Public Affairs Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

PUBLIC AFFAIRS SPECIALIST 

The mission of the Reno Housing Authority is to provide fair, sustainable, quality housing in diverse neighborhoods throughout Reno, Sparks and Washoe County that offers a stable foundation for families to pursue economic opportunities, become self-sufficient and improve their quality of life. Since 1943 the RHA has been the largest provider of affordable housing in Washoe County, proudly assisting more than 15,000 Nevadans to ensure they have a safe, secure place to call home. With a relentless drive to maintain and expand affordable housing in our community, the RHA is a dynamic, innovative organization brimming with opportunity.

We are seeking a Public Affairs Specialist . The position reports to the Government and Public Affairs Manager and plans, develops, coordinates, implements, and evaluates communication strategies, public information campaigns, community engagement initiatives, social media programs, and special events designed to enhance public awareness and promote Authority services.

Examples of some of the positions’ essential duties are:

• Develop, implement, and evaluate strategic communication plans and public information initiatives to support organizational goals and objectives.
• Research, analyze, and recommend communication strategies that enhance public awareness, stakeholder engagement, and community support for Authority programs and services.
• Develop communication objectives, timelines, messaging frameworks, and performance measures for public affairs initiatives.
• Assist in developing and maintaining communication policies, standards, guidelines, and branding practices.
• Provide professional recommendations to management regarding communication methods, outreach strategies, and public engagement opportunities.
• Represent the Authority at community meetings, stakeholder events, public functions, and interagency meetings.
• Draft, edit, and distribute news releases, media advisories, public statements, speeches, talking points, and official correspondence.
• Monitor media coverage and public discussions relating to Authority programs and services and prepare summaries and recommendations for management.
• Create, edit, and publish content across multiple digital platforms, including websites, social media channels, newsletters, and electronic communications.
• Monitor and analyze social media performance metrics and prepare analytical reports and recommendations for leadership.
• Serve as the Authority's technical and professional resource regarding digital communication best practices, social media trends, and audience engagement strategies.
• Ensure consistency of branding, messaging, visual identity, and communication standards across all public-facing materials.

Please review the attached job description for a full list of the job duties.

WHY SHOULD YOU APPLY?

The RHA is committed to developing a team that embraces our mission and core values throughout our local community. To offer superior service to our clients, we invest substantially in the professional growth and development of our team and are focused on exemplifying our underlying values of integrity, trust, leadership, progress and customer service.

We offer competitive salaries with annual performance salary increases and regular cost of living increases, an exceptional benefits package , a robust defined benefit retirement plan, and ample opportunities for growth . Highlights of the benefits we offer includes:

• 100% employer paid health, dental, & vision insurance for employees
• Excellent vacation & sick leave accrual program
• Thirteen (13) paid Holidays a year
• Performance salary increases plus regular cost of living increases
• 100% employer paid retirement contribution for the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)
• Flexible Spending Plans
• Paid Parental Leave program
• 457(b) retirement savings program
• Employer paid life and AD&D insurance
• Bilingual services pay
• Hybrid and flexible work schedule options
• Positive, friendly work environment focused on providing a healthy work/life balance

We are located in the largest city in northern Nevada. Nestled at the base of the Sierra Nevada mountains, the surrounding area provides unlimited indoor and outdoor recreational activities. With excellent weather averaging more than 300 days of sunshine annually the City of Reno is home to a vibrant food and entertainment scene with limitless major events such as balloon races, rib cookoffs, concerts, Hot August Nights, air races, renowned pub crawls, NCAA Division 1 sports, as well as minor league baseball and hockey teams!

WHAT IS NEEDED?

The minimum qualifications for this position are: 

• A bachelor’s degree in communications, Public Relations, Marketing, Journalism, Graphic Design, Public Administration, Business Administration, or a closely related field from an accredited college or university AND
• At least two (2) years of professional experience in public relations, marketing, community outreach, social media content creation, or communications.
• Experience using Canva, Microsoft Publisher, Adobe InDesign and/or Photoshop.
• Experience applying the Associated Press Stylebook.
• The following experience is desirable: Scripting, lighting, and shooting high quality video, and creating finished video for social media; Supporting event planning and coordination.
• Or an equivalent combination of education and experience which demonstrates possession of the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work may be considered. 

INTERESTED?

Please visit our website at for more information on the Reno Housing Authority. Qualified individuals are encouraged to apply as early as possible as this recruitment may close at any time based on applications received. 

The RHA is committed to ensuring a safe, productive, and positive work environment through a Drug and Alcohol-Free Workplace. Selected candidates will need to complete a pre-employment drug screen and criminal background checks.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The Reno Housing Authority is committed to the principles of Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) in accordance with applicable Federal and State law, and Executive Orders. Our policies prohibit unlawful discrimination based on race, color, creed, gender, religion, marital status, domestic partner status, age, national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition including genetic characteristics, sexual orientation, or any other consideration made unlawful by Federal, State, or local laws.