Communications Coordinator

Communications Coordinator

Position Description: The Communications Coordinator is responsible for carrying out the communications strategy of Jefferson Parish Schools. S/he is responsible for managing and maintaining the district website, social media channels, and regular internal newsletters; overseeing and supporting a team of webmasters to manage school and department web

pages and social media channels; creating and distributing regular internal and external content; building communications capacity among school and district staff; and assisting the Director of Communications with regular media relations and other communications needs. S/he is driven by the district’s mission of providing the education our students deserve to succeed in life and make our world a better place. S/he supports the district’s six strategic priorities, which are:

1. Provide safe, healthy, and modern schools

2. Hire, grow, and keep the best teachers

3. Hire, grow, and keep the best leaders

4. Use a robust curriculum with aligned assignments

5. Ensure access, equity, and opportunity

6. Partner with families, community members, School Board members, agencies, and other stakeholders

Reports to: Director of Communications

Scope of Responsibility:

Website

● Plan, develop and monitor content for the district website with a keen understanding of website design and layout for a seamless end-user experience

● Support school and district-level web managers in developing and maintaining their web pages to ensure consistent branding across all of the district’s owned pages

● Develop strategies to increase website traffic to key campaigns and uses Google Analytics to provide recommendations for improved communications

● Manage the district’s relationship with Blackboard, its website vendor, driving website best practices and scheduling regular support and training seminars for school and district-level web managers

● Conduct content audits to eliminate outdated, redundant or duplicate information

● Work with the technology department to maintain website infrastructure and ensure efficient technical performance

● Create and/or facilitate creation of website-based online forms and surveys for district and school staff

● Maintain a current understanding of website best practices

Social Media

● Develop, implement and manage the district’s social media strategy across all accounts, including Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter

● Create compelling social media content utilizing industry best practices and audience insights to drive engagement

● Monitor all social media account activity on a daily basis, monitors comments and private messages, providing excellent customer service in a timely and appropriate manner

● Ensure schools and the district follow district social media policies

● Analyze social media key performance indicators (KPI’s) to ensure page performance tracks towards department goals

● Collaborate with internal departments to develop and execute impactful social media campaigns

Content Creation

● Utilize all content creation tools including photo, video, written articles and graphics to tell stories about our students, educators, schools and district in a meaningful, fun, and relevant way

● Ability to visit schools, departments, etc. and create and distribute content without any additional assistance

● Develop relationships with school leaders and staff to consistently be kept aware of school events, awards, and honors, and highlight school stories through various digital communications

● Serve on the video production team for board meetings and other special projects as assigned by the Director of Communications

Newsletters

● Lead the editorial direction for the district’s monthly external newsletter, The Jefferson Journal

● Produce Administrators Update and District Download newsletters and other internal communications as needed

Media Relations

● Provide media relations support including drafting and distributing press/photo releases and responding to media queries

General

● Provide excellent internal communications support to school and district-based staff

● Consistently deliver high quality products under tight deadlines and successfully manage own projects through strong organization, detailed work plans, and balancing of multiple priorities

● Must be available after hours and on the weekends for events and emergency communications

● Maintain a high quality of customer service including but not limited to answering phone calls, emails, and communicating with people

● Perform other duties as assigned by the Director of Communications

Skills and Qualifications:

● 3+ years of experience in web and social media management, online communications development or online journalism

● Bachelor’s Degree (required)

● Familiarity and experience with district and school‐level operations (preferred)

● Familiarity with website Content Management Systems (CMS)

● Analytical mind with an understanding of Search Engine Optimization and website layout for a seamless user experience

● Proficiency with current technology and tools for multi‐platform communications

● Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly and effectively with various internal and external stakeholders using multiple mediums

● Outstanding writing, editing, and proofreading skills and familiarity with the Associated Press style

● Exceptional analytical and problem‐solving skills, with an ability to use quantitative and qualitative data to make decisions and recommendations

● High degree of professionalism with the ability to manage multiple competing priorities while consistently demonstrating sound judgment and disciplined thinking

● Ability to be visionary and strategic is essential

Physical Involvement:

Must be able to operate office equipment. Standing, walking, reaching, bending, and lifting up to 10 pounds is required.

Compensation:

JP Schools offers a competitive salary that is commensurate with experience. JP Schools also offers a competitive benefits package.