Responsibilities

• The Media Relations Specialist serves as the university’s primary contact with external media sources.
• The position works to protect the reputation of the university and reflect institutional strategic priorities.
• The position conducts media outreach, maintains relationships with reporters, responds to media inquiries in a timely manner, and develops, positions and pitches stories to news outlets.
• The Media Relations Specialist organizes and manages press conferences and media events.
• In addition, the Media Relations Specialist maintains the university’s experts list, connects experts with media and provides media training.
• The Media Relations Specialist writes and distributes press releases, media advisories, news tips and other stories on behalf of the university.
• This position also participates in the emergency operations center in times of crisis and helps support strategic communications efforts.

Requirements

• Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in journalism, mass communications, or a related field.
• Four years of progressively responsible professional experience in news writing, crisis communications, public relations or related experience.
• Additional experience which demonstrates acquired and successfully applied knowledge and abilities shown above may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis. An advanced degree in a related field may be substituted for the required experience on a year-for-year basis.
• Thorough understanding of media relations strategies and techniques.
• Knowledge of copyright law, media best practices and accessibility in communications.
• Ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing, and to demonstrate journalistic style competency.
• Ability to manage multiple, concurrent writing assignments, working successfully under deadline.
• Ability to build and manage strong relationships with media contacts.
• Technical skills to use web-based platforms, including Google Workspace (Google Docs, Google Sheets, Google Slides, etc.), content management systems, software applications, project management platforms, databases and other tools.

Benefits

• medical, dental and vision plans
• membership in the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS)
• sick and vacation time
• 15 paid holidays a year
• eligible employees are also able to participate in the fee waiver education program.