Senior Public Relations Specialist

Position Details
Position Information
Recruitment/Posting Title
Senior Public Relations Specialist
Job Category
Staff & Executive - Advertising/Marketing/Public Relations/Communications
Department
Media Relations
Overview
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, is a leading national research university and the State of New Jersey's preeminent, comprehensive public institution of higher education. As one of the largest employers in the State of New Jersey, Rutgers University is committed not only to the students and the State that we serve, but also to the faculty and staff who work on our campuses.
For two consecutive years, Rutgers is ranked on Forbes' list of America's Best Large Employers. Rutgers holds #64 of 500 employers and is the #1 New Jersey employer on the publication's 2023 list. Rutgers' commitment to its employees includes maintaining and fostering a safe, diverse, and respectful workplace environment, creating employment opportunities for our nation's military veterans, and ensuring accessibility and accommodation for individuals with disabilities.
Posting Summary
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, is seeking a Senior Public Relations Specialist for University Communications and Marketing.
Among the key duties of this position are the following:

• Edits, writes and produces content on the university's news center, Rutgers Today, that highlights Rutgers' people, innovations, service, and impact.
• Applies keen news judgment and strong writing and editing skills.
• identifies, produces and assigns stories that highlight the university's values, mission, and the achievements of its faculty, staff, and students.
• Works collaboratively with all UCM team members and communications partners across the university to identify stories that can be told on a variety of platforms, including news sites and social media, and promoted widely, including through external media.
• Serves as assistant editor of Rutgers Today and as backup to the Assistant Director/Editor.
• Manages the daily editorial and production duties on deadline and working with complex subject material.

Position Status
Full Time
Hours Per Week
Daily Work Shift
Day
Work Arrangement
FLSA
Exempt
Grade
06
Position Salary
Annual Minimum Salary
72833.000
Annual Mid Range Salary
90741.000
Annual Maximum Salary
108649.000
Standard Hours
37.50
Union Description
URA-AFT Administrative
Payroll Designation
PeopleSoft
Benefits
Rutgers offers a comprehensive benefit program to eligible employees. For details, please go to http://uhr.rutgers.edu/benefits/benefits-overview.
Seniority Unit
Terms of Appointment
Staff - 12 month
Position Pension Eligibility
ABP
Qualifications
Minimum Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree preferably in English, Journalism, Communications, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience.
• A minimum of 5 years' experience in communications or journalism.

Certifications/Licenses

• Use of personal vehicle in order to travel for business demands; a valid driver's license would be required for this position.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Must have an ability to write and edit clearly and accurately about complex technical and scientific topics.
• Excellent writing, reporting, and editing skills under deadline pressure are a must, as is strong news judgment to identify stories that will resonate with a wide audience.
• Creative thinking, flexibility, and a daily drive to develop and execute content ideas to promote Rutgers are key to the position.
• Must have experience writing about a wide variety of topics, such as research, health care, and science for news sites and other digital channels.
• Organizational and editorial management skills and the ability to handle multiple responsibilities are critical, along with being an excellent collaborator on a fast-moving team.
• Ability to use good judgment in dealing with sensitive issues, to work independently and as part of a team, and to handle multiple tasks and projects under tight deadlines.
• Must be able to work professionally and collaboratively with a broad range of people including, but not limited to, high-level administrators, faculty, staff, and students.
• Must also demonstrate the ability to work with journalists to promote newsworthy initiatives and accomplishments.
• Knowledge of AP style and experience following editorial style guidelines.
• Ability to adeptly produce content in content management systems, such as Drupal.
• Ability to use Photoshop and other Adobe Creative Suite products and to organize and track work in a project management software platform is key.
• A Driver's License.

Preferred Qualifications

• News writing and editing experience.
• Experience working with: project management tools, media monitoring tools; Constant Contact and Salesforce; multiple content management systems, such as Drupal.
• Experience with Microsoft applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint.) and Adobe Creative Suite products.

Equipment Utilized

• Experience working with: project management tools, media monitoring tools.
• Constant Contact and Salesforce; multiple content management systems, such as Drupal.
• Experience with Microsoft applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint.) and Adobe Creative Suite products.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

• Lifting up to 25 lbs.
• Office environment with moderate noise.
• Must have a valid driver's license and be willing to use personal vehicle for university business.
• This position is classified as "essential" which means the position may be required to work during university emergencies or closures.

Special Conditions

• Clean Driving Record.

Posting Details
Posting Number
24ST0305
Posting Open Date
02/16/2024
Special Instructions to Applicants
Regional Campus
Rutgers University-New Brunswick
Home Location Campus
Rutgers University - New Brunswick
City
New Brunswick
State
NJ
Location Details
Pre-employment Screenings
All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of all pre-employment screenings.
Immunization Requirements
Under Policy 60.1.35 Immunization Policy for Rutgers Employees and Prospective Employees, Rutgers University requires all prospective employees to provide proof that they are vaccinated against COVID-19 prior to commencement of employment, unless the University has granted the individual a medical or religious exemption. Rutgers University may require certain prospective employees to receive an updated (bivalent) vaccine dose. Under Policy 100.3.1 Immunization Policy for Covered Individuals, if employment will commence during Flu Season, Rutgers University may require certain prospective employees to provide proof that they are vaccinated against Seasonal Influenza for the current Flu Season, unless the University has granted the individual a medical or religious exemption. Additional infection control and safety policies may apply. Prospective employees should speak with their hiring manager to determine which policies apply to the role or position for which they are applying. Failure to provide proof of vaccination for any required vaccines or obtain a medical or religious exemption from the University will result in rescission of a candidate's offer of employment or disciplinary action up to and including termination.
Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
It is university policy to provide equal employment opportunity to all its employees and applicants for employment regardless of their race, creed, color, national origin, age, ancestry, nationality, marital or domestic partnership or civil union status, sex, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, disability status, liability for military service, protected veteran status, affectional or sexual orientation, atypical cellular or blood trait, genetic information (including the refusal to submit to genetic testing), or any other category protected by law. As an institution, we value diversity of background and opinion, and prohibit discrimination or harassment on the basis of any legally protected class in the areas of hiring, recruitment, promotion, transfer, demotion, training, compensation, pay, fringe benefits, layoff, termination or any other terms and conditions of employment. For additional information please see the Non-Discrimination Statement at the following web address: http://uhr.rutgers.edu/non-discrimination-statement