Public Relations Specialist

WVSOM

Lewisburg (WV)

On-site

USD 29,000 - 35,000

Full time

14 days+

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Job summary

The West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine is seeking a Public Relations Specialist to support daily Marketing and Communications operations. The role acts as a junior writer/editor, producing the WVSOM newsletter, press releases, and media relations activities with AP Style.

It also supports conference planning, budgeting, and event coordination. Responsibilities include drafting communications, editing materials, assisting with social media reports, photography, and representing WVSOM at

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree required or equivalent combination of experience and training.
2–3 years' experience in writing/editing for magazines, newspapers, or online media preferred.
Strong command of AP style and editorial standards.
Ability to plan and manage multiple projects with tight deadlines.
Experience coordinating conferences, events, and media relations.

Responsibilities

Write and edit newsletter content and press releases; manage media relations.
Edit department material according to AP Style; produce high-quality communications.
Support social media marketing plans with analysis and reporting.
Photograph events and conferences; assist with media outreach and coverage.
Coordinate conferences, travel, registrations, exhibits, and budgeting for the department.

Skills

Writing

Editing

AP Style

Photography

Public relations

Journalism

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

InDesign

Illustrator

Photoshop

Outlook

Bridge

Acrobat

Job description

West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

WVSOM requires official transcripts of your highest degree earned and/or the degree in which qualifies you for the position. WVSOM requires these transcripts prior to an offer of employment, and we do recommend you send those to WVSOM once you have been selected for an interview. A transcript is official if it bears the authorizing signature and the official seal of the issuing institution and is sent directly by the school or college to the Office of Human Resources. Should your college or university provide this information electronically, we would ask that you submit that to Elayne Brown at ebrown@osteo.wvsom.edu

Position Information

Job Category

Job Category Classified

Position Title

Position Title Public Relations Specialist

Working Title

Working Title Public Relations Specialist

Pay Grade

Pay Grade 16

Division

Location

Location WVSOM Main Campus, Lewisburg, WV

Scheduled Hours Per Week

Scheduled Hours Per Week 37.5 hours

FLSA Status

FLSA Status Exempt

Job Summary

Job Description Summary

The West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine is seeking applicants for a Public Relations Specialist. This position reports to the Director of Marketing and Public Relations, and is responsible for playing a pivotal role in the daily operations, providing independent, and at times, routine, but in most cases, complex program and project support to the Marketing and Communications Department. This position acts as a junior writer/editor to include authorship of the WVSOM newsletter, press releases, and media relations activities. Editing responsibilities include the proofing of design and communications projects in the department according to AP Style.

The position will also heavily support the different functions and areas of the Marketing and Communications Department and include monitoring and reporting on the project management process; plan, selection and preparation of conference assets; regular photography of prospective students: purchasing and budget monitoring activities and is responsible for registration of local and national conferences for department members, including traveling to conference and working the booths.

This is a full-time, classified position with a pay grade of 16; it is exempt from FLSA regulations concerning overtime; entry level salary is $31,824, plus an excellent fringe benefit package. Final candidates are subject to employment and credential verification, reference and background checks. All applications are considered confidential.

Duties and Responsibilities

Daily Office Management

Plans, initiates, and executes to completion all administrative and secretarial work of the Marketing and Communications Department.
Assists in coordinating all on – and off-campus conferences for the department, including handling the registrations and travel for those attending the conference. Serve as a contact for setup, information, and reservations for conferences. Prepare exhibit materials for the conference; make shipping arrangements for the display to be sent and to make sure it arrives and returns to WVSOM .
Provides project management of the annual WVSOM college catalog through communication with administrative department heads and faculty. Serves an interface for total catalog update and design.
Compose and edit all correspondence for the department.
Tracks and monitors the departmental budget, including the use and reconciliation of the state Purchasing Card and handling the purchasing for the department (supplies, materials, advertisements). Reconciles Purchasing Card for all departmental employees. Completes Banner requisitions, meal logs and expense reports for all department members.
Coordinate arrangements for meetings, luncheons, and other special events. These include on and off campus events for students, faculty, staff and other guests as well as numerous national osteopathic functions.
Monitors Track-It requests, project deadlines and closings within the department.
Assists director with scheduling meetings. Maintains a master calendar, tent loan calendar, and department iPad scheduling calendar.
Approves all WVSOM stationery and business card orders that employees place.
Assists in organizing special events and public relations activities such as graduation, convocation, spring awards, retirement luncheon, open house, and other events.
Maintains databases and prepares bulk and first class mailings for the magazine, annual report, viewbook, graduation composites, and invitations for various special events. Distributes magazines to statewide campus, HR, employees, students, sponsors and legislators.
Provides departments with assistance in producing certificates, i.e. employee recognition, spring awards, and senior citations, graduation awards, alumni, RHI , research forum, mini-med and the president’s special certificates.
Other related duties as assigned.

