Anticipated, Public Information Assistant (12 Month) - DIST

Anticipated, Public Information Assistant

12 Month

District Wide, Central Office

DESCRIPTION

Public Information Assistant

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Public Information Assistant supports the district's communication efforts by creating content for, and the maintenance of, the district and school websites, updating social media channels, and assisting with the distribution of emergency alerts and district-wide announcements.

The role acts as a vital administrative resource, helping to draft routine community correspondence, format educational publications, and refer general inquiries from members of the school and larger communities to the appropriate administrator. Coordinate local media coverage of district and school events.

KEY DUTIES

1) Tactical Emergency & Crisis Communications

• Alert System Upkeep: Maintain, test, and update database rosters within the district's mass-notification system to ensure accurate student/staff/local community contact data.
• Emergency Dispatch Assistance: Input, format, and execute text, email, and robocall alerts across school platforms immediately upon the instruction of the Superintendent or designee.
• Crisis Logistics Support: Monitor real-time local news/social feeds during active emergency situations to report developments to the Superintendent or designee.

2) Daily Web Operations, Accessibility Technical Maintenance & Communication Platform Support

• District and School Webcurator Support: Act as the primary tier-1 technical support for district and school web curators, troubleshooting formatting issues, broken links, and site navigation errors.
• ADA Remediation Work: Review uploaded PDF documents, images, and videos across all PK-12 school websites to insert alt-text, close-captioning, and structural tags required for WCAG compliance.
• User Training and Onboarding: Conduct training sessions for school-based staff on how to properly update their school pages according to district digital guidelines.
• Communication Platform Support: Serve as a resource for staff members in their use of district communication platform(s): responding to staff inquiries; providing training for platform navigation and new feature implementation when necessary.

3) Multimedia Content Production & Digital Asset Management

• Field Photography & Videography: Travel across the district's PK-12 campuses to capture high-quality digital photos and videos of day-to-day academic programs, building operations, and student activities. Ensuring all subjects have appropriate media clearance.
• Technical Tutorial Production: Script, record, and edit short screen-capture video tutorials guiding parents through online registration, free/reduced lunch forms, and parent portal navigation.
• Digital Asset Archiving: Maintain a highly organized, secure, central digital media library, ensuring proper parental media-consent forms are verified before archiving files.

4) Board Meeting Production Logistics

• A/V Setup & Operation: Perform physical equipment setup (microphones, presentation equipment, mixers) and coordinate all televised Board of Education meetings placement on the internet.
• Exhibit Formatting: Standardize the layouts and digital formats of slides, budget charts, and public exhibits created by central office departments for board presentations.

5) Publication Layout, Documentation & Distribution

• Calendar Proofing & Layout: Gather localized school dates (PTO meetings, concert schedules, athletic events) and design the physical layout of the master annual district calendar.
• Handbook Formatting Assembly: Collate chapters, apply consistent typography styles, and format the digital layout of the PK-12 Student-Parent Handbooks under the Superintendent or designee's supervision.
• Portal & Form Optimization: Build and test digital fillable forms, survey instruments, and online submission portals used by the central administration for parent/community feedback.

6) Information Copywriting & Story Showcasing

• Feature Writing: Draft engaging, accurate articles highlighting student achievements, innovative classroom projects, and staff milestones.
• Newsletter Distribution: Assemble content, lay out graphics, and schedule the district's electronic community newsletter using email marketing platforms.
• Brand Identity Management: Oversee the development and evolution of the district''s visual and narrative brand, designing targeted marketing campaigns to increase public awareness, engagement, and alignment with core values and goals.
• Social Media Moderation: Draft standard posts for official district social media channels. Monitor social media engagement.

7) Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• An Associate''s Degree or higher in Communications, English, Journalism, Graphic Design, or a high school diploma paired with 3 years of professional experience in digital media, office administration, or public information. Business or secretarial courses and/or one (1) year of post-secondary training preferred.
• Proven capability to maintain and update school website platforms (such as Apptegy, Blackboard, SchoolMessenger, or Finalsite) ensuring compliance with federal ADA web accessibility standards.
• Proficiency with graphic design software like Canva or Adobe Creative Suite to format district flyers, newsletters, and handbooks.
• Experience navigating business suites for Facebook, Instagram, and X (Twitter) to post real-time updates and monitor community feedback.
• Experience using automated broadcast systems (like Apptegy, Honeywell Instant Alert or SwiftK12) to distribute text and email alerts during school closures or emergencies or as needed.
• Exceptional written communication skills with a heavy emphasis on copyediting and proofreading to ensure error-free public statements under tight deadlines.
• Compliance with the NJ FIRST Act
• Successful Criminal History Clearance
• Proof of U.S. Citizenship or appropriate employment authorization
• Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the Board may find acceptable.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bilingual/Multilingual

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT & COMPENSATION

12 - Month Contract. The salary range for this position is $50,000 - $75,000. Salary and benefits as determined by the Board of Education and any applicable and collective negotiations agreement. Compensation will be commensurate with experience and education.

BENEFITS

For full time staff include:

• Medical, dental and prescription insurance
• Personal and sick days
• Flexible spending account (FSA)
• Paid holidays

The information contained in this job description is reviewed and approved by the Board of Education and may be modified as district and state requirements evolve. This job description does not constitute a written employment contract.

ANNUAL EVALUATION: Performance is reviewed annually in accordance with NJ State law and the provisions of the Board of Education policy on evaluations for certificated staff.

TECHNOLOGY SKILLS: Ability to be proficient in computer applications pertinent to support the position, including but not limited Google Suite, Genesis Employee Portal and Student Information System.

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT STATEMENT:

External and internal applicants, as well as employees who become disabled, must be able to perform the essential functions listed on this job description either unaided or with reasonable accommodation. The Franklin Township School District shall determine reasonable accommodation on a case-by-case basis in accordance with applicable law, in the event such a determination becomes necessary.

The Franklin Township School District is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. The district does not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.