Senior Public Relations Specialist

Position Details

Position Information

Recruitment/Posting Title Senior Public Relations Specialist Job Category URA-AFT Administrative Department Walter Rand Institute

• Cmd Overview

Ranked #49 in U.S. News & World Report's list of Best Public Colleges and Universities, Rutgers University-Camden is a diverse, research-intensive campus of approximately 6,100 students at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels and 1,100 faculty and staff members.

Located in Camden, N.J., directly across the Delaware River from Philadelphia, the university is uniquely situated to serve the local community while achieving global reach. A U.S. Department of Education-designated Minority Serving Institution, the university thrives due to a supportive culture that helps students achieve their goals and fosters collaboration among employees.

Rutgers-Camden is recognized as a national model for civically engaged urban universities and was selected by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching for a Community Engagement classification. Washington Monthly magazine has ranked Rutgers University-Camden among its "Best Bang for the Buck" universities and best national research universities. Recently, Rutgers-Camden earned Carnegie classification as an R2 research university due to a high volume of internationally recognized research, creative output, and scholarly activity.

Posting Summary

The Senator Walter Rand Institute for Public Affairs (WRI) at Rutgers-Camden has been a long-standing and trusted regional community partner for over 20 years. WRI honors former Senator Rand's dedication to Southern New Jersey and exists to produce and highlight community-focused research and evaluation leading to sound public policy and practice in the region.

With that as a foundation, WRI convenes and engages stakeholders in making the connections across research, policy, and practice in support of Camden City and Southern New Jersey residents. Using social science research methods, WRI specializes in transforming data into actionable information across a variety of areas, including workforce development, education, transportation, and public/population health. WRI reinforces and amplifies Rutgers' research, teaching, and service goals by connecting the multidisciplinary expertise of faculty to regional problems, developing research and professional skills in students, and linking the resources of higher education to communities in Southern New Jersey.

This is an exciting opportunity to join an influential organization with a mission of improving lives across the region and contributing significantly toward that mission. Under the direction of and in close collaboration with the WRI Director, the Senior Public Relations Specialist of Public Engagement and Communications (Public Engagement and Communications) will lead and execute strategic communications and public engagement activities that advance WRI's mission and position within the university, region, and State.

Main responsibilities:

The Senior Public Relations Specialist (Public Engagement and Communications) will independently build and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders across the region and State, including State and local government officials and agencies, community providers and organizations, members of the WRI Advisory Board, and Rutgers faculty and staff. This position will identify and create opportunities for WRI to share its research in a variety of settings with the aforementioned stakeholders and expand its reach to new audiences. They will liaise with the Rutgers-Camden Communications office, develop and execute strategic communications plans for all of WRI's public-facing research, and lead WRI's communications operations.

● Leverage existing relationships and build new connections with South Jersey and State partners and legislators to build awareness of WRI's research in public settings

● Develop and execute communications and dissemination strategy for all WRI research projects and lead internal WRI Content and Dissemination working group

● Develop and, in collaboration with WRI staff, execute public-facing content strategy for WRI: e.g. annual report, fact sheets, research briefs, research snapshots, blog posts, etc.

● In collaboration with the WRI Department Administrator, plan and execute research-based meetings, convenings, conferences, and webinars - e.g. potential "State of South Jersey" conference; series of South Jersey forums connecting research to policy and community needs; events discussing community-focused research agendas, WRI Open House connecting faculty, WRI, and community partners

● Manage WRI website, social media channels, WRImpact blog - develop and post content, develop and execute plan for increasing engagement and followers/subscribers

● Faculty engagement: develop and execute engagement strategies to connect faculty and university to WRI's work and vice versa

● WRI Advisory Board: leverage relationships and make connections that support WRI's public engagement goals

● Liaise with university communications office to manage media relations and build awareness of WRI's work at the university level

In this position, the Senior Public Relations Specialist is both leader and executor of all responsibilities and the workload will be manageable. With the exception of a potential part-time student communications associate (not guaranteed), it is not anticipated that there will be any direct reports for the position.

Position Status Full Time Hours Per Week 37.5 Daily Work Shift Day Work Arrangement

Consistent with the current application of Rutgers Policy 60.3.22, this position may be eligible for a hybrid work arrangement. The flexible work arrangements outlined in Rutgers Policy 60.3.22 are part of a pilot program that is effective September 1, 2022 through August 31, 2024.

