University of Georgia is hiring: PR & Media Specialist in Athens-Clarke County U

Posting Details

Posting Number: S12994P

Working Title: PR & Media Specialist

Department: Ecology-Odum School of Ecology

About the University of Georgia: Since our founding in 1785, the University of Georgia has operated as Georgia's oldest, most comprehensive, and most diversified institution of higher education. The proof is in our more than 235 years of academic and professional achievements and our continual commitment to higher education. UGA is currently ranked among the top 20 public universities in U.S. News & World Report. The University's main campus is located in Athens, approximately 65 miles northeast of Atlanta, with extended campuses in Atlanta, Griffin, Gwinnett, and Tifton. UGA employs approximately 3,000 faculty and more than 7,700 full-time staff. The University's enrollment exceeds 40,000 students including over 30,000 undergraduates and over 10,000 graduate and professional students. Academic programs reside in 18 schools and colleges, as well as a medical partnership with Augusta University housed on the UGA Health Sciences Campus in Athens.

Posting Type: External

Retirement Plan: TRS or ORP

Employment Type: Employee

Benefits Eligibility: Benefits Eligible

Full/Part time: Full Time

Work Schedule: M-F 8am to 5pm

Advertised Salary: $50,000 - $55,000

Posting Date: 12/06/2024

Open until filled: Yes

Proposed Starting Date: 01/01/2025

Special Instructions to Applicants: Please provide a minimum of 3 writing samples.

Location of Vacancy: Athens Area

EEO Policy Statement: The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, genetic information, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation or protected veteran status. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR (hrweb@uga.edu).

USG Core Values Statement: The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning, as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards.

Position Information

Classification Title: Communications Professional

FLSA: Exempt

FTE: 1.00

Minimum Qualifications: Requires at least a baccalaureate degree in the field. Please contact your Human Resources office for an evaluation of education/experience in lieu of the required minimum qualifications.

Preferred Qualifications: Minimum two years of relevant work experience.

Position Summary: This position will serve as public relations professional for the Odum School of Ecology (OSE) while assisting in communications for the UGA River Basin Center (RBC). For the OSE, the employee will produce written, visual and multimedia content to tell the Odum School story, including press releases, features, and social media posts about Odum research, teaching, outreach, events, and people. The incumbent may also provide design services for the Odum School website, social media and programs. In addition, this position provides communications and other support for OSE events and programs. For this area, the employee will report to OSE's Communications Director. For the RBC, the employee will be responsible for updating and implementing a communications plan, including a social media plan. The coordinator will maintain the RBC website and oversee the creation of articles and press releases highlighting RBC projects and profiling affiliate faculty, staff, and students. For this area, the employee will report to a co-Director of RBC. This position will oversee up to four rotating student interns who will assist with various tasks. This position will regularly interact with faculty, staff, and students among OSE and other university units. Decisions of the position determine the effectiveness of the communications activities of both the OSE and RBC and influence the reputation and performance of both units.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and/or Competencies:

• Able to prioritize effectively and efficiently.
• Excellent written and oral communications skills and the ability to develop and implement a communications strategy involving both traditional and social media.
• Facility with a range of software tools including but not limited to Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft Office, and WordPress.

Physical Demands:

• Typical office environment
• Move effectively and efficiently from building to building, working with two units

Is driving a responsibility of this position? Yes

Is this a Position of Trust? No

Does this position have operation, access, or control of financial resources? No

Does this position require a P-Card? No

Is having a P-Card an essential function of this position? No

Does this position have direct interaction or care of children under the age of 18 or direct patient care? No

Does this position have Security Access? No

Credit and P-Card policy: Be advised a credit check will be required for all positions with financial responsibilities.

Background Investigation Policy: Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a background investigation including, a criminal background check demonstrating your eligibility for employment with the University of Georgia; confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in your application materials (including reference checks) as they relate to the job-based requirements of the position applied for; and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check.

Duties/Responsibilities

• Update and implement the communications plan for Ecology, including web content and social media, to effectively communicate about school activities, events, projects, faculty, staff and students.
• Develop story or content ideas, considering reader or audience appeal.
• Research, report, write and edit stories, social media posts, and text for newsletters, annual reports, events and other purposes as needed.
• Edit and proofread content to identify and correct errors in spelling, punctuation, syntax and use of AP style.
• Edit copy to improve readability. Adapt existing content, written by others, for various formats/placements.
• Verify facts, dates and statistics that appear in content using standard reference sources.
• Track communications metrics.
• Ensure that content/messaging is consistent with UGA branding guidelines.
• Edit content created by other members of the communications team.

Percentage of time: 45

• Update and implement the communications plan for the RBC, including web content and social media, to effectively communicate about center activities, events, projects, faculty, staff and students.
• Develop story or content ideas, considering reader or audience appeal.
• Research, report, write and edit stories, social media posts, and text for newsletters, annual reports, events and other purposes as needed.
• Edit and proofread content to identify and correct errors in spelling, punctuation, syntax and use of AP style.
• Edit copy to improve readability. Adapt existing content, written by others, for various formats/placements.
• Verify facts, dates and statistics that appear in content using standard reference sources.
• Track communications metrics.
• Ensure that content/messaging is consistent with UGA branding guidelines.
• Supervise and coordinate work of RBC student interns, serving as a mentor.

Percentage of time: 35

• Provide communications support for OSE programs and events, including reporting on seminars and other events.
• Shoot photo and/or video of OSE events and programs.
• Provide limited logistical support for events.

Percentage of time: 10

• Update content and perform simple maintenance for OSE website.

Percentage of time: 5

• Update content and perform simple maintenance for RBC/GWRC websites.
• Work with OSE web developer to update and improve functionality of RBC/GWRC websites.

Percentage of time: 5