Director, Special Projects and Community Engagement

Director, Special Projects & Community Engagement

Reports to: Executive Director, Strategic Communications

PC: 22787-2

Duty Days: 239

Pay Grade: 405

Salary Range: $97,569 - $117,552

FLSA Status: Exempt

Position Purpose

The Director of Special Projects and Community Partnerships leads strategic efforts to foster strong, lasting relationships between Fort Worth ISD and its families, staff, students, and community members. Priority 2 of the FWISD Strategic plan focuses on improving Business and community partnership programs to support schools, volunteer and parent-teacher organization participation and two-way communication tools and resources to support family engagement and partnerships. This role is responsible for designing and delivering meaningful experiences and facilitating community partnerships that reflect the district’s values and support the goals of the strategic plan. Through thoughtful planning, outreach, and collaboration, the Director ensures events and engagement initiatives are inclusive, well-executed, and aligned with FWISD’s mission to educate all students for success. This position supervises the Volunteer Specialist and the Communications & Engagement Coordinator.

Essential Job Functions

• Support and or lead the planning and implementation of district-wide events (Convocation, Graduation, Gold Seal Expo, New Teacher Academy, FWISD Awards, Prek/Kinder Roundup, Student Recognition events, State of the District, Groundbreaking, Ribbon-cutting ceremonies, etc.)
• Support the planning and implementation of programs that engage community members, including Ambassador Programs, Principals for a Day, Over 65 community programs, Legacy Committee, Adopt-A-School, Realtor Tours and other district programs that connect FWISD to the community.
• At the direction of the Executive Director of Strategic Communication, manage event logistics, including venue selection, catering, décor, audiovisual needs, schedules, scripts, seating charts, registration lists, name tags and other materials as needed.
• Support the district’s volunteer engagement efforts, including helping to manage the volunteer database and recruitment.
• Facilitate partnerships with local service providers to expand access to mental health, housing, vision, and other critical services.
• Collaborate on strategies to increase sponsorship opportunities by engaging corporate partners and community organizations to support district events and initiatives.
• Help develop promotional materials such as invitations, brochures, event programs, social media posts, and press releases in collaboration with the communications team.
• Assist with pre-event publicity efforts to drive attendance and post-event reporting to highlight successes.
• Research trends in event planning and community engagement to recommend innovative approaches for improving programs and initiatives.
• Work closely with other communications team members to ensure cohesive messaging across all platforms, including print, digital media, and other channels.
• Provide on-site event support during evenings or weekends as needed.
• Provide consultation on special projects as needed by other departments or district staff.
• Serve as the lead on the district’s mass notification system (Parentlink and ParentSquare), managing the system’s effectiveness, ensuring messages are shared effectively and by providing training and reports to staff.
  
  

Safety

• Performs preventive maintenance on tools and equipment, ensuring they are in a safe operating condition.
• Follows established safety procedures and techniques to perform job duties, including lifting and climbing, and operates tools and equipment according to established safety procedures.
• Corrects unsafe conditions in the work area and promptly reports any conditions that are not immediately correctable to the supervisor and appropriate authorities who can rectify issues.
  
  

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Selects, trains, supervises, and evaluates staff, and makes recommendations relative to assignment, retention, discipline, and dismissal.
  
  

Personal Work Relationships

• All Fort Worth ISD employees must maintain a commitment to the District’s mission, vision, and strategic goals.
• Exhibits high professionalism, standards of conduct and work ethic.
• Demonstrates high quality customer service; builds rapport/relationship with the consumer.
• Demonstrates cultural competence in interactions with others; is respectful of co-workers; communicates and acts as a team player; promotes teamwork; responds and acts appropriately in confrontational situations.
  
  

Other Duties As Assigned

• Performs all job-related duties as assigned and in accordance to the Board rules, policies and regulations. All employees are expected to comply with lawful directives in rare situations driven by need where a team effort is required.
  
  

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Uses surveys, attendance metrics, and engagement data to assess the success of events and inform future planning.
• Skill in written and oral communication skills, including the ability to interact with and influence all levels of central office and campus staff, as well as parents.
• Demonstrate awareness of district-community needs and initiate activities to meet those needs.
• Develop trusted relationships with a team of cross-functional leaders to implement a district-wide engagement strategy that supports FWISD.
• Ability to build and maintain transformational relationships with community leaders and external partners, while cultivating positive and productive collaboration.
• Demonstrated ability to work with various internal and external stakeholders.
• Communicate effectively, verbally and in writing, with the Board of Education, school administrative staff, outside agencies, the public, and news media, demonstrating tact, and diplomacy.
• Creates and implements a consistent feedback loop with stakeholders to solicit input to assess the progress of district engagement strategies and uses information to improve strategy implementation.
• Manage the database and background check process for all district volunteers and provide volunteer opportunities for families and the community.
• Able to manage multiple campaigns and deadlines while maintaining high-quality output.
• Ability to exercise discretion regarding matters of a sensitive or confidential nature.
• Ability to organize and coordinate work under pressure, meet tight deadlines, and proactively resolve issues.
• Ability to engage in self-evaluation concerning performance and professional growth.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with others contacted in the course of work.
  
  

Travel Requirements

• Travels to school district buildings and professional meetings as required.
  
  

Physical & Mental Demands, Work Hazards

• Tools/Equipment Used: Standard office equipment, including computer and peripherals; communications and marketing equipment, including digital/video camera, microphones/speakers, and props for events.
• Posture: Prolonged sitting and standing; occasional stooping, squatting, kneeling, bending, pushing/pulling, and twisting.
• Motion: Frequent repetitive hand motions, including keyboarding and use of mouse; occasional reaching; frequent walking.
• Lifting: Occasional light lifting and carrying (less than 15 pounds).
• Environment: Works in an office setting, may require occasional, irregular, and/or prolonged hours.
• Attendance: Regular and punctual attendance at the worksite is required for this position.
• Mental Demands: Maintains emotional control under stress; works with frequent interruptions.
  
  

Minimum Required Qualifications

• Education:
• Bachelor’s degree from accredited college or university in Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, or a related field required.
• Certification/License: None.
• Experience: 6 years’ work-related experience in project management, non-profit, public relations, communications and large-scaled event planning.
  

Insurability Requirements For All Drivers

• Must be at least 21 years old.
• NO positive drug or alcohol tests, including pre-employment, random, post-accident, or reasonable suspicion.
• Driving and accident record:
  
  

Valid Texas Department of Public Safety Driver Record Check Type 3A-Certified list of all crashes and violations http://dps.texas.gov/DriverLicense/driverrecords.htm

NO more than 2 violations during the previous 36 months, including:

• moving traffic violations (including no more than one preventable accident);
• Failure to provide proof of a valid driver's license or proof of insurance;
• equipment violations.
• NO Driving Under the Influence (DUI) for drug or alcohol.
• NO leaving the scene of an accident (bodily injury or physical damage).
• NO vehicular assault, manslaughter, or homicide.
• NO operating a vehicle with a suspended or revoked driver's license.
• NO reckless driving, speed contests, drag racing, or highway racing.
• NO use of a vehicle in the commission of a felony.
• NO operating a vehicle without the owner's permission (unauthorized use or grand theft).
• NO permitting an unlicensed person to drive.
• NO speeding more than 20 mph over the posted speed limit.
• NO history of a conviction in a commercial or personal motor vehicle.
• Additional restrictions may apply if directed by FWISD's Fleet Insurance Carrier.
  
  

This document is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job and is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties that may be assigned or skills that may be required.