Job Description

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES

Administers the school division’s School and Community Relations efforts including, but not limited to, communications, media relations, publications, marketing, special events, family and community engagement, community partnerships and engagement, public information, the website and e-communications, web and multimedia design services, AETV video production and editing, the Volunteers and Partners in Education Programs, and Printing Services; provides leadership and support to schools and departments as they work to engage students, families, employees, and the community and build effective relationships; provides administrative oversight for the Student Registration Office and Language Services; serves as the spokesperson for the school system; serves as a member of the Superintendent’s Cabinet; and provides leadership for the Office of School and Community Relations.

SUPERVISION

Work is performed under the administrative direction of the Superintendent. Supervision is provided to staff assigned to communications, media relations, family and community engagement, community partnerships and engagement, volunteer and partnership programs, special events, web and multimedia design services, AETV video production and editing, student registration, language services, printing services, and related functions; and a variety of consultants, contractors, and other personnel supporting the work of the office.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is a single, mission-essential, senior administrative position with system-wide responsibilities affecting all areas of the division and its diverse population. The position serves as a member of the Superintendent’s Cabinet and provides leadership and administrative oversight for the Office of School and Community Relations and its communications, media relations, family and community engagement, community partnerships, volunteer and partnership programs, special events, web and multimedia design, AETV video production and editing, printing, student registration, and language services functions.

The position requires broad knowledge of public education, communications, community relations, family engagement, public information, and school division operations, as well as the ability to manage multiple functional areas with significant division-wide impact. The position regularly advises the Superintendent, School Board, Senior Staff, and other division leaders on matters affecting the public image, communication, engagement, accessibility, and delivery of services of Arlington Public Schools.

The position represents the Superintendent and the school division at School Board meetings, School Board work sessions, community meetings, public forums, and other official events and activities as assigned.

GUIDELINES

School Board Policies, Policy Implementation Procedures, various web and digital communications guidelines, public relations and communications guidelines, professional media and communications standards, FOIA regulations, applicable federal and state laws and regulations, student registration requirements, language access requirements, and instructions and guidance from the Superintendent and School Board.

CONTACTS

School administrative staff, supervisors, Senior Staff and School Board; students and families; community and parent/teacher organizations; local print, broadcast, and digital media; business leaders; community partners and organizations; local, state, and national school, communications, public relations, media, community engagement, registration, and language services leaders and organizations; county and state officials; vendors; contractors; and members of the general public.

The position has regular contact with the Superintendent and members of the Superintendent’s Cabinet and participates in School Board meetings and work sessions.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

(May not include all duties performed.)

Advises the Superintendent, School Board, Superintendent’s Cabinet, Senior Staff, directors, supervisors, principals, and other administrators on a variety of public relations, communications, community relations, family engagement, community partnership, student registration, language access, media relations, and other issues affecting Arlington Public Schools.

Serves as a member of the Superintendent’s Cabinet and participates in division-level planning, decision-making, and discussions regarding matters affecting the school division.

Provides support and leadership for all media relations, community relations, family and community engagement, and crisis communications; serves as the chief spokesperson for the school system; handles media inquiries; and collaborates with Division Counsel on Freedom of Information Act requests.

Represents the Superintendent and Arlington Public Schools at School Board meetings, School Board work sessions, public forums, community meetings, and other official events and activities as assigned.

Provides leadership and administrative oversight for the Office of School and Community Relations and coordinates the division's communications, public information, community engagement, family engagement, community partnerships, volunteer and partnership programs, special events, web and multimedia design, AETV video production and editing, and related services.

Coordinates efforts to provide a full range of communications programs designed to create and maintain accurate and favorable public relations for the school division, both internally and for the community at large.

Directs the development and distribution of informational brochures, publications, digital communications, multimedia materials, and other informational resources; publicizes news, activities, programs, and accomplishments of the schools and school division.

Provides counsel and support to individual schools and programs to help them meet their communications objectives and enhance their family and community engagement efforts.

Provides leadership and oversight for family and community engagement initiatives designed to increase meaningful participation and strengthen relationships among schools, families, and the broader community.

Develops and maintains relationships with community organizations, businesses, civic organizations, and other external partners to support school division priorities and student success.

Oversees the Volunteers and Partners in Education Programs and coordinates efforts to recruit, engage, and maintain volunteers and community and business partnerships.

Plans, coordinates, and oversees division-wide special events, community forums, public forums, meetings, celebrations, and other activities designed to inform and engage students, families, employees, and community members.

Provides administrative direction for the division's website, e-communications, and other Web-based communications and ensures that information is accurate, accessible, timely, and consistent with established standards.

Provides leadership and oversight for Web and Multimedia Design Services, including the development of digital, graphic, and multimedia materials supporting school and division communications.

Provides leadership and oversight for AETV video production and editing, including the development, production, editing, and distribution of video content supporting school division communications, public information, educational programming, and community engagement.

Coordinates e-communications for schools and the district via email, text messages, social media, websites, and other Web-based communication platforms.

Collaborates with local, state, and national agencies as needed to ensure effective communications with internal and external audiences and the media on community, regional, and/or school-based emergencies.

Coordinates community forums, public forums, and community meetings regarding current issues in the school system; coordinates APS participation in community festivals, fairs, forums, and events.

