Digital Communications Specialist

Responsibilities

• The Digital Communications Specialist supports Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) by developing and executing strategic digital communications that highlight the division’s mission, vision, and accomplishments.
• This role manages ACPS’ social media platforms, two weekly newsletters (one for the school community and one for staff), and contributes to division-wide engagement initiatives.
• With a focus on increasing engagement, the specialist will actively tell the ACPS story by highlighting the achievements of students and staff on social media.
• The digital communications specialist also leads the development of the digital and printed Back-to-School Packet by convening staff as needed, updates the associated forms to ensure families receive critical information at the start of each school year, and tracks the completion rate of the packets.
• This role requires regular visits to schools to capture photos and videos of students, staff, and school activities, as well as attendance at evening and weekend events to provide communications support.
• The digital communications specialist is integral to ACPS’ mission of fostering an equitable and engaging learning environment for all students.
• This role supports the division’s strategic communications goals and ensures that ACPS’ story is told effectively across all digital platforms.
• This 12-month, Support position reports to the Assistant Director of Communications.
• Write and disseminate information to the public and school division staff via digital channels, including but not limited to social media, email, e-newsletters, digital graphics, and mobile apps.
• Develop and execute a comprehensive social media strategy to increase engagement and tell the ACPS story.

Requirements

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in public relations, mass communications or a related field.
• Experience: Two years of training and experience in public education and media relations work preferred
• Knowledge of digital communications best practices and principles, including but not limited to writing for the web, social media engagement, graphic design, photography, email design, marketing, and analytics.
• Proficiency with current technology for performance of duties, including digital communications platforms, social media platforms, analytics software, mobile phone apps, video editing, and graphic design software.
• Possesses an equity mindset, with the ability to adapt communications for a diverse audience and work with translated content.
• Excellent analytical and critical thinking and judgment skills.
• Excellent verbal, written, presentation and interpersonal communication skills.
• Considerable research and organizational skills, and the ability to manage several projects at once in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to develop a digital communications strategy and produce creative, effective and engaging digital communications content.
• Skillful in collaborating with colleagues across departments and developing digital communications as part of broader school division communications campaigns and goals.

Preferred

• Two years of training and experience in public education and media relations work preferred
• Proficiency with using Canva and the Adobe Creative Suite, including InDesign, Illustrator and Photoshop.