Job Title
Communications Specialist II-Media Relations
Agency
Texas A&M Agrilife Extension Service
Department
Marketing and Communications
Proposed Minimum Salary
Commensurate
Job Location
College Station, Texas
Job Type
Staff
Job Description
The Communications Specialist II plays a critical role integrating our media relations strategy into our digital communications channels like AgriLife Today, key public entry point websites and social media. This role, designed to provide space for quick, creative responses to ongoing opportunities and trends within the third-party media. The individual within this role will work cross-functionally across the Texas A&M AgriLife Marketing and Communications team as well as with subject matter experts from across Texas A&M AgriLife to identify opportunities and create positive awareness for the brand and its key initiatives.
Responsibilities:
Media Relations
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Develop and implement media outreach strategies to secure coverage for and in support of Texas A&M AgriLife initiatives and priorities.
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Monitor media trends and track coverage to assess the impact and effectiveness of media relations efforts.
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Cultivate and maintain relationships with journalists, reporters and media outlets relevant to our mission and audience.
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Pitch story ideas, respond to media inquiries and manage press releases to maximize media exposure and positive coverage.
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Respond and manage, in a timely manner, day-to-day media requests and needs for the brand.
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Support the digital communications strategy by ideating new opportunities to align media efforts across websites, social media, etc.
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Support in disseminating guidelines, best practices and training across Texas A&M AgriLife.
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Support key media press events statewide.
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Assist in crisis communications and issue management efforts.
Writing and Storytelling
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Create engaging and high-quality written content, including press releases, feature articles and op-eds.
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Develop quick content in response to trending, emerging or crisis issues.
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Identify opportunities and craft compelling narratives that highlight Texas A&M AgriLife’s achievements, research breakthroughs and community impact.
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Collaborate with internal teams and subject matter experts across Texas A&M AgriLife to gather information, conduct interviews and ensure accuracy and consistency in all written materials.
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Edit and proofread content to uphold high standards of clarity, grammar and style.
Social Media
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Create engaging and relevant content for social media to support the media relations strategy.
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Ideate opportunities and develop content to quickly respond to trending topics or responsive trends in the news and media.
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Develop a system and create content to share key media relations hits across the key brand social media channels.
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Explore the use of social media as a tool to connect with outlets, reporters and influencers.
Other Duties
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Performs other duties as assigned.
Required Education and Experience:
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Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
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Two years of related experience.
Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
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Experience within or a strong desire to learn strategic communications, including disciplines like media relations, social media, etc.
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Ability to multitask and work cooperatively with others.
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Strong verbal and written communication skills.
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Strong interpersonal and organizational skills.
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Ability to present information clearly and concisely.
Applicant Instructions: A Cover Letter, Resume and References are strongly recommended.
Note: Full-time remote work is not available for this position. However, partially remote work may be available, pending employee eligibility requirements are met in accordance with AgriLife Alternate Work Location Procedures.
Salary: Pay Grade 9
All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.
Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Veterans/Disability Employer.
What We Do
Texas A&M University has a proud history that stretches back to 1876 when The Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas became the first public institution of higher learning in the state of Texas. Nestled in the heart of the Houston-Dallas-Austin triangle, Texas A&M University at College Station is the state's largest university, with nearly 65,000 students calling Aggieland home, and another 5,200 Aggies are studying at branch campuses in Galveston, Texas, and Doha, Qatar. Texas A&M's designation as a land-, sea-, and space-grant institution reflects the superior quality and diverse range of research and innovation occurring on campus daily.
Texas A&M boasts a strong military tradition, having contributed men and women in uniform to every armed conflict since the Spanish-American War. More Aggies commission as officers into the U.S. Armed Forces than any other school outside of the U.S. military academies every year. Student-athletes represent Texas A&M across 18 sports within the Southeastern Conference. Additionally, the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum is located on Texas A&M's campus, as is the President and First Lady’s final resting places.
Quick to offer a cheery "Howdy!" to any visitor, Aggies pride themselves on their hospitality and strive to live out the University's core values of respect, excellence, leadership, loyalty, integrity, and selfless service.
To learn more about employment opportunities at Texas A&M, visit https://jobs.tamu.edu
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