Position Type:
CLASSIFIED

Date Posted:
6/17/2022

Location:
COMMUNICATIONS

Richland County School District One, South Carolina
Classification Description

Classification Title: PUBLIC INFORMATION MANAGER
FLSA: Exempt
240 days
Salary Range: $48,795.00 - $68,318.00
General Statement of Job
Public Relations Manager is a full-time position in the Richland One Office of Communications. The Public Relations Manager works as part of a team to promote and increase public awareness and knowledge of the district's strategic goals, programs and accomplishments, and support initiatives to encourage parent and community engagement. The Public Relations Manager reports to the Executive Director of Communications.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities
Essential Functions:

• Serves as an information liaison between the district and the news media; coordinates media relations by writing and distributing news releases and media advisories, facilitating media requests, arranging interviews, pitching news stories, setting up and participating in news conferences, and distributing board meeting agendas; monitors and tracks media coverage of the district and distributes reports to executive-level district staff.
• Receives and responds to inquiries and general information requests from the public and the media regarding district activities.
• Uses social media, the district's website and other platforms to increase public awareness of district and school programs and activities; manages and maintains the district's Twitter account.
• Serves as the principal contact for staff designated by their principals/department heads as School and Department Communicators (public relations liaisons) for their respective sites; coordinates training and updates training materials for Communicators.
• Performs assigned emergency/crisis communications duties, including notifying parents by phone, email and text messages through the district's mass notification system.
• Writes articles and proofreads documents and publications produced by the Office of Communications and by other departments and schools, as needed.
• Supervises college interns who provide support to the Public Relations Manager and other members of the Communications team.
• Plans and coordinates the Superintendent's Annual State of the District Address and provides support for other events coordinated by the Office of Communications, including the annual Back-to-School Convocation and Hall of Fame Induction Gala.
• Works with the Executive Director to develop and implement department objectives and strategic plans for achieving goals.
• Attends various staff, district and external meetings as appropriate.
• Maintains up-to-date news clipping, administrative and reference files.
• Represents the district and department at meetings and events as requested by the Executive Director.
• Complies with all federal laws, state statutes, Board policies, administrative rules and directives.

Additional Duties:

• Performs a variety of general clerical duties as necessary including, but not limited to, preparing reports and correspondence, copying documents, preparing mail, answering the telephone, etc.
• Performs related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications and Standards Required

• Bachelor's degree in journalism, public relations or a related field supplemented by at least five years of experience in public relations or news reporting, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities
• Strong interpersonal and oral/written communications skills and proficient use of the English language in all forms
• Willingness to learn new duties and technology skills as required

Minimum Qualifications and Standards Required
Physical Requirements:

Must be physically able to operate a variety of machines and equipment including a computer, telephone, etc. Must be able to exert up to five pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. Sedentary work involves sitting much of the time, but also involves walking or standing for periods of time. Must be able to lift and/or carry weights of five to ten pounds.

Data Conception: Requires the ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable functional, structural or compositional characteristics (whether similar to or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people or things.

Interpersonal Communications: Requires the ability of speaking and/or signaling people to convey or exchange information. Includes receiving assignments and/or direction from supervisor and giving assignments and/or directions to subordinates.

Language Ability: Requires ability to read a variety of policy and procedure manuals, directories, professional journals, etc. Requires the ability to prepare reports, news copy, scripts, correspondence, etc. with proper format, punctuation, spelling and grammar, using all parts of speech. Requires the ability to speak with and before others with poise, voice control and confidence.

Intelligence: Requires the ability to apply principles of logical thinking to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions; to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in oral, written or schedule form; to deal with several abstract and concrete variables. Requires the ability to use influence systems in staff supervision; to learn and understand relatively complex principles and techniques; to make independent judgments in absence of supervision; to acquire knowledge of topics related to primary occupation. Must have the ability to comprehend and interpret received information.

Verbal Aptitude: Requires the ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures, to follow and give verbal and written instructions. Must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently with persons of varying educational backgrounds and in a variety of technical and/or professional languages including public relations, television production, etc.

Numerical Aptitude: Requires the ability to add and subtract totals, to multiply and divide, to determine percentages and decimals and to determine time. Must be able to use practical applications of statistics.

Form/Spatial Aptitude: Requires the ability to inspect items for proper length, width and shape; identifies creative mixes or matches in design, form, etc.; and visually read various information.

Motor Coordination: Requires the ability to coordinate hands and eyes using office machinery.

Manual Dexterity: Requires the ability to handle a variety of items, keyboards, office equipment, control knobs, buttons, switches, catches, etc. Must have minimal levels of eye/hand/foot coordination.

Color Discrimination: Requires the ability to differentiate colors and shades of color.

