About The Pathway School
Located on a 12-acre campus in Jeffersonville, PA, The Pathway School provides students with special needs academic, social, and life skills to be successful and independent now and after attending Pathway. Pathway is a nonprofit special education school for students ages 5 to 21 (grades K-12+) from over 50 regional school districts and charter schools. Our unique learning model has solidified Pathway’s reputation as a leader in innovative quality programs, services, and therapeutic support in special education.
At Pathway, enthusiastic and dedicated staff members are essential to our success in serving our students. We attract and retain a highly skilled professional team with an empowering organizational culture, generous employee benefits, learning opportunities, and numerous recognition events and awards throughout the year.
DEPARTMENT: Development and Communications Department
RELATIONSHIPS: Reports to the Director of Development and Communications
FUNCTIONS: Reporting to the Director of Development and Communications and working with internal and external stakeholders, the primary function of the Communications Specialist position is to lead and execute The Pathway School’s communications, both internally and externally. This position is an integral part of the school’s objectives in that it is responsible for articulating and promoting the school’s goals, vision, image, and branding.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s degree in communications, Public Relations, Journalism or related field. Advanced Degree helpful but not required.
- 5 or more years’ experience developing and managing comprehensive, integrated communications plans for diverse audiences in a non-profit setting.
- Experience in an approved private school, a special learning needs, or educational service environment is a plus.
- Hands-on experience with various communications mediums including direct mail, print, web/internet-based, photography and videography.
- Knowledge of and experience in social media platforms, website editing principles, and content management systems needed.
- Experience in managing relationships at all levels of the organization, as well as with external contacts.
- Must have excellent presentation and communications skills including writing, editing, drafting press releases, developing supplemental materials, and graphic design.
- Must have excellent time management and project management skills.
- Must have experience in developing social media content and digital content management systems/platforms (like Hootsuite).
- Must have experience in WordPress and website content managing.
- Must have exceptional knowledge of technology and graphic design software including Microsoft Office Products, Adobe Creative Suite, and Canva.
- Ability to be flexible and manage change; to provide a high level of customer service; to provide professional services to both internal and external customers in a collaborative/team environment; and, ability to be an innovative and creative problem solver.
DUTIES:
- Create and implement creative and engaging internal and external communications that are aligned with the school’s brand and mission.
- Provide communications and graphic design support for print and online publications, fundraising material including appeals, brochures, posters, annual reports, and event collateral.
- Responsible for content development, production timelines, editing, proofreading, graphic design, and imagery.
- Manage social media activity including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and LinkedIn.
- Manage Pathway’s website through WordPress and develop engaging articles, content, landing pages, and webpages to enhance Pathway’s communications outreach to prospective families, students, students, staff, and donors.
- Support development efforts through written materials including but not limited to website articles, press releases, public relations campaigns, and content for fundraising and marketing campaigns.
- Develop press releases and monitor the school’s news coverage, as well as trends and news related to special education and philanthropy.
- Collaborate with other members of the Development Department in the creation and implementation of communications devices for events, donor communications, and other development activities such as the school’s fundraising campaigns, events, and initiatives.
- Maintain the School’s digital assets, including photos, videos, logos, letterheads, etc.
- Conduct and coordinate interviews with various constituents across the school for news stories and featured content.
- When needed, assist in managing outside contractors such as designers, photographers, videographers, and marketing companies, to support deadlines and within budgets under the direction of the School’s Director of Development and Communications.
- Create and maintain documentation necessary to meet project timelines, contact lists, budget information, and production schedules. Help development Communications Dept. budget.
- Conduct photography and media promotion for special events. This can include invitations, surveys, donation thermometers, video, and other activities.
- Work closely with Pathway’s Development, Marketing, Human Resources, Education and Clinical teams to develop communications and marketing content to support Pathway’s mission.
- Assist and manage multiple projects on deadlines with different departments throughout the organization.
Skills
· Internal & External Communications
· Production Schedules
· Adobe Creative Suite
· Canva.com Graphic Design
· Photography and Videography
· Microsoft Office
· Public Relations
· Website Management
· Project Management
· Digital Asset Management
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $55,000.00 - $70,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Employee discount
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
- Referral program
- Tuition reimbursement
- Vision insurance
Experience:
- Writing skills: 3 years (Required)
Work Location: In person
