Columbia Basin College (“CBC” or the “College”) seeks an Assistant Vice President for Communications & External Relations (“AVP”). The AVP is the administrative official responsible for CBC’s public and media relations, government and community relations, brand management and marketing, public website, social media and college intranet, graphics and printing, special events and related enterprises. The AVP serves as the College’s public relations officer with oversight of the College’s Marketing, Communication and Graphics & Printing Departments. This position’s purpose is to promote and advance the College’s mission, vision and goals by building support for the College and the college brand through the promotion of the College’s major initiatives, programs, publications, advertisements, services and events to various audiences. The AVP is primarily responsible as the chief public information officer for developing and directing internal and external communications, including public information, media relations and government relations.
The AVP is a senior-level administrative position that reports to the College President and is a member of the College Cabinet.
This position is open until filled. Priority consideration will be given to applicants whose application has been received by January 23, 2020 at 11:59 PM Pacific Time.
- Lead and manage efficiently and effectively the Marketing & Communications and Graphics & Printing departments, with the support of a director having oversight of the same, all to achieve strategic movement in support of the College;
- Directly support the College President in governmental relations by providing strategic and functional support and planning;
- Work closely with legislative representatives, keeping them informed of College activities and student success initiatives; monitor legislative bills at the national and state level and keep College President informed of key issues that impact higher education; schedule annual and ongoing meetings with legislators;
- Establish relations with local officials, members of the legislature, the Governor’s Office, as well as our Congressional delegation in conjunction with the College President to achieve College goals;
- In partnership with the President, advocate for the College’s interests and build relationships and partnerships with other organizations and entities whose interests are similar;
- Monitor legislation and public policy issues that may affect the College and be responsible for developing and implementing a communication program to keep the administration informed about governmental issues of importance to the College;
- Establish and maintain strong, effective and cooperative working relationships with the College’s Board of Trustees, administration, faculty, staff, and students;
- Directly support the College President in community relations by providing strategic and functional support and planning;
- Work closely with community partners, keeping them informed of College activities and student success initiatives; monitor community news and information and keep College President and Cabinet informed of key issues that impact higher education; schedule meetings with community partners as needed;
- Establish and expand meaningful relationships with community partners, organizations and area employers;
- Act as the Public Information Officer for the College in the absence of the President;
- Act as the spokesperson on all College issues;
- Provide news services to media and appropriate agencies;
- Draft, edit and disseminate information and communications, maintaining the public image of the institution and assisting with special projects and events as needed; the AVP keeps the President informed about community matters that impact the College;
- Gather information and write news releases, feature articles, special articles, speeches, postings, scripts and reports which describe and highlight College activities, including educational opportunities, accomplishments, athletics, recreation, fine arts and theater arts media;
- Manage all news releases and other public information, as well as publicity and publications for the College through design, writing and electronic distribution or printing of catalogs, brochures, fliers, College website and other promotional publications;
- Responsible for the overall management of communications with executive responsibility and supervision over professional support staff in Marketing and Communications;
- Oversee the preparation of the annual marketing and communications plan in collaboration with other campus units;
- Oversee the development, implementation and evaluation of a comprehensive institutional advancement program which supports the College’s strategic plan; this includes marketing areas (including the web) that promote the understanding of and support for the College mission and goals, while ensuring institutional integrity and public relations initiatives of the College including all media and special events;
- Oversee coordination and information for the President on all on-going College planning efforts and projects;
- Assist administrators, faculty and staff in effectively presenting and/or improving information pertinent to their programs, services and activities to promote understanding and support for the College;
- Assist the President and other administrators with media relations during crisis situations; facilitate public safety information during an emergency or natural disasters;
- Prepare communications as needed for the President including monthly newsletter articles, presentations to the campus community and community at-large;
- Oversee planning and implementation of College and community special events such as receptions, conferences, workshops and meetings; perform official hosting duties for the President as needed;
- Actively participate in continuing education and professional activities, including participation in the National Council for Marketing and Public Relations, the Council for Advancement and Support of Education and WACTC-Public Information Commission;
- Serve as a College liaison to community, business and social leaders and participate on community committees as appropriate;
- Represent the College and District at internal and external events serving as the spokesperson on designated public relations matters;
- Build partnerships to advance College initiatives;
- Monitor community perception and recommend possible action or response;
- Serve as a member of designated College committees, councils and teams; serve on President’s Cabinet;
- Provide leadership in accordance with the mission, vision and values established by the College, furthering goals and strategic initiatives;
- Ensure areas of responsibility operate effectively within the policies and procedures of the College and applicable governing agencies; and
- Other duties or projects as assigned.
