Media Relations Specialist

CSU Careers•Fresno, CA

15h•Onsite

About The Position

The Media Relations Specialist serves as the university’s primary contact with external media sources. The position works to protect the reputation of the university and reflect institutional strategic priorities. The position conducts media outreach, maintains relationships with reporters, responds to media inquiries in a timely manner, and develops, positions and pitches stories to news outlets. The Media Relations Specialist organizes and manages press conferences and media events. In addition, the Media Relations Specialist maintains the university’s experts list, connects experts with media and provides media training. The Media Relations Specialist writes and distributes press releases, media advisories, news tips and other stories on behalf of the university. This position also participates in the emergency operations center in times of crisis and helps support strategic communications efforts.

Requirements

Thorough understanding of media relations strategies and techniques.
Knowledge of copyright law, media best practices and accessibility in communications.
Ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing, and to demonstrate journalistic style competency.
Ability to manage multiple, concurrent writing assignments, working successfully under deadline.
Ability to build and manage strong relationships with media contacts.
Technical skills to use web-based platforms, including Google Workspace (Google Docs, Google Sheets, Google Slides, etc.), content management systems, software applications, project management platforms, databases and other tools.
Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in journalism, mass communications, or a related field.
Four years of progressively responsible professional experience in news writing, crisis communications, public relations or related experience.
Additional experience which demonstrates acquired and successfully applied knowledge and abilities shown above may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.
An advanced degree in a related field may be substituted for the required experience on a year-for-year basis.

Responsibilities

Conduct media outreach.
Maintain relationships with reporters.
Respond to media inquiries in a timely manner.
Develop, positions and pitches stories to news outlets.
Organizes and manages press conferences and media events.
Maintains the university’s experts list.
Connects experts with media and provides media training.
Writes and distributes press releases, media advisories, news tips and other stories on behalf of the university.
Participates in the emergency operations center in times of crisis and helps support strategic communications efforts.