CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER

at  Caldwell County Schools

NATURE OF WORK

The Chief Information Officer, under the direction of the Superintendent and in conjunction with senior leadership, plans, develops, and implements the school district’s public relations and public information programs, organizes and prepares public information, serves as a communication lead for the school district, and disseminates school district information using all available resources. The Chief Information Officer provides management and expertise in the development and implementation of internal and external communication regarding all aspects of the district’s public information program. The Chief Information Officer manages effective media, community, and public relations and facilitates public information and community relations activities, events, and projects, inclusive to internal and external communications. The work of the Chief Information Officer is intended to promote district, school, and student success by building community support and confidence in the Caldwell County School District.

MINIMUM TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s Degree in Education, Journalism, Public Relations, or other related field.
• Experience in website design, social media, marketing, and public speaking.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative and tactful working relationships with employees, the public and media.
• Ability to speak effectively before a variety of audiences.
• Ability to handle communication activities during crises.
• Ability to write reports, news releases and related data in a creative, clear and concise manner for broad public appeal as well as specialized audiences.
• Knowledge of current issues and legislation affecting public education.
• Knowledge of fundamental principles of public relations and organizational marketing techniques.
• Knowledge of administrative and managerial components of school operations.
• Knowledge of fundamentals of writing, proofreading, composition, story layout, design, and production of mass media communications.
• Knowledge of legal mandates and policies, regulations and guidelines pertaining to the distribution of news and public information.
• Knowledge of desktop publishing techniques and applications.
• Knowledge of Caldwell County Schools Strategic Plan, CCS mission, core values, vision, goals and implementation strategies as well as School Board policies and procedures.
• Ability to express ideas effectively, both orally and in writing, and to make effective oral presentations before groups of people, including ability to develop and present training.
• Ability to utilize time effectively and prioritize tasks.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships; as well as to work effectively as a member of a high-functioning team.

• Plan, direct, and coordinate all public information and activities including contact with media outlets and messaging on social media and district website
• Create and direct the implementations of a comprehensive communications plan for the school system.
• Co-manage the school system’s crisis preparation and response work and communication associated with it.
• Initiate and distribute press releases including “news coverage” articles associated with school system activities.
• Work with a team to initiate, manage, and maintain positive messaging through all media and social media channels and outlets and the district website.
• Work with school system personnel to develop the school system’s strategic plan, surveys, and other data collections instruments to promote effective and efficient work.
• Lead and direct quality-based initiatives for the school system including but not limited to parent-teacher advisory groups, volunteers, Project Graduation, Hall of Honor, and teacher-associate advisory groups.
• Serve, along with the superintendent, as the spokesperson for school system matters.
• Initiate, direct, and manage all promotional and advertising efforts of the school system.
• Work with departments across the school system to promote work, carry out relevant position-related tasks, write reports and other materials for successful accomplishment of goals.
• Collaborate with school system staff to collect and disseminate accurate and timely information regarding school system policies, programs, activities, and events.
• Coordinate and direct school system podcasts, television shows, and other school system outreach/messaging.
• Work with school system staff to create and publish content to promote instructional and support students and staff.
• Facilitate digital photography and video recordings for school system events, edit, and prepare content for distribution through a variety of channels and platforms.
• Respond to requests, inquiries, complaints and concerns from the public, students, faculty/staff and other stakeholders and direct those to the appropriate person.
• Assist with the monitoring and responding to federal, state and local policy activities related to public education.
• Speak directly with the public and media to address public education matters, speaking on behalf of the school system and Board of Education.
• Facilitate all advertising, promotions, publicity and public outreach activities as well as manage contracts for advertising, sponsorships and other promotional activities.