Special Education Public Relations Specialist

  • Full Time
  • Salt Lake County, UT
  • $35.20 - $40.37 an hour USD / Year
  • Applications have closed
  • Salary: $35.20 - $40.37 an hour

State of Utah

Full Job Description
Job Description

 

This is newly created position in the special education section of the Utah State Board of Education (USBE). It is a full-time, benefitted position; time-limited to four years. It is a licensed-level job reporting to an Assistant Superintendent who serves as the State Director as Special Education. The Special Education Public Relations Specialist will work with stakeholders to create a five-year Communication and Channeling plan to increase parental access to information about special education programs and parental and educator access to information about meaningful inclusionary practices for students with disabilities. The Special Education Public Relations Specialist will be a member of the special education team and also work with the other teams across the agency to ensure that all USBE initiatives consider the need to improve meaningful inclusionary practices for students with disabilities.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIESFacilitate stakeholder engagement activities to inform a needs assessment of the special education programs in public education in Utah.
Develop a proactive communications strategy and channeling plan that addresses the needs assessment and improves parental access to information about special education laws, policies, and best practices, especially regarding meaningful inclusionary practices.
Provides strategic communications counsel and guidance to the Special Education section of the USBE.
Create an internal communications strategy to help engage and inform USBE staff
Cultivate and maintains strong relationships with state and national media; conduct outreach to the media across a wide variety of platforms.
Maintain and increase USBE’s presence on social media to reach key audiences.
Identify creative opportunities for Special education Section staff and other USBE staff to be represented in key media outlets and positioned as leaders in the field.
Work closely with the Special Education Leadership team to develop and promote a cohesive and compelling brand platform for the Portrait of Inclusion of Students with Disabilities in Utah initiative.
Oversee and coordinate the development of compelling, cutting-edge marketing collateral to raise the profile of USBE’s special education programmatic work.
Other tasks as assigned.

The Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate (or “best qualified candidates”) will possess:Bachelor’s degree in communications, communications-related field; or similar coursework.
Minimum of five (5) years’ experience in communications or communications-related field or a Master’s degree with a minimum of three (3) years’ work experience.
Creative and effective communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively across numerous media and platforms.
Exceptional writing ability with the ability to create dynamic, persuasive marketing collateral.
Knowledge of the full range of media platforms, with demonstrated success generating both online and traditional media awareness among key influencers such as bloggers, industry experts and news reporters.
Proven track record of responding effectively and strategically to high-profile media inquiries.
Demonstrated ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment, lead projects, meet multiple concurrent deadlines, organize time and priorities, and work well as a member of a team.
Disciplined and data-driven approach to decision-making with a sharp focus on metrics, outcomes and results.
An exceptionally high level of integrity, trust, accountability, and superior judgment to meet the needs of the Special Education Leadership Team.
Mature, professional demeanor and a commitment to continued professional growth.
Commitment to the mission of creating a public education system that creates the equitable conditions for each student to succeed.
Experience working with state or local education policy is preferred.
Experience with special education programs in Utah is preferred.
Preference may be given to candidates which have experience creating communication and channeling plans for education agencies and/or experience with the special education system in Utah.

Why You Should Join Our TeamThe Special Education section is a high functioning, highly motivated collaborative team focusing on improving outcomes for students with disabilities
The State offers a desirable benefit package and retirement plan as well as many other benefits to eligible employees.
Insurance:
High deductible option with no bi-weekly premium as well as employer contributions into a health savings account to help with out-of-pocket medical costs.
Traditional plan with a low cost bi-weekly premium.
Low premium cost for dental and vision insurance.
Retirement Options:
Employer contributions equal to 10-12% of your salary between both a pension and 401(k) plan or a 401(k) only plan.
Employer match of up to $26 per paycheck into your 401(k) on top of what you will already be receiving.
Paid time off:
Eligible employees may accrue 4 hours of annual leave and 4 hours of sick leave each pay period. (Annual leave accrual rate increases with years of service.
11 paid holidays.