Communications & Public Relations Specialist

Communications & Public Relations Specialist

The Communications & Public Relations Specialist develops and executes communications strategies that strengthen awareness, understanding, reputation, and engagement with CVTC's students, employees, partners, community members, media, and stakeholders. The position serves as the College's primary storyteller and public relations strategist, developing feature stories, media content, executive communications, institutional messaging, and thought leadership content that supports College priorities and advances the CVTC brand.

Responsibilities:

• Research, interview, write, edit, and publish compelling, accurate, audience-centered, and brand-aligned content that advances College priorities and strengthens the CVTC brand.
• Create feature stories, news releases, blogs, profiles, magazine content, and other written materials that highlight students, alumni, employees, employers, partners, programs and services, and institutional impact.
• Proactively identify story and media opportunities by building relationships across the College community and maintaining awareness of institutional priorities, activities, and community partnerships.
• Adapt feature stories, news releases, and other PR and storytelling efforts into engaging social media content.
• Generate media pitches and materials, cultivate relationships with regional media, coordinate media inquiries and interviews, prepare College sources, and conduct proactive outreach to generate earned-media opportunities.
• Curate and distribute recurring outreach to regional media that highlights College news story ideas, events, partnerships, and other coverage opportunities.
• Develop marketing and promotional content that supports enrollment, outreach, workforce development, brand awareness, and other approved College priorities across web, email, campaign, and digital communication channels.
• Support writing, research, editing, message development, and refinement for selected presidential communications, high-visibility presentations, op-eds, and thought leadership materials.
• Develop and apply messaging frameworks, key messages, proof points, voice and tone guidance, and editorial standards.
• Assist the Director of Marketing & Digital Experience and Vice President Strategic Communications & Engagement and Chief of Staff with public-facing issues communication, media statements, key messages, question-and-answer materials, and other communication resources.
• Serve in an Emergency Operations Center (EOC) communications or public information support role.
• Lead the editorial planning, writing, content development, production coordination, and distribution for the bi-annual CVTC magazine, coordinating production with appropriate internal or external partners.
• Participate in the development and implementation of communication plans for approved institutional priorities, public relations initiatives, and assigned projects.
• Collaborate with marketing, digital, web, design, and multimedia colleagues to adapt stories and messages across appropriate channels.
• Capture photography in support of assigned stories, interviews, and public relations opportunities.
• Develop and implement a broad range of public relations strategies that build awareness and understanding of College priorities, student success, workforce impact, partnerships, and community value.
• Monitor, track, analyze, and share relevant media coverage, identifying significant coverage, emerging issues, corrections, and follow-up opportunities.
• Participate on appropriate College teams and committees and contribute to accomplishing the goals and objectives of the team(s).
• Promote excellence through continuous process improvement and the creative pursuit of new ideas, partnerships, and systems.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to use discretion and sound judgment when handling confidential, sensitive, rapidly developing, or reputationally significant information and evaluate matters requiring institutional authority.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule and travel to various campuses or community activities as needed.
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment as well as the ability to work independently toward department goals.
• Ability to model integrity through self-awareness, personal accountability, ethical behavior, quality standards, and sustainable practices.
• Ability to think critically by applying problem solving practices, acquiring relevant information, using technology and other resources appropriately, and evaluating alternatives.
• Ability to communicate effectively by speaking and writing clearly, concisely, and professionally; practicing active listening; reading critically and adapting communication for audience.
• Ability to recognize personal biases, adapt to different cultural situations, and demonstrate a commitment to respectful interactions with persons of various ethnic, cultural, socio-economic, or educational backgrounds.
• Intermediate knowledge of and skills with technology including software programs for communication, data collection, and decision making including, but not limited to, Office 365 Suite.

Qualifications

• Associate's degree in Journalism, Communications, Marketing, Public Relations, or related field with a minimum of eight years of relevant work experience required; OR a bachelor's degree in Journalism, Communications, Marketing, Public Relations, or related field with a minimum of five years of relevant work experience preferred.
• Relevant work experience includes professional writing and editing, journalism, public relations, media relations, or related communications work.
• Professional photography and editing experience preferred.

In evaluating candidates for this position, the College may consider a combination of education, training, and experience which provides the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities to perform duties of position.

CVTC reserves the right to limit applicant consideration from specific geographic regions when differences in state-level policies, laws, or regulatory frameworks present conflicts with institutional standards and/or fiduciary responsibilities. This practice supports compliance, operational integrity, and alignment with the College's strategic objectives. The College is seeking to attract diverse instructors and staff who can inspire our increasingly diverse student population. We believe every member on our team enriches our diversity by exposing us to a broad range of ways to understand and engage with the world, identify challenges, and to discover, design, and deliver solutions. We value the ability to serve students from a broad range of cultural heritages, socioeconomic backgrounds, genders, abilities, and orientations. Therefore, we seek applicants who demonstrate they understand the benefits of diversity in a higher education community. Consideration will be given to equity-minded individuals committed to collaborating with faculty, staff, administration, students, and community partners who are also committed to closing equity gaps.

Benefits Summary

2026 annual benefits include:

• 3 – 4 weeks of paid vacation time based on years of service
• 11 paid holidays
• Paid winter break - varies each year based on academic calendar and, at a minimum, includes days between Christmas and New Year's holidays (some exceptions may apply for essential workers)
• Paid summer break - the week of July 4th
• 4 paid personal days
• 3 weeks (15 days) paid sick time annually for absences due to illness, injury, or doctor and dentist appointments of the employee, dependent children, spouse, or parents of the employee or spouse; cumulative to 135 days (1,080 hours)
• Paid bereavement time
• Paid volunteer time
• Tuition reimbursement up to $2,500 annually (eligibility requirements apply)
• Health insurance for employee, spouse, and dependents with attached Health Savings Account (HSA); CVTC contributes $3,400 annually for a family plan or $1,700 annually for a single plan to your HSA
• Wellness incentive of up to $600 for employees enrolled in CVTC's health insurance
• $2,500 cash-payment in lieu of CVTC health insurance coverage for employees who have credible coverage through another source
• Dental insurance for employee, spouse, and dependents
• Vision insurance for employee, spouse, and dependents
• Life and long-term disability insurance premiums paid by CVTC
• Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS), CVTC matches 7.2%, vested at 5 years of credible service
• 403(b) tax deferred annuity program
• 457(b) deferred compensation plan
• Section 125 flexible spending accounts
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Professional development
• Certified Gold Level Family Friendly Workplace (FFW)
• Access to expansive collection of college and public library resources for personal and professional use
• Free or low-cost services offered by CVTC program students, such as computer repair, automotive repair, Shear Inspiration Salon and Spa, aesthetician services and 620 West restaurant and culinary pop ups

Benefits begin on the first date of employment (i.e., there is no waiting period).

CVTC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the college