Overview
Join USU Extension’s Utah Marriage Commission and Healthy Relationships Utah team! The Public Relations Specialist will organize, coordinate, and oversee public relations strategies to advance our profile and services. The Specialist will build and maintain positive relations with the public, the press, and electronic media. This position will be hired as either a Public Relations Specialist II or III depending on qualifications and duties assigned. (See Qualifications section.)
This position will lead strategic public relations and partnership efforts, and is responsible for identifying, producing, and implementing community-engagement strategies that increase brand awareness, attract funding, and promotes services. It is expected the Specialist’s efforts will result in more podcast and webinar attendees and sponsors, increased web traffic, more social media engagement, additional people registering for free relationship education workshops, etc. Duties include maintaining a strong online presence, creating and coordinating marketing materials, leading community outreach activities/events, capturing impacts, serving as the primary media contact, and sharing lessons learned.
The administrative offices for USU Extension and the Utah Marriage Commission are in Logan Utah, where work space is available. This position is telework eligible within the state of Utah, consistent with USU Policy 330. Regardless of primary work location, regular in-office time on the Logan USU campus is expected.
The position can be either ¾ time or full-time. Excellent University benefits are included with an approximate value of 45% of your annual salary (see https://hr.usu.edu/benefits/). Although USU has successfully renewed relationship education funding for nearly two decades, continued employment is contingent upon performance and on-going grant funding.
Responsibilities
- Supports the University’s goals and objectives by developing, implementing, and delivering publications, press and media communications, special promotions, and general information.
- Conducts media relations efforts; establishes and maintains contacts with key media personnel; develops and maintains a comprehensive list of press, media, and community communication mediums.
- Develops, coordinates, and executes multiple communication plans and partnership strategies that support and promote the department’s initiatives.
- Researches, writes, edits, and distributes electronic and printed marketing communication materials, including press kits, feature stories, public service announcements, etc.
- Develops website content.
- Coordinates, trains, and empowers staff throughout the state to actively support public relations, marketing, and partnering efforts.
- Identifies and coordinates with influencers, external partners, and stakeholders to promote branding, initiatives, and services.
- Assist in the development and implementation of special events and promotional activities.
- Coordinate and approve content from staff, student employees, and interns.
- Manage content on social media pages, including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, and LinkedIn.
- May moderate social media discussion and work with administration to respond to questions and comments. May monitor social media for violations of policy.
- May interview faculty members, researchers, programmatic staff/educators, volunteers, stakeholders, and students for news releases suitable for state and national distribution.
- May supply artwork, photographs, sound clips, and video to accompany public relations efforts.
- Prepare and disseminate information, including Annual Reports, Executive Summaries, and other reports in order to manage and enhance the reputation of the department.
- Ensures publications, marketing, and media efforts align and leverage with Utah State University’s branding position.
- Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:
- This position will be hired as either a Public Relations Specialist II or III based upon qualifications and duties assigned:
- For a Public Relations Specialist II: Bachelor’s degree in marketing, public relations, advertising, communication, or related field plus two years of relevant experience OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- For a Public Relations Specialist III: Bachelor’s degree in marketing, public relations, advertising, communication, or related field plus four years of relevant experience OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- A strong desire to promote healthy relationships.
- Experience leading projects and teams.
- Reliable transportation (work mileage will be reimbursed) to travel as requested and ability to work occasional evenings and weekends.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Master’s degree in marketing, public relations, advertising, communication or related field plus two years of relevant experience.
- Professional experience as an Influencer or working with Influencers.
- Experience with family life education, USU Extension, and/or the Utah Marriage Commission.
- Experience supervising employees and/or students.
- Experience partnering with state-agencies and/or community-based, family-service organizations.
- Related technology skills such as HTML, Qualtrics, Constant Contact, Mail Chimp, etc.
- Proficient in Spanish.
- Experience with database and records management.
- Resides, or is willing to relocate, to Cache Valley or the Wasatch Front.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Ability to create, compose, and edit written materials.
- Knowledge of publishing procedures and requirements, including desktop publishing.
- Ability to plan, organize, and coordinate media activities and promotional events.
- Website/electronic media development skills.
- Knowledge of journalism, marketing, and branding principles and techniques.
- Ability to work with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community.
- Ability to read and interpret designs, specifications, and schematic drawings.
- Ability to transport and setup displays.
- Ability to formulate and execute annual short and long-term marketing plans.
- Ability to summarize and interpret facts and trends as they pertain to complicated materials.
- Ability to move a project from concept to execution.
- Ability to handle multiple tasks under tight deadlines and within established budgets.
Disclaimer:
This position description indicates the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive list of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to the position.
Required Documents
Along with the online application, please attach:
- Resume to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Resume/CV”
- Cover Letter (addressing all minimum/preferred qualifications) to be typed/pasted at the end of your application
- Link to portfolio or professional writing sample to be typed/pasted at the end of your application under “Other Documents”
**Document size may not exceed 10 MB.**
Advertised Salary
Minimum $55,000 commensurate with experience plus excellent benefits
ADA
Employees work indoors and are protected from weather and/or contaminants, but not, necessarily, occasional temperature changes. The employee is regularly required to sit and often uses repetitive hand motions.
