Communications Generalist

SUMMARY: 

The Communications Generalist plays a key role in advancing Marquette-Alger RESA's brand and reputation through the strategic design, development, and dissemination of internal and external communications, marketing materials, and digital media content. This position writes, edits, and publishes compelling content that supports the Agency's strategic plan and drives the implementation of its communication and marketing initiatives. Leveraging storytelling, audience analysis, and multi-channel engagement strategies, the Communications Generalist recommends enhancements to the Agency's overall communication strategy and consults with staff to produce high-quality, on-brand materials that reflect a consistent voice and visual identity.

• Bachelor’s degree or its equivalent in Journalism, Marketing, Communications, or a related field.
• Prior marketing.communications and/or public relations experience.
• Excellent interpersonal skills to include courtesy, tact, and sound judgment in interactions with others.
• Outstanding verbal, written, and electronic communication skills.
• Social media management and marketing experience.
• Proficiency with software/applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Zoom, Google Suite, Publisher, Canva, and photo/video capturing/editing tools.
• Proven ability to prioritize, act independently, work under deadlines, and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a team environment, as a contributing member and project leader.
• Demonstrated knowledge of digital/social media use and best practices.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and accuracy in performing work.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Five (5) years of successful experience in the field of public relations, communications, or marketing.
• Experience in public education or other public entity/non-profit agency.
• Social media management and marketing experience.
• Expertise with capturing, analyzing, and utilizing online/social media data/metrics to inform communication strategy.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:  

• Support the Director of Human Resources and Communications in developing and executing the Agency's integrated communication and marketing initiatives.
• Champion and protect the Agency's brand, ensuring Marquette-Alger RESA is consistently presented in a positive, professional light across all audiences and channels.
• Develop and produce newsletters, brochures, news releases, media packets, and other marketing collateral aligned with brand standards and strategic messaging.
• Create and maintain high-quality written and visual content across digital channels, ensuring consistency in tone, style, and brand identity.
• Cultivate relationships with media outlets and coordinate earned media coverage of Agency events and programs.
• Capture photographs and videos at Agency events and programs for promotional materials and social media.
• Design media and press kits to support new program and service launches.
• Host, record, edit, and produce the Agency's podcast on a consistent publication schedule.
• Maintain the employee intranet with current, well-organized resources and internal communications for staff.
• Maintain and organize a digital asset library to support communication and marketing efforts.
• Design online and print marketing tools, including posters, email campaigns, and web graphics.
• Assist in establishing, implementing, and evaluating a comprehensive social media strategy that fosters engagement and raises awareness of Agency programs and services.
• Maintain a library of branded materials and promotional items for employee check-out.
• Manage the Agency's social media presence, maintaining a content calendar and publishing engaging visual and written content.
• Monitor social media for comments, reviews, tags, and mentions; coordinate timely responses aligned with policy.
• Analyze communication and social media metrics to evaluate performance and inform data-driven strategy.
• Provide marketing support for Agency products and services, including campaign development and promotion.
• Explore the development of a communication consortium for educational entities across the Upper Peninsula.
• Assist with initiatives to provide RESA-wide crisis communication support and messaging.
• Research innovative, strategic approaches to effectively reach various target audiences.
• Support and coach Agency departments and programs on brand consistency and media appearances.
• Produce agency newsletters including the EarlyOn Newsletter, the Agency's Quarterly Newsletter, the Lead Connection Consultant Newsletter, and the monthly staff newsletter.
• Produce a strategic plan dashboard and the Agency's Summary of Key Services report.
• Provide communication and marketing support to local school districts as directed.
• Serve as a brand steward and assist with website content management, ensuring information is accurate, current, accessible, and on-brand.
• Actively pursue learning opportunities and stay abreast of professional practices through organizations such as the Michigan School Public Relations Association (MSPRA).
• Manage and complete special communications projects as requested, and perform other duties as assigned.

OTHER KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Must demonstrate confidentiality and sound judgment in dealing with districts, staff, students, and operations.
• Ability to treat diverse populations and personalities with dignity and respect, deal with issues fairly, and act in a highly ethical manner. 
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment while maintaining flexibility in thinking and actions. 

SPECIAL CONDITIONS:

• Must keep the affairs of Marquette-Alger RESA and LEAs confidential at all times.
• Must uphold confidentiality of privileged and sensitive student/staff information.
• Requires occasional regional job travel using personal vehicle.
• Occasional overnight travel downstate for conferences and activities of professional organizations

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND ADA REQUIREMENTS:

• Regularly required to sit, use hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard and standard office equipment, and communicate verbally and in writing.
• Frequently required to stand, walk, reach with hands and arms, and occasionally stoop, kneel, and crouch.
• Occasionally required to lift and/or move objects up to 25 pounds (e.g., media equipment, printed materials, supplies).
• Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus for extended periods of screen-based work.
• Sufficient mobility to travel between agency sites and to attend off-site events, meetings, and conferences.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Work is primarily performed in a standard office setting with a moderate, typical office noise level.
• Regular use of computers, phones, standard office, and multimedia equipment.
• Occasional work at off-site locations, including schools, districts, and event venues.
• May require occasional evening or weekend hours to support events, deadlines, or crisis communication needs.
• Travel between regional sites and occasional overnight downstate travel is required.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT: Full time; 12-month position; non-union; Must have regular and reliable job attendance, performance, and the physical ability to do the job

REPORTS TO: Director of Human Resources and Communications

COMPENSATION: $58,315 - $71,720 / Grade 3 on Marquette-Alger RESA Non-Affiliated Salary Schedule

Marquette-Alger RESA does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, religion, sex, age, height, weight, familial status, marital status, military service, veteran status, genetic information, disability, or any other legally protected basis, and prohibits unlawful discrimination, including harassment and retaliation, in any education program or activity that it operates, including in admission and employment. Marquette-Alger RESA’s Non-discrimination, Anti-Harassment, and Non-Retaliation Policy, as well as the grievance procedure for reporting concerns or complaints, are available at  maresa.org/about-us/notice-of-nondiscrimination/ .