Press secretary job description

Salary Range: $65k-85k, based on Oakland's cost of living; the range is adjusted for location.

Agency Overview:

Dream.org closes prison doors and opens doors of opportunity. We bring people together across racial, social, and partisan lines to create a future with freedom, dignity, and opportunity for all. We are working to build a future wherein "we the people" means all of us.

Purpose:

The Press Secretary will be an important part of the Communications team, responsible for growing our press engagement by creating and maintaining press lists, both general for Dream Corps and specific as required by campaigns and events. This position will under the Director of Communications to help place stories by drafting press releases, managing the editing and approval process, and working with the press to place stories.

Duties and Responsibilities:

The Press Secretary will work with the Director of Communication to draft press releases and manage the editing process through delivery. This position will be responsible for identifying press targets for pitching and crafting messaging to help place stories in political, local, and national press. Their responsibilities will also include managing press conferences we host, keeping track of media hits, and supporting social media.

Minimum Job Requirements:

2-4 years of communications experience implementing messaging strategies through local and national media relationships.

Preferred Education/Skills/Experience:

Looking for someone with an eye for news opportunities and the ability to help shape news cycles to be a part of a growing team. The ideal candidate has experience pitching and placing news stories and is a compelling writer able to reflect the experiences of diverse communities. Background in politics or campaigning preferred.

Travel: Must be willing and able to travel occasionally (estimated 10%), including for in-person staff meetings and retreats

Note: This position will be reviewed beginning October 31st until filled.

Employee Benefits :

This full-time salaried position will work remotely or from the Oakland, CA office. Reliable access to an internet connection and willingness to spend significant time working from a computer will be necessary to perform this job.

All full-time employees receive Medical, Dental & Vision coverage. Dream.org pays 100% of premiums for employee, spouse, and dependents. Part-time employees receive 50% coverage. After a 6-month waiting period, employees can contribute to our retirement plan. Currently, Dream.org offers up to a 5% match. We also offer flexible spending, a pre-tax program for medical expenses, dependent care expenses, transit expenses, and parking expenses. All full-time Dream.org employees accrue 4 weeks of vacation time off and 12 days of sick time off over the first year of employment. Part-time employees accrue time off on a prorated basis. In addition to 10 paid holidays, Dream.org also provides paid time off from December 24th through January 1st each year.

Dream.org is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and encourages applications from all qualified applicants regardless of race, sex, gender identity, age, disability, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, veteran status, or record of arrest or conviction. We are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and strive for a workforce that reflects the populations that we serve.

Minimum Qualifications Appointment method:

This is an appointment to a position in the exempt jurisdictional class. As such, the incumbent of this position would serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority.

Duties Description The New York Department of Financial Services seeks to build an equitable, more transparent and resilient financial system that benefits New Yorkers and supports business. Through engagement, data-driven regulation, and operational excellence, DFS is responsible for empowering consumers and protecting them from financial harm; ensuring the health and stability of the financial entities we regulate; and driving economic growth through responsible innovation.

The Department of Financial Services is seeking candidates for the position of Press Secretary in External Affairs and Strategy. Under the general direction of the Executive Deputy Superintendent and Assistant Deputy Superintendent of External Affairs and Strategy, the Press Secretary plans and assists with coordinating DFS communication and media operations. Responsibilities will include, but not be limited to, the following:

* Formal spokesperson for the agency for media inquiries;
* Develops and maintains relationships with financial services media outlets;
* Develops and executes external communications efforts; identifies opportunities to support organizational initiatives; develops communications materials and plans community programs to promote and publicize these activities;
* Collaborates with Executive team in the development of strategic communications plans to support DFS's mission, goals, and objectives;
* Drafts, reviews and edits communications materials including news releases, news materials, talking points, opinion pieces, online content, external education programs, and annual reports;
* Researches and prepares responses to inquiries from local and national press; tracks relevant press coverage, including social media activity;
* Supervises and manages members of the communications team - including media affairs, social media, public engagement, and speechwriting: The candidate should have experience managing and supervising team members of varying experience, and be able to offer them strategic guidance, feedback and insight;
* Oversees coordination of Legislative and External Affairs relationships agency-wide and promotes improvements that advance the mission of DFS and progress toward policies that are more impactful, inclusive, and equitable;
* Builds and maintains collaborative relationships with government officials and community stakeholders and navigates complex issues with multiple constituencies with differing perspectives and needs;
* Supports media activities with the Governor's press office, other state agencies and relevant outside entities concerning press events and activities;
* Acts as a primary liaison to the Governor's press office, other state agencies, and other relevant outside entities concerning press events;
* Performs advance logistics duties in preparation of upcoming public engagements and acts as DFS liaison to ensure seamless coordination for staging events with various public officials; and
* Performs other related duties as directed and assigned by Executive Deputy Superintendent and Assistant Deputy Superintendent.

Preferred Qualifications

* A Bachelor's Degree and at least five years of communications and public affairs experience.
* Ability to work flexible work hours as needed, and travel may be required.
* Strong writing experience and excellent communication skills.
* Ability to build strong interpersonal relationships and work closely with executive staff.
* Knowledge of effectively and collaboratively directing a team.
* Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
* Project management skills.
* Strong relationships with financial services media.
* Government and financial services industry experience preferred.