Therefore, there is no guarantee that this flexible work arrangement will continue beyond that date. Flexible work arrangements are not permanent, are subject to change or cancellation and contingent on the employee receiving approval in the FlexWork@RU Application System. Additional information may be found at https://futureofwork.rutgers.edu.

FLSA Exempt Grade 06 Position Salary Starting salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience, within university policy and salary schedules, as well as departmental budgets. Annual Minimum Salary 72833.000 Annual Mid Range Salary 90741.000 Annual Maximum Salary 108649.000 Standard Hours 37.50 Union Description URA-AFT Administrative Payroll Designation PeopleSoft Benefits

Rutgers offers a comprehensive benefit program to eligible employees. For details, please go to http://uhr.rutgers.edu/benefits/benefits-overview.

Seniority Unit Terms of Appointment Staff

• 12 month Position Pension Eligibility ABP

Qualifications

Minimum Education and Experience

Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and/or experience.

Certifications/Licenses Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and/or experience in a relevant field and a minimum of 5 years of deep experience in communications and public engagement required. Proficiency in website management, content management systems (Word Press), and social media platforms is also required.

Preferred Qualifications

Exceptional strategic communications, writing, and content development skills are essential for this position, as well as strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple projects with varying priorities. Must be an exceptional strategic and creative thinker, with the ability to make strategic connections and identify new opportunities.

Must be able to work independently, but also have a collaborative spirit and the ability to work well with others to contribute to and lead the completion of communications and public engagement projects. Must also be able to build and maintain relationships with a wide variety of internal and external partners, including State agencies, legislators and their staff, university faculty, etc.

Knowledge of and experience with Microsoft Office Suite and Google Workspace strongly preferred. Knowledge of New Jersey and existing relationships with stakeholders in the State and Southern New Jersey preferred.

Candidates with basic graphic design skills also preferred. Preference for candidates familiar with the process of connecting academic and non-academic research findings to real world issues and situations.

Equipment Utilized

Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace, Canva, WordPress

Physical Demands and Work Environment

Engagement meetings, activities, and events are often conducted in-person across the eight Southern New Jersey counties and State - reliable transportation is required. Must be able and willing to travel to represent WRI at meetings, events, and conferences.

Must also be able and willing to attend early morning (8am) meetings and evening events on occasion. Work is generally conducted in a typical office setting requiring the use of computers, copiers, printers, and other workplace-related technology. Occasionally lift up to 20 pounds.

Special Conditions

Posting Details

Posting Number 24ST0867 Posting Open Date 04/23/2024 Special Instructions to Applicants

Please attached the following required documents:

• Resume/CV

• Cover letter

• List of Professional References

• Writing Sample

Regional Campus Rutgers University-Camden Home Location Campus Rutgers University-Camden City Camden State NJ Location Details

Pre-employment Screenings

All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of all pre-employment screenings.

Immunization Requirements

Under Policy 100.3.1 Immunization Policy for Covered Individuals, if employment will commence during Flu Season, Rutgers University may require certain prospective employees to provide proof that they are vaccinated against Seasonal Influenza for the current Flu Season, unless the University has granted the individual a medical or religious exemption. Additional infection control and safety policies may apply.

Prospective employees should speak with their hiring manager to determine which policies apply to the role or position for which they are applying. Failure to provide proof of vaccination for any required vaccines or obtain a medical or religious exemption from the University will result in rescission of a candidate's offer of employment or disciplinary action up to and including termination.

Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

It is university policy to provide equal employment opportunity to all its employees and applicants for employment regardless of their race, creed, color, national origin, age, ancestry, nationality, marital or domestic partnership or civil union status, sex, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, disability status, liability for military service, protected veteran status, affectional or sexual orientation, atypical cellular or blood trait, genetic information (including the refusal to submit to genetic testing), or any other category protected by law. As an institution, we value diversity of background and opinion, and prohibit discrimination or harassment on the basis of any legally protected class in the areas of hiring, recruitment, promotion, transfer, demotion, training, compensation, pay, fringe benefits, layoff, termination or any other terms and conditions of employment. For additional information please see the Non-Discrimination Statement at the following web address: http://uhr.rutgers.edu/non-discrimination-statement

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• Do you have experience in developing and executing a communications and content dissemination plan?

(Open Ended Question)

• Briefly describe your experience leading a public engagement strategy to build public awareness around an organization and promote its work?

(Open Ended Question)

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

• Resume/CV

• Cover Letter/Letter of Application

• Writing Sample 1

• List of Professional References (contact Info)

Optional Documents