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Communications and Media Specialist

Young World Physical Education, Vicksburg, MS, United States


Communications and Media Specialist
Vicksburg-Warren School District, Vicksburg, Mississippi

Job Details
Job ID: 5647600

Application Deadline: Posted until filled

Posted: Apr 15, 2026 5:00 AM (UTC)

Starting Date: To Be Determined

Job Description
Title: Communications/Media Specialist

Reports to: Director of Communications/Superintendent

Job Goal: Serves as the District's chief media person and as an intermediary between school administrators/officials and media professionals in order to provide information on district and school initiatives, activities, policies, and operations.

Supervisory Responsibilities: Develop, direct, and oversee the day to day operations of the District's Public Information and Public Relations.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Works with the Superintendent to establish and maintain best practices in regard to departmental procedures for media relations

Responds to media requests for information and facilitates media interviews with district personnel

Oversees public records requests, providing timely and complete responses to requests for information pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)

Plans, creates, coordinates and evaluates communication strategies and channels to improve communications

Maintains an effective and efficient flow of information to internal and external stakeholders

Writes news releases and prepares information for the Superintendent

Arranges press conferences and facilitates interviews with School Board members, district administrators, and other school personnel

Develops and distributes the VWSD e‑mail newsletter

Maintains the District Activities Calendar

Provides "The Leader In Me" training

Attends all School Board meetings to provide information to the media and to facilitate interviews with School Board members and district officials

Develops a comprehensive marketing plan to support the district's communications goals and Strategic Plan

Works with district and school staff to create strategies and communications tools using all communication media

Identifies key communicators in the community (business and civic leaders, Chamber, local government, etc.) and develop ongoing partnerships to support marketing efforts

Develops and implements guidelines to ensure consistency of "brand"

Oversees the print shop and Channel 16

Researches trends in education for the purpose of creating story ideas with a Vicksburg Warren School District focus that can be pitched to media outlets

Coordinates communications and logistics within the Office of Communications and with other VWSD offices and schools

Assists in the planning and execution of events

Assists in the communication of district goals to the community

Assists in disseminating information and coordinating publicity for district events

Develops and maintains the school district's media resources - Website, Facebook, Twitter, Let's Talk, etc.

Compiles media clips for dissemination to district personnel

Coordinates with Emergency Management and the district's head of safety as needed

Performs other related duties as required

Education and Experience
Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with experience in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Marketing, or related field or its equivalent in years of experience.

Qualifications
Demonstrated ability to work with stakeholders including families, governmental agencies and the business community.

Language Skills
Ability to respond to inquiries or complaints. Ability to write speeches and articles for publication that conforms to prescribed style and format. Ability to effectively present information to top management, public groups, and the school board.

Physical Demands
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, reach, bend and sometimes lift up to 25 pounds. Mobility skill are necessary to access a variety of work locations.

Other Skills
Ability to interpret and an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables. Must keep accurate, up-to-date records.

Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Classification Under FLSA
Exempt

Terms of Employment
12 monthly (240 days)

Salary
Position Type: Full-Time

Salary: $55,841 Per Year

Job Requirements

At least 1 year(s) of relevant experience preferred.

Bachelor degree preferred.

Citizenship, residency or work visa required.

Contact Information

Leah Hunter, Director of Communications

All departments and schools

Phone: 601-534-2017

Email: leah.hunter@vwsd.org

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