Penn State Job Catalog

Additional levels that exist for this job profile can be seen below.

The defined natural career progression within or between job profiles.

Public Relations

Public Relations Specialists predominantly work within the University’s Office of Strategic Communications to protect and manage reputation and brand image; conceive, develop, create, and disseminate news, research, and/or strategic communications and public relations initiatives; coordinate the delivery of events for diverse audiences that may include the news media, internal and external stakeholders, key constituents, and the community-at-large.

• Plan and implement internal and external public relations campaigns through multi-channel dissemination to keep the public informed of the programs and achievements of the University and its colleges, campuses, units, students, alumni, and donors
• Cover assigned news beat by meeting with internal sources and contacts to research news stories for internal and external consumption
• Research, interview sources, and translate complex subject matter into compelling press releases, fact sheets, features, story tips/ideas, speaker remarks, photographs, and videos
• Determine the appropriate distribution for media representatives and other University constituencies regarding important University information and events
• Develop and foster relationships with members of the media in promoting University programs; respond to media inquiries and coordinate interviews
• Coordinate and attend news conferences concerning University announcements, events, and speakers; may serve as spokesperson
• Monitor news and media presence
• Respond to internal and external inquiries
• Act as liaison between other areas of the University
• Develop and implement crisis communications plans and protocols

Level:

– Principal Professional

Base Description:

– Completes activities, tasks, and/or projects of a functional nature.

Level Summary:

– Displays mastery of defined skill areas/applications, principles, theories and practices. Evaluates and enhances existing practices. Recognizes emerging trends in area of expertise. Works independently on complex or strategic assignments. Directs and delegates appropriate tasks to others. Implements strategies to ensure achievement of initiatives. Prepares written and/or verbal presentations or proposals on complex issues and deliver to broad audiences. Identifies and implements innovative solutions to important, highly complex strategic and/or operational issues.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

– Indirect supervisor for other full–time employees
– May serve as direct supervisor for part–time, student, and/or temporary workers, volunteers, or a full–time employee

Fiscal Responsibilities:

– Validates and pays invoices
– Monitors and tracks budgets and funding
– May plan and forecast budgets

Problem Solving:

– Encounters complex and novel problems
– Applies policies, practices, specialized knowledge, and skills to resolve problems
– Understands benefits, limitations, and impact of potential solutions
– Anticipates potential problems and recommends possible solutions within general guidelines

Independence of Action:

– Works independently on complex or strategic assignments
– Uses existing practices as guidelines as well as working knowledge to determine specific work methods
– Carries out work activities independently, with supervisor available to resolve problems
– Reviews work of others to verify technical soundness

Communication and Collaboration:

– Communicates with both internal and external audiences
– Collaborates closely with team members and area leads across the University
– Prepares written and/or verbal presentations or proposals on complex issues and delivers to a broad variety of audiences
– Establishes and maintains networks to facilitate successful communication among units

• Comp Grade – 13
• Minimum – $86,300.00
• MidPoint – $107,900.00
• Maximum – $129,500.00