Public Relations Specialist I

Delaware State Housing Authority; Dover (DE); On-site; USD 42,000 - 51,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Vision insurance

Dental insurance

Paid holidays

Vacation and sick leave

Tuition assistance

Retirement plan

Job summary

DSHA in Dover, DE seeks a Public Relations Specialist I to handle public relations and marketing across print, broadcast, digital, and public forums. The role gathers information, develops messaging, and supports agency events and services to address community needs.

The position emphasizes clear branding, media relations, and timely communications, with entry-level qualifications and a commitment to equal opportunity employment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in communications, marketing or related field preferred; associate degree acceptable.
• Six months of experience in content creation or public relations preferred.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

Responsibilities

• Gathers, organizes, and formats information related to the agency’s goals, objectives, and services.
• Promotes clear and consistent internal and external communications and branding across the agency, providing timely, accurate, and coordinated messaging to protect and maintain the agency’s reputation.
• Encourages community engagement and participation in the use of agency services.
• Assists with planning and executing public meetings, media events, and educational programs.
• Facilitates the sharing of information between the agency, partner organizations, media, and the public.
• Prepares statistical data, educational materials, promotional content, and advertising information.
• Develops material for internal and external purposes, from creating digital content to writing internal memos and press releases.
• Supports agency events, programs, and services to address community needs.
• Supports constituent needs, front-line services and FOIA response.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Skills

Public relations

Oral and written communications

Media relations

Branding

Community engagement

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Communications, Marketing or related field

Associate’s Degree

Job description

Job Details: Job Location: Administration Office - Dover, DE 19901, JOB VACANCY

PUBLIC RELATIONS SPECIALIST I

ENTRY LEVEL SALARY: $46,700.00 - FULL-TIME

OFFICE LOCATION: Dover/Wilmington

OPENING DATE: 09/30/2026 CLOSING DATE: 10/14/2026

Looking for a career with excellent benefits?

As part of the DSHA team, you will have immediate access to health, vision, and dental insurance, vacation and sick leave, paid holidays, tuition assistance, fitness reimbursement, retirement plan, and more while working to further DSHA’s mission of providing safe, affordable housing.

SUMMARY

This is a non-State position. The primary purpose of this position is to provide general public relations and marketing efforts that effectively communicate agency information to internal and external audiences across print, broadcast, digital, and public forums. The role supports public relations policies, gathers and organizes data and informational materials, and assists with agency events, programs, and services to meet community needs and promote agency services.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Gathers, organizes, and formats information related to the agency’s goals, objectives, and services.
• Promotes clear and consistent internal and external communications and branding across the agency, providing timely, accurate, and coordinated messaging to protect and maintain the agency’s reputation.
• Encourages community engagement and participation in the use of agency services.
• Assists with planning and executing public meetings, media events, and educational programs.
• Facilitates the sharing of information between the agency, partner organizations, media, and the public.
• Prepares statistical data, educational materials, promotional content, and advertising information.
• Develops material for internal and external purposes, from creating digital content to writing internal memos and press releases.
• Supports agency events, programs, and services to address community needs.
• Supports constituent needs, front-line services and FOIA response.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

JOB COMPETENCIES

• Knowledge of the general operations and procedures of DSHA, HUD, Federal, and State programs and properties.
• Ability to orient other employees and to explain organizational policies, rules regulations, and procedures.
• Strong understanding of public relations principles and communication practices as they relate to community engagement, media relations, and public education.
• Proficiency in applying print and electronic communication methods to convey departmental goals clearly, accurately, and consistently to diverse audiences.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to address, mediate, and de-escalate complex, controversial, and sensitive issues in a professional and constructive manner.
• Proficient technical skills

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor's Degree in Communications, Marketing or related field preferred. Minimum Associate’s Degree required. Six months of experience in content area preferred. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

THIS POSITION REQUIRES THE SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF A CRIMINAL BACKGROUND SCREENING AND MAY REQUIRE POSSESSION OF A VAILD DRIVE'S LICENSE AND THE ABILITY TO BE INSURABLE UNDER DSHA'S AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE PLAN AT THE STANDARD RATE.

BENEFITS

These include up to 15 vacation days and 15 sick day leave accrual, up to 13 paid holidays a year, liberal retirement benefits, immediate access to health, short- and long-term disability, and life insurance plans and voluntary dental, vision, and various supplemental benefit options.

DSHA IS AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.

As an equal opportunity employer, DSHA provides an employment environment that supports and encourages the application of all persons without regard to race, color religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

Accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities in all phases of the application and employment process. Please call DSHA at 302.739.4263 or 888.363.8808 with any questions or requests. TTY/ ASCII/ VOICE/ VCO users may utilize the Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) at 800.676.3777.

DIRECT DEPOSIT OF PAY IS A CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT. FAILURE TO AGREE TO PARTICIPATE IN DIRECT DEPOSIT WILL RESULT IN THE WITHDRAWAL OF OFFER OF EMPLOYMENT. DSHA HAS A LAG PAY SYSTEM. Qualifications: