Public Relations Associate

Responsibilities

• Functions as part of public relations team to accomplish overall communication goals; brainstorms ideas and concepts with manager and team members; maintains strict confidentially on sensitive issues.
• Consults with team members and manager to evaluate individual project needs; prioritizes, tracks, executes, and maintains records of the specific tasks, costs and time schedule of multiple projects.
• Serves in the place of and operates completely in the stead of the immediate supervisor to provide a range of public relations services for more than half the centers in the command; performs the responsibilities of the manager as needed for media opportunities and incidents as assigned.
• Functions in a supervisory capacity for corps or service center personnel for video shoots, media opportunities, client interviews, photography sessions, etc.; works with the graphic designer for social media posts and graphic design projects to accomplish envisioned goals.
• Participates in planning, calendaring, and backdating necessary for the success of assigned projects; keeps projects on track to meet scheduled deadlines; organizes and maintains files and records on projects, promotions, special events, publications, vendors and contracts.
• Researches and secures information on a variety of topics and issues from various individuals and departments, as well as from outside sources.
• Creates content for feeds and snippets in various social media sites; schedules and organizes multiple constituents to generate content on a weekly basis; conducts keyword research including cataloging and indexing target keyword phrases and optimizing tags on our feeds, sharing sites such as YouTube, Flickr, Facebook, Twitter, Wikis, blogs and forums, and search engines through copywriting, creative & keyword optimization.
• Helps develop content for the Corps or Area Command website, as well as manages the receipt of, and approves for posting content for Corps community center websites; provides public relations services for assigned centers throughout the year; travels to various Salvation Army locations to uncover ideas, gather information, take photographs and shoot video.
• Stays informed of community issues and public opinion related to anything that might be of interest or concern to The Salvation Army.
• Researches issues of importance to The Salvation Army, such as electric rates, homelessness, hunger, child care, poverty, etc.; helps maintain statistical, demographic and trend-related information.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Public Relations, Communications or a related field,
• Two years progressively responsible experience coordinating public relations functions, Or
• Any equivalent combination of training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.
• Valid State Drivers License
• Ability to meet attendance requirements.
• Ability to read, write and communicate the English language effectively.
• Ability to speak before large groups in person, or on radio and television, if called upon.
• Ability to travel to various locations in order to participate in public meetings, conferences, etc.
• Ability and willingness to conduct all duties in accordance with the ministry of the organization and its Christian principles; conducts all communications and job duties with the highest level of professionalism.
• Duties are usually performed seated. Sitting may be relieved by brief or occasional periods of standing or walking.

Benefits

• 29 days PTO
• 12 Paid Holidays
• Affordable Health Insurance
• Retirement Benefits with Employer Match