Public Relations & Communications Officer
- Exempt
Primary Function
Under the direction of the superintendent, the public relations & communications officer (PRCO) serves as the principal advisor providing comprehensive and proactive communications, strategies and planning, media relations, and news analysis for the division. The PRCO is responsible for all York County School Division (YCSD) communications, including but not limited to, publications, media relations, public-facing and internal web platforms, social media, the division television station, and all electronic communications platforms, including email and telephone notification systems.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor's Degree in communications, public relations, journalism, or related field.
- At least five years’ experience in public relations, education-related experience, project management and supervisory experience preferred.
- Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) preferred, but not required.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Advanced skills in writing and editing.
- Experience in planning, implementing, evaluating and budgeting internal and external public relations programs.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
Performance Responsibilities
- Responsible for the development, coordination, and implementation of the School Board strategic plan.
- Communicate and represent the District’s vision and perspective internally and to the general public/community, as designated by the Superintendent.
- Manage public communications and the division’s brand through well-developed internal communications, public affairs, crisis communications, and marketing plan and strategy.
- Serves as information liaison between the school system and the community.
- Serves as liaison between the division and the news media and acts as division spokesperson.
- Develops communications plans and procedures for division initiatives and programs.
- Recommends and employs effective communications methods, including video and social media, to meet division public relations needs.
- Writes and produces division communications, both paper and electronic, and reviews and edits all division communications which will be disseminated to the general public.
- Assists in the production of multimedia presentations.
- Provides professional development for division departments and staff on topics relating to public relations and communications.
- Oversees the utilization of division emergency email and telephone notification systems.
- Manages department budget and staff members.
- Acts as division manager of all aspects of programming for school television channel.
- Coordinates responses for division Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests.
- Supervise the York Foundation of Public Education Liaison.
- Attends all public meetings of the School Board.
- Serves on division committees and facilitates discussions, as needed.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Position Type: Exempt
Reports to: Superintendent
Terms of Employment: Twelve months a year. Salary according to School Board Pay Plan.
Evaluation: Performance on this job will be evaluated in accordance with School Board policy and administrative regulations on evaluation of non-licensed personnel.
Revised: 9/23/2023