Responsibilities

• Establish and maintain relationships with East Texas local media, Dallas-Fort Worth metro media, regional outlets, statewide media, and selected national and trade outlets.
• Develop, write, and pitch stories that promote student success, faculty achievement, research impact, institutional progress, and community contributions.
• Develop and maintain faculty expert placements in regional, state, and national media.
• Field, assess, coordinate, and respond to media inquiries in a timely, accurate, and strategic manner.
• Write, edit, and distribute media advisories, press releases, statements, talking points, briefing materials, and other earned media communications.
• Write short news stories, briefs, feature items, and related public-facing content for university channels.
• Coordinate with the Communications and Editorial Manager on story development, editorial standards, and message alignment.
• Coordinate with Texas A&M System communications colleagues as appropriate on systemwide initiatives and media opportunities.
• Assist with press conferences, media availabilities, interview logistics, executive media preparation, and emergency/public information support as assigned.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in journalism, public relations, communications, marketing, English, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience / Knowledge / Skills: Four years of related experience in media relations, journalism, public relations, strategic communications, or a related field.
• Strong writing, editing, verbal communication, and proofreading skills.
• Knowledge of media relations practices and the evolving media landscape.
• Strong interpersonal, planning, and organizational skills.
• Ability to write clearly for journalists and the public.
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple deadlines, and exercise sound judgment in sensitive situations.
• Licensing/Professional Certifications: None
• Physical Requirements: None
• Other Requirements: None

Preferred

• Experience in higher education or another mission-driven organization.
• Experience securing earned media placements and building reporter relationships.
• Experience writing in Associated Press style.
• Experience supporting crisis communication, public information, or emergency communications.

Benefits

• Competitive Benefits & Work-Life Balance: Employee tuition assistance for master’s and doctoral programs.
• Comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance.
• ETAMU contributes to employee health and basic life insurance premiums.
• 12-15 days of annual paid holidays, plus up to eight hours of paid sick leave and vacation each month.
• Automatic enrollment in the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), with optional additional retirement plans (ORP).
• Physical wellness program and wellness release time for eligible employees.