Media Relations Specialist

Job Summary

The Media Relations Specialist serves as the university’s primary contact with external media sources. The position works to protect the reputation of the university and reflect institutional strategic priorities. The position conducts media outreach, maintains relationships with reporters, responds to media inquiries in a timely manner, and develops, positions and pitches stories to news outlets. The Media Relations Specialist organizes and manages press conferences and media events. In addition, the Media Relations Specialist maintains the university’s experts list, connects experts with media and provides media training. The Media Relations Specialist writes and distributes press releases, media advisories, news tips and other stories on behalf of the university. This position also participates in the emergency operations center in times of crisis and helps support strategic communications efforts.

Key Qualifications

• Thorough understanding of media relations strategies and techniques.
• Knowledge of copyright law, media best practices and accessibility in communications.
• Ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing, and to demonstrate journalistic style competency.
• Able to manage multiple, concurrent writing assignments, working successfully under deadline.
• Able to build and manage strong relationships with media contacts.
• Technical skills to use web-based platforms, including Google Workspace (Google Docs, Google Sheets, Google Slides, etc.), content management systems, software applications, project management platforms, databases and other tools.

Education And Experience

• Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in journalism, mass communications, or a related field.
• Four years of progressively responsible professional experience in news writing, crisis communications, public relations or related experience.
• Additional experience which demonstrates acquired and successfully applied knowledge and abilities shown above may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.
• An advanced degree in a related field may be substituted for the required experience on a year-for-year basis.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience serving as media liaison for an organization.
• Experience/background in higher education.
• Experience and competence in working with culturally diverse internal and external audiences.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish.

Department Summary

University Marketing and Communications is Fresno State’s central strategic marketing and communications office. Housed in the Office of the President, University Marketing and Communications (MarComm) develops and distributes compelling content that builds trust, understanding and support for the university. MarComm tells the Fresno State story and engages a broad range of key audiences, championing Bulldog spirit and elevating the institutional brand locally, nationally and across the globe.

Salary Range

The anticipated hiring salary range is $5,877 to $5,994 per month (Steps 1 -2), commensurate with qualifications and experience. The salary range for this classification is $5,877 to $8,561 per month.

Benefits

This is a full-time, probationary, exempt position. Positions at Fresno State are to perform their work onsite. Some positions, depending upon University needs and operations, may be eligible for remote work, one day per week, pursuant to Fresno State's remote work guidelines and the CSU policy. The CSU system provides a comprehensive benefit package that includes medical, dental and vision plans, membership in the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS), sick and vacation time, and 15 paid holidays a year. Eligible employees are also able to participate in the fee waiver education program. A summary of benefit information can be found here.