Communications Director

Description

Idaho Department of Education

This position is exempt from classified state service and the rules of the Division of Human Resources and the Idaho Personnel Commission.

Please note: Applications will be accepted through 4:59 PM MST on the posting end date.

The Idaho Department of Education (Department) is dedicated to serving and providing common-sense leadership, support, and resources to educators across the state. The knowledge, skills, and experience of the Department’s employees are among our most valued and important assets. Employment with the Department provides a rewarding career that positively affects the lives of children in Idaho. To learn more, please visit our website at http://www.sde.idaho.gov/.

This position develops, executes, evaluates, and manages a comprehensive outreach and communications plan for the Idaho Department of Education. This position manages the communications team that executes this plan. The Communications Director serves as lead media spokesperson and consistently advises the Superintendent and the leadership team on strategic communications issues. This position also serves on the Superintendent of Public Instruction’s leadership team to support and advocate for the Superintendent’s agenda and to support Idaho’s schools and students.

Responsibilities

• Acts as the formal spokesperson and lead media liaison for the Department of Education and the Superintendent of Public Instruction. Oversees the Public Information Officer, who plays a supporting role in media outreach.
• Works with Superintendent of Public Instruction and leadership team to develop short-, medium- and long-term outreach plans that help achieve department and office goals.
• Supervises Communications department staff, including hiring, providing guidance, facilitate communication and cooperation between staff and other departments; and evaluating staff; mentor and develop staff using a supportive and collaborative approach.
• Establishes standards, goals, priorities, operational plans, and policies and procedures for effective communications and Department branding.
• Cultivates and enhances meaningful relationships with education partners including those in local school districts, state-level trade and advocacy groups, policymakers and others.
• Plays a central role in working with external stakeholders to develop and execute statewide initiatives that support Idaho K-12 public education.
• Serve as the Department and officeholder liaison to local school district communication staff, as well as other communications professionals in education.
• Oversees production of the weekly e-newsletter.
• Staffs the Superintendent at meetings and events, as needed. These may fall outside of the regular workday.
• Handles communication involving unforeseen circumstances requiring research, writing, editing and speaking.
• Develops and approves Department advertising and special-issue campaigns.
• Oversees photography at Department events or other events; serves as photography point person, as necessary.
• May hire and oversee the work of external consultants and vendors for special products.
• Oversees Department’s response to Public Records Requests; supports the Public Records Specialist, as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.
  
  

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university in journalism, public relations or a closely related field preferred, including strong academic credentials.
• 5+ years’ experience in a communications role.
• Considerable knowledge of news media organization, structure and ethics, journalistic techniques, terminology, and style.
• Good knowledge of audiovisual production, photography, and layout.
• Good knowledge of supervisory practices; experience as a supervisor.
• Experience developing public information policies; advising management of public impact of policy and its changes; managing major public information projects; writing news releases and speeches for management and others.
• Experience conducting journalistic research; editing and proofreading technical articles; writing, editing, marketing, and providing information succinctly.
• Knowledge of traditional print, online and broadcast media.
• Possess above average interpersonal and communication skills.
• Organizational skills and ability to work on a deadline.
• Experience with public speaking and speaking before the media.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule.
• Experience in taking an idea from concept to reality.
  
  

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: (Extra consideration will be given)

• Knowledge of the hierarchy of schools and school districts, and the organizational structure of the State Department of Education or comparable state agencies.
• Experience with the legislative process.
• Experience in project management.
  
  

Travel Required

This position requires travel up to 10% of the time, depending on number of meetings and events required, as well as staffing the Superintendent.

Benefits

The State of Idaho offers a robust total compensation package, including medical, vision, and dental insurance; PERSI retirement benefits; paid sick, vacation, and parental leave; and 11 paid holidays per year. For additional information related to benefits and/or State programs, please visit https://dhr.idaho.gov/StateEmployees/Benefits.html.*

Additional Benefits Include

Vesting in the Public Employee Retirement System of Idaho (PERSI): All employees of the Idaho Department of Education are non-classified. They are appointed by the elected official and serve at the pleasure of the elected official. As such, employees working at a non-classified agency are considered vested in the PERSI retirement system after five (5) consecutive months of service, versus five (5) years of service at a classified agency.

Tuition Fee Waiver: All Idaho Department of Education employees in permanent full-time positions may register for instructional courses during any academic period, at any participating state funded institutions of higher education, for a $20.00 nonrefundable registration fee per semester and $5.00 per credit hour charge.

To Apply

To apply for this position, please submit1.) a customized letter of interest, 2.) a resume, and 3) a list of three professional references.Attach the resume to your online application. Insert your letter of interest and references into the space provided in the questions section of the application.

Your letter of interest should specifically address how your education, training and work experience meet the responsibilities, qualifications, and required skills of the position. A writing sample, such as a letter of interest, provides an opportunity to evaluate your writing skills as well as your ability to demonstrate you meet the qualifications of the position. Your resume must clearly support the information provided in your letter of interest. A resume does not substitute for a letter of interest. Applications that do not include a letter of interest will not be accepted.

Eeo/Ada/Veteran

The State of Idaho is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on their race, color, religion, political affiliation or belief, sex, national origin, genetics, or any other status protected under applicable federal, state, or local laws.

The State of Idaho is committed to access and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities, auxiliary aids and services are available upon request. If you require an accommodation at any step in our recruitment process, you are encouraged to contact (208) 334-2263 (TTY/TTD: 711), or email [email protected].

Preference may be given to veterans who qualify under state and federal laws and regulations.