COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR

Communications Coordinator

The Louisiana Special School District (SSD) is a stand-alone education service agency that includes the Louisiana Special Schools (Louisiana School for the Deaf and Louisiana School for the Visually Impaired) and Special School Programs. The SSD provides educational services to students with low incidence disabilities and who are hard-of-hearing, deaf and/or visually impaired.

The LA SPECIAL SCHOOL DISTRICT is seeking applicants for COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR. This position will be located at the SSD Administration Position #50692177. This is an Unclassified - Exempt Position.

The Louisiana Special Schools do not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in our programs and activities, and we provide equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. Inquiries regarding non-discrimination may be referred to Human Resources Director. RELEASE OF ASSESSMENT AND EVALUATION INFORMATION: La. R.S. 17:3884(D) requires that any school board wishing to hire a person who has been assessed or evaluated pursuant to the Children First Act, La. R.S. 17:3871, et seq., whether that person is already employed by that school system or not, shall request such person's assessment and evaluation results as part of the application process. Please be advised that, as part of the mandated process, your previous assessment and evaluation results will be requested. You have the opportunity to apply, review the information received, and provide any response or information you deem appropriate.

There is no guarantee that everyone who applies to this posting will be interviewed. Specific information about this job will be provided to you in the interview process, should you be selected. To apply for this vacancy, complete an electronic application, which can be used for this vacancy as well as future job opportunities. Applicants can check the status of their application at any time by selecting the 'Application Status' link after logging into their account. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application. Applicants qualifying based on college training or receipt of a baccalaureate degree will be required to submit an official college transcript to verify credentials claimed prior to appointment. Please make every effort to attach a copy of your transcript to your application. The transcripts can be added as an attachment to your online application or faxed to View phone number on click.appcast.io. The selected candidate will be required to submit original documentation upon hire.

Physical Activity Level: The employee must be able to perform assigned duties without significant risk of substantial harm to his/her own safety/security and the safety/security of others. Some work is performed in physically comfortable positions with little or light physical effort, and some work requires moderate effort. Physical requirements are subject to reasonable accommodation in accordance with ADA standards.

Minimum Qualifications

• Baccalaureate degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing or related field from an accredited college or university.
• At least three years of professional level work experience in communications, public relations, marketing or related industry. Applicants with recent work experience in the required area(s) are preferred.
• A working knowledge of basic and advanced web-based technologies.
• Proficiency in the features and components of Microsoft Operating Systems and Microsoft Office
• Proficiency in Professional Suites in a networked environment.
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud Suite.
• Strong writing and communication skills
• Familiarity with new and emerging media and their marketing use.

Job Specification

The Communications Director is responsible for developing, implementing, and analyzing comprehensive communications and marketing strategies in order to strengthen awareness and understanding of the Louisiana Special School District. The incumbent must have the ability to think creatively, strategize thoughtfully, and work collaboratively. The role involves time and project management, as well as writing, design, and creative work. Both thought leader and implementer, the incumbent must keep an eye on the big picture while implementing tactics that build brand awareness, attract more qualified inquiries and applicants for enrollment, and encourage constituent loyalty in the form of retention and other strategies. The Communications Director reports to the Superintendent and sits on the Executive Leadership Team.

Job Duties and Other Information

• Leadership
• Act as brand evangelizer internally and externally. Develop and implement public relations/communication programs and plans for crisis situations for both ongoing and new programs within the agency or office
• Manage multiple projects under strict deadlines, balancing strategic and tactical plans.
• Counsel the agency's leadership in all matters of communication. Conduct regular public relations campaigns with assistance of top-level executive and administrative staff and agency media liaisons across the state and/or serve as web and electronic commerce administrator for the SSD.

• Strategy Development, Planning and Reporting
• Develop and integrated marketing plan that includes internal and external communications, outbound and inbound marketing, online and printed collateral, paid and organic social media.
• Maintain and analyze digital metrics, such as website traffic, email open rates, and social media figures; liaise with agency staff to understand quantitative and qualitative goals.
• Understand key audiences including internal and external parent communities
• Ensure that communication/marketing are inclusive of special education rules and regulations and accommodations needed for deaf and visually impaired stakeholders
• Demonstrate a significant understanding of the independent landscape of the SSD and how to position and strengthen the SSD brand.
• Comply with District policies, state laws, school philosophy and programs.

• Relationship Management
• Maintain a strong relationship with the Superintendent and Executive Leadership Team.
• Work collaboratively with school personnel and administrators to underscore the merits of the school's programs.
• Support the Superintendent as the primary chief-communicator and brand ambassador. This will also include being chief-communicator and brand ambassador for the special schools.
• Assist Superintendent to build relationships with parents and students to strengthen communication and foster community.
• Identify and pursue relationships with local press.
• Vet, hire and manage third-party agencies as necessary.

• Content Production
• Oversee the school's design and production of all marketing materials, including print and online collateral, paid and social media.
• Maintain best-in-class online presence, including public-facing website and social media.
• Develop content for placement in all of the above; this includes writing text; photography, taking and editing video.
• Write articles to enhance Public Relations, like press releases and articles for placement in education publications.
• Plan and execute all advertising campaigns, including web, email, social media, and print.
• Design, prepare and distribute e-Newsletters for current and prospective families.