Director of Strategic Communications & Community Engagement

Centralia School District; Oak Harbor (WA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Centralia School District is seeking a communications leader who can guide districtwide messaging, storytelling, and community engagement from Oak Harbor. You will align communications with the district's strategic plan and elevate student and staff voices across platforms.

You will manage the district’s communication channels, build partnerships, support crisis communication, and foster transparent, responsive outreach to families, staff, and the public.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, journalism, marketing, or a related field.
• Proven experience in strategic communications, public relations, or community engagement.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication, plus visual storytelling.
• Ability to translate complex information into clear, audience-centered messages.
• Experience developing internal and external communication strategies.
• Strong skills across digital media, photography, videography, social media, web, and print.

Responsibilities

• Lead districtwide communications and public relations efforts.
• Oversee storytelling across platforms and brand management.
• Coordinate crisis and emergency communications.
• Foster partnerships and engage diverse stakeholders.
• Support schools and departments in sharing their stories.
• Ensure alignment with the district strategic plan.

Skills

Strategic communications

Public relations

Storytelling

Stakeholder engagement

Crisis communication

Written and verbal communications

Education

Bachelor’s degree in communications or related field

Job description

GENERAL FUNCTIONS: 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.

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.