Communications Officer

Job Description:

The Communications Officer (Editorial) supports districtwide strategic communications efforts by identifying, planning, and generating news and feature story content for Atlanta Public Schools. The incumbent works closely with the video production, design, and social media teams; APS event planners; and vendors to produce clear, engaging content about APS for all audiences.

Working closely with school-level communication ambassadors, school and cluster administrators, and other key personnel across administrative departments, the incumbent is responsible for identifying and preparing messages as well as ideating and serving as a consultative thought-partner to help meet the communication needs of internal stakeholders.

The incumbent will be expected to write blogs, video scripts, web copy, pitches, feature stories, social media posts, informational bulletins, speeches, press releases, and a variety of other internal and external communications. The ability to quickly transform copy from overly wordy and drab/clinical to concise and compelling is paramount in this role.

The ideal candidate is organized with a keen attention to detail, is creative and flexible, can work effectively under tight deadlines, and is comfortable working independently or as part of a team.

Required skills:
- Expert-level copyediting and proofreading skills
- Ability to quickly produce high quality, audience-specific written content
- Advanced knowledge of Google apps, Microsoft Office Suite
- Email marketing (Constant Contact) and list management experience
- Working knowledge of social media, video/photography, website content management and all other components of a full-service communications department
- Transcribing experience preferred
- Organized with a keen attention to detail
- Excellent customer service skills
- Flexible and adaptable to changing priorities
- Comfortable in a deadline-driven environment
- Ability to effectively interact with all members of the communications team and the organization

The Communications Officer is expected to provide professional communications counsel as defined by the Executive Director of Communications. This position reports to the Director of Communications. This position requires occasional evening and weekend work hours and the ability to manage changing priorities in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.

Education: Bachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, English or related field (or equivalent experience) required.

Certification/License: Valid driver's license and availability of private transportation, or the ability to attend off-site events.

Work Experience: 2-4 years of full-time work experience (or equivalent) in an agency or in-house communications department; education communications experience preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities: Email marketing (Constant Contact) and list management experience; working knowledge of social media, video/photography, website content management and all other components of a full-service communications department; advanced knowledge of Google apps, Microsoft Office Suite

Essential Duties:

1. Identifies opportunities to highlight individual, school/department, and cluster accomplishments on a district level via multiple APS channels of engagement.
2. Documents programs and accomplishments that align with the district's vision and mission via multiple APS channels of engagement.
3. Provides training and consultative support to school-level communications ambassadors.
4. Attends district events on assignment, to provide communications support and story coverage.
5. Collaborates with the editorial team to maintain a year-round editorial calendar; ideates, prepares, and pitches story ideas for inclusion in the district editorial calendar; Collaborates with the other communication officers, design and video production teams to ensure successful implementation of communication plans.
6. Prepares talking points, remarks, and briefing papers.
7. Contributes to the production of communications materials needed for monthly Board of Education meetings.
8. Copy-edits and proofreads materials as assigned by the team's project coordinator, as needed.
9. Serves on the district's crisis communications team during school and district emergencies.
   Builds and sustains relationships with key education advocates.
   Provides monthly reports and tracking of key communications projects.
   Performs other duties as assigned by the appropriate administrator.
   Required to attend scheduled shift during regular business hours as mandated.