Specialist, Public Relations

PLEASE NOTE: Your application will expire one year from the time of submission. Please feel free to apply to any other positions for which you may qualify. Our team members enjoy competitive salaries, a well-rounded benefits package, generous paid time off (including 25 holidays, vacation, and sick leave), and an array of professional development opportunities. We're always looking to add to our team of more than 3,000 dedicated professionals who are leading online education worldwide with transformative digital solutions - personalized to every student. Job Posting End Date: Deadline to apply is 11:59 PM on 11-08-2026 Job Title: Specialist, Public Relations Contract Type: Employee Annual Salary: $52,621.00 - $104,190.00 (Support staff salary will be based on internal equity and experience) Location:

FL - HOME OFFICE

Job Description Summary: Our Mission is to equip students for success by developing and delivering highly effective digital learning through an intuitive online platform. FLVS does not discriminate in admission or access to, or treatment or employment in its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, marital status, disability, genetic information or any other reason prohibited by law. The Position: Position General Summary: The Specialist, Public Relations develops and executes content and public relations initiatives that strengthen the visibility, credibility, and reputation of Florida Virtual School (FLVS) and FlexPoint. Serving as a key member of the Communications team in the Marketing and Communications Department, this role creates compelling stories that highlight student achievement, teacher excellence, organizational impact, and educational innovation across multiple channels. The Specialist is responsible for researching, writing, editing, and publishing content, including news releases, feature stories, articles, award submissions, talking points, and other strategic communications materials. The role also supports media relations activities by monitoring media opportunities, developing pitches, coordinating interviews, maintaining media lists and coverage reports, and assisting with proactive earned media interviews. Working closely with organization leaders, subject matter experts, students, and staff, the Specialist identifies and develops stories that advance organizational goals and strengthen stakeholder engagement. The role supports FLVS and Florida Scholars Academy communications initiatives and provides support for national content and public relations efforts as needed. Essential Position Functions: Apply sound editorial judgment to identify and develop compelling story opportunities that highlight student achievement, teacher excellence, school programs, organizational initiatives, and educational outcomes while advancing organizational goals and resonating with key stakeholder audiences. Develop compelling content and storytelling initiatives that strengthen the visibility, credibility, and reputation of FLVS among key stakeholder audiences while providing backup support for FlexPoint content and public relations initiatives as assigned. Support media relations initiatives through media outreach, interview coordination, news release development, coverage monitoring, media reporting, and preparation of briefing materials, talking points, Q&As, and other spokesperson resources. Collaborate with organizational leaders, educators, students, families, and department stakeholders to gather information and develop accurate, engaging content. Partner with cross-functional teams to develop content for a variety of audiences and channels, including news articles, blog posts, thought leadership pieces, infographics, video scripts, executive communications, and other strategic communications materials. Collaborate with Communications, Marketing, Social Media, and Digital teams to maximize content reach, visibility, and engagement through coordinated distribution strategies. Monitor education, workforce, and industry trends to identify timely communications opportunities and support proactive storytelling efforts. Coordinate editorial planning activities, maintain content calendars, and support content prioritization aligned with organizational communications objectives. Publish and maintain content across designated digital platforms, including websites, blogs, and newsroom channels. Ensure content aligns with organizational messaging, brand standards, editorial guidelines, AP Style, and established communications best practices. Monitor content and media performance metrics and provide recommendations to improve engagement, reach, visibility, and communications effectiveness. Support strategic communications planning, issues management, crisis communications, and emergency response efforts during organizational initiatives, events, critical incidents, and emerging issues. Assist with local, state, and national award submissions, recognition programs, and other reputation-building initiatives. Provide backup support for FlexPoint content development, thought leadership initiatives, media relations, and public relations activities as assigned. Represent the organization at school, district, community, partner, and industry events as needed to gather content, conduct interviews, support media opportunities, and identify story opportunities. Serves as a member of the organization's Crisis Communications Team and is expected to support communications response efforts during emergencies, critical incidents, and other emerging issues. Employees in this role may be required to respond outside normal business hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, when necessary to ensure appropriate organizational communications coverage. Meet professional obligations through efficient work habits such as, meeting deadlines, honoring schedules, coordinating resources and meetings in an effective and timely manner, and demonstrating respect for others. All work responsibilities are subject to having performance goals and/or targets established. (These essential functions are not to be construed as a complete statement of all duties performed. Employees will be required to perform other job related duties as required.) Minimum Requirements: Education/Licensure/Certification: Bachelor's Degree in Marketing, Public Relations, Advertising, or Communications; or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience Preferred: Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) Experience: Three years of professional experience in public relations, journalism, communications, content marketing, media relations, or a related field. Experience writing for multiple audiences and communication channels. Media relations experience preferred. Experience in education, public sector, nonprofit, or mission-driven organizations preferred. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA's): Strong news, feature, and strategic writing skills. Knowledge of media relations principles and public relations best practices. Ability to interview diverse stakeholders and transform complex information into clear, compelling stories. Strong knowledge of AP Style and professional editorial standards. Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills. Ability to manage multiple projects, competing priorities, and deadlines in a fast-paced environment. Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality. Excellent organizational, planning, and time-management skills. Ability to work collaboratively with internal stakeholders, executives, educators, students, and external partners. Ability to exercise sound judgment and maintain professionalism when handling sensitive or confidential information. Ability to work independently, take initiative, and identify story opportunities. Familiarity with content management systems, digital publishing platforms, media monitoring tools, and analytics reporting. Understanding of content strategy, digital storytelling, and audience engagement principles. Proficiency in Microsoft Office and related workplace technology tools.

CORE COMPETENCIES FOR SUCCESS:

JOB KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

Team member carries out essential job functions with accuracy, engages in ongoing and relevant professional learning, applies new knowledge effectively, and demonstrates mastery of job-specific skills

PRODUCTIVITY

Team member produces high quality work, meets organizational and departmental deadlines, balances multiple responsibilities, manages time effectively, and seeks ways to improve processes and productivity

COMMUNICATION

Team member communicates clearly in written and verbal formats, collaborates effectively, demonstrates professionalism in all interactions, exhibits strong interpersonal skills, and contributes to a positive team and professional community

CUSTOMER FOCUS

Team member addresses the needs of internal and external customers, analyzes problems effectively, contributes to innovative solutions, seeks opportunities for improvement, and successfully adapts to change Physical Requirements and Environmental Conditions: Frequency of travel: Occasional travel is required throughout Florida to attend events; conduct interviews; gather content; capture stories; support media relations activities; and attend meetings, training sessions, conferences, and other organizational functions. Assigned locations vary and may require overnight stays. Ability to work occasional evenings or weekends to support events, media opportunities, emergency communications, or organizational initiatives. Light physical activities and efforts required while working in office, school, event, and conference environments. (Reasonable accommodations will be made in accordance with existing ADA requirements for otherwise qualified individuals with a disability.) Florida Virtual School