Communications Apprentice

CALVERT COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Prince Frederick, Maryland 20678

COMMUNICATIONS APPRENTICE

LOCATION:

Calvert County Public Schools, Office of Communications, Administrative Services Building located at 1305 Dares Beach Road, Prince Frederick, Maryland 20678

REPORTS TO:

Director of Communications

JOB SUMMARY:

The Communications Apprenticeship provides a Calvert County Public Schools (CCPS) student with hands-on experience in public relations, digital communications, storytelling, social media, graphic design, photography, videography, event support, and other areas of school system communications. Working under the direction of the Director of Communications, the apprentice will assist the Office of Communications with developing engaging content that highlights CCPS students, staff, schools, programs, achievements, and events. The apprentice will gain practical workplace experience while building professional communication skills and developing a portfolio of work. All content will be developed and published under the supervision and approval of Office of Communications staff. The apprentice will not have administrative or editing access to the CCPS website or independently publish content on behalf of CCPS.

EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Must be at least 16 years of age and enrolled as a student in Calvert County Public Schools.
• Preferred coursework or demonstrated interest in communications, journalism, marketing, media production, or related fields.
• Approval to participate in the Maryland Youth Apprenticeship Program offered by CCPS.

KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES, AND SKILLS:

(These are pre-employment knowledge, abilities, and skills that apply to the Essential Job Functions.)

At the time of application, the candidate must have:

• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation.
• Ability to follow directions and complete assigned tasks accurately and on time.
• Strong interpersonal and teamwork skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to follow directions, manage time effectively, and complete assigned tasks accurately and on time.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and maintain confidentiality when working with district information.
• Ability to accept feedback and make revisions to assigned work.
• Strong interpersonal, teamwork, oral, and written communication skills.
• Basic proficiency with computers and commonly used applications, including Microsoft 365, and the ability to learn new communications tools.
• Ability to draft, proofread, and revise content for accuracy, clarity, grammar, and appropriate audience.
• Ability to organize digital content and information and assist with communications research, projects, and event-related activities.
• Such alternatives to the above qualifications as Calvert County Public Schools may find appropriate and acceptable.
• Demonstrated success in accomplishing tasks akin to those responsibilities listed below.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS, DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Identify and research potential positive stories involving CCPS students, employees, schools, programs, activities, achievements, and community partnerships.
• Assist with gathering information, photographs, quotes, and other materials needed to develop student, employee, school, or program features.
• Provide a student perspective when reviewing or developing student-facing communications and suggest ways information can be made clearer and more engaging for students.
• Take photographs and video at assigned CCPS schools, programs, events, and activities under the supervision of Office of Communications staff.
• Assist with event preparation and communications logistics, which may include preparing materials, signage, photographs, media materials, or other communications resources.
• Ability to interact professionally and positively with students, employees, families, and community members.
• Regular, on-time attendance and reliability.
• Assist with editing video highlights, short-form videos, interviews, and other multimedia content for use on CCPS digital communications channels.
• Assist with preparing video captions, titles, credits, and other elements that support accessibility and professional presentation.
• Assist with basic communications research, including gathering information for campaigns, publications, presentations, or special projects.
• Assist with monitoring and organizing news coverage related to CCPS and maintaining records of district media coverage.
• Assist with compiling basic communications and social media analytics to help the Office of Communications evaluate content and engagement.
• Support the development of Office of Communications projects, campaigns, special events, and community engagement activities.

OTHER DUTIES:

(Duties listed are not intended to be all inclusive nor limit duties that might reasonably be assigned.)

Performs related communications work as required or assigned by the Director of Communications or designee.

Some evening or weekend work may be necessary to assist with coverage of district events and activities.

LICENSE OR CERTIFICATION:

None

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Position may require periods of standing and walking, lifting or carrying photography/video equipment or materials, and occasional outdoor work. A significant portion of work hours will also involve working indoors at a computer in an office environment. Occasional travel within Calvert County may be required.

UNUSUAL DEMANDS:

None

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:

Apprentice assignment. Hours reimbursed at the current Maryland State minimum wage rate. Work hours are coordinated with the supervisor and will vary from week to week with no more than 20 hours per week and a maximum of 450 hours over the term of employment. If chosen for this position, the candidate is encouraged to enroll in direct deposit.

FLSA STATUS:

Exempt

EVALUATION:

Performance will be evaluated annually in accordance with the apprenticeship agreement.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE:

Application deadline is September 9th, at 4:30 PM.

References must be directly related to educational experience and must include immediate supervisor.

State law requires that anyone hired after October 1, 1986, who will have contact with school children, must be fingerprinted and submit to a criminal background investigation. Federal law requires that a new employee must complete the Employment Eligibility Verification (Form I-9) in person before beginning employment. Employment is conditional upon successful completion of a drug screen. Current employees of the Calvert County Public Schools are exempt from these requirements.

House Bill 486 - Child Sexual Abuse and Sexual Misconduct Prevention Statement

Pursuant to Section 6-113.2 of the Education Article, Annotated Code of Maryland - House Bill 486 - Child Sexual Abuse and Sexual Misconduct Prevention all applicants are required to report all former employers in which you may have had direct contact with minors. The applicant must submit the contact information of the current employer, all former school employers, and all former employers not school related. Applicants should also include contact information for organizations in which you have volunteered, coached, mentor, tutored or otherwise had direct contact with minors.

Nondiscrimination Statement

Calvert County Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability, or any other characteristic protected by law in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth programs.

Calvert County Public Schools does not refuse enrollment of a prospective student, expel a current student, or withhold privileges from a current student, or prospective student, or the parent or guardian of a current or prospective student because of an individual's race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability.

Calvert County Public Schools does not discipline, invoke a penalty against, or take any other retaliatory action against a student or parent or guardian of a student who files a complaint alleging that the program or school discriminated against the student, regardless of the outcome of the complaint.

The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:

• Director of Student Services
• Director of Human Resources

443-550-8000

For further information on notice of non-discrimination, visit the Office for Civil Rights Complaint Assessment System at: https://ocrcas.ed.gov or call 1-800-421-3481.