Additional Comments Positions located within the New York City metropolitan area, as well as Suffolk, Nassau, Rockland, and Westchester Counties, are also eligible to receive an additional $3,026 annual downstate adjustment

Appointment to this position is pending Governor Appointment's Office and Division of Budget approval.

The Press Secretary will help lead media outreach for the Authority, working closely with the Communications team to develop and implement communications strategies for high priority initiatives and urgent communications matters. The Press Secretary will serve as the primary on-the-record spokesperson for the Authority, and the primary writer for communications and event support related to the Chief Executive Officer.
$76,206 - $84,673

Note: The NJEDA currently offers a hybrid work schedule for up to 2 days of telecommute work from home. To participate, you will be required to have high speed home internet access and a managers approval. This program does not supersede the "New Jersey First Act", which requires newly hired NJEDA employees to establish and then maintain, principal residence in the State of New Jersey.

Responsibilities

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

* Serves as the primary on-the-record spokesperson for the Authority and the primary writer for communications related to the Chief Executive Officer and other executive-level communications, including news releases, op-eds, speeches, and talk points. Proactively pitches newsworthy stories, manages breaking news, prepares presentations, and other internal and external communications.
* Accompanies and supports the Chief Executive Officer to all press events, including business/site visits, press conferences and other large-scale events that serve to advance awareness and support of the EDA and New Jersey's economic development efforts. Develops related briefing documents, prepares the Chief Executive Officer for interviews.
* Serves as the initial point of contact for all incoming inquiries to the Authority from reporters and works with the communications team and appropriate staff to develop and coordinate responses.
* Supports enhanced community outreach efforts in partnership with the Marketing Small Business Services, Office of Economic Growth, and other teams to expand awareness of EDA programs to diverse and underserved constituencies.
* Performs daily analysis and reporting out on print, broadcast and online media to ensure internal awareness of relevant coverage and other matters of interest or sensitivity, as well as to help identify media trends.
* Assists the Communications and Marketing teams in leveraging EDA traditional public relations strategies and tactics utilizing new media, including social media and traditional electronic media (local television/radio).
* Provides content for social media posts, annual reports, brochures, newsletters and other internal and external communications.
* Helps to maintain and build press lists and reporter relationships.
* Accessibility after hours in order to respond to media inquiries and to participate in events.
* Promotes teamwork and communication to encourage an interactive, cooperative, collaborative and customer focused work environment among division, EDA staff and external customers.
* Must complete annual and semiannual self-assessment as required.
* Performs other duties and special projects, as assigned.

Qualifications

Required Skills and Abilities

* Thorough knowledge and understanding of public and media relations; excellent proofreading skills and use of proper grammar and punctuation
* Experience interacting with reporters, members of the public and government officials and agencies
* Knowledge of economic and community development
* Understanding of New Jersey's social and political landscape
* Exceptional written, oral, interpersonal and presentation skills and the ability to effectively interface with a broad range of audiences including senior management, EDA Board of Directors, staff, government officials, business and industry partners, as well as individual customers and prospects
* Passion for EDA's mission
* Customer focus
* Experience producing and editing digital media
* Adapts to changes in the work environment and manages competing demands
* Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing; proficient in grammar, spelling and editing; and foster communications with business professionals and EDA staff
* Ability to prioritize workload, must be highly organized, detail-oriented, handle various tasks simultaneously and work independently within limited time constraints with little or no supervision
* Must be able to maintain confidentiality and deal effectively and diplomatically with business professionals and EDA staff
* Demonstrates respectful behavior and promotes teamwork and communication to encourage an interactive, cooperative, collaborative and customer focused work environment among division, EDA staff and external customers
* Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and the ability to learn new software packages

Required Qualifications

Education and Experience Requirements

* Bachelor's Degree in journalism, public relations or related field and/or equivalent professional experience
* Seven years' experience preferred in communications or public relations
* Campaign or crisis communications experience preferred
* Bilingual a plus

Advanced degree or industry specific certifications may be substituted for 1 year of experience

Physical Demands

* Accessibility after hours in order to respond to media inquiries
* Ability to work outside normal business hours, as needed

Travel

* As necessary to events, meetings, businesses, etc.

Certificates and Licenses Required

* License: Staff are required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essentials duties of the position.

Note

The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job description. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed. This job description is intended to convey information essential to understanding the scope, general nature and level of work performed by job holders within this job. This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of qualifications, skills, efforts, duties, responsibilities or working conditions associated with the position.

Your employment at NJEDA is voluntary and subject to termination by you or NJEDA at will, with or without cause, or with or without notice, at any time. Nothing in this job description shall be interpreted to conflict, eliminate or modify the employment-at-will status of NJEDA employees.

This position is considered exempt and is excluded from minimum wage, overtime regulations, and other rights and protections afforded nonexempt workers under the FLSA.

NJEDA reserves the right to amend/revise this job description as necessary to meet current and changing business needs.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Position Requirements

* Foreign degrees/transcripts must be evaluated by a reputable evaluation service at your own expense and must be submitted prior to a start date. If this cannot be provided within 21 days of an offer the offer will be rescinded.
* Must comply with the "New Jersey First Act" which requires employees hired after September 1, 2011 to reside in New Jersey. Non-New Jersey resident employees must relocate to New Jersey within one year of their date of hire and provide proof of residency to Human Resources.
* Must complete an Outside Activity Questionnaire (disclosure of outside office or employment) on an annual basis.