The Oneida-Herkimer-Madison (OHM) BOCES School Communications Service is seeking a Public Relations Specialist to provide customized communications and public relations support to public school districts in the OHM BOCES region.
Our award-winning team of Public Relations and graphic design professionals brings more than 145 years of combined professional experience to ensure our clients successfully inform and engage with their communities. We strive to be communication leaders for public education clients, advising school districts on creative, strategic, innovative and effective communication solutions and collaboratively implementing those plans.
Description:
Our Public Relations Specialists help our school district clients tell their stories and communicate more effectively with their communities. They support participating school districts by creating and updating print and digital communications solutions, maintaining district websites and social media platforms, and creating and conveying information in a variety of media that reaches target audiences.
Additionally, the Public Relations Specialist will be responsible for strategic social media planning, scheduling, coordination, implementation and management for both the OHM BOCES and the school districts participating in the OHM BOCES School Communications Service. This role requires the ability to develop and execute comprehensive social media strategies that align with districts' goals and initiatives, ensuring timely and consistent content delivery. The successful candidate will proactively manage social media accounts, monitor engagement metrics and adjust strategies as needed to optimize performance. This is a Civil Service position.
Responsibilities:
- Develop and produce a wide range of communications tactics and materials for both internal and external audiences, including but not limited to newsletters, brochures, calendars, news releases, news articles, presentations, etc.
- Publicize and distribute information about school district news, events, programs, services and facilities.
- Advance storytelling, awareness and strategic priorities targeting audiences of students, caregivers, staff, administrators and community members.
- Assist in explaining and communicating complex information related to school programs, policies and operations.
- Work with appropriate school district and/or BOCES staff to ensure content is consistent with communications strategies and plans.
- Plan, create and post engaging, relevant content that aligns with district goals across client websites and social media channels.
- Take and edit photographs to be used in publications and on the web.
- Establish and maintain positive relationships with school staff, local media and the public.
- Work collaboratively with PR and graphic design teams on logistics and assignments for design/photo/video etc.
Make a difference. Join our team!
As a Public Relations Specialist, you will be supported by a team of experienced PR colleagues working in similar roles throughout the region and a team of graphic artists who create dynamic, eye-catching content. You will routinely collaborate with the School Communications team to support all clients and accomplish communications projects and initiatives.
Our shared service model provides our clients with a depth and breadth of communications expertise that no single communications professional could provide alone.
Education:
- Graduation from a regionally accredited or New York State registered college or university with a Bachelor’s Degree AND one (1) year of journalistic, promotional or public relations experience; OR
- Satisfactory completion of a minimum of 60 semester credit hours from a regionally accredited or New York State registered college or university AND three (3) years of journalistic, promotional or public relations experience; OR
- Graduation from high school or possession of a high school equivalency diploma AND five (5) years of journalistic, promotional or public relations experience
- Civil Service Position
Requirements:
- Possession of an appropriate level, valid Driver's License at the time of appointment and must be maintained throughout appointment;
- Excellent knowledge of the principles and practices of journalism and public relations;
- Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills, including writing, editing and proofreading in Associated Press style;
- Excellent project management skills;
- Ability to read, interpret, analyze and summarize complex written documents;
- Ability to acquire a knowledge of school district operations and complex educational issues;
- Ability to establish and maintain effective and comfortable working relationships with others;
- Ability to work independently with minimal supervision as well as work effectively in a team setting;
- Ability to balance competing priorities and deadlines, show initiative and common sense, bring energy and flexibility in support of a team environment;
- Excellent knowledge of appropriate media sources for dissemination of information; and
- Broad understanding of traditional and social media platforms, and experience in web content writing and social media content creation.
Starting Date: As Soon As Possible
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $35,662 - $41,471.00 per year
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Retirement plan
