Senior Public Relations Specialist (DCA #10100275)

New Mexico Department of Justice; Santa Fe (NM); On-site; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs seeks a Senior Public Relations Specialist to manage division PR, media relations, social media, and marketing efforts, shaping messages for exhibitions, education, and outreach.

You will serve as spokesperson, develop division communications, prepare news releases, and coordinate with the department's Communications & Marketing team to protect reputation and expand public access to New Mexico's cultural legacy.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in communications or related field required.
• Experience with writing, editing, AP style, and proofreading.
• Strong project and time management skills.
• Knowledge of digital media and social media trends.

Responsibilities

• Serve as designated spokesperson for Divisions and respond to media requests.
• Develop communications strategies for each Division supporting exhibitions and outreach activities.
• Prepare and distribute news releases, media alerts, press kits, and op-eds as needed.
• Edit organizational publications and manage content for newsletters, marketing collateral, and reports.
• Monitor public sentiment and engage with community, employee, and public interest groups.
• Coordinate scheduling and logistics for media events and marketing campaigns.

Skills

Confident communicator

Strong writing

Editing

AP style

Layout design

Proofreading

Presentation

Project management

Time management

Digital media

Education

Bachelor's degree in communications/public relations/journalism/marketing/museum studies/history/English/creative writing

Associate's degree + 1 year PR/media experience

Job description

Job Title Senior Public Relations Specialist (DCA #10100275)

For more Job Requirements & Classification Description:

Interviews are anticipated to be conducted within two weeks of closing date. Created in 1978 by the New Mexico Legislature, the Department of Cultural Affairs represents New Mexico's dedication to preserving and celebrating the cultural integrity and diversity of our state. The Department oversees a broad range of New Mexico's arts and cultural heritage agencies. These include 15 divisions representing a variety of programs and services. Communications & Marketing is the office responsible for DCA's reputation, brand, and public trust, converting the state's arts, history, and cultural assets into attendance and revenue, while protecting the Department from reputational risk and ensuring equitable public access to New Mexico's cultural legacy. Please visit us at www.newmexicoculture.org

Why does the job exist?

Public relations specialists maintain the brand, identity, and reputation of the NM Department of Cultural Affairs (NMDCA) and the individual Divisions they represent. They are responsible for building and implementing strategies for their Division's public relations, social media, website, and marketing efforts.

How does it get done?

In collaboration with leadership, the public relations specialist serves as a designated spokesperson for their Divisions and respond to requests for information from the media, the public, and stakeholders. They develop communications strategies for each Division in support of exhibitions, education and outreach activities, events, and other sensitive issues, and collaborate with NMDCA's communications team on its master plan. They prepare and distribute news releases and media alerts, cultivate and maintain relationships with local and regional media outlets, send direct pitches and follow‑up communications, write op‑eds, develop press kit materials, and plan media events. They prepare or edit organizational publications for internal and external audiences, including newsletters, marketing collateral, and reports. They seek to understand the attitudes and concerns of community, employee, and public interest groups to establish and maintain cooperative relationships between them and representatives from print, broadcast, and online journalism. They gauge public opinion through surveys, polls, and social media listening. In collaboration with the marketing and branding manager, they assist with advertising and promotional campaign development and implementation, and special marketing events. They maintain and manage content on websites and assist in e‑communications efforts. They strategize on and post content to their Divisions' social media platforms and provide content for the NMDCA's main social media pages. They track, evaluate, and share results of public relations and social media efforts. They coordinate scheduling and logistics as necessary.

Who are the customers?

NMDCA public relations specialists will collaborate in a way that they are able to serve and support all Divisions of the agency. Primarily this role will support New Mexico History Museum, New Mexico Historic Sites, New Mexico Arts, and New Mexico State Library. Primary external customers include the news media, the public, and organizations or individuals with whom the NMDCA has partnerships.

Ideal Candidate

• A Bachelor's Degree in communications, public relations, journalism, marketing, museum studies, history (applicable to primary role support), English, or creative writing.
• Confident communicator and presenter with strong writing, editing, proofreading (with AP stylebook expertise), layout and design, professional printing/publishing skills.
• Excellent project and time management skills with the ability to work with multiple and diverse groups of clients.
• A wide degree of creativity, a strong knowledge and understanding of current trends in digital media/social media, and expertise learning online tools and resources.
• Self‑motivated with a positive, professional, and flexible approach to their role.

Associates Degree in Publications, Journalism, Communications, Public Relations, Business Administration with an emphasis in Marketing, and/or related field and one (1) year of experience in public relations, mass communications, television, radio, print media, emergency communications, and/or emergency management. Any combination of education from an accredited college or university in a related field and/or direct experience in this occupation totaling three (3) years may substitute for the required education and experience.

Employment Requirements

Must possess and maintain a current Defensive Driving Course Certificate from the State of New Mexico or must pass and receive Defensive Driving Course Certification as a condition of continued employment. Must possess and maintain a valid Driver's License.

Working Conditions

Work is performed in an office setting with sitting and extensive use of computer and telephone, occasional after‑hours presence required onsite at events, quarterly in‑state travel.

For information on Statutory Requirements for this position, click the Classification Description link on the job advertisement.

Bargaining Unit Position

This position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement and all terms/conditions of that agreement apply and must be adhered to.