Public Affairs Specialist

Public Affairs Specialist

Job Summary

The Public Affairs Specialist role is an integral part of the External Affairs team, ensuring KIPP DC’s stories are told with clarity, care, and impact to strengthen trust with families, staff, alumni, media, and community partners. The starting salary range for this role is $86,280–$93,782. This is a full-time, hybrid flexibility role based at KIPP DC Headquarters with an anticipated start date of December 2025.

About KIPP DC

For 25 years, KIPP DC has partnered with students, families, and the community to create joyful, academically excellent schools across the nation’s capital. Today, our network of 22 schools educates more than 7,500 students in grades PreK3–12, supported by 1,500 dedicated teachers, leaders, and staff.

Our work is grounded in five pillars—Academic Excellence, Joy & Sense of Belonging, Highly Effective Teachers and Leaders, Safe, Structured, and Nurturing Learning Environments, and Commitment to College Readiness—which ensure every student is equipped with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to pursue success in college, careers, and beyond. Our schools combine high expectations with joyful, affirming environments that nurture academic success and personal growth for students and staff alike.

As part of the national KIPP network, we share best practices and innovations while maintaining deep roots in Washington, D.C. Together, we strive toward a future without limits for our students, alumni, and community.

About the Role

The Public Affairs Specialist plays a vital role in the External Affairs team by crafting compelling stories and timely communications that highlight KIPP DC’s students, families, staff, and alumni. In addition to producing content across platforms and supporting media engagement, the Specialist helps ensure the organization speaks with one clear and trusted voice—an exciting opportunity to shape both day-to-day storytelling and rapid-response communications in partnership with colleagues across the network.

Location and Type of Work

This is an exempt position and will report to the Director of Communications and Media Relations. As a headquarters team focused on being responsive to our schools and meeting the needs of our students and families, we approach our work in a way that reflects these priorities.

This position will generally work independently and not regularly interface with students, families, or school teams. It will primarily work from our headquarters office to maintain a connection to colleagues and foster a sense of cross-functional collaboration. Because of the nature of this position’s work, this role allows for hybrid flexibility and will be required to be onsite three days per week.

Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities: The percentages for each key responsibility are estimates, and other duties may be assigned. Flexibility and responsiveness are encouraged to accommodate organizational needs.

Content Creation & Storytelling (40% of time)

• Exercise strong writing and editing skills to deliver newsletters, speeches, and digital content that influence diverse audiences.
• Apply subject matter expertise in storytelling to highlight the lived experiences of students, families, and staff.
• Use photo and video content strategically to enhance organizational narratives and strengthen brand presence.

Family, Staff & Stakeholder Communications (15% of time)

• Communicate timely updates and announcements that build trust and confidence among families and staff.
• Partner with school and headquarters leaders to align messaging and ensure clarity across the organization.
• Strategically elevate the voices of families, alumni, and staff to reinforce KIPP DC’s role as a trusted partner.

Media & Public Relations (25% of time)

• Influence public perception by drafting and distributing press releases, op-eds, and talking points.
• Apply expertise in media relations to engage journalists, coordinate interviews, and monitor coverage.
• Strengthen organizational reputation by preparing spokespersons with clear and compelling messages.

Crisis Communications (10% of time)

• Exercise sound judgment to craft clear and empathetic messages during urgent or sensitive situations.
• Solve complex communication challenges by drafting family letters, media statements, and FAQs under tight deadlines.
• Support the development of templates that guide decision-making during recurring scenarios.

Project Management & Collaboration (10% of time)

• Manage multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring deadlines, feedback loops, and approvals are met.
• Solve process challenges by coordinating workflows across diverse stakeholders and departments.
• Support event and engagement logistics with clear communication and attention to detail.

Requirements & Preferences

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, public relations, or a related field required.
• At least 3 years of professional experience in communications, public affairs, media relations, or related roles.
• Experience drafting a range of content, including newsletters, press releases, and digital content.
• Experience producing digital content for newsletters, websites, and social media platforms.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and Google Workspace.
• Experience drafting press materials and supporting media relations efforts.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and proofreading skills with the ability to adapt voice and tone for different audiences (families, staff, alumni, media, and community stakeholders).
• Ability to turn complex information into clear, engaging narratives.
• Comfort working in rapid-response communications, including drafting family and staff updates during urgent situations.
• Strong judgment, discretion, and ability to handle sensitive or confidential information.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Collaborative spirit with excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
• A genuine passion for K–12 education and commitment to KIPP DC’s mission.

Preferred

• Familiarity with content management systems (CMS).
• Basic photo/video editing skills.
• Experience with Canva or similar design tools.
• Experience drafting speeches and talking points.
• Experience creating content for intranets or other staff-facing platforms.

Physical Requirements

Flexibility to work in a fast-paced environment, with willingness to occasionally work evenings or weekends and travel between campuses.

Demonstrated Excellence in the Following Areas

• Commitment to Students and Schools: Demonstrates commitment to education reform, believing in every child’s potential for success and prioritizing students, schools, and the essential role of families.
• Strategic Thinking and Problem Solving: Finds creative solutions to challenges that achieve broader goals of team and organization.
• Project Management: Sets a high bar for own work and supports others to achieve desired team outcomes.
• Communications and Influence: Demonstrates adept communication skills and influence to advance work by adjusting content and style.
• Teamwork: Contributes to a supportive team culture, fostering diverse work styles and maintaining a high performance standard.
• Trust and Collaboration: Establishes and nurtures effective relationships with a diverse set of stakeholders to support the best outcomes for our work.
• Cultural Humility: Advances KIPP DC’s commitment to anti-racism by creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment for all stakeholders.
• Continuous Learning: Commits to continuous learning through feedback, self-reflection, humility, and action.

Benefits & Compensation

KIPP DC offers an extremely competitive compensation and benefits package:

• The anticipated starting salary range for this position is $86,280–$93,782. At KIPP DC we strive for clarity, equity, and competitiveness. When determining salaries we look at benchmarks in the education and non-profit sector.
• KIPP DC offers a robust benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurances; various voluntary benefits; and employer-paid benefits such as short-term disability, long-term disability, life insurance, and a membership to One Medical.
• KIPP DC also offers a 403(b) retirement account with a 3% employer contribution and a 3% match with vesting after three years.
• Currently, individuals in this role have up to 15 paid time off days, up to 10 paid sick days, and 12 paid holidays. This is subject to change and your exact schedule will be shared in your offer letter.

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

KIPP DC Public Schools does not discriminate against, or tolerate discrimination against, employees or applicants for employment on any legally recognized basis or protected class including, but not limited to, actual or perceived race, color, national origin, immigration status (except as necessary to comply with law), religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, lactation, and related medical conditions), age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, sexual orientation, gender (including gender identity or expression), marital status (including domestic partnership status), genetic information, political affiliation, pregnancy, family responsibilities, personal appearance, veteran status, uniform service member status, status of being unemployed, status as a survivor of domestic violence, sexual offense, or stalking, matriculation, or any other protected class under federal, state, DC, or local law.

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