Public Information Specialist

DONALD DANFORTH PLANT SCIENCE CENTER•Olivette, MO

11d•Onsite

About The Position

The Public Information Specialist strengthens the Danforth Center’s visibility and credibility through proactive earned media, research announcement coordination, and editorial leadership. This is a hands-on role for someone who can independently draft and pitch stories, manage journalist relationships, and run a disciplined story intake and editorial calendar process. The Public Information Specialist owns the story pipeline and ensures a consistent multichannel cascade from pitch to publication (press release to web story to email module to social post set) in close coordination with the Digital Marketing Specialist, Design, and internal stakeholders.

Requirements

Demonstrated ability to draft and edit press releases and pitch materials with strong news judgment
Proven experience pitching media and managing journalist relationships, including proactive outreach and follow through
Experience coordinating research or complex topic announcements (embargo familiarity preferred)
Excellent interviewing skills and ability to translate technical content into clear, compelling stories
Strong project management and editorial calendar ownership; able to manage multiple deadlines and competing priorities
Comfort serving as a spokesperson or on-camera/on-record media contact under pressure, with sound judgment in high-stakes or sensitive situations
High attention to detail, sound judgment, and ability to handle sensitive topics appropriately

Nice To Haves

Experience in a research, higher education, nonprofit, or science-based environment
Familiarity with multichannel communications workflows (web/email/social) and writing channel-adapted copy
Comfort using editorial planning tools and structured intake systems (e.g., calendars, trackers, project boards)
Basic performance reporting experience (coverage monitoring, message pull through, trend summaries)
Experience using AI tools to support drafting, editing, and workflow (with human review)

Responsibilities

Public relations (earned media + research visibility)
Draft press releases, media advisories, statements, and supporting materials (quotes, backgrounders, FAQs)
Pitch stories proactively and manage day-to-day journalist relationships across science, trade, business, and regional outlets
Coordinate research announcements, including embargoes, advance outreach, and spokesperson prep as needed
Identify visibility opportunities that reinforce institutional credibility and donor confidence; elevate research impact and partnership wins
Source story leads and conduct interviews with researchers, leadership, and collaborators
Assist drafting and iterate on opinion pieces, op-eds, and thought-leadership content for external placement; support relationships with op-ed editors.
Monitor media coverage, maintain a coverage log, and report results and key learnings to stakeholders
Use AI tools to support drafting, editing, research, and workflow efficiency, demonstrating a continuous improvement mindset and a track record of finding solutions that increase productivity (with appropriate human review and quality control).
Serve as internal point of contact for any external PR or communications agency partnerships, coordinating deliverables and ensuring alignment with institutional messaging.
Serve as backup spokesperson during crisis situations, working under the direction of the VP of Marketing & Communications; participate in periodic crisis communications training and tabletop exercises.
Editorial calendar + story pipeline
Own the editorial calendar and story intake pipeline; run weekly content intake/triage
Evaluate, prioritize, and route stories across research, philanthropy, and leadership priorities
Track stories through drafting, review, approvals, and publication; keep stakeholders aligned on timelines and next steps
Ensure consistent alignment and flow from pitch through publication, including press releases, web stories, email modules, and social media posts.
Provide channel-ready copy inputs, key messages, and routing guidance to the Digital Marketing Specialist and Design.
Maintain publishing standards for clarity, accuracy, voice, and consistency; ensure appropriate reviews and approvals are completed
Work occasional night and weekend hours (5-6x) as needed for events and priority deliverables