Digital Media Specialist

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Primary Location
Central-42 West Madison Street (Communications Office)

CPS Non-Union Job Grade : S06

Estimated Annual Salary Range
54,000.00 - 77,500.00

Position Type : Non-Union Position

Overtime Status
Exempt

Final salary offers are dependent upon candidate qualifications.
JOB DESCRIPTION ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is a district on the rise, serving over 325,000 students in 500+ schools and employing over 45,000 people, most of them teachers. CPS has set ambitious goals to ensure that every student, in every school and every neighborhood, has access to a world-class learning experience that prepares each for success in college, career, and civic life. Aligned with our transformed philosophy, we are steadfastly focused on ensuring that the District provides resources equitably to support every student, every school, and every community. Six core values guide the work we do every day for our students - student-centered, whole child, equity, academic excellence, community partnership, and continuous learning. Each role in the district supports our vision that every student deserves a rigorous, joyful, and equitable learning experience.

The Office of Communications promotes the District's vision, mission, activities, and priorities, as well as aids schools by promoting their work and assisting in crisis situations through a full range of tools, channels, and strategies designed to engage key internal and external stakeholders.

Job Summary:
Reporting to the Director of Digital Communications, the Digital Media Specialist serves as a primary social media content producer for the Office of Communications. This role focuses on capturing, producing, and publishing compelling digital content that highlights the achievements of students, teachers, principals, and school communities. By aligning multimedia production with modern digital trends, this role helps drive the district's daily social media presence and storytelling efforts year-round. This is a full-time, exempt position that will be paid for time worked on a salary basis.

The Digital Media Specialist will be held accountable for the following responsibilities:

Acts as a core content producer and publisher for the team by assisting the Senior Social Media Specialist with writing, scheduling, and monitoring organic posts across all District and CEO social media channels

Works closely with the Senior Social Media Specialist to develop, maintain, and execute the district’s content calendar and publishing schedules

Contributes to team ideation, storyboarding, shot schedule, production and editing of high quality videos and photos on digital and video platforms while meeting deadlines; Keeps content aligned with current social media trends and pacing

Works directly with the Senior Social Media Specialist to deliver compelling, highly shareable multimedia content tailored to the specific demographics of each social media platform

Supports the internal video production process adhering to project schedules, honoring deadlines, and communicating proactively to digital team members on all aspects of production including critical milestones, deliverables, and due dates; Ensures all video assets are optimized for social media algorithms, aspect ratios, and platform-specific formats

Helps with the shot set up for on-location and in-studio video production including camera, lighting, audio, and directing subjects

Supports with event setup including configuring and troubleshooting multiple video cameras, microphones, sound systems, multi box, cables, livestream set-up, production etc.

Contributes to the post-production processes and research sources for photos, video, and music, exports audio for transcription, makes transcript highlight recommendations, and uploads final files to YouTube and internal filing system

Contributes to the video asset management processes, organizes and ingests video footage, attaches metadata, creates and maintains systems for both archival and new assets

Other duties as assigned

In order to be successful and achieve the above responsibilities, the Digital Media Specialist must possess the following qualifications:
Education Required:
Bachelor's Degree in Visual Arts, Film, Digital Production, photography, or similar discipline from an accredited college or university, required

Experience Required:
Minimum of three (3) years of professional experience in video filming and editing and photography, with a comprehensive portfolio of relevant digital work

Experience filming in HD with either a video camera or high-product DSLR

Other Requirements:
Access to reliable transportation to travel to-and-from events across the city, required; Valid driver's license, preferred

Must be able to lift 50 lbs. in order to support loading A/V gear to-and-from events when assigned

Bilingual in English and Spanish or English and Polish, preferred

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Ability to self-manage multiple photo and video projects and deadlines at once

Ability to evaluate current social media trends and translate them into relevant content for the district, with the agility to pivot tactics based on real-time performance data

Ability to effectively use traditional digital equipment (HD cameras and video cameras) and/or cellular phones for content creation

Strong attention to detail

Ability to brainstorm and develop creative content ideas that align with established communication strategies and meet specific campaign deliverables

Ability to think creatively and strategically on ways to connect with various CPS stakeholders and grow the district’s digital presence

Proficient in Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn, as well as social media management platforms such as Sprout Social

Proficient in working in a content management system such as WordPress and/or Epi

Proficient in Google Workspace tools including Docs, Sheets, and Slides

Demonstrated high level competency in Adobe Suite (Photoshop, Premiere Pro, Elements, Lightroom, Illustrator)

Excellent written and oral communication skills

Ability to work collaboratively with others and implement feedback on various projects

Ability and willingness to learn and enhance skills and technique while helping others in the virtuous teaching cycle

Health & Wellness: Your Care, Your Choice
CPS is committed to providing comprehensive health coverage to our employees and their eligible dependents. You'll have access to a variety of choices to best fit your needs:

Medical Plan Options

Pharmacy

Vision

Behavioral Health & EAP

Employee Wellness Program

Financial Security: Planning for Today and Tomorrow
We understand the importance of financial stability, which is why CPS offers strong retirement and savings options:

Basic Life Insurance

Life and Disability Insurance

Pension Plans

Supplemental Retirement Plans (403(b) and 457(b))

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)

Spot Pet Insurance

Work-Life Balance: Supporting Your Personal and Professional Life
CPS values the well-being of its employees and offers competitive paid time off policies:

As a condition of employment with the Chicago Public Schools (CPS), employees are required to:

Establish/Maintain Chicago Residency - Employees are required to live within the geographic boundaries of the City of Chicago within six months of their CPS hire date and maintain residency throughout their employment with the district. The Chicago residency requirement does not apply to temporary/part-time positions; however, all CPS employees must be residents of Illinois.

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