RegularFull-time, Pay Grade 41, Salary DOE&Q
The Office of Communications and Marketing at theUniversity of Tennessee, Knoxville, seeks applications and nominations for theposition of Public Relations Specialist III.
UT is the state's flagship research university, a campusof choice for outstanding undergraduates, and a premier graduate institution.As a land-grant university, the institution fulfills its access mission througha commitment to excellence in learning, scholarship, and engagement.
The Office of Communications and Marketing is dedicated toadvancing the university's reputation. Staff members support the institution'smission and goals, promote its successes and achievements, inform and engageits stakeholders, and ensure the integrity of its brand. We craftaudience-focused communications based on data, best-practices, and emergingtrends. The division employs more than 50 full-time professionals acrossseveral cross-functional teams--Creative, Digital, Marketing, News, SpecialEvents, Video, and WUOT 91.9FM.
The Public Relations Specialist III is a member of Newsand Information team within the Office of Communications and Marketing. TheNews and Information team works to promote and protect the brand of theuniversity in a two-fold approach: critical communications and issuesmanagement, and strategic storytelling and content planning and execution.
The Public Relations Specialist III supports the assistantdirector of news and information with crisis communications and issuesmanagement planning, implementation, and evaluation.
The individual collaborates with the Division of Diversityand Engagement and other campus leaders during issues or crises that affect thecampus community and/or university.
The PR Specialist III is a strategic communicator whoworks to enhance the university's image and manage its reputation. The positioncoordinates communications regarding multiple issues both internally andexternally and functions as a key contributor responsible for producing writtencommunications to support the university' mission and communicate itsvalues. The specialist values diversity, inclusion, teamwork, and a spiritof collaboration.
Job Functionsand Responsibilities
ISSUES MANAGEMENT & CRISIS COMMUNICATIONS
Supports assistant director of news and information withmedia inquiries and corresponding coverage; issues research; and collaboratingwith campus partners to assist in timely responses to inquiries related tocrises, issues or reputational concerns.
Assists with planning efforts for known, foreseeable, andpotential media issues
Drafts first copies of public-facing materials andmessages
Generates content to reinforce university values
Monitors social media and other channels to anticipate andrespond to issues in consultation with social team
Gathers and maintains data on higher education issuesaround the country and finds visual ways to share that data and how it appliesto the university.
DIVISION OF DIVERSITY & ENGAGEMENT
Maintains regular communication channels to address issuesthat affect the campus community and/or university
Actively monitors social media accounts and news mediabefore, during and after an issue or crisis
Writes, edits, and proofreads Divisional communicationsrelated to issues or crises
INTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS
Assists the assistant director with internal-focusedmaterials
Drafts first copies of internal materials and messages
Collaborates and coordinates with key campus partners asneeded for issues regarding media relations and issues management
Generates content ideas to enhance thought leadership
Assists with developing curriculum and organizing regularcrisis communication and media relations training.
OTHER
Monitors accuracy of facts, statistics, and claims aboutthe university
Researches key topics and trends in higher education,especially with regards to difficult, complex, or politically charged issues
Provides on-call support
Other duties as assigned
