Press Secretary (Spanish-Speaking)

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is the third-largest school district in the United States, serving over 340,000 students in 600+ schools and employing nearly 36,000 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 Press Secretary assists in many critical aspects of public outreach for Chicago Public Schools. As a senior member of the Communications team, the Press Secretary will help lead media outreach for the district, working closely with the Chief of Communications to develop and implement communications strategies for high priority initiatives and urgent communications matters.

The Press Secretary is in daily contact with members of the news media, both in proactively pitching newsworthy stories and managing breaking news. This team member will also serve as a liaison to key CPS departments and school staff. This role requires flexibility, precision, excellent writing skills, strong work ethic, creativity, strategic thinking, managerial experience and a highly attuned sense of deadline pressures. Previous experience in media or communications is required.

Typical Duties/Responsibilities:

• Develop and execute Spanish-Language media strategy
  
  
• Serve as on-the-record spokesperson for high priority district initiatives
  
  
• Drafting press releases, media advisories, leadership briefings and responses to press inquiries, as well as assist with other writing as needed
  
  
• Oversee the planning of press conferences and prepare district officials for interviews
  
  
• Manage the pitching of positive stories about work being done to support students and staff throughout the district
  
  
• Support the Chief of Communications on short and long-term planning, and assist in the development of media plans for the annual CPS budget and other significant operational initiatives
  
  
• Develop a strong working knowledge of CPS operations and work closely with assigned departments to understand and create Communications plans around key initiatives
  
  
• Attend public meetings and events to assist media, periodically in the evening or on weekends
  
  

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

Type of Education Required:

• Bachelor's degree
  
  

Type of Experience Required:

• Written and verbal fluency in Spanish and experience working with Spanish-language media
  
  
• Minimum seven years of experience in communications, including direct experience working with media
  
  
• Experience working with executive-level leaders or elected officials
  
  
• Experience in government or politics is highly valued
  
  
• Experience managing communications for a large organization with a significant public profile
  
  
• Experience working in dynamic, high-intensity situations
  
  

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal and critical thinking skills, with the ability to communicate on deadline for different platforms and different audiences
  
  
• Adept at managing a team to plan communication strategies for complex initiatives including budget rollouts
  
  
• Ability to balance competing high-profile priorities, demonstrate good judgment and operate as a strong team member
  
  
• Adept at multi-tasking while maintaining a calm and productive environment during crisis or emergency situations
  
  
• Ability to understand complex issues and simplify them for key audiences
  
  
• Proven track record developing and executing complex, large-scale projects
  
  
• Feels sense of urgency in accomplishing goals and objectives to ensure success and working effectively under crisis situations
  
  
• Demonstrates a commitment to continuous improvement and an unwavering belief that all stu dents can achieve at high levels
  
  

Residency Requirement:

As a condition of employment with the Chicago Public Schools (CPS), employees are required to live within the geographic boundaries of the City of Chicago within six months of their CPS hire date and must maintain residency throughout their employment with the district.