Interpersonal Temperament: Requires the ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions. Must be adaptable to performing under stress when confronted with emergency situations or tight deadlines.

Physical Communications: Requires the ability to talk and/or hear: (talking: expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken words; hearing: perceiving nature of sounds by ear).

PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

Knowledge of Job: Has thorough knowledge of the methods, procedures and policies of the Office of Communications as they pertain to the performance of duties of the Public Relations Manager. Is knowledgeable in the laws, ordinances, standards and regulations pertaining to the specific duties and responsibilities of the position. Has thorough knowledge of the organization of the department and of related departments and agencies. Has considerable knowledge of the functions and interrelationships of Richland District One and other governmental agencies. Is able to help ensure departmental compliance with all laws and regulations and control the activities of the department through effective supervision. Knows how to apply supervisory and managerial concepts and principles. Has the ability to offer training and assistance to co-workers and employees of other departments as required. Has the ability to offer instruction and advice to subordinates regarding departmental policies, methods and regulations. Has comprehensive understanding of journalistic principles and techniques necessary to disseminate information through a variety of media. Is able to compile information and prepare copy with accuracy, often under the pressure of tight deadlines. Has the ability to use independent judgment as needed in performing routine and non-routine tasks. Is able to take the initiative to complete the duties of the position without the need of direct supervision. Is able to read and interpret complex reports and related materials pertaining to the responsibilities of the job. Knows how to prepare reports, news copy, scripts, correspondence, etc. using proper grammar and persuasive language. Has comprehensive knowledge of the terminology and various professional languages used within the department. Knows how to maintain effective relationships with personnel of other departments, professionals and members of the public through contact and cooperation. Knows how to react calmly and quickly in emergency situations. Has the mathematical ability to handle required calculations. Has the ability to plan, organize and prioritize daily assignments and work activities. Has good organizational, technical and human relations skills. Has the ability to learn and utilize new skills and information to improve job performance and efficiency. Has skill in the use of computers. Has knowledge of the standard tools, materials and practices of the trade. Has skill in the care and use of required tools and equipment.

Quality of Work:

Maintains high standards of accuracy in exercising duties and responsibilities. Exercises immediate remedial action to correct any quality deficiencies that occur in areas of responsibility. Maintains high quality communication and interaction with all District departments and divisions, co-workers and the public.

Quantity of Work:

Performs described "Specific Duties and Responsibilities" and related assignments efficiently and effectively in order to produce quantity of work which consistently meets standards and expectations of the district.

Dependability:

Assumes responsibility for completing assigned work. Completes assigned work within deadlines in accordance with directives, district policy, standards and prescribed procedures. Remains accountable to assigned responsibilities in the technical, human and conceptual areas.

Attendance:

Attends and remains at work regularly and adheres to district policies and procedures regarding absences and tardiness. Provides adequate notice to higher management with respect to vacation time and time-off requests.

Initiative and Enthusiasm:

Maintains an enthusiastic, self-reliant and self-starting approach to meet job responsibilities and accountabilities. Strives to anticipate work to be done and initiates proper and acceptable direction for the completion of work with a minimum of supervision and instruction.

Judgment:

Exercises analytical judgment in areas of responsibility. Identifies problems or situations as they occur and specifies decision objectives. Identifies or assists in identifying alternative solutions to problems or situations. Implements decisions in accordance with prescribed and effective policies and procedures and with a minimum of errors. Seeks expert or experienced advice where appropriate and researches problems, situations and alternatives before exercising judgment.

Cooperation:

Accepts supervisory instruction and direction and strives to meet the goals and objectives of same. Questions such instruction and direction when clarification of results or consequences are justified, i.e., poor communications, variance with District policy or procedures, etc. Offers suggestions and recommendations to encourage and improve cooperation between all staff persons and departments within the District.

Relationships with Others:

Shares knowledge with managers, supervisors and staff for mutual and district benefit. Contributes to maintaining high morale among all district employees. Develops and maintains cooperative and courteous relationships with department employees, staffers and managers in other departments, representatives from organizations, and the public so as to maintain goodwill toward the District and to project a good district image. Tactfully and effectively handles requests, suggestions and complaints from other departments and persons in order to maintain goodwill within the district. Emphasizes the importance of maintaining a positive image within the district. Interacts effectively with higher management, professionals and the public.

Coordination of Work:

Plans and organizes daily work routine. Establishes priorities for the completion of work in accordance with sound time-management methodology. Avoids duplication of effort. Estimates expected time of completion of elements of work and establishes a personal schedule accordingly. Attends required meetings, planning sessions and discussions on time. Implements work activity in accordance with priorities and estimated schedules.

Safety and Housekeeping:

Adheres to all safety and housekeeping standards established by the district and various regulatory agencies. Sees that the standards are not violated. Maintains a clean and orderly workplace.