College/Department Highlights
The Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services is home to eight departments and is committed to providing the best learning opportunities and educational research in the state of Utah. Our programs are strengthened by an on-campus elementary laboratory school and five stand-alone centers, including the Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Research Center and the Sorenson Legacy Foundation Center for Clinical Excellence. The college offers clinical services to the community across the human lifespan and provides students with real-world service and research opportunities.
The Department of Human Development and Family Studies (https://cehs.usu.edu/hdfs) is in the Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services (https://cehs.usu.edu). Departmental degrees offered include: BS/BA: Human Development and Family Studies; MS: Human Development and Family Studies; MMFT: Master of Marriage and Family Therapy (non-thesis degree); MHDFS: Master of Human Development and Family Studies (non-thesis degree); PhD in Human Development and Family Studies. A Gerontology Certificate Program also is administered by the department. The department has 30 faculty members, over 300 undergraduate majors, and over 80 graduate students. The department is committed to optimizing the lives of individuals, families, and communities through excellence in research, teaching, and extension. Our nationally recognized faculty lead research, instructional, and outreach efforts in the areas of marriage and family relations, human development from infancy to later life, early childhood education, family financial management, and marriage and family therapy. In the last fiscal year, the department generated $9.5M in research, service, and outreach expenditures. Units within the department include the Adele and Dale Young Child Development Laboratory, which provides service for children and families, research, and training pre-professionals; the Dolores Doré Eccles Center for Early Care and Education provides high quality day care services and is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children; the Marriage and Family Therapy Clinic (MFT) provides therapy services to individuals, couples, and families; and Housing and Financial Counseling (HFC) services, which provides programs for first time homebuyers, reverse mortgages, and debt management. The department is a proud partner of Cooperative Extension at Utah State University. Our faculty provide a variety of evidence-based family life education programs across the state. Signature program areas include stepfamily education, healthy relationships, and parenting.
Healthy Relationships Utah – Extension Specialists within the department and college oversee research-based programs around the state. Their relationship education programs include courses for fathers, individuals who are single, dating, married, divorced and remarried. Venues have included high schools, jails, community agencies, etc. See www.HealthyRelationshipsUtah.org.
The Utah Marriage Commission is a state agency dedicated to promoting strong and healthy marriages in Utah. Through research, education, and outreach, the commission provides resources and support to couples at all stages of their relationships. The commission collaborates with community partners to offer marriage and relationship education programs, and works to raise public awareness about the benefits of healthy marriages. The Utah Marriage Commission is committed to building a culture of strong, resilient, and fulfilling relationships in Utah. See www.StrongerMarriage.org.
University Highlights
Founded in 1888, Utah State University is Utah’s premier land-grant and space-grant university, with a strong commitment to excellence, access, and inclusion. USU serves approximately 27,500 students throughout the state at three residential campuses, eight statewide campuses, and 23 education centers. USU Online has served students from all 50 states and 55 countries for over 25 years, and USU Extension provides outreach and service to all counties in Utah.
As a land-grant university, USU engages communities and empowers people to lead successful lives of involvement, innovation, and impact. As an R1 research institution, USU provides a high-quality undergraduate and graduate education at an affordable price. Washington Monthly has consistently ranked USU in the top 10 among public universities for contribution to social mobility, research, and public service.
Utah State is committed to cultivating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community where different perspectives, values, cultures, and identities are acknowledged, welcomed, and valued. We seek to recruit, hire, and retain people from all walks of life who will champion excellence in education, research, discovery, outreach, and service. We believe that promoting a strong sense of community and belonging empowers and engages all members of USU to thrive and be successful. Learn more about USU.
The university provides a Dual Career Assistance Program to support careers for partners who are also seeking employment. Additionally, USU is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability, contact the university’s ADA Coordinator in the Office of Human Resources at (435) 797-0122 or hr@usu.edu.
About the Region
U.S. News and World Report ranked Utah first for its strong economy, fiscal stability, education, and health care. Outstanding outdoor recreational opportunities abound throughout the state, including five national parks, 43 state parks and recreation areas, and 15 alpine ski resorts. The home of USU’s main campus, Logan, is a city of 54,000-plus people in a picturesque mountain valley 80 miles north of Salt Lake City. The Logan metro area claimed the top spot in the Milken Institute’s 2022 ranking for best-performing small cities in the nation.
*updated 7/2023
Notice of Non-discrimination
In its programs and activities, including in admissions and employment, Utah State University does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination, including harassment, based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy, Title IX, or any other federal, state, or local law.
The following individuals have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the application of Title IX and its implementing regulations and/or USU’s non-discrimination policies:
Executive Director of the Office of Equity Matthew Pinner, discrimination@usu.edu, Distance Education Rm. 401, 435-797-1266
Title IX Coordinator Cody Carmichael, titleix@usu.edu, Distance Education Rm. 404, 435-797-1266
Mailing address: 5100 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322
For further information regarding non-discrimination, please visit https://equity.usu.edu/, or contact:
U.S. Department of Education, Office of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 800-421-3481, OCR@ed.gov