Public Relations Associate

Schedule: Mon-Fri 40 hours per weekBenefits:29 days PTO12 Paid HolidaysAffordable Health InsuranceRetirement Benefits with Employer MatchJob Summary:Under the supervision of the immediate supervisor, assists in the planning, direction, monitoring and evaluation of all public relations functions for the Corps or Area Command; ensures that The Salvation Army maintains a favorable and positive image in the community; serves as liaison to select media ensuring the desired message is communicated; assists in the creation of a communications strategy for the location to ensure that The Salvation Army’s message is effectively delivered to its audiences.Essential Functions:This job description should not be interpreted as all inclusive. It is intended to identify the essential functions and requirements of this position. The incumbent may be requested to perform job-related responsibilities and tasks other than those stated in this job description.Public Relations Responsibilities (75%)Functions as part of public relations team to accomplish overall communication goals; brainstorms ideas and concepts with manager and team members; maintains strict confidentially on sensitive issues.Consults with team members and manager to evaluate individual project needs; prioritizes, tracks, executes, and maintains records of the specific tasks, costs and time schedule of multiple projects.Serves in the place of and operates completely in the stead of the immediate supervisor to provide a range of public relations services for more than half the centers in the command; performs the responsibilities of the manager as needed for media opportunities and incidents as assigned.Functions in a supervisory capacity for corps or service center personnel for video shoots, media opportunities, client interviews, photography sessions, etc.; works with the graphic designer for social media posts and graphic design projects to accomplish envisioned goals.Participates in planning, calendaring, and backdating necessary for the success of assigned projects; keeps projects on track to meet scheduled deadlines; organizes and maintains files and records on projects, promotions, special events, publications, vendors and contracts.Researches and secures information on a variety of topics and issues from various individuals and departments, as well as from outside sources.Creates content for feeds and snippets in various social media sites; schedules and organizes multiple constituents to generate content on a weekly basis; conducts keyword research including cataloging and indexing target keyword phrases and optimizing tags on our feeds, sharing sites such as YouTube, Flickr, Facebook, Twitter, Wikis, blogs and forums, and search engines through copywriting, creative & keyword optimization.Helps develop content for the Corps or Area Command website, as well as manages the receipt of, and approves for posting content for Corps community center websites; provides public relations services for assigned centers throughout the year; travels to various Salvation Army locations to uncover ideas,gather information, take photographs and shoot video.Stays informed of community issues and public opinion related to anything that might be of interest or concern to The Salvation Army.Researches issues of importance to The Salvation Army, such as electric rates, homelessness, hunger, child care, poverty, etc.; helps maintain statistical, demographic and trend-related information.Writes copy for press releases, articles, Web site, social media, newsletters, brochures, annual reports, fund-raising letters, video scripts, event scripts, targeted at donors, corporations and volunteers.Helps develop ideas and opportunities for feature articles, interviews, presentations and other public relations activities that promote awareness of the organization with various target groups.Conducts interviews with recipients of services, staff, and others for stories in newsletters, brochures, blog, Web site and on video.Provides photography services for a variety of projects and events; helps maintain organized electronic photo files.Plans, writes, shoots, directs and edits videos; confidently operates video camera in a variety of settings to successfully capture images and audio; uses professional studio-quality lights to appropriately light various scenes; works with nonlinear editing software to produce finished videos.Regularly submits articles/photos to Southern Spirit, The Salvation Army’s newsletter for the Southern TerritoryAssists with public relations services during a disaster; develops and posts content and images to Mass Care Task Force blog and/or Web site, in addition to posting content for Salvation Army online and social media channels.Reinforces the organization’s brand strategy and maintains consistent compliance with the organization’s national graphic standards; assists in conducting branding training.Orders banners and signs for a variety of applications; works with staff graphic designer to create banners and signs that are consistent with national brand standards.Special Events Coordination Responsibilities (15%)Acts as events coordinator for the annual parades and other events as assigned; schedules performances; coordinates photo opportunities.Oversees United Way speaker’s bureau; secures and assigns speakers for various public speaking opportunities, such as civic meetings, churches, and companies.Assists with overall Christmas public relations program.Assists with public relations activities for various corporate and volunteer events.Liaison Responsibilities (5%)Develops contacts and relationships with assigned media outlets to keep The Salvation Army in front of the public; pitches stories, arranges interviews and supplies information to journalists and sources; maintains up-to-date media lists; represents The Salvation Army before the public.Serves as a strategic counselor to officers and staff at assigned centers on a variety of projects and issues; informs manager of issues or concerns.Serves as a public information person to provide facts and figures to corporations, government entities,churches, the United Way, social service agencies and the general public.Reporting Responsibilities (5%)Analyzes campaigns and translates anecdotal or qualitative data into recommendations and plans for revising the social media campaigns.Helps with development of annual report for the Corps or Area Command.Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:Knowledge of the principles and practices of public relations.Knowledge and understanding of social media universe; ability and knowledge to blog, utilize social media websites.Knowledge of search engine optimization, including basic keyword research.Ability to jump from the creative side of marketing to analytical side and able to demonstrate why their ideas are analytically sound; possesses functional knowledge or some experience with HTML/CSS.Ability to prepare both still and video photography, including electronic photo editing and nonlinear video editing.Ability to prepare effective printed and electronic materials for educational and promotional purposes. Ability to present a positive and professional image of The Salvation Army.Ability to prepare and maintain reports in an accurate and complete manner.Ability to plan and maintain a calendar of projects, events, meetings and appointments.MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:Education and Experience:Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Public Relations, Communications or a related field,andTwo years progressively responsible experience coordinating public relations functions, OrAny equivalent combination of training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.Certifications:Valid State Drivers LicensePhysical Requirements:Ability to meet attendance requirements.Ability to read, write and communicate the English language effectively.Ability to speak before large groups in person, or on radio and television, if called upon.Ability to travel to various locations in order to participate in public meetings, conferences, etc.Ability and willingness to conduct all duties in accordance with the ministry of the organization and its Christian principles; conducts all communications and job duties with the highest level of professionalism.Duties are usually performed seated. Sitting may be relieved by brief or occasional periods of standing or walking.Limited amount of physical effort required associated with walking, standing, as well as lifting, carrying, setting up, moving, taking down and transporting light objects such as photography equipment, video equipment, photo/video lights, tabletopand floor-standing displays, boxes, printed matter and other things (up to 50 lbs.) occasionally.Working Conditions:Work is normally performed in an office environment where there are little or no physical discomforts associated with changes in weather or discomforts associated with noise, dust, dirt, and the like. This position is in part a field position that will require local travel to various centers of operation.Equal Opportunity Employer: Veterans | Disabled #J-18808-Ljbffr