Assistant Director, Communications

Jeffco Public Schools; Colorado; On-site; USD 103,000 - 124,000; Full time

Job summary

Jeffco Public Schools in Colorado seeks an Assistant Director of Communications to lead districtwide strategic communications initiatives and public outreach, ensuring brand-consistent messaging across channels.

You will partner with district leadership, supervise the Communications Department staff, and oversee editorial planning, content strategy, and crisis communication planning to advance district priorities and strengthen community trust.

Qualifications

• 5 years of experience in relevant communication roles, including 3 years supervising teams.
• Bachelor's Degree required; APR preferred.
• Knowledge of media relations, crisis communications, and accessibility.

Responsibilities

• Assists with development and implementation of districtwide strategic communication initiatives.
• Leads strategic communication planning and tracks progress.
• Oversees editorial planning, content strategy, and workflows across channels.
• Ensures messaging is accessible, brand-consistent, and transparent.

Skills

Strategic communications

Media relations

Public relations

Leadership

Project management

Education

Bachelor's Degree required

Job description

Jeffco Public Schools (Jeffco) is located in Jefferson County, Colorado. It is the second largest school district in Colorado serving 69,000 students across 155 schools. With 14,000 employees, the district is the largest employer in Jefferson County and has provided educational excellence for more than 70 years.

Jeffco embraces the spirit of the West and the natural beauty of the Rocky Mountain region with the county spanning more than 770 square miles running the length of the western edge of the Denver metropolitan area. The district is diverse in both population and geography, from urban to rural, including the mountain communities in the foothills west of Denver.

Overall, Jeffco has 31% of students that qualify for free and reduced lunch, an indicator of poverty, and 34% minority (25% Hispanic) student population. The district is implementing a new strategic plan, Jeffco Thrives 2025 that is focused on providing a world-class education that prepares all Jeffco students for bright and successful futures as local and global citizens. Come join us!

Jeffco Public Schools is a Single-State Employer. All candidates hired by Jeffco Public Schools must reside within the state of Colorado.

ABOUT THE SCHOOL/DEPARTMENT

The Jeffco Public Schools Communication Services Department believes in the pride and purpose of Jeffco Public Schools and is committed to being a reliable voice for the community and beyond. As such, we provide many different services for schools, the district, and the broader community: branding/graphics, district website management, local/national media relations, social media channels, video production, crisis communications, community relations & outreach, athletics/activities promotion, and raising awareness of events, educational opportunities, and support services. Utilizing our website, online and print publications, social media, and outreach, we work to publicize the important work taking place in Jeffco Public School as it serves the Jeffco Generations Vision. Serving nearly 74,000 students and their families, 145 schools, 14,000 employees, and the Jefferson County community at large, Communication Services strives to inform, engage, and inspire.

HOURS AND DAYS WORKED

Desired Start Date: 10/02/2026
Assistant Dir, Communications
Annual Position
FLSA: Exempt
FTE: 1.00000 , Hours/Day: 8.000 , Days/Year: Year Round
Salary Plan, Grade, Step: JCA - Administrator - 229 days , G08, 1
Min-Mid Annual Salary Range: $103,414.00 - $123,971.00 Effective as of: 06-16-2025

Compensation schedules for Jeffco Schools can be found here. Starting salary for non-licensed roles is based on the candidate's relevant work experience and education. Additional considerations may be given for job-specific certifications and skills. Applicants should submit all relevant and verifiable education, training and work experiences at the time of application. Starting Salary for licensed educators is based on the step and lane schedule found here.

PRE-EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENT

The successful new hire or rehired candidate will be responsible to complete and incur the fingerprinting and processing fee of $57.50 through an appropriate fingerprinting vendor and the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, within 48 hours of offer acceptance.

