] Office of Human Resources - Montgomery County Public Schools

OFFICE OF HUMAN RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT → CLASSIFICATION → COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST II, HISPANIC OUTREACH AND ENGAGEMENT

Sorted by job title: A - C | D - H | I - Q | R - Z

Communications Specialist II, Hispanic Outreach and Engagement

MONTGOMERY COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS CLASS DESCRIPTION
OFFICIAL TITLE: Communications Specialist II CODE: 5501 SQ/OQ: Optimal Qualified
WORKING TITLE: Communications Specialist II, Hispanic Outreach and Engagement GRADE: 24 MONTHS: 12
SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF CLASSIFICATION: Under direction of the director of public information, plans, organizes, and implements communications strategies, particularly focused on engaging the Hispanic community, utilizing electronic, print, video, and social media resources. Work includes establishing and maintaining relationships with local and national Hispanic media and serving as a spokesperson for Montgomery County Public Schools with the media and our large and growing Hispanic community. Applies skill and artistic judgment in creating, writing, editing, reviewing, and modifying content; scriptwriting, interviewing, producing and editing video and audio productions; assisting in determining news coverage. Develops letters, notices and newsletters, along with creating and maintaining web pages. Is fluent and proficient in analytics across social platforms and webpages. Provides oversight, management and training of systemwide social media guidelines for MCPS staff. Supports the director of public information with general English language media products, productions and informational requests, crisis communications, as well as work in support of the overall short and long-term goals of the school district and the Department of Communications.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATION STANDARDS
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Full professional proficiency in English and Spanish (ILR Level 4+). Excellent public relations, interpersonal, human relations, oral and written communication skills required. Knowledge of and ability to maintain collaborative relationships within the Hispanic community, including media, local government, community organizations and community individuals; ability to work and plan both independently and collaboratively while completing assignments in a timely and efficient manner, frequently under pressure and deadline requirements, and during crisis events. Knowledge of publication design, editing, and production. Knowledge of and ability to use website and social media content management system, Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint, and to manage multimedia assets, such as video. Skilled at handling multiple projects and reacting quickly to communications needs. The ability to develop materials and communication tools that enable a clear and consistent message to be disseminated. The ability to utilize multiple communication mediums to disseminate and convey information to diverse stakeholder groups.
EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE: Bachelor's degree required, with preference given to journalism, news reporting, broadcast, online or multimedia journalism. Master's degree preferred. Minimum of four years of experience in media relations, including on-camera presentations and interviews. Successful experience writing, scriptwriting, and editing in English and Spanish. Extensive experience collaborating with community and civic organizations and groups and elected officials. Other combinations of applicable education, training and experience, which provide the knowledge, abilities, and skills necessary to perform effectively in the position, may be considered.
CERTIFICATE AND LICENSE REQUIREMENTS: None
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: (Special requirements such as lifting heavy objects and frequent climbing.) As required by the duties and responsibilities of the job.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: (Frequent overtime or night work required, etc.) Overtime may be required to meet deadlines. Occasional evening and weekend events. Some local travel required.
OVERTIME ELIGIBLE: No

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

(The duties listed are typical examples of the work performed by this job classification. This is not an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements and does not limit the assignment of additional related duties for the position. Not all duties assigned are included, nor are all duties listed performed in every office or every day.)

1. Serves as a spokesperson for Montgomery County Public Schools with the media and our large and growing Hispanic community.

2. Assesses need for, plans, creates, coordinates and evaluates communication strategies, tactics and channels to improve communications, with particular emphasis on strengthening engagement with the Hispanic community.

3. Leads and manages training of systemwide social media guidelines for MCPS staff.

4. Participates in the production of general English language media products, productions and informational requests, and crisis communications.

5. Actively and collaboratively supports the overall short and long-term goals of the school district and the Department of Communications through engaging office and district leadership, advising and reporting relevant information, and producing materials for a wide variety of stakeholders.

6. Serves as the primary webmaster for the MCPS Spanish website. Updates Spanish website pages with new content on a regular basis. Writes and edits web content using web publishing software (such as Tron and Optimizely).

7. Hosts weekly news update in Spanish; writes and edits scripts.

8. Maintains all MCPS Spanish language social media channels.

9. Creates news packages in Spanish and English for MCPS TV and the MCPS website, including news gathering, script writing, and interviewing.

10. Produces and edits video and audio productions.

11. Working closely with the senior community advisor, assists and leads various MCPS offices in communications efforts and/or events aimed at engaging Hispanic parents and community.

12. Initiates, plans, and coordinates events for Hispanic media representatives.

13. Establishes relationships with and works with Hispanic media outlets to ensure timely coverage in print and electronic media.

14. Maintains and expands knowledge of new developments in social media.

15. Develops and maintains project plans and calendars.

16. Performs related work as required.
Class Established: 5/2023
Date(s) Revised:
Last Reviewed:

This description may be changed at any time.