Public Information Officer

The Public Information Officer is responsible for providing timely and relevant information about the school division through media relations activity and public relations to build trust through open communication with media, staff, families and the public.  

Roles and Responsibilities

The following information describes the overall nature and scope of the work being performed. This is not a comprehensive listing of all responsibilities or tasks; work may differ and other work may be assigned when deemed appropriate.

• At the direction of the Chief Communications and Community Engagement Officer, serves as the official spokesperson for Loudoun County Public Schools. 
• Develops and maintains constructive working relationships with the members of the news and communications media serving as a contact and resource for information; researches, writes, and supervises distribution of news releases and coordinates press conferences.
• Writes and edits various content pieces including division-wide communications, the summary of School Board meetings, fact sheets, and assists with newsletters, and reports.
• Provides crisis and incident communications management including drafting public-facing messages, acting in consultation with schools about community messaging, and provides issues-management advice to the Chief Communications and Community Engagement Officer and Superintendent. 
• Supervises communications coordinator who assists with crisis communication and issues management.
• Regularly collaborates with local law enforcement or area agencies on incidents that require communication to the community. 
• Serves as a VFOIA officer, fulfilling FOIA requests in a timely manner.
• Supports School Board meetings and other meetings where media attendance is expected. 
• Coordinates media attendance at schools and events, including promoting events for coverage, and devises media credentialing processes. 
• Advises on LCPS regulations related to communicating with stakeholders and the public.
• Produces the LCPS podcast. 

Qualifications

Below are the minimum qualifications for this job. Equivalent combinations of education and experience are also acceptable.

     Education   

     Bachelor’s degree in Journalism or a related field

     Experience

     Five or more years of professional experience in public relations, advertising, marketing, film/video production, or journalism

     Licenses and Certifications

     NA

     Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrated strong knowledge of effective principles and techniques of journalistic writing and editing 
• Demonstrated experience in crisis communications management
• Demonstrated experience as a spokesperson 
• Ability to write effective informational materials, including interviewing subjects to create stories and media releases
• Demonstrated experience to work under pressure and multi-task, coupled with the ability to create outstanding work with frequent interruptions and multiple priorities
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office and Google Suite 
• Demonstrated effective project management skills 
• Possesses the professional and personal characteristics necessary for working effectively with school personnel
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings and weekends, in order to meet the needs of the school community and the nature of crisis communications and media relations
• Valid driver’s license