RESPONSIBILITIES

SUMMARY Assists with the development and implementation of districtwide strategic communication initiatives that support organizational priorities and build public trust. Leads strategic communication planning efforts by collaborating and providing counsel to district leadership and teams, establishing communication plans, and tracking progress. Directs communications operations to ensure accessible and brand-consistent messaging across all communication channels through oversight of editorial planning, content strategy, workflows, school partnership services, and cross-functional projects. Leverages communications research, analytics, and audience insights to inform key messaging that resonates with internal and external audiences. Ensures the district communicates effectively, consistently, and transparently, to advance organizational goals, strengthen community confidence, and support student success.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Partners with the Executive Director of Communications and Cabinet leadership to develop, implement, and evaluate comprehensive internal and external communications strategies that advance district priorities, strengthen community trust, and support organizational goals.
• Provides leadership and supervision for members of the Communications Department staff by establishing priorities, managing workloads, coaching professional growth, evaluating performance, and fostering a collaborative, customer-focused culture of continuous improvement.
• Directs the department's editorial planning, content strategy, and communications workflow to ensure timely, accurate, accessible, and brand-consistent messaging across all district communication channels.
• Assists the Executive Director in the development and execution of strategic communication plans for district initiatives, major projects, Board priorities, and organizational change efforts.
• Oversees district-wide newsletter creation, providing guidance on content, messaging, and ensuring deadlines are met. Assist with copy editing, writing and content when needed.
• Serves as the department's lead for school partnership services by overseeing communications support for schools, strengthening relationships with school leaders, and ensuring consistent, high-quality service delivery across the district.
• Oversees the department's strategic content calendar and facilitates editorial planning meetings to align communications efforts with district priorities and emerging needs.
• Provides guidance to the District Public Information Officer on crisis communication planning and response in collaboration with district leadership and School Safety. Serve as a trained member of the district's Incident Command System and provide backup Public Information Officer support during emergencies.
• Provides oversight and support for departmental operations, including budgets, contracts, vendor relationships, project management, performance metrics, communications analytics, and continuous process improvement to ensure effective and efficient service delivery.
• Tracks and assign Jeffco Help tickets related to General Communications and Consultation Support, as well as Multimedia Support requests including audiovisual, photography, and videography services.
• Establishes best practices, provide employee training, and collaborate with Information Technology, Legal Services, and other departments to ensure districtwide adherence to communications standards, branding, digital communications, social media, accessibility, and applicable legal requirements.
• Provides oversight and strategic direction for efforts to monitor emerging issues, public sentiment, and reputational risks. Ensures the communication team develops proactive strategies that address emerging concerns and strengthen public confidence in Jeffco Public Schools.
• Cultivates productive relationships with media, community partners, government agencies, and other stakeholders while representing the district at public meetings, community events, and media engagements.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS EXPERIENCE 5 years of experience in relevant communication roles (e.g., digital communications or marketing, graphic design, journalism and/or public relations, etc.), including 3 years of experience supervising communications teams.

EDUCATION AND TRAINING Bachelor's Degree required. Preferred field of study in communications, education, public administration, public relations, journalism, marketing or related fields.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, OR REGISTRATIONS None required. Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) or similar credential preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES Knowledge of best practices for strategic communications, media relations, and accessibility. Knowledge of applicable laws governing public records and confidentiality. Skill in developing and executing strategic messaging, managing media inquiries and media relationships. Skill in providing strategic guidance to senior leaders and public officials on public engagement and developing executive-level talking points for diverse audiences. Skill in creating communication plans and district-wide messaging using AP writing style. Skill in monitoring media coverage and public sentiment, identifying communication risks and opportunities. Skill in evaluating communication effectiveness through metrics and stakeholder feedback. Ability to navigate complex, politically sensitive issues with clarity, discretion, sound judgment, and alignment to organizational goals while maintaining confidentiality in accordance with district policies. Ability to supervise, mentor, and train communications staff. Ability to lead multiple projects within a fast-paced, deadline-driven complex environment. Ability to adapt and rapidly deploy new technology tools to communicate with audiences.

SPAN OF CONTROL Exercises independent judgment in managing media relations, strategic communications, and crisis communications. Provides functional oversight and direction to communications staff, consultants, contractors, and project teams, while serving as a key advisor to district and school leaders on public affairs, media strategy, and community engagement. Officially represents the district in interactions with media, community organizations, and public stakeholders and is authorized to make statements on the district's behalf. Supervises members of the Communications team and vendors/contractors. Will work collaboratively with the Executive Director of Communications to steward the budget.

The physical requirements, mental requirements and work environment factors described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS Ability to focus on objects at varying distances and distinguish between colors (with corrective lenses). Perform tasks that require manual dexterity, including operation of computers & small office equipment. Basic mobility and the ability to navigate the office environment safely. Ability to speak clearly, listen attentively (with assistance devices), and convey information accurately. May be required to give presentations to groups.

MENTAL REQUIREMENTS Ability to analyze complex situations, identify potential risks, and devise effective solutions. Ability to remain flexible in dynamic environments, adjusting plans and strategies as necessary to accommodate changing requirements or circumstances. Ability to effectively communicate and collaborate with other teams. Ability to manage time and priorities to meet deadlines.

WORK ENVIRONMENT Work is performed in a semi-secured office building with a typical office environment and risk factors. Will require frequent visit to both elementary and secondary school sites. Typical elementary school building may also contain libraries, computer labs, playgrounds, and kitchens. Typical secondary school campus may also contain libraries, science labs, computer labs, kitchens, auditoriums, gymnasiums & athletic fields, and possibly specialized shops. May also visit other locations for public meetings. May be exposed to outside elements and risk of injury while driving.

The Jefferson County School District does not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, color, creed, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, marital status, political affiliation, pregnancy, or gender.