Oversees the planning and management of school division special events including dinners, receptions, open houses, groundbreaking and dedication events, staff recognitions, community celebrations, and other countywide activities.

Manages and oversees the work of vendors, consultants, contractors, and community partners related to communications, public relations, media, community engagement, special events, web and multimedia design, video production, printing, and other functions of the office.

Provides administrative leadership and oversight for the Student Registration Office, including processes designed to provide timely, equitable, accessible, and effective registration services to students and families.

Provides administrative leadership and oversight for Language Services, including programs and services designed to support effective communication and meaningful access to APS programs and services for students and families who require language assistance.

Ensures coordination among communications, student registration, language services, schools, and central office departments to improve the accessibility, consistency, and effectiveness of information and services provided to students and families.

Monitors federal, state, and local requirements affecting student registration, language access, communications, and public information and provides guidance to senior leadership regarding compliance and operational implications.

Provides leadership in identifying and addressing barriers that may prevent students and families from accessing information, registration, language services, and other APS programs and services.

Supports efforts to ensure that information regarding APS programs, services, policies, and procedures is accessible and understandable to students, families, employees, and community members.

Responds to requests from the community and other outside groups related to the distribution and posting of non-school materials in schools; filming requests by independent film groups; requests for meetings with local, national, and international visitors; and other community-related inquiries.

Evaluates the effectiveness of communications, family and community engagement, community partnerships, registration, language services, digital communications, multimedia services, and other

functions of the office and recommends improvements to policies, procedures, systems, and practices.

Plans, coordinates, and evaluates the activities of the Office of School and Community Relations and directs the work of assigned staff.

Performs related duties as required or assigned.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Broad knowledge of public relations, media relations, communications, marketing, family and community engagement, community outreach, community relations, and community partnership practices and strategies.

Comprehensive knowledge of federal and state laws, regulations, and directives pertaining to governmental public information, student registration, language access, and public education.

Comprehensive knowledge of multimedia, digital communications, Web-based communications, video production, and multifaceted community-oriented communication strategies and techniques.

Thorough knowledge and understanding of national, state, and local issues and events affecting public education.

Knowledge of effective family engagement strategies and practices and the development and maintenance of community and business partnerships.

Knowledge of student registration processes, enrollment practices, and requirements affecting access to public education.

Knowledge of language access practices and strategies for effectively communicating with families from diverse linguistic backgrounds.

Ability to exercise tact and diplomacy when dealing with media representatives, students, parents, teachers, principals, representatives from the business community, government officials, community partners, and the general public.

Ability to perform research and prepare publications, promotional literature, digital communications, multimedia materials, reports, and other informational resources.

Ability to effectively gather, organize, analyze, and disseminate information and data and effectively and persuasively speak at public functions.

Ability to work effectively in a culturally and linguistically diverse setting.

Ability to project and present a favorable and professional image of the school division.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the Superintendent, School Board, school personnel, students and families, media representatives, community groups, local businesses, government representatives, community partners, vendors, contractors, and the general public.

Ability to provide leadership and direction across multiple functional areas with division-wide impact.

Ability to analyze complex issues, develop recommendations, and exercise sound judgment in matters affecting the school division.

Ability to effectively manage multiple priorities, projects, and initiatives.

Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with a wide range of internal and external audiences.

MINIMUM EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE

A master's degree in communications, public relations, marketing, school administration, public administration, education, or a related field, plus extensive experience in public education, public relations, communications, community relations, family engagement, or a related field; or any equivalent combination of education and experience that would provide the above noted knowledge, skill, and ability.

LICENSE/CERTIFICATION

Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) or equivalent professional certification preferred.

PHYSICAL ATTRIBUTES

Requires the ability to sit, stand, walk, bend, stoop, reach, and manipulate standard office equipment.

Requires the ability to use a computer and other technology for extended periods and to communicate effectively in person, by telephone, and electronically.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

HAZARDS / UNUSUAL DEMANDS

Work is generally performed in a standard school administration and office environment with no unusual physical hazards.

Work requires regular attendance at evening and weekend meetings, community events, school activities, public forums, School Board meetings and work sessions, special events, and other division-sponsored activities.

The position may require extended hours and work under periods of high stress in response to emergencies, crises, significant community issues, media inquiries, public events, or other matters requiring immediate attention.

The position regularly involves sensitive, highly visible, and potentially controversial issues involving students, families, employees, schools, and the community and requires a high degree of discretion, tact, diplomacy, sound judgment, and professionalism.

This is a confidential, annual-contract position within Arlington Public Schools.

GRADE: P-19

FLSA: Exempt

UNION: N/A Confidential

This is a confidential, annual-contract position within Arlington Public Schools.

Salary will be based on the FY 2026-27 salary schedule: $150,280 - $246,314

Arlington Public Schools is an Equal Opportunity Employer

It is the policy of the Arlington School Board, as stated in Policy G 2.30, Employee Relations – Equal Employment Opportunity - that “Employment opportunities shall not be restricted, abridged or otherwise adversely affected on the basis of race, national origin, creed, color, religion, gender, age, economic status, sexual orientation, national origin, marital status, genetic information, gender identity or expression, and/or disability.”