Assistant Director of Public Relations

Assistant Director of Public Relations

All Hinds Community College employees must commit to the Caring Campus approach to student engagement and daily apply these general behavioral objectives: listen to student questions and concerns with a positive attitude and make meaningful connections with students.

The Assistant Director of Public Relations must be skilled in multiple types of writing, including storytelling, news, features, marketing and web content for internal and external audiences, including staff, students and the news media. The Assistant Director of Public Relations will work to keep college employees and the public informed through written communications about the policies, activities, projects, plans and events of Hinds Community College. The Assistant Director of Public Relations will attend college events, gather data, research material, conduct interviews and write for internal publications, including college foundation newsletters, staff newsletters, an annual report and an annual student archive publication. The candidate also must be experienced in writing and editing news releases and advisories, and writing cutlines, feature articles, people profiles and public service announcements.

The ability to manage a variety of projects, multi-task, meet deadlines and work with various stakeholders to source and create content are essential. This person must be a detail-oriented team player, flexible, creative, forward-thinking and work easily with team members, including coordinating with photographers, videographers, graphic designers and social media specialists on assignments. Strong knowledge of Associated Press style is required. Any other skills such as graphic design are a plus but not essential to the functions of the role.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIREMENTS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

MANDATORY: A bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university in public relations, journalism, communications, new media or a directly related field, and two-three years of directly related experience; proficiency in utilizing social media platforms.

DESIRED: A master’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university in public relations, journalism, communications, new media or a directly related field and a minimum of one (1) year of directly related experience; OR at least 18 graduate hours in journalism-related. Proficiency in photography, video or graphic design experience utilizing Adobe Creative Suite, including InDesign and Photoshop.

         

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES, include the following.

Other duties may be assigned.

•        Maintain knowledge of diversity-related issues, legislation, and best practices.

•        Conducts research and takes detailed notes to retain ideas, develop actual information, and maintain authenticity.

•        Using current Associated Press journalism writing style, write, rewrite and edit news releases, feature articles, public service announcements, publications, website content, blogs or any other material for the media or in-house.

•        Help coordinate photo assignments for online and print publications

•        Responsible for management of the college’s employee email notification service, Hinds Insider Update. Staff receive email notifications on emergency weather situations, college closings, HR policies and events, and more. This task requires a detail-oriented person, putting together well-written messages in clear language and distributing messages to staff on multiple campuses in a timely manner, sometimes under pressure.

•        Take the lead role in creation of content for the college’s online employee newsletter, On Campus, including working with various college departments to assemble a list of proposed stories and photographs, reporting and writing stories, coordinating photography and video to supplement story packages and ensuring all stories are audience-ready, including proofing and aligning to AP Style.

•        In conjunction with the Alumni Coordinator, assemble a list of proposed content of stories and photographs for Hindsight (Hinds Foundation) alumni magazine, take the lead to source and write articles, ensure photos are taken and take responsibility in conjunction with the Director of Public Relations to see the magazine through production, including proofing and correcting.

•        Lead efforts to produce – from concept through printing –the annual Hinds Archive publication, which documents student activities, honors and awards with photos and captions.

•        Consistently meet deadlines while juggling multiple projects and assignments.

•        Assist college administrators, faculty and staff with writing and editing of copy for special projects.

•        Conduct interviews for features, people profiles, news articles and publications as assigned by the Director.

•        Continuously search for innovative ideas for news releases and article information through contact with all college locations and outside sources to keep the public informed about the college.

•        Utilize the personal computer as related to desktop publishing functions and learn new ways to use the computer in various job responsibilities

•        Attend professional development workshops, seminars or conferences to upgrade job skills and knowledge and network.

•        Work on other projects as requested by the Director of Public Relations, Executive Director of Marketing and Communications, Chief of Staff, college president and other department colleagues.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: 

Supervises projects, not people, as part of a team.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hand to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, sit, taste and smell. The employee is frequently required to sit.

The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those

an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. 

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate, and the employee is occasionally required to perform job responsibilities in the outdoors and off site.

We promote a culture of inclusion for all employees that respects individual strengths, ideas, and capabilities. We believe that our differences enable us to make better decisions, drive innovation, and deliver better results.

Mission

Hinds Community College is committed to moving people and communities forward by helping develop their purpose, passion and profession.

Vision

Hinds Community College will be a catalyst to create a competitive economy and a compelling culture for Mississippi.

Values

Hinds Community College aspires to the following IDEALS:                                      

• Integrity
• Diversity
• Excellence
• Accountability
• Leadership
• Stewardship

In compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX, Education Amendments of 1972 of the Higher Education Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and other applicable Federal and State Acts, Hinds Community College offers equal education and employment opportunities and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, disability or veteran status in its educational programs and activities. We recognize our responsibility to provide an open and welcoming environment that fosters a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion for employees and students to collaboratively learn, work and serve our communities.

The following have been designated to handle inquiries regarding  these policies:

EEOC Compliance: The Office of Human Resources

PO Box 1100 Raymond MS 39154; Phone: 601-857-3396 or Email: EEOC@hindscc.edu.

Title IX: Vice President Student Services, Title IX Coordinator

PO Box 1100 Raymond MS 39154; Phone: 601-857-3353 or Email: TitleIX@hindscc.edu.

Full time

12 Month 260 Days

Community Relations

40