Public Relations Specialist

Primarily responsible for assisting in disseminating press releases, responding to media inquiries, engaging media members on campus, and developing content for the university’s news website and Liberty Journal magazine.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Maintain inventory of media requests fielded by the Office of Communications & Public Engagement, working closely with Senior Managing Editor and Vice President of Communications & Public Engagement for guidance on responses , if a response warranted
• Maintain media contact lists
• Daily media monitoring
• Use PR software for dissemination of national releases
• Work closely with university departments to coordinate multimedia coverage of news and events and promote programs
• Conducts interviews and research necessary for articles
• Adheres to strict deadlines
• Works with the university’s photography department to set up photo shoots to accompany stories and prepares photos for posting to website
• Responsible for writing articles and posting content to website
• Must be flexible to cover news as it happens on nights and weekends

QUALIFICATIONS AND CREDENTIALSEducation and Experience

• Must have bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, Public Relations, or related field
• Well-developed communications skills required as well as news and feature writing and copy editing experience
• Must be proficient with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook), Adobe Photoshop, and WordPress
• Video production and editing experience is a plus for news writer role
• Strong knowledge of AP Style

ABILITIES AND COMPETENCIES ESSENTIAL TO THE FUNCTION OF THE JOBCommunication and Comprehension

• Strong interview and interpersonal skills, ability to interact with other departments, the public, and the media in a professional manner
• Strong research and interview skills
• Exceptional writing skills, with flexibility to produce concise releases as well as longer feature articles
• Strong editing skills, from proofreading to developmental editing
• Strong organizational skills and ability to handle several deadlines
• Requires high-level editing and judgment calls for news releases and support for Offices of Communications and Public Engagement special projects
• Ability to effectively communicate both verbally and in writing to convey clear, well-articulated information
• Ability to understand, speak, and write English in order to convey messages and correspond in an articulate and professional manner.
• Possess public communication skills in order to represent Liberty well to internal departments, press members, and other guests to the university
• Strong organizational and prioritization skills

Problem Solving

• Intuitively able to reason, analyze information and events, and apply judgment in order to solve problems of both a routine and complex nature.

Physical and Sensory Abilities

• Regularly required to travel to local and campus locations.
• Frequently required to sit for extended periods to perform deskwork or type on a keyboard.
• Regularly required to hear and speak in order to effectively communicate orally.
• Regularly required to stand, walk, and climb stairs to move about the building.
• Handle materials, reach overhead, kneel or stoop in order to conduct business.

WORKING CONDITIONSWork Environment

This position is on campus, and the essential functions are conducted in a climate-controlled office setting. It is well lighted and the noise level is moderate. However, interviews and meetings may be conducted at different locations, on or off campus, in various environments.

Driving Requirements

Use of one’s personal vehicle (or LU vehicles) is required for travel in the performance of the essential functions of this position. Proof of a valid Virginia driver’s license, an acceptable DMV record, and liability insurance is required.