Communications & Community Engagement Specialist

The Communications & Community Engagement Specialist is responsible for building and promoting relationships with key audiences – staff, students, parents, and the community. This position ensures timely public awareness of District initiatives, successes and challenges through development, execution, and measurement of an integrated communications plan supporting the District’s Mission.

The Specialist will provide the public with information of interest in accordance with the law and School Board policies and procedures. Multiple media and metrics will be used to ensure timely and effective communications.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.

• Develop a comprehensive communications plan. 
• Create timely communications that focus on key messages and ensures understanding of plans and policies to build cohesiveness between stakeholders. 
• Assist in implementing the District’s Strategic Plan. 
• Manage the District’s Crisis Communication Plan that details effective procedures for communicating with the press and public during emergency situations. 
• Create and disseminate high quality communication for all District audiences (students, staff, parents, and community) through website, print material, and social media. 
• Spotlight students, faculty, and staff achievements. 
• Collaborate with the Webmaster to ensure that the District’s website design is intuitive and content is accurate, relevant, and up-to-date. 
• Prepare and administer the department budget. 
• Oversee the daily maintenance and growth of the District’s social media accounts such as Facebook and Twitter. 
• Create and lead efforts to ensure brand consistency for the District. 
• Create opportunities for community wide feedback and track results. 
• Monitor District mass communications for quality, consistency of message, and effectiveness. 
• Serve as liaison to community associations; seek positive relationships with business representatives, civic and cultural organizations, special interest groups, etc. 
• Act as spokesperson, when requested, for the District to provide timely responses to media inquiries. 
• Keep District Administrator informed of potential issues or unusual events. 
• Arrange and conduct training to improve communications (i.e. Board of Education, administrators, school-based administrative assistants, etc.). 
• Assist in interpreting statutes, Department of Education rules and programs, in addition to District policies and procedures as they relate to assigned responsibilities. 
• Maintain confidentiality regarding school/workplace matters. 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Demonstrated ability in effective oral and written communications utilized in public relations and various media platforms. 
• Ability to exercise initiative, strategic thinking, and judgment based on factual information. 
• Demonstrated ability to respond positively to the diverse needs of students, staff, parents, and greater community. 
• Strong knowledge of the Fort Atkinson community preferred. 
• Self-motivated and highly organized. 
• Ability to work a varied schedule (to include nights and weekends) to meet the demands of the position.

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, broadcast media, journalism, public relations, or related field. 
• Five years successful experience in communications, digital social media, public relations, journalism, public information management, and community relations (preferably in public schools). 
• Evidence of published communication and public relations materials to a broad range of audiences. including the use of metrics. 

**Equivalent combination of education and work experience will be considered.**

Compensation based on qualifications and experience. Extremely strong benefits package.