Job Description
Public Relations Strategist
Hiring Salary Begins between $60,361.60- $77,948.00 annually DOQ
Hybrid Work schedule
*Open until July 9th OR until 50 applications have been received
About Plan Hillsborough
Plan Hillsborough provides value-added planning services through a diverse team of professionals working towards a thriving future for Tampa, Temple Terrace, Plant City, and Hillsborough County, and provides staff to the Hillsborough County City-County Planning Commission, the Hillsborough County Transportation Planning Organization, and the Hillsborough River Interlocal Planning Board.
At Plan Hillsborough, your work matters. We are looking for individuals who want to join a team that believes in turning challenges that come with growth into opportunities for a thriving future. If this is you, read below to learn more about this opportunity to be a part of Plan Hillsborough!
What to Expect
Performs professional and strategic public relations duties, including strategizing and making recommendations on the timely development, administration, and dissemination of information regarding a wide range of programs and services to fosterand improve education, media, and community relations on behalf of Plan Hillsborough.
What Qualifications are Needed
A bachelor’s degree; and
Five years of experience planning, implementing, or managing public relations, community relations, marketing, or integrated communications programs.
Or
A master’s degree; and
Three years of experience planning, implementing, or managing public relations, community relations, marketing, or integrated communications programs.
Or
An equivalent combination of education, training and experience that would reasonably be expected to provide the job-specific competencies noted below.
What You Will Be Doing
- Develops and makes recommendations on public relations and marketing campaigns related to planning projects, educational events and programs and other initiatives.
- Develops and implements proactive media outreach strategies including news releases, pitches, talking points, web content/brand journalism, and overall messaging.
- Conducts media and community relations to foster a positive informative relationship between Plan Hillsborough and the community.
- Provides public relations management and media relations guidance to staff related to planning projects, including counsel related to public relations strategies, communications plans, social media, and events; developing strategic public relations plans with tactics such as collateral development, talking points, web content and messaging to include media strategy.
- Prepares recommendations involving special community matters, public meetings, events and/or programs.
- Creates high quality, citizen friendly reports and publications such as public involvement plans, annual reports, public education brochures, etc. with a strong attention to detail.
- Oversees the development, promotion, and analysis of results of public engagement surveys and outreach meetings.
- Collaborates with internal and external contacts as needed to ensure effective, well-executed public relations and marketing programs.
- Keeps current with technology and trends for communications.
- Tracks, monitors, and evaluates activities, placements, and accomplishments as well as other public engagement performance measures.
- Performs other related duties as required.
What You Need to Be Successful
- Considerable knowledge of the principles and practices of public relations/media relations strategy development and how it relates to positive public/media relations
- Considerable knowledge of the local media market and practices
- Comprehensive knowledge of writing and editing press releases, positioning stories, pitches, articles and other communications materials
- Comprehensive knowledge of English grammar, punctuation, spelling and proofreading
- Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of social media platforms and target audiences
- Proficiency in InDesign or a similar graphics programs (i.e. Canva, Photoshop, Lightroom, Adobe XD, Illustrator, Premiere Rush, and Spark)
- Knowledge of photography and videography and an understanding of visual standards
- Knowledge of WordPress or comparable website software
- Knowledge and understanding of the Public Relations profession Code of Ethics
- Knowledge of public engagement strategies including surveys, public participation techniques and meeting facilitation.
- Ability to distill complex topics into easy to understand public facing documents, promotional materials, presentations, etc.
- Ability to communicate effectively in verbally and in writing, displaying strong editorial ability
- Ability to manage content, publications and program development end-to-end providing direction, working integrated across and within the department
- Ability to handle extremely delicate/sensitive relationships and complex situations, information, and materials
- Ability to use considerable initiative, think independently, and exercise sound judgment
- Ability and willingness to assist in writing and editing press releases, pitches and articles
- Ability to provide expert counsel on effective public relations strategies to produce effective outcomes
- Ability to think strategically in order to develop and execute public relations programs and provide counsel to staff on the best way to communicate information
- Ability to establish and maintain effective and collaborative working relations with others within and outside own organization
- Ability to make recommendations and decisions as needed on behalf of the agency
- Ability to deal courteously and effectively with others while maintaining a positive, proactive attitude
- Must show a strong dedication and commitment to producing quality work
What Our Culture Looks Like
Plan Hillsborough embraces and celebrates the diversity of the communities we serve while also seeking the same of our employees. At Plan Hillsborough, we are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ethnicity, ancestry, religion, national origin, gender, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital or parental status, disability, veteran status, or other class protected by applicable law. We are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. If you need an accommodation, you may contact Plan Hillsborough Human Resources at BetourneyM@plancom.org.
What Accountability Means to Us
Everyone is responsible to consistently put forth the highest quality work effort. The agency will follow through in setting, measuring and addressing clear expectations and taking actions to ensure all meet these expectations.