Public Relations Specialist

OVERVIEW OF ATHENA:

ATHENA Consulting is an award-winning staffing firm serving state and local governments. Our mission is to make lives better! We make our Clients’ Lives Easier by engaging and supporting our clients and partnering with them to be the most knowledgeable staffing partner. We make our Employees’ Lives Better by identifying and cultivating their talents and matching these talents with our customers’ needs. ATHENA places a high value on customer service, accountability and getting the job done.

POSITION SUMMARY:

We are recruiting a Contract Public Relations Specialist for a dynamic, high-impact role leading key public relations initiatives for DHCD. In this temporary position, you'll craft press releases, briefings, and confidential documents while driving proactive coverage of DHCD programs. Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to develop content strategies and awareness campaigns that support programmatic, divisional, and agency-wide goals. This Full-time position starts at $29 per hour and is located in Richmond, VA. Hours will range from 29-40 hours a week.

 ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Provide public relations support by creating press releases, promotional campaigns, including content, proofreading, design, photography, and media relations.


• Draft event scripts, run-of-show documents and briefing materials tailored for audiences.


• Effectively collaborates with the Governor's Office and stakeholders on Governor’s Housing Conference, press releases, briefing, confidential working papers and other public relation requests and drafts responses to all media inquiries.


• Effectively conducts ongoing media relations strategies and tactics designed to foster better cooperation and understanding between the media and DHCD stakeholders, board members, etc.


• Coordinate special events for program or grant announcements. Works with the Governor’s administration and local partners to promote initiatives or grant announcements.    

• Efficiently performs duties as assigned and works as a team within division and company.


• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Comprehensive knowledge of public relations program management, publications management, and media relations strategies and techniques.


• Comprehensive knowledge of program management in the areas of public relations, marketing, information and publicity techniques, publication production, broadcast and print media, design and printing concepts, educational processes and using internet technology to acquire and publish information on websites and social media outlets.


• Excellent oral and written communications and customer service skills in addition to strong creative problem-solving and analytic capabilities to manage complex and/or controversial public relations


• The ability to work effectively with others as part of a team, including skill in organizing work and supervising a team for maximum effectiveness.


• Proven project leader who engages employees across other units, while fostering an all-hands-on-deck collaborative and innovative work environment.


• ·         Demonstrated ability to plan and manage public relations programs; analyze and develop effective communication programs; to work effectively with media representatives; and to develop effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.


• ·         Proficient experience in using current publishing platforms, web-based platforms, A/V systems, web content management systems, graphic design systems, video editing systems, and web development applications.  


• Solid ability to analyze situations carefully and adopt appropriate courses of action.


• Ability to understand and adhere to the duties, methods, and procedures required by the position.


• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.


• Ability to prioritize tasks.


• An ability to effectively communicate to large and small audiences.


• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software.

Education and Experience:

·         A bachelor’s degree in public relations, Communications, Marketing, Journalism, or a related field is required. A master’s degree is preferred but not mandatory.

• Comprehensive experience in public relations program management, including publications management and media relations strategies.


• Expertise in marketing, publicity techniques, publication production, broadcast and print media, design and printing concepts, educational processes, and leveraging internet technologies for websites and social media.

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer. 


• Must be able to lift and move up to 25 pounds at times. 


• Standard hours of work Monday through Friday, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm.


• Travel may be required for up to 10% of the time.

Successful ATHENA employees will display the following characteristics:

• You strive to be the best in your field currently and in the future.


• You like to make your employer look good.


• You find solutions, where others only see problems.


• You are proactive, you make and meet commitments, and you perform your duties exceedingly well.


• You are aware of the employer’s needs at all times and are well-versed in what you personally and ATHENA can offer them as a whole.


• You have the ability to work with diverse, integrated, deliverable-driven teams to accomplish the larger mission.

The benefits of working for ATHENA include:

• Support from a team of professionals committed to making your life better.


• Medical, dental and vision insurance.


• Medical and dependent flexible spending account.


• Pet insurance.


• Mass transportation benefit for the Maryland and Washington, D.C. area.


• 401k with a generous employer match.


• Easy to use employee self-serve HR portal.


• Paid time off varies by contract – be sure to inquire with your Recruiter.


• Holiday pay varies by contract – be sure to inquire with your Recruiter.

The statements in this Job Posting are intended to describe the general nature and minimum level of work required.  The content should not be construed as a complete list of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required to meet the criteria for this position.  Upon request, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Application for employment is not intended to and does not create a contract or offer of employment and if hired, employment with the company is on an at-will basis and could be terminated at the will of either party.

ATHENA Consulting LLC does not discriminate in hiring based on federally protected classifications to include but not limited to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status, marital status or other characteristics protected by law.  Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities.