MARICOPA COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT JOB DESCRIPTION

TITLE: MANAGER DISTRICT/COLLEGE MEDIA RELATIONS

GRADE: 16

JOB CODE: 1285

FLSA: EXEMPT

Job Summary

Promotes District and/or College activities and services through planning and coordination of public information, internal communication, and other communication efforts; develops and directs a crisis management plan and comprehensive news bureau.

Scope

This position works in the area of public relations and strategic planning. Work contacts include administrators, legal counsel, Governing Board members, community and government leaders, faculty, staff, news media, educational institutions and the general public. Equipment used includes camera equipment, recorders and standard office equipment.

Supervision Received

This position reports to an assigned administrator; receives broad instruction regarding routine and standard matters; specific instructions regarding non‑routine and highly sensitive matters.

Supervision Exercised

Supervises the position of Clerk Typist, Administrative Assistant, Writers, Photographers and/or other assigned staff.

Representative Duties

Coordinates and plans the District/College news bureau which serves as a single source through which contact with the news media is funneled; develops and implements crisis communication strategies and counsel executive leadership; initiates and maintains liaison with various media representatives both locally and nationally; serves as the district/college spokesperson; writes, edits and disseminates news releases to the media; initiates and writes feature articles for the mass media about District/College matters, legal issues and everyday program and operational business; coordinates, schedules and executes press interviews and appearances; arranges for radio and television appearances, press conferences and interviews with various media; receives and responds to press inquiries relating to the District/College; prepares long-range public and media relations plans; attends Governing Board meetings and other committee meetings to advise and plan media/communication efforts and respond to immediate press inquiries; serves as media spokesperson; advises employees on matters of publicity and public relations; researches, writes, coordinates and oversees production of monthly on-line newsletter; provides informational material to college newspapers and student bulletins for publication; takes, or supervises the taking of, photographs to augment articles and features; coordinates arrangements for special events including notification of the media; prepares and/or edits speeches for administrators/Governing Board members; provides and/or oversees outside media training programs, speech writing and presentation planning for public and/or media events; represents MCCCD at conferences and other public forums; maintains and updates mailing lists for publications or releases to be sent to local, state and national news media; supervises staff; performs related duties as assigned.

Knowledge and Abilities

Knowledge of: principles, practices and ethics of public relations and media relations; news writing and other writing styles; graphic design including the use of photography and printing; public relations and marketing principles, practices and techniques; philosophy and activities of community colleges; verbal and written communication skills; media relations; appropriate computer and software.

Ability to: maintain effective liaison with all elements of local and national news media to facilitate coverage and favorable placement of releases; maintain updated awareness of district-wide activities; communicate effectively orally and in writing; establish cooperative working relationships with persons contacted in the course of performing assigned duties.

Training and Experience

Any combination of education, training and experience that provides the required knowledge and abilities. An example of this would be a college degree in mass media journalism, marketing, communications or related field and/or responsible experience in public relations, media relations, writing and editing, or reporting.

Special Conditions of Employment

This position occasionally requires the individual to work flexible hours.

Working Conditions

The class specification is intended to indicate the basic nature of positions allocated to the class and examples of typical duties that may be assigned. It does not imply that all positions within the class perform all of the duties listed, nor does it necessarily list all possible duties that may be assigned.