Responsibilities

• Develop and implement strategic communications initiatives that enhance the visibility, accessibility, and impact of the Center’s research and public engagement activities.
• Translate complex research findings, policy analyses, and public hearing discussions and/or testimony into accessible materials for legislators, media, stakeholders, and public audiences.
• Manage, in collaboration with Center staff, the Center’s website, social media platforms, digital communications, and related public-facing content including consistency with the Center’s brand and formatting guidelines.
• Draft, edit, and oversee the development of policy briefs, presentations, testimony materials, press releases, talking points, newsletters, video, and other print and digital communications.
• Coordinate media relations activities and maintain professional relationships with local, regional, and statewide media organizations.
• Identify opportunities to proactively promote the Center’s research, events, and public policy discussions through earned media, digital engagement, and stakeholder outreach.
• Support the planning and execution of public hearings, stakeholder events, presentations, and special initiatives.
• Collaborate closely with Center staff to ensure communications products accurately reflect research findings and maintain the Center’s nonpartisan mission and standards of quality.
• Monitor and track media coverage, public engagement metrics, and communications performance.
• Assist in the continued development and implementation of the Center’s strategic roadmap and broader stakeholder engagement efforts.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, public relations, English, marketing, political science, public policy, or a related field.
• Minimum of three years of professional experience in communications, public affairs, media relations, marketing communications, government communications, or a related field.
• Excellent writing, editing, proofreading, and verbal communication skills.
• Experience managing digital communications platforms, websites, and social media accounts.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, meet independent deadlines, and collaborate effectively with team members at varying stages of a project, with a high degree of accuracy and professionalism.
• Strong organizational and interpersonal skills.
• Working knowledge of digital communications tools e.g., Mailchimp and standard design/layout software e.g., Adobe InDesign and Photoshop.
• Experience applying accessibility standards and formatting practices to final deliverables, including documents, digital content, and publications.
• Basic photography skills and experience capturing high-quality images at public events, conferences, and organizational activities for use in communications and digital content.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to travel throughout Pennsylvania as needed.

Preferred

• Experience working with government agencies, legislative offices, research organizations, higher education institutions, nonprofit organizations, or public policy entities.
• Experience translating technical, research-based, or policy-oriented information into public-facing print, digital, and video communications.
• Familiarity with Pennsylvania government, rural communities, and issues affecting rural Pennsylvania.
• Graduate degree in communications, journalism, public policy, public relations, or a related field.

Benefits

• The Center for Rural Pennsylvania employees receive the same benefits package as the Senate of Pennsylvania and a collaborative, mission-driven work environment.