation of responses to and problem-solving with parents, residents and other stakeholders.
  
• Supports work in the Student Conduct, Alternative Program and Student Activity areas.
  
• Oversees work of media services communications team; works with leadership teams of local media outlets.
  
• Coordinates and responds to media inquiries, news releases, advertising and promotions.
  
• Provides communication planning, training and counseling to all levels of the organization; assists in training of effective communication skills (tools and strategies) through the school division’s emerging leaders program.
  
• Manages administration of the school division’s comprehensive parent notification platform and web-based information sharing opportunities.
  
• Oversees implementation of comprehensive school division family and community engagement program; assists with monthly program development and implementation, as well as training for staff.
  
• Manages and coordinates relationship development efforts with the local business community at central and school levels.
  
• Assists schools and departments with partnership development that will provide enhanced opportunities for students, staff members and schools.
  
• Serves as fund developer for special programs offered by the department.
  
• Assists the Superintendent and senior leadership team with research and correspondence; provides reports and presentations to internal and external audiences.
  
• Prepares, reviews/edits and presents material at School Board and other meetings.
  
• Maintains contacts at all organizational levels both inside and outside the school system, including the highest elected and appointed officials in the community to execute and explain programs and policies.
  
• Represents school division and Superintendent on a variety of internal and external committees, boards, etc.
  
• Coordinates and attends various parent councils, task forces and committees.
  
• Serves as a liaison with the faith community; develops and implements quarterly meetings and regular communications.
  
• Serves as a liaison between the school division and local business partners.
  
• Serves as a liaison with the various senior programs located in the area; hosts programs and presents information at functions.
  
• Facilitates regular and unplanned meetings of the school division’s Critical Incident Response team; develops necessary communications for central and school level crises.
  
• Serves as a point of contact with local law enforcement agencies and emergency first responders; serves as point of contact with the Registrar's Office for development and implementation of election plans involving more than 40 county school facilities.
  
• Coordinates development of school division recognition program; administers school division’s Teacher of the Year and Retirement programs; coordinates monthly School Board recognitions and oversees efforts to acknowledge staff and student performance.
  
• Provides support for the writing/editorial work for the Superintendent and School Board.
  
• Performs other duties as assigned.
  

Qualifications

Considerable knowledge of the principles, concepts and methodologies of public relations, communications services and community engagement and considerable diverse experience in coordination and integration of various community relations-related programs. Demonstrated ability to define and assign resources necessary to plan, organize and direct a major organizational unit and to supervise and evaluate others performing professional work. Demonstrated ability in interpersonal, problem-solving, decision-making, diplomacy and leadership. Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing. Demonstrated ability to manage and work as part of a team to accomplish mission and goals.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree in English, journalism, education, mass communications, or a related area. Master’s degree or higher preferred. Extensive experience in public relations and communications and training in crisis/emergency communications. Valid VA Driver’s License. This position requires the incumbent to drive. In accordance with Policy 5431, an employee who occupies the position and is assigned a district-owned or leased motor vehicle will be subject to annual driving checks and must maintain acceptable records pursuant to the standards set forth in the policy.