- Master’s degree in Public Affairs, Public Administration, Business, Educational Administration, Non-Profit Management or closely related field; and
- Five (5) years of progressive leadership responsibilities, preferably in higher education;
OR
- Bachelor’s degree in Public Affairs, Public Administration, Business, Educational Administration, Non-Profit Management or closely related field; and
- Seven (7) years of progressive leadership responsibilities, preferably in higher education;
AND
- Experience as an organizational spokesperson and presenter; and
- Experience in development of a comprehensive communications plan to reach and expand internal and external base of constituents.
COMPETENCIES:
Departmental Management: Ability to effectively and efficiently manage a department including all related administrative and supervisory functions involving personnel and budget management;
Project Management: Manage projects by focusing attention on key priorities; evaluate approaches, determine feasibility, and adjust plan as needed; develop plans, coordinate projects and teams; communicate changes and progress; complete projects on time and on budget; perform well without direct supervision; do complex work independently; follow tasks through to completion;
Quality Management: Set clear quality requirements; measure key outcomes; improve processes, products, and services;
Leadership: Lead through influence, rather than authority, and take ownership and accountability for the area of responsibility and decisions made; demonstrate confidence within area of expertise; promote a cooperative work environment; ability to appropriately apply leadership techniques to motivate, develop and guide employees;
Conceptual Thinking: Have the ability to understand a situation or problem by identifying patterns or connections, and addressing key underlying issues; use past professional or technical training and experience, creativity, inductive reasoning, and intuitive processes to find potential solutions or valuable alternatives that may not be obviously related or easily identified; think “outside the box”;
Oral & Written Communication: Speak clearly and persuasively in positive and negative situations; listen and get clarification; respond well to questions; demonstrate group presentation skills; participate in meetings; structure and convey information clearly and effectively through both formal and informal documents; review and edit written work constructively; ability to tailor to audience in mind;
Student Centered: Attention, interest, activities and efforts are centered upon the best interest of students; create and support an environment that enables learners to achieve their personal, academic, and professional goals; provide courteous and helpful responses to all customers, whether they be students, general public or employees from another department;
Support for Diversity: Support initiatives of the district, colleges and divisions to expand the human qualities that differentiate our workforce and workplace; exemplify tenants of tolerance, acceptance and interest in different viewpoints, cultures, and backgrounds and demand similar conduct of assigned staff and department;
Accountability: Accountable for own actions, decisions, errors, mistakes and/or failures to act when appropriate; accept responsibility when given, understand what duties employee is responsible for and can be counted upon to carry out those responsibilities; and
Teamwork: Demonstrate a willingness to work with, and help others in completing job assignments, the ability to accept constructive criticism, and to cooperate with fellow employees and supervisors; demonstrate alignment with the “Yes And” culture, (e.g., being present and listening, making each other look good, embracing change and failure and choosing positivity).
TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:
This is a twelve (12) month per year, full-time exempt position. The standard work hours will be Monday through Thursday 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Friday 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.; however, work hours may vary due to work demands and some evening and weekend work may be required. This position is overtime exempt.
PROCESS NOTE:
Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability and competence to perform in the position.
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:
In the interest of providing a healthy, safe and secure educational and work environment, and in order to meet the requirements of federal legislation, it is the policy of Columbia Basin College to maintain an alcohol and drug-free workplace for our employees and students.
If you are hired, you will need to provide proof of identity and documentation of U.S. citizenship or appropriate authorization to work in this position as required by the Immigration Reform Control Act of 1986.
Columbia Basin College operates under an approved affirmative action plan and encourages applications from persons of color, women, veterans and persons of disability. The Human Resources Office is accessible to those with disabilities. If you need accommodation in application or employment, contact the Human Resources Office at (509) 542-4740.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Occasional need to lift at least 20 pounds;
- Ability to sit and stand for long periods of time;
- Frequent need for oral, written and auditory communication;
- Frequent repetitive hand and wrist motions;
- Occasional need for travel; and
- Ability to work in fast paced and/or sometimes stressful situations.
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