Reporting to the Head of School, the Communications Specialist helps to develop and implement consistent, integrated, high-quality communications for staff, the larger Northwest School for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Children (NWSDHH) community and broad public. This role collaborates with the Head of School and the other staff to ensure that content related to NWSDHH, its reputation, messages and priority initiatives are well communicated and promoted, and that communications plans and strategies support and advance the NWSDHH mission and core values. The Communications Specialist also helps maintain the tools, processes and systems necessary for a robust communications function, and ensure their appropriate use. Lastly, this role uses insight, strong listening skills, sound judgment and innate curiosity to effectively represent the school in a multitude of forums and formats.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Consistently develops compelling, timely multimedia content for a range of platforms, including Social Media, working in close collaboration with the Head of School and/or her designee.
Proactively seeks out content generation opportunities, and consistently creates content that includes news and feature stories, event coverage, people profiles and data snapshots.
Edits and reviews content generated by teaching staff and other stakeholders, and helps educate them on the importance of—and processes to ensure—NWSDHH standards and brand integrity.
Provides editorial guidance and technical support to staff on a range of communications activities (including content development, production of materials, presentations, events, brand integrity, use of communications tools and vehicles, and style guide alignment) to ensure clear, effective communications that consistently meet NWSDHH communications standards.
Educates staff and Board of Trustees on the role and value added of communications in supporting the NWSDHH mission and work.
Supports strategic communications initiatives, including development and implementation of projects.
Helps to build and maintain a communications and social media content calendar for the school.
Tracks communications activities and reports on these activities to the Head of School.
Consistently evaluates communications vehicles to ensure that efforts are effectively achieving communications goals, and recommends improvements.
Represents NWSDHH to a range of stakeholders, media and audiences.
Assists in documenting and archiving key school activities and stories—for content development purposes and to ensure future access to that content.
Serves as photographer as needed.
Actively participates in performance improvement activities and actively participates in advocacy activities that support the mission of NWSDHH.
Performs other duties on an as-needed basis.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Bachelor’s degree in English, journalism, liberal arts or a related field, or equivalent

Experience

Successful applicants must have at least three years of experience applying communications skills in a corporate, government, institutional or nonprofit setting.

Skills

Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate thoughts and complex ideas clearly and succinctly
Attention to accuracy and detail, strong organizational skills and follow-through
Ability to juggle multiple projects and deadlines
Ability to decode complex language and subject matter, tease out what is relevant and present it clearly for a lay audience
Experience with design and print production preferred
Reporting and/or copy-editing background preferred
Proficiency with Constant Contact and other newsletter email platforms
Understanding of and experience with social media
Ability to navigate complex situations and creatively problem solve
Ability to work in sensitive situations with utmost discretion and maintain confidentiality
Resourcefulness and initiative
Ability to nimbly adapt to changing needs
Sense of humor
Naturally inquisitive and curious
Culturally sensitive working with staff, students and families from diverse backgrounds
Quick study and eager learner

Required experience:

Communications Experience: 3-5 years

Experience writing about deaf education a plus

Bilingual, Spanish-English a plus

NWSDHH provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, NWSDHH complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

How to apply

Send resume and cover letter to Liliana Grip at l.grip@northwestschool.com.

No phone calls, please.