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Director - Media Relations

Job Title:
Director - Media Relations

Location:

Organization Name:
Office of Communications

Department Description:

Under the supervision of the Chief of Staff, the Director of Media Relations performs specialized communication tasks in the day-to-day operation of public relations. The incumbent serves as principal advisor providing comprehensive and proactive communications, strategies and planning, public relations, and news analysis to the Board of Education and CEO. The target audience includes all stakeholders to include the Board of Education, the Chief Executive Officer's leadership team, school district employees, news media and community leaders. The incumbent plans and conducts a broad information program concerning public education and all functions and services of the school system, so as to better articulate the appropriate messages. This position serves as the primary, on-the-record liaison of PGCPS with the national, regional, and local print, broadcast, digital and social media.

Brief Description:

This is an Executive, Grade 4 Position

Salary Range: $115,321 - $192,212

CLOSING DATE: August 28, 2019

Detailed Description:

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.
  • Drafts and issues press releases to showcase students, staff, the Chief Executive Officer and the Board of Education and to highlight upcoming events or accomplishments;
  • Builds and maintains a network of contacts, regularly updating lists of media and opinion leaders to whom press releases and publications are to be sent;
  • Serves as primary spokesperson/liaison for school district and Chief Executive Officer in interacting with media for day-to-day news stories and media inquiries;
  • Advises the Chief Executive Officer and senior staff on responding to requests for background and on-camera interviews and providing information about key initiatives;
  • Cultivates professional working relationships with members of the media to enhance the image of the school system;
  • Oversees story compilation to be incorporated into various internal and external communication materials to highlight media coverage of PGCPS
  • Responds to requests filed pursuant to the Maryland Public Information Act working in tandem with the Office of General Counsel and Chief of Staff;
  • Responds to and follows-up on requests from the Board of Education for information to assist Board Members in the discharge of their duties working in tandem with senior staff;
  • Assists individual schools with their media inquiries and responding to requests for information;
  • Issues, on a regular basis, a Media Report, detailing ongoing inquiries from the media and the status of responses; and
  • Performs other duties as assigned.


  • Job Requirements:

    QUALIFICATIONS:

    The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
  • Outstanding verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills;
  • Ability to work as a member of a team, maintaining sensitive and confidential communications;
  • Ability to work independently in a variety of situations often requiring extensive contact with local public officials, local media representatives, community members and special interest groups;
  • Experience working with senior management in an organizational structure;
  • Ability to remain calm and focused under pressure in an often fast-paced environment;
  • Critical and quick thinker;
  • Experience in news or publication writing;
  • Strong knowledge of and familiarity with media and different aspects of public information and communications;
  • Ability to think boldly and innovatively to develop and enact new ideas;
  • Proficiency with current technology to include social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for oversight, direction and performance of duties;
  • Experience in planning, implementing, evaluating, budgeting and personnel management;
  • Proven skills in public relations program management, research, planning, communication, marketing and evaluation;
  • Ability to establish and maintain effective working conditions; and
  • Excellent analytical and critical thinking skills and judgment; and ability to integrate diverse information from varied sources.

  • EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

    Bachelor's Degree, preferably in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism or a related field required; Master's Degree preferred. Five (5) years or more of increasingly higher-level related work experiences in the field of communications, journalism or public relations in the public or private sector required.

    CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

    None Required.

    SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

    Leads the day-to-day operations and supervision of the office staff.

    PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

    The physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, talk, hear, walk, sit, and use fingers, tools or controls. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision such as to read handwritten or typed material, the ability to adjust focus, and depth perception. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may occasionally push or lift up to 25 lbs.

    WORKING ENVIRONMENT:

    The work environment characteristics are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job.

    ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

    Work schedules may include evenings and weekends. Incumbent may be required to work beyond normal hours with little or no advanced notice. Drivers' License is required, inasmuch as there will be a need to travel to sites throughout the school district.

    Additional Details:

    Direct Deposit is expected as a condition of new hire employment.

    Based on the settlement agreement reached in Administrator, Wage and Hour Division, U.S. Department of Labor v. Prince George's County Board of Education, OALJ Case No. 2011-LCA-00026, PGCPS is ineligible to sponsor foreign nationals for U.S. employment under any temporary or permanent visa program. As a condition of employment, all applicants for employment must be qualified to work in the United States without sponsorship by PGCPS. If you are not work-authorized and would require PGCPS to sponsor you for a work visa you will not be considered for employment.

    How To Apply:

    To submit an application online select apply.


    Please provide three (3) current professional references on resume.


    Please complete ALL sections and provide applicable details to ensure full consideration. If you need assistance with submitting your application online, please contact the HR Employee Services Center at 301-780-2191.

    Appropriate accommodations for individuals with disabilities are available upon request.

    Minimum Salary:

    Maximum Salary:

    Currency:
    USD

    Shift Work Preferences:

    Certified Teacher?:

    Certification Subject Areas:

    Amount of Travel:

    Work At Home:

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