News Officer_

University OverviewThe University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn’s distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America’s Best Large Employers in 2023.Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.Posted Job TitleNews OfficerJob Profile TitleEditor BJob Description SummaryNews officer/writer in University Communications will handle writing and media relations for assigned beats at Penn. They will cover political science, law, history, Penn Global, and represent other schools, centers, and departments as assigned. The position will also write for publications including Penn Today and Research@Penn. The position is part of the newsroom in Penn’s central communications office and reports to the Director for News and Media.Hybrid Eligible:Flexible with a maximum of two work from home daysApplication Requirement:In addition to a resume/CV, a cover letter is required to be considered for this position. Please upload cover letter and resume/CV. Multiple documents are allowed.Application Deadline: Aug. 20, 2024Initial Interviews to be held Aug 28-Sept. 3.Final Interviews to be held Sept. 11-13.Target offer date: Sept. 20Target start date: Oct. 9(dates subject to change)Targeted Salary:65-78K commensurate with education and experience.Job DescriptionJob ResponsibilitiesWith minimum supervision, she/he/they will:+ Develop and maintain relationships across the University to source and write news releases to pitch national, regional, and local media and source, pitch, and write news articles and feature stories for campus print+ Interview faculty, students, administrators and other employees to investigate story possibilities and research background materials to meet editorial goals and deadlines+ Maintain working relationship with writers, editors, and others at external news media; work with media to place materials most effectively+ Promote and reinforce Penn’s reputation as a world-renowned research university through institutional messaging, story sourcing and pitching, responding to media, content prioritization, brand management, and image choices. Develop a high profile and recognition of self and department in area of assigned responsibility to encourage communication that will result in positive news placements+ Maintain a monthly report documenting editorial assignments and earned media;+ Perform any other appropriate tasks as assigned by the Director for News and Media, Director of Media Relations, or Associate Vice President for University Communications.Qualifications+ Bachelor of Arts and 3 to 5 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required.+ A strong writing background and a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university; at least four years’ professional journalism and/or public relations experience;+ Superb reporting and writing skills and a demonstrated ability to gather, research, and write news professionally; ability to work well with faculty and administration and translate sometimes technical academic subjects for lay audiences;+ A working knowledge of social media and multi-media;+ Experience in dealing with major national and international media and a solid understanding of and commitment to the highest professional public relations standards; knowledge of news media operations and the ability to communicate with the wide range of personalities in the media;+ A commitment to work within the University’s established organizational structure;+ A commitment to independent higher education in general and to the University of Pennsylvania in particular.Job Location - City, StatePhiladelphia, PennsylvaniaReporting to the Director for News and Media the news officer will have a strong writing background and experience in dealing with major national and international media, as well as experience with social media and multi-media is highly desired. Seeking a self-starter who can see the broad picture while also attending to details, who can work with Ivy League deans and faculty, someone who is a team player, understands institutional communications, and is also able to work independently. Position requires superb reporting and writing skills and candidates must provide writing samples or may be asked to take a writing test.Department / SchoolPresident's CenterPay Range$51,824.00 - $79,500.00 Annual RateSalary offers are made based on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, as well as internal and market factors and grade profile.Affirmative Action Statement Penn adheres to a policy that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class.Special Requirements Background check required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.University Benefits+ Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts : Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family’s health and welfare. You can also use flexible spending accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.+ Tuition : Take advantage of Penn's exceptional tuition benefits . You, your spouse, and your dependent children can get tuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are also eligible for tuition assistance at other institutions.+ Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penn’s Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.+ Time Away from Work: Penn provides you with a substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personal affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time with family—whatever your personal needs may be.+ Long-Term Care Insurance: In partnership with Genworth Financial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible family members) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of the costs of long-term care services received at home, in the community or in a nursing facility. If you apply when you’re newly hired, you won’t have to provide proof of good health or be subject to underwriting requirements. Eligible family members must always provide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting.+ Wellness and Work-life Resources : Penn is committed to supporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competing demands of work and personal life. That’s why we offer a wide variety of programs and resources to help you care for your health, your family, and your work-life balance.+ Professional and Personal Development: Penn provides an array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally.+ University Resources: As a member of the Penn community, you have access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of the University’s libraries and athletic facilities, or visit our arboretum and art galleries. There’s always something going on at Penn, whether it’s a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latest music or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the Penn Relays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a member of the Penn community, you’re right in the middle of the excitement—and you and your family can enjoy many of these activities for free.+ Discounts and Special Services : From arts and entertainment to transportation and mortgages, you'll find great deals for University faculty and staff. Not only do Penn arts and cultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admission and memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoy substantial savings on other goods and services such as new cars from Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, and admission to theme parks.+ Flexible Work Hours: Flexible work options offer creative approaches for completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments. These approaches involve use of non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures.+ Penn Home Ownership Services: Penn offers a forgivable loan for eligible employees interested in buying a home or currently residing in West Philadelphia, which can be used for closing costs or home improvements.+ Adoption Assistance: Penn will reimburse eligible employees on qualified expenses in connection with the legal adoption of an eligible child, such as travel or court fees, for up to two adoptions in your household.​To learn more, please visit: r.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-payThe University of Pennsylvania's special character is reflected in the diversity of the Penn community. We seek talented faculty and staff who will constitute a vibrant community that draws on the strength that comes with a substantive institutional commitment to diversity along dimensions of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability, veteran status, interests, perspectives, and socioeconomic status. Grounded in equal opportunity, nondiscrimination, and affirmative action, Penn's robust commitment to diversity is fundamental to the University's mission of advancing knowledge, educating leaders for all sectors of society, and public service. The University of Pennsylvania prohibits unlawful discrimination based on race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class.