2025-133

POSITION:             Public Information Officer

SALARY:                Unit II – Grade 2 (12 months w/benefits)

                              *This position is not a member of any collective bargaining unit.

REPORTS TO:        Superintendent of Schools and Superintendent Designees

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s Degree in media, mass communications, public relations, or a related equivalent area
• Experience as a skilled and articulate public speaker with good interpersonal skills.
• Experience as a skilled writer with demonstrated ability to translate highly specialized information and concepts into readily understandable form.
• An understanding of the rudiments of print and electronic media, particularly as they relate to news gathering and dissemination. Also,
• Understand basic elements of graphic arts including layout, printing production, and audiovisual techniques.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Knowledge of budget development, management, and analysis associated with public information services.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with the public, school system staff, media representatives, and representatives of other agencies, especially in difficult situations and under pressure.
• Experience with web page development.
• Experience managing Social Media platforms

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Attends all Board of Education meetings and functions as the ACPS media host.
• Responsible for making ACPS media announcements and press releases.
• Directs the school system’s public information program on a local, state, and national basis.
• Promotes effective communications within the school system and between the school system and the community.
• Develops and maintains an effective working relationship with the news media.
• Serves as a liaison between the press and the Superintendent, Board, and staff members.
• Serves as the primary media contact for all school and manages all automatic public notification systems.
• Adept in the creation of Podcasts, teacher/staff video highlights, social media, etc.
• Able to work collaboratively with ACPS Webmaster.
• Maintains and updates ACPS organizational chart.
• Creates and promotes system wide staff recognition awards
• Prepares news media releases, organizes news conferences, prepares informational programs, and arranges for press coverage of major school system functions.
• Stays current with all applicable laws, policies, and regulations pertaining to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), and the Maryland Public Information Act (MPIA), and assures compliance.
• Processes all FOIA and MPIA requests
• Remains current and knowledgeable of all major happenings within the school system and serves as the central source of information about the school system.
• Visits schools and works to promote positive and interesting stories about student and school based activities
• Maintains a relationship with community leaders and organizations, such as the Chamber of Commerce.
• Develops, oversees, promotes and updates the ACPS Communication Plan.
• Directs public information programs designed to improve ACPS communications with the public at large, special interest groups, staff, and appropriate governmental bodies on the state and local level.
• Assists any staff member or group of employees in communicating information regarding educational program initiatives through news stories, videos, exhibits, speeches, articles, or media announcements.
• Assumes responsibility for district level digital and/or print publications.
• Maintains a school-system master calendar, and disseminates monthly calendar information both to staff and to the public.
• Archives all relative educational news articles from major media sources on a daily basis; is responsible for making Superintendent aware of educational newsworthy items.
• Attends meetings as requested by the Superintendent (community forums, school groundbreakings, public hearings, etc.).
• Serves as the school system’s representative on countywide and statewide public information committees.
• Consults with school-based and Central Office administrators, supervisors, faculty, and other staff to obtain information on current events, activities, programs, and other topics of general interest to the public.
• Assists in researching, writing, and editing various school system publications, i.e. brochures, pamphlets, sound/slides, Power Point presentations, correspondence, etc.
• Proofreads and copy reads public information materials as requested to assure proper journalistic style and professional editing.
• Acts as a member of the Crisis Management Team and provides advice on public information issues when the team is operative. Coordinates with the media and provides on-site support at schools during crisis situations.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

PROCEDURES FOR FILING APPLICATIONS:

Applications must be submitted using the ACPS web based application system. Current employees must create an internal account by following the directions listed on the ACPS website located at http://acpsmd.org and navigating to the Job Opportunities tab which will lead to the link to create an account and apply.

Applications must be completed no later than 11:59 p.m, Thursday, September 25, 2025

Posting Date: September 16, 2025

Questions regarding this position may be directed to Mr. Glenn Rice, Chief Administrative Officer at 301-759-2043.

In accordance with state law, anyone hired who will have contact with our school children, must be fingerprinted and submit to a criminal background investigation.

The Board of Education of Allegany County is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion or disability in matters affecting employment or the provision of service, programs or activities in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER