Media Relations Coordinator

Salary : $55,935.00 - $75,215.00 Annually
Location : Multiple Campuses, MD
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: FY24-71
CSM Division: Division of Student Equity and Success
CSM Department: Communications Department
Opening Date: 02/08/2024
Position Summary
Located 45 minutes from the Nation's Capital, nestled in a history-rich community of southern Maryland, The College of Southern Maryland (CSM) is a two-time Aspen Award-winning institution (top 15% of Community Colleges) with academic programs in over 100 disciplines. CSM is among America's top 100 producers of Minority Associate Degrees in twenty categories, according to Diverse Issues in Higher Education. CSM offers excellent health insurance benefits; State Retirement Pension plan; wellness programs; Code Green early closure Fridays in the summer; college closure for spring break and several major holidays, including the week between Christmas and New Year; and for several days in March for Spring Break. We are an innovative institution committed to student success and well known for our flexibility to meet student and community needs.
The individual in this position works closely with the Director of Communication/PIO to strategize the college's Media Relations efforts, produce media materials related to news releases and for traditional and new media outlets including CSM's online newsroom, social media news account, and cable television channel. Further, he/she ensures compliance with Associated Press standards and guidelines while ensuring protection of the college's reputation. This individual works with divisions across the organization to identify, produce and place excellent and compelling editorial content to communicate across the various media channels. He/she is responsible for the quality, accuracy, and frequency of media coverage, developing and implementing a comprehensive Media Relations program to positively affect the college's public image, increase participation in college programs and activities, and support the college's strategic goals through print and electronic Media Relations at the local, regional, and state levels. This position monitors media placements, identifies potential media opportunities for the college's programs and key message, and strategizes with the marketing team to provide content that engages audiences across traditional and new media. As a representative of the college at internal and external events, this individual is a goodwill ambassador, and assists in the coordination of select college events. The position reports directly to and assists the Communications Director/Public Information Officer.
Reports to: Director, Media Relations and Public Information Officer
College of Southern Maryland conducts background checks in order to ensure the safety and well-being of the College's staff and students. The final candidate for this position will be subject to the following background checks: Criminal History Check.
This position is open until filled. The College of Southern Maryland is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Specific Duties and Responsibilities

• In consultation with the Communications Director, develops media plan including strategy, goals, and tactics to achieve regular, high-level placements in print, broadcast, and online media, and that will influence and engage audiences positively. Coordinates quarterly editorial planning to achieve timely and effective news content regarding the College of Southern Maryland. Further, he/she is responsible for networking with the internal and external college community to identify unique feature stories and to prepare identified students, faculty, staff, alumni, and donors as part of story ideas and unique pitches in line with CSM's key messages and goals.
  
• Exercises sound news judgment to plan, create, and track content for press releases and byline articles under the supervision of the Communication Director/PIO, conducting research, interviews and accurate reporting of news concerning activities, programs, and key messages at the College of Southern Maryland for use within external media as well as for internal communication. Content outlets include but are not limited to the intranet and Friday Report, CSM's online newsroom and Headlines distribution and any new media. Products include editorial content calendars, news releases, letters to the editor, fact sheets, talking points, media kits, program remarks and other press materials, including relevant statistics and reports. S/he writes copy for news releases, brochures, pamphlets, other departmental publications, and material to be broadcast on radio and/or television; conducts research in the preparation of news releases; distributes news releases and other information material through publicity channels such as CSM's newsroom, newspapers, news services, periodicals, radio and television; social media; reads and corrects proofs.
  
• Assists with managing media inquiries on a regular basis, monitoring the response to ensure media needs for interviews, photographs, graphics, and other materials are met under deadline conditions. Leverages existing Media Relationships and cultivate new contacts within business and industry media. Pro-actively cultivates relationships with editors, reporters, bloggers, and other media professionals and maintains database of media outlets, including government and nonprofit newsletters. Prepares students, staff, faculty, donors, or alums to respond appropriately to media interviews as well as provides media training for identified student leaders, including but not limited to student-athletes and SGA representatives.
  
• Monitors, analyzes, and communicates issues and events being reported that impact the college's reputation; corrects inaccuracies.
  
• Monitors current events and trends within higher education to develop effective strategies to widely promote faculty experts as well as college students, staff, alumni, and programs.
  
• Identifies opportunities among local, regional, and national media outlets, including radio, television, publications, social networks, web-related sites, e-newsletters, and coordinates appropriate interviews to increase the college's visibility and maximize attendance in college programs and activities. Maintains reports of news coverage and other information of value to the department
  
• Provides Media Relations support and associated planning and media training for internal campus events to bolster college reputation. Contributes to internal staff and faculty understanding of messaging and news by sharing content and successes through internal communication channels.

• Performs as Assistant Public Information Officer as backup to the college's Public Information Officer as part of the college's Incident Command System and is trained in emergency response to perform within a Joint Information Command Center. Assists in dissemination of emergency closing information regarding the college's campuses, with round-the-clock availability required.
  
• Supports Director of Communications in developing integrated issue campaigns on selected issues (Advocacy, Fund-Raising, Enrollment, etc.), identifies appropriate spokespeople for media interview requests with regard to significant college events and prepares advance press/media kit materials (included but not limited to graduation, building dedications and groundbreakings, legislative breakfasts, articulation agreements, campaign kick-offs, signature college publications).
  
• Takes photos to accompany stories for the Newsroom, as well as for use in media outlets, on social media sites, and printed materials.

Additional Duties:

• Performs other related work as required.

Minimum Education and Training
Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in public relations, journalism, communications, or related discipline

Minimum Qualifications and Standards Required
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills with 3-4 years writing and editing experience for an organization or the media. Years of appropriate experience can be substituted for degree requirements.
  
• Demonstrated working experience and positive relationships with media outlets.
  
• Working knowledge of public relations and social media best practices

• Photography skills, including taking, editing, and tagging photos, are required for this position.
  
• Comfortable and skilled in broadcast and print media interviews
  
• Must be self-motivated, detail-oriented and accurate.
  
• Possess word processing skills; Microsoft Office Suite preferred.
  
• Knowledge of general office procedures

PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The work is sedentary work which requires exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Work is performed in a relatively safe, and secure work environment.
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