We're seeking a part-time, hourly per diem storyteller to help schools located throughout Ulster County to build strong connections among their families, staff, community members, media outlets, and stakeholders. The ideal candidate will have experience in public relations, digital communications, and content creation to promote programs, services, achievements, and events across multiple platforms. Responsibilities include supporting the school's digital presence on the website and social media; developing content for compelling print and digital publications; writing news releases and feature stories; capturing photography and multimedia content; and ensuring consistent, accessible, and engaging communication with diverse audiences. The successful candidate is a creative, organized, and technologically skilled communications professional with strong writing and photography skills. Flexible schedule, as needed, to cover school events and meet deadlines.
All Civil Service laws, rules and regulations apply. Fingerprinting required.
Civil Service Classification: Competitive. Merit and fitness competitive examination applies.
Rate of Pay: $25-$40 per hour commensurate with experience
GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
This position involves responsibility for promoting and building strong communication links between the district, schools, parents, staff, and community. An employee in this class is responsible for providing continuum of communications services that includes website design and management, social media management, and other coordinated public information services. The work involves responsibility for the design, implementation, and maintenance of school districts' web sites, as well as developing and writing content for electric and print use and helping implement communications projects and strategies. Work is performed under the general supervision of a higher-level employee with considerable leeway allowed for the exercise of independent judgment and initiative in carrying out of the details of the work. Supervision is not usually a function of this class. Does related work as required.
SPECIFIC DUTIES:
- Designs, implements and maintains a visually compelling and technically effective school web site utilizing typographic and graphic design techniques, photography and illustration;
- Coordinates the transfer of web site content from test to production with appropriate personnel to maintain quality assurance standards;
- Uses various website tools, such as forms, electronic notifications, calendar systems, listserv or broadcast email programs;
- Coordinates web project timelines and the nature and schedule of specific projects, in conjunction with departmental personnel, to ensure project timeframes are appropriate and can be met;
- Monitors visitor traffic and recommends any necessary programming changes;
- Analyzes and resolves design layout, content and implementation problems;
- Responds to technical issues of site administration and infrastructure issues;
- Monitors electronic presence for accessibility compliance and makes necessary adjustments;
- Creates, curates, monitors and manages all social media published content (images, videos, ads, etc.) for the purpose of sharing news, cultivating relationships, and building online reputations;
- Analyzes key metrics and tweaks strategy as needed;
- Analyzes, reviews, and reports on effectiveness of campaigns in an effort to maximize results and show return on investment;
- Attends various educational events and activities to gather information;
- Takes photographs for use in newsletters, district publications, media releases, websites and social media;
- Writes and distributes news releases and accompanying photographs to various news media;
- Coordinates media invitations and attendance at events;
- Plans, develops, writes, proofreads, edits, reproduces, and distributes school publications (i.e. newsletters, brochures, calendars, special marketing materials, etc.), and electronic communications content, including photographic and graphic design components;
- May provide technical assistance to personnel relating to the promotion of programs and services on the web and its’ benefits to users.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Either:
A. Graduation from a New York State registered or regionally accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Graphic Technology, Graphic Communications, Computer Graphics, Public Relations, or a closely related field and one (1) year of full-time paid experience, or its’ part-time equivalent, in public and community relations which included experience in web design and/or development; OR
B. Graduation from a New York State registered or regionally accredited college or university with an Associate’s Degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Graphic Technology, Graphic Communications, Computer Graphics, Public Relations, or a closely related field and (3) years of full-time paid experience, or its’ part-time equivalent, in public and community relations which included experience in web design and/or development; OR
C. Graduation from high school or possession of a high school equivalency diploma and five (5) years of full-time paid experience, or its’ part-time equivalent, in public and community relations which included experience in web design and/or development; OR
D. An equivalent combination of training and experience as described in A, B and C above.
Special Requirement: At time of appointment and throughout the duration of employment in this title, the incumbent must possess and continuously maintain a valid New York State Driver’s License.
Special Requirement for appointment in School Districts including BOCES: In accordance with the Safe Schools Against Violence in Education (SAVE) legislation and by the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education, candidates for employment in school districts must obtain clearance for appointment from the State Education Department based upon fingerprinting and a criminal history background check.
AGENCY OVERVIEW
Our Mission:
At Ulster BOCES, our mission is to provide high quality shared educational, administrative, and technical services that will enable component school districts to develop the capacity of their students and adults to achieve higher standards of performance. With an emphasis on economic efficiencies, Ulster BOCES is committed to offering educational programs that enable all students to prepare for employment and/or post-secondary education.
The Ulster County Board of Cooperative Education Services is an educational agency serving eight component school districts. They are: Ellenville Central School District • Highland Central School District • Kingston City Schools Consolidated • New Paltz Central School District • Onteora Central School District • Rondout Valley Central School District • Saugerties Central School District • Wallkill Central School District
Equal Opportunity Employer
Ulster County Board of Cooperative Educational Services Non-Discrimination Statement
The Board of Cooperative Educational Services, Sole Supervisory District of Ulster County (“BOCES”), does not discriminate on the basis of an individual’s actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, religious practice, national origin, ethnic group, sex (including sexual harassment and sexual violence), gender identity, sexual orientation (“sexual orientation” means heterosexuality, homosexuality, bisexuality, or asexuality), political affiliation, age, marital status, military status, veteran status, disability, weight, domestic violence victim status, arrest or conviction record, genetic predisposition or carrier status or any other legally protected status in regard to employment opportunities or educational/vocational programs or activities which it operates. All inquiries regarding BOCES Non-Discrimination policies and/or complaints regarding violation(s) of these policies should be directed to Amanda Stokes, Assistant Superintendent for Administration & COO in one of the following manners:
By E-Mail: complianceofficer@ulsterboces.org
By Mail: 175 Route 32 North, New Paltz, New York, 12561
By Telephone: (845) 255-1400
Inquiries concerning the application of Title IX and its implementing regulation and/or complaints regarding violation(s) of these provisions can be referred to the Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights, 32 Old Slip, 26th Floor, New York, NY 10005-2500, Telephone: (646) 428-3900, FAX: (646) 428-3843; TDD: (800) 877-8339; E-Mail: OCR.NewYork@ed.gov.