Percentage 60

Editor/Writer and Media Relations

Serves as a writer authoring all newsletter content and press releases as requested. Conducts interviews with faculty and students regarding WVSOM activities for the newsletter and press releases.
Serves as an editor for the department using AP Style.
Supports the editor/writer senior on the WVSOM social media marketing plan by creating reports for presentation to the director regarding trends and best practices, the development of the strategic marketing plan three months in advance and presents it to the creative team for feedback and suggestions; tracks and reports user analytics/statistics; monitors a variety of social media platforms for user comments and opinions. Meets on a regular basis with faculty, student leaders and department heads to determine upcoming relevant content and looking for other content to be re-purposed for the social media plan. Over time, the incumbent will become an in-house expert of different social media platforms, create a plan for engagement of appropriate platforms, and establish timeline for the release of relevant content related to each platform.
Serves as a photographer at regularly scheduled times in the studio and in some cases at on and off-campus events.
Supports editor/writer senior in media relations activities.
This position requires that the incumbent be at many conferences to promote WVSOM by answering questions and visiting with alumni or other Osteopathic representatives.
Performs other related duties as assigned or directed.

Percentage 40

Education/Knowledge

Minimum Education Bachelor's

Required Licenses/Certification

Successful candidate will have a Bachelors Degree in Journalism, Mass Communications, or related – though an equivalent combination of relevant and recent experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities may be considered.

Skills Required

Recent and relevant professional experience (two-three years) in writing and editing with magazines, daily newspapers, and/or electronic media is preferred.
Ability to express ideas productively in writing, using good judgment, creativity, self-motivation and curiosity.
Knowledge and experience in proofreading/copy editing per AP Style is strongly preferred. Ensuring information is accurate, complete, and compliant with applicable styles and editorial specifications to include in-depth reviews for grammar, punctuation, style and form.
Effectively communicate (oral and written) with all constituents utilizing proper English and grammar.
Strong interpersonal skills and work ethic to build trusted, collaborative relationships with internal clients and with vendors: should have good listening skills, project management skills, and the ability to give creative direction and follow projects to completion.
Experience gathering information, fact checking, selecting and organizing the material he or she has gathered; using the written word to express ideas and convey information.
Extensive knowledge of Microsoft Office products, including Word, Excel. InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, Outlook, Bridge and Acrobat are a plus.
Ability to work collaboratively to suggest new policies and procedures or recommend changes and have the ability to take constructive criticism professionally.
Ability to work flexible hours when necessary.
Candidate must possess the ability to work in a high-energy, rapid paced environment.
Coordinate/follow the direction of the Director of Marketing & Communications to assure objectives are met.
Photography, video production, social media/communications and experience is desired, but not required.
Experience in journalism or a related field is preferred.
Experience in higher education preferred.

Required Experience

Type of experience Needed

Amount of Experience Needed (Months/Years)

Amount of Experience Needed (Months/Years) Over 2 years, up to 3 years

Type of experience Needed

Type of experience Needed Journalism/editing experience

Amount of Experience Needed (Months/Years)

Amount of Experience Needed (Months/Years) Over 2 years, up to 3 years

Type of experience Needed

Type of experience Needed Marketing/Public Relations Experience

Amount of Experience Needed (Months/Years)

Amount of Experience Needed (Months/Years) Over 2 years, up to 3 years

Type of experience Needed

Type of experience Needed Higher Education Experience Preferred

Amount of Experience Needed (Months/Years)

Amount of Experience Needed (Months/Years) Over 2 years, up to 3 years

Close Date

Open Until Filled Yes

Special Instructions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

* Are you legally eligible to work in the United States?
- Yes
- No
* Will you now or in the future require visa sponsorship for employment at the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine?
- Yes
- No
* Have you registered for the Selective Service?[To check your registration and to obtain official verification, please visit: https://www.sss.gov/Registration/Check-a-Registration/Verification-Form]West Virginia State Code requires that all men (born after December 31, 1959 and are between the ages of 18 and 25) register for the Selective Service to be eligible for employment with any state entity. WVSOM must ensure compliance with the Military Selective Service Act with all applicants and employees.
- Yes
- No
- Not Applicable (I am female or exempt from the registration requirement)
Please provide your highest level of education attained.
- High School Diploma/GED
- Some College/No Degree
- Associates Degree
- Bachelors Degree
- Masters Degree
How many years of recent and related experience do you have in this type of position?
- No recent or related experience.
- Under 1 year
- 1 Year up to 2 Years
- 2 Years up to 3 Years
- 3 Years up to 5 Years
- 5 Years up to 7 Years
- Over 7 Years
Please briefly describe your experience with Microsoft Office products including: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher, and/or Outlook.
(Open Ended Question)
Do you have experience working for a West Virginia Higher Education institution?
- Yes
- No