PUBLIC INFORMATION SPECIALIST
Req #: | 157281 |
Department: | UNIVERSITY ADVANCEMENT |
Job Location: | Seattle Campus |
Posting Date: | 03/28/2019 |
Closing Info: | Open Until Filled |
Salary: | Salary and benefits are competitive. Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience. |
Shift: | First Shift |
Notes: | As a UW employee, you will enjoy generous benefits and work/life programs. For a complete description of our benefits for this position, please visit our website, click here. |
As a UW employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees offer their boundless energy, creative problem solving skills and dedication to build stronger minds and a healthier world.
UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty. All of which has allowed the UW to be nationally recognized as a “Great College to Work For” for four consecutive years.
University Advancement creates engagement opportunities that foster pride, advocacy and private support for the University of Washington. University Marketing & Communications (UMAC) builds awareness, increases support and collaborates across campus to connect the university with the public, as well as targeted audience segments.
University Advancement, UW News Office, has an outstanding opportunity for a Public Information Specialist.
UW News, a division within University Marketing & Communications (UMAC), builds awareness, increases support and collaborates across campus to connect the university with the public, primarily through media relations and securing coverage of university research and major initiatives.
This Public Information Specialist in the UW News office covers health sciences research in the schools of Nursing, Pharmacy, Dentistry and Public Health, as well as the interdisciplinary work being done as part of the UW’s Population Health Initiative.
This individual will serve as a public information specialist to identify stories on research and related educational projects that have the best potential for attracting state, regional, or national/international news coverage. S/he will then decide on the best way to pitch these stories to the appropriate news media. Much of the subject matter will be of a scientific or technical nature, so the ability to translate the language of academic and health-related research into language meaningful to the average reader is essential. The position requires initiative in identifying and developing stories that can stand on their own or be used as raw material for reporters, broadcasters, or other news and information sources. The individual should be able to use creative approaches and to function with substantial autonomy in decision-making.
While there is a significant amount of traditional reporting and writing in this position, it also requires a high degree of internal and external communication when working with researchers and administrators on campus, and reporters and editors at news outlets, respectively. This position will also have the flexibility to work on additional projects, such as media/interview training for faculty and other researchers, as well as editing and placing op-ed and analysis pieces by university researchers. The successful candidate would also help the UW News office expand into new projects and initiatives, such as coordinating community events featuring UW health sciences experts, and overseeing the production of content that connects the UW with the wider community and advances the Population Health initiative.
The employee should have experience editing written pieces for grammar, AP style, flow and readability, and will join a team of writers that regularly peer-edits releases and stories before publication.
Duties and Responsibilities
Writing/editing
Identify stories on research and education that have the best potential for attracting state, regional, or national/international news coverage, as well as stories that are most likely to be of interest to UW friends and constituents.
Decide on the best ways to make the story available to a variety of audiences, including the news media.
Demonstrate excellent writing and editing skills.
Edit and write news releases, arrange interviews, develop and provide media training, and otherwise facilitate contact between students and faculty and reporters in the national, local and student media.
Media Relations
Handle incoming calls from members of the media seeking experts on various topics.
Keep an eye on developing news and identify which UW experts can speak on various topics.
Pitch story ideas to regional, state and national/international news outlets.
Internal Relations
Provide expert public affairs advice and training, as needed, to faculty and administrators.
Develop collaborative relationships with academic and administrative units across the university.
This role reports to the Senior Director for Media Relations in the UW News office, and works closely with communications managers in the schools of Public Health, Nursing, Pharmacy and Dentistry, and with leaders of the Population Health Initiative.
Rough breakdown of duties: Researching and writing stories/releases (40%), responding to media requests, pitching UW experts to media (40%), social media outreach (10%), and other duties (10%).
Other duties as assigned.
Key Competencies
Core
Effective communications: Expresses oneself clearly and empathetically in interactions with others in all forms of communication, i.e., verbal and written, one-on-one and group, etc.
Interpersonal Awareness: Builds and maintains positive relationships and actively contributes as a member of working teams to achieve results.
Professional Credibility: Takes responsibility for meeting goals, objectives, obligations, and solving problems while representing the mission, vision and values of the organization.
Critical Thinking: Obtains, analyzes and evaluates information effectively in the face of ambiguity. Makes appropriate decisions based on relevant information and experience.
Ethics and Trust: Models and upholds the values of candor, openness, inclusiveness and honesty despite internal and external pressures. Acts consistently with Washington State ethical guidelines and organizational core values and beliefs.
Valuing Diversity & Inclusiveness: Respects, values and contributes to the UW’s commitment to inclusiveness and diversity.
Functional Expertise
Organizational Acumen: Able to size up a situation, balance reason and the interest of others, and act in a decisive, timely and appropriate manner that is congruent with the organization's values, goals and mission to achieve success.
Innovation Management: Able to anticipate market trends and be effective in facilitating and managing creative processes to achieve results in self and others.
Planning & Implementing: Ability to develop strategies, measures for success and feasible timelines for successful project implementation and execution.
Managing Conflict: Recognizes and addresses conflicts and disagreements in a safe and respectful environment, manages conflicts collaboratively, and builds consensus with the best interests.
Requirements
This position requires a bachelor's degree in journalism or a related field and 3-4 years' experience in writing and communications for nonprofit, government or higher education institutions, news media and/or public relations.
The position requires an individual who is willing to experiment, enjoys working in a collaborative environment and has the necessary skills to manage expectations of diverse groups of faculty and administrators.
Excellent communication skills and demonstrated familiarity with the rapidly changing technology and media environment, and various platforms of news dissemination are essential. Experience in developing multimedia products is desirable. Knowledge of how to work with digital media, including social media, and willingness to experiment are required.
Must be an excellent writer/editor, with the proven ability to craft strategic content and messages from multiple voices, for a variety of audiences.
Experience in using a variety of media – including audio, video and social media – is highly desirable.
Demonstrated strong computer skills, including proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint for correspondence, special reports, spreadsheets, databases, forms, etc.
Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.
Conditions of Employment
Cubicle/Open workspace environment which may result in additional or higher levels of noise and visual distractions.
Application Process:
The application process for UW positions may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process. These assessments may include Work Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others. Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select “Apply to this position”. Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment you will be prompted to do so the next time you access your “My Jobs” page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.
The University of Washington is a leader in environmental stewardship & sustainability, and committed to becoming climate neutral.
The University of Washington is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 / 206-543-6452 (tty) or dso@uw.edu.