Communications Specialist

Responsibilities

• Write and edit communications materials including press releases, newsletters, publications, reports, talking points, speeches, website content, social media posts, and scripts for video or podcast projects.
• Assist with media relations activities including preparing media materials, responding to inquiries, maintaining media lists, and supporting interviews or press briefings.
• Work with staff in the Communications and Public Affairs division to create digital and multimedia content for the website, social media channels, newsletters, and other communication platforms.
• Assist with development, scripting, scheduling, recording, and preparation of content for podcast episodes and other audio-based communications.
• Support Board and Committee communications including preparing agendas, briefing materials, talking points, minutes, presentations, and follow up materials.
• Assist with preparing presentations, graphics, and materials for agency programs, events, and special initiatives.
• Help maintain consistency in messaging, branding, and style across agency communications.
• Translate technical or program related information into clear, public friendly language.
• Work with staff throughout the agency to identify relevant data, findings, and information from studies or programs and prepare these for use in communications materials.
• Work with the Outreach division, as needed, to assist with communications needs related to NJTPA programs such as Street Smart NJ, UpNext North Jersey, and other agency initiatives.

Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited college with a bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, journalism, marketing, media studies, English, or a related field.
• One to three years of relevant professional experience in communications, public information, media, public relations, or a closely related field.
• Strong writing and editing skills.
• At the university’s discretion, the education and experience prerequisites may be exempted where the candidate can demonstrate to the satisfaction of the university an equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.

Preferred

• Experience with multimedia and podcast production including scheduling, scripting, recording, editing, distribution, and analytics.
• Demonstrated project management and organizational skills including experience supporting committee or meeting preparation.
• Experience with WordPress website content management system.
• Knowledge of government, transportation, communications strategy, or public affairs.