DIRECTOR OF STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
The Director of Strategic Communications & Community Engagement works directly with the Superintendent and District leadership to advance the vision of Oak Harbor Public Schools. Grounded in the District's Strategic Plan, this role ensures communications serve as an active tool for listening, connecting, and driving student success across the community.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in communications, public relations, journalism, marketing, community engagement, education, or a related field preferred.
- Demonstrated professional experience in strategic communications, public relations, journalism, community engagement, or a related field.
- Exceptional written, verbal, interpersonal, and visual communication skills.
- Demonstrated ability to translate complex information into clear, accessible, audience-centered communication.
- Experience developing and implementing comprehensive internal and external communication strategies.
- Strong skills in storytelling across multiple platforms, including digital media, photography, videography, social media, web, print, and emerging communication tools.
- Demonstrated ability to build trusting relationships with diverse stakeholders and facilitate meaningful community engagement.
- Ability to exercise sound judgment, discretion, responsiveness, and professionalism in complex or sensitive situations.
- Experience in public education, public agencies, or community-based organizations preferred.
- Public Records Officer training (or must be obtained within 90 days of hire).
- Valid Washington State driver's license.
- Appointed by the Board of Directors upon recommendation of the Superintendent.
- Reports directly to the Superintendent; supervises Communications Specialist and Public Records Secretary.
- Serves as a member of the District's leadership team and as a strategic communications advisor to the Superintendent, Board of Directors, schools, and district departments.
- Contract includes 260 days of service inclusive of 30 days of vacation and 13 paid holidays.
Provides strategic leadership for districtwide communications, storytelling, engagement, public relations, and community outreach; ensures that the District's communication efforts are aligned with the Strategic Plan and helps students, staff, families, and community members see themselves as part of #OneOakHarbor; leads proactive and responsive communication; elevates student and staff voices; strengthens family and community engagement; builds partnerships; supports schools and departments in telling their stories; manages the District's communication platforms and brand; supports crisis and emergency communication; and helps the District listen to and learn from the community it serves.
Working Conditions:
Works in an office environment; experiences interruptions from telephone and office visitors; requires occasional prolonged exposure to visual display terminal; may deal with distraught or angry people; maintains confidential information. Requires the ability to meet inflexible deadlines; maintain visual concentration with detail, dexterity, and precision; occasionally required to attend meetings beyond normal working hours.
ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Strategic Alignment: Develops and executes a districtwide communications strategy directly aligned with the Strategic Plan, core values, and vision for student success.
2. Narrative & Identity: Serves as the primary steward of #OneOakHarbor, building a coherent narrative that highlights the shared responsibility of schools, families, military partners, businesses, and civic groups.
3. Authentic Storytelling: Produces compelling content that demonstrates how district priorities and achievements are experienced by students, staff and families,
Communitv & Familv Engagement
1. Two-Way Relationships: Fosters collaborative partnerships across all stakeholder groups through accessible, timely, multi-channel, and culturally responsive messaging.
2. Feedback & Listening Loops: Designs and manages feedback mechanisms (including forums, advisory groups, surveys, and student engagement sessions) to integrate community perspectives into district strategy.
3. Partner Atignment: Strengthens active ties with civic and regional organizations that support students and families.
Superintendent, Board & Executive Support
1. Leadership Advisory: Serves as strategic communications advisor to the Superintendent, Board of Directors, and Cabinet, authoring speeches, presentations, talking points, and key messaging. Attends and records board meetings.
2. Key Initiative Messaging: Translates complex decisions, capital projects, budget priorities, and board actions into transparent, easy-to-understand public updates.
3. Capacity Building: Equips administrators and staff with communication templates, tools, media training, and professional learning.
Media Relations & Crisis Communications
1. Media Management: Acts as the primary media liaison and spokesperson, handling press releases, media requests, and proactive public relations strategies.
2. Crisis Leadership: Leads transparent, coordinated emergency communications during high-impact events and critical situations.
3. Risk Mitigation: Identifies emerging issues early, providing strategic advice to leadership regarding community concerns and reputational impact.
Digital Communications & Brand Leadership
1. Channel Strategy: Oversees digital platforms including the district website, social media channels, newsletters, and multimedia production, to drive continuous public engagement.
2. Brand Standards: Maintains consistent visual identity, logos, style guidelines, and correct deployment of #OneOakHarbor across all departments and schools.
3. Asset & Platform Management: Preserves digital photo/video archives and evaluates emerging technologies to expand outreach.
Measurement, Listening & Continuous lmprovement
1. Performance Metrics: Establishes annual engagement goals and measures campaign effectiveness using data analytics, media monitoring, and survey results.
2. Strategy Refinement: Uses data insights to continuously adjust outreach tactics, ensure key audiences are reached, and strengthen public trust.
Organizational Leadership
1. Resource Management: Directs the communications budget, vendor contracts, processes purchase card monthly receipts and statements, and department operations.
2. Interdepartmental Coordination: Partners with schools and central office teams to coordinate districtwide events, initiatives, and legally compliant informational election campaigns.
TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT: The contract for this position includes 260 days of service (September 1 through August 31). Current salary range for the 2026-2027 school year is $133,174- $152,820. Employee is eligible to receive sick and personal leave days. Healthcare coverage is through SEBB. A portion of the monthly premium is offset by an employer contribution. Mandatory dental, vision, basic long-term disability, and basic life and accidental death and dismemberment premiums are paid by the district. Employee paid options include: Flexible Spending Arrangement; Dependent Care Assistance Program; and additional long-term disability, accidental death and dismemberment, and life insurance. If employed less than full time (1.0 FTE), days and salary are pro-rated based on FTE.
People of Diversity Encouraged to Apply
Oak Harbor Public Schools is committed to building a culturally diverse staff to reflect and serve our culturally diverse student population. We do not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, military status, sexual orientation including gender expression or identity, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or the use of a trained guide dog/service animal by a person with a disability in its programs and activities, and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. For questions and complaints of alleged, discrimination contact: Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources & Operations, Title lX Officer, Section 504/ADA, Coordinator, and Compliance Coordinator for 28A.640 and 284.642 RCW.
