Aztec Municipal School District

Job Description

Public Information Officer (PIO)

Job Summary: 

The qualified candidate will be responsible for developing media strategies that promote a positive public image, organizing communications and interviews between the press and executive staff, and managing and alleviating any public relations crises that may occur. The successful candidate will possess excellent written and verbal skills, superior knowledge of media capabilities, and be highly detail-oriented. 

Reports to: Superintendent 

Qualifications 

• Bachelor's Degree in communications, public relations, journalism, or related field 
• Prior experience in a public relations role 
• Ability to read and write English 
• Respond to requests and inquiries from leadership 
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing 
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work 
• Ability to secure required District and State certifications or licenses as requested 

Desired Qualifications

• Three years prior experience in a PIO role 
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills 
• Great public speaking and interpersonal skills 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Ability to plan, host, and guide press conferences, announce significant news, and address crises 
• Prepare press releases, speeches, articles, social media posts, and other materials for public consumption 
• Develop strategies and procedures for working effectively with state and local media 
• Maintain good working relationships with media organizations 
• Collaborate with executive management (including the Aztec Municipal School District Board) to market a cohesive public image 
• Work with stakeholders to organize and host public events and promotions 
• Speak directly to the public or media to address questions and represent the district 
• Actively seeks to understand stakeholders' needs through participation in various meetings (e.g., monthly instructional leaders' meetings, Leadership). 
• Performs other tasks related to area of responsibility as requested or assigned by the Superintendent 
• Other duties as assigned 

Note:  This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all the duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the job.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This position has no supervisory responsibilities. 

Confidentiality

Due to the sensitive nature of this position and access to sensitive information, the highest degree of confidentiality is required.

Qualification Requirements

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below represent the knowledge, skill, and ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made for eligible individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and Experience

Please see Minimum and Desired Qualifications.

Communication and Language Skills

• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret job-related materials to perform the required duties 
• Ability to interact with state and local media and coordinate necessary communications 

Mathematical Skills

• Must be able to perform basic mathematical skills and interpret mathematical requirements as they pertain to the position 
• Must be able to understand and explain mathematical data as it pertains to district communications 

Other Skills and Abilities 

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff and the school community. Ability to speak clearly and concisely both in oral and written communication. Ability to perform duties with awareness of all District requirements and Board of Education policies 
• Effective interpersonal skills and relationship-building skills 
• Ability to develop strong internal communications with staff
• Positive, accepting, approachable attitude 
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills. 
• Interface with other employees and the public courteously and respectfully. 
• Understanding of the organization's goals and objectives 
• Self-motivated and directed 
• Keen attention to detail 
• Able to prioritize and execute tasks in a high-pressure environment 
• Maintains confidentiality of all privileged information 
• Experience with recent media communication and technology 
• Able to explain complex concepts in easy-to-understand terms 
• Able to collaborate effectively with a variety of stakeholders, great people skills 
• Able to plan, organize, schedule, and perform communication duties in support of the district's overall vision 
• Able to analyze situations accurately and adopt practical courses of action 
• Able to meet schedules and timelines and work with confidentiality and discretion 

Analytical and Reasoning Ability

• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions as related to the job duties 
• Analytical and problem-solving abilities

Temperaments 

• Ability to teach others, work with people, and influence their opinions, attitudes, and judgments. 
• Ability to perform a variety of duties. 
• Ability to work with people who express conflicting opinions. 
• Ability to solve problems, make sound judgments, and reach conclusions. 
• Ability to express personal feelings professionally and perform effectively under stress.

Physical Attributes

The physical demands described here represent those that an employee must meet to perform the essential functions of this job successfully.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, stand, walk, talk, or hear and use hands to touch, handle, type, or feel. In addition, the employee may occasionally sit, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, reach with hands and arms above shoulder level, and push/pull and carry. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and distance vision and the ability to adjust focus. The employee must regularly lift and move up to 15 pounds. The employee must occasionally lift and move up to 50 pounds with the assistance of another person or appropriate equipment. 

Work Environment 

The work environment characteristics described here represent those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate; however, the noise level can be quiet to loud depending upon the activity during the day. The employee must possess and maintain a current driver’s license and take a Defensive Driving Course at the District's expense if driving a school-owned vehicle. The employee is frequently required to interact with the public and other staff.  

The information contained in this description is for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and is not an exhaustive list of duties performed for this position. Additional duties are performed by the individuals currently holding this position, and they may be assigned as reasonably determined by the immediate supervisor. 

Certificates Licenses

• Must possess or be eligible to obtain a valid New Mexico driver’s license

Terms of Employment 

• $80,000.00 Annually 
• 249-day contract July 2024-June 2025 

Evaluation

Per Aztec School Board Policy, the Superintendent will evaluate the performance of duties at least annually.

Physical Rating Level

This position will require the employee to function at a “Medium” physical capacity as defined by Worker’s Compensation Statutes.  “Medium” physical capacity indicates the ability to lift up to 50 pounds occasionally or up to 25 pounds frequently.

Physical Requirement Details 

Definitions:     R = Rarely = 1% to 9% of an eight-hour day

                        O = Occasionally = 10% to 33% of an eight-hour day

                        F = Frequently = 34% to 66% of an eight-hour day

                        C = Continuously = 67% to 100% of an eight-hour day

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work expected.  They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of employees in this job classification.