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Public Relations Specialist

Employer
Washoe County School District
Location
Reno, NV, US
Salary
Competitive
PUBLIC RELATIONS SPECIALIST

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION
Under the general direction of the Chief Communications and Community Engagement Officer, and in coordination with the Chief Capital Projects Officer and the Director of Government Affairs, this position is responsible for engaging internal and external audiences and the community at large with the relevant and important information regarding the utilization of Capital Projects funding to build, renovate and repair WCSD schools and other buildings.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
• Ensures the school district fulfills its obligation to our community's schools and other buildings by providing internal and external audiences with accurate and timely information through key messaging and using appropriate communication tools.
• Oversees the development of communication strategies and effective messaging so staff, school partners, government and the broader community understand the capital needs, planned and completed projects at each school and the school district as a whole.
• Works with and manages a cross-functional team of senior district leaders to develop communication activities and engagement efforts.
• Schedules activities designed to open avenues of authentic two-way communication with all stakeholders, works to increase public understanding and support for District activities and objectives.
• Identifies, addresses, and recommends solutions to problem areas raised by the community, produces and distributes fact sheets, photographs, flyers, brochures related the district's capital needs to keep the community informed of accomplishments and District priorities.
• Monitors program performance.
• Recommends and implements modifications to systems and procedures as appropriate.
• Appears before special interest and civic groups.
• Plans and arranges presentations regarding capital needs.
• Develops survey instruments.
• Conducts surveys as appropriate.
• Interprets and records survey results.
• Implements program changes in response to results.
• Coordinates and facilitate meetings between citizens, public and private sector representatives.
• Works closely with the Superintendent, Director of Government Affairs, Chief Capital Projects Officer, and school principals dealing with complex issues and strategies around the provision of information to stakeholders and the community at large specifically on the school district's capital needs.
• Represents the school district in the community through meetings, presentations and both social and traditional media.
• Responsible for developing strategies, communication plans and the coordination and provision of information regarding capital funding.
• Responsible for attending legislative committee meetings related to capital needs and being an active participant in discussions pertaining to capital needs.
• The position provides support for the Board of Trustees, Superintendent, and the Leadership Team on gathering information and preparing effective and compelling communications on a variety of WCSD issues.
• Serves as the staff liaison of school naming committee.
• This position manages a marketing budget which involves budgeting, planning, forecasting and monthly reporting.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education/Experience: Any combination of education/experience that could likely provide the required knowledge in qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and skills would be:

Education: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in marketing communications, public relations or a related field.

and

Experience: Five years of experience in marketing communications and/or public relations is essential.

Licenses/Certificates: None.

OTHER JOB REQUIREMENTS
• Experience of making public presentations and taking complex information and distilling it into communications all stakeholders can understand.
• Experience working with a variety of traditional and forward thinking marketing communications techniques including: branding and messaging to different target audiences.
• This position may require some flexibility around work schedule.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Ability to read, write, and speak Spanish preferred.

COMPETENCIES FOR SUCCESSFUL PERFORMANCE OF JOB DUTIES
Knowledge of/ Skill in/Ability to:
• Ability to understand and communicate the technical nature of capital projects, funding, bidding and fund allocation and translate that for the community to understand and motivate active support.
• This person must have the ability to work with little supervision, make strategic decisions around messaging and community engagement.
• An understanding of advocacy and the legislative landscape of the state and Washoe County is needed.
• The Washoe County School District operations.
• A broad knowledge and understanding of community issues and dynamics.
• Understands community engagement best practice and the tenants of effective communication using a wide range of communications tools including traditional and social media, online communications and website.
• Understand aspects of district and school capital projects.
• Development and implementation of marketing plans.
• Working with advocacy efforts and an understanding of state and local government.
• Media relations and the ability to understand the broader impact of a media relations strategy.
• Ability to organize, plan, and set priorities.
• Ability to maintain confidentially and ethical standards.
• Ability to work cooperatively with management, staff, and the public.
• Ability to translate complex and technical subjects into language appropriate for the intended audience.
• Ability to do editorial checking for spelling, punctuation, and grammar.
• Ability to determine procedures for handling unique administrative problems.
• Ability to meet deadlines and to effectively prioritize work assignments and manage multiple priorities and projects.
• Ability to deal tactfully and diplomatically with people.
• Ability to work independently, quickly and cooperatively under pressure.
• Energetic outlook and commitment to WCSD's Vision, Mission and Core Beliefs and an acceptance of change.
• Budget management including budgeting, planning, forecasting and monthly reporting.

WORK ENVIRONMENT/CONDITIONS
The work environment and exposures described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The environment involves everyday risks or discomforts that require normal safety precautions typical of such places as offices, meetings and training rooms, libraries, residences, or commercial vehicles, e.g., use of safe work practices with office equipment, avoidance of trips and falls, observance of fire regulations and traffic signals. The work area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here 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.

The work is sedentary. Typically, the employee sits comfortably to do the work. However, there may be some walking; standing; bending; carrying of light items, such as paper, books, or small parts; or driving an automobile. No special physical demands are required to perform the work.

THIS JOB SPECIFICATION SHOULD NOT BE CONSTRUED TO IMPLY THAT THESE REQUIREMENTS ARE THE EXCLUSIVE STANDARDS OF THE POSITION. INCUMBENTS MAY BE REQUIRED TO FOLLOW ANY OTHER INSTRUCTIONS, AND TO PERFORM ANY OTHER RELATED DUTIES AS MAY BE REQUIRED BY THEIR SUPERVISOR.

The Washoe County School District is committed to providing a safe and respectful learning and working environment for all students, staff, and visitors. The District prohibits bullying, cyber-bullying, harassment, sexual harassment, and/or discrimination based on an individual's actual or perceived race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, veterans or military status, marital status, disability or the presence of any sensory, physical or mental handicap in any of its educational programs/activities and employment, or in any program or activity conducted or funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The District prohibits discrimination against any youth group listed in Title 36, as a patriotic society, (i.e. Boy Scouts of America) from access to public school facilities use.

Internal Job Number: 2019-20-P1900053

Salary:
Annual salary: $63, 905 (entry step)

Salaries are subject to adjustment and may increase and decrease each fiscal year. New employees hired by the Washoe County School District are normally placed on the entry step of the grade of the position.


Range/Grade: 27

Additional Job Information:
This position is open for eligible transfer applicants and simultaneously open to ALL applicants.

Interested applicants may apply online at http://www.washoeschools.net/ by completing an Administrative application and attaching a resume and letter of interest to your online Administrative application, or by updating an existing Administrative application by the closing date of the posting. Applications must be linked to the job posting to be considered.

The Washoe County School District pays an additional legislatively-designated amount to the Public Employees Retirement System on behalf of the employee for retirement benefits. No retirement contribution is made by the employee.

New employees will be fingerprinted upon hire and every five years thereafter and will have $58.50 deducted from their first paycheck to help defray the cost of fingerprinting. Non-licensed employees will have $58.50 deduction when their fingerprints are completed every five years. Fingerprint fees are subject to change.

Please be advised there is a 90-day waiting period for insurance benefits. Benefits are paid by employees at a prorated percent for those working less than full time.

Any applicant who would like to request a reasonable accommodation in any step of the selection process should contact the Human Resources at (775) 348-0321.


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