Communications Coordinator

About Us

Georgia College & State University (GCSU) is the states designated public liberal arts university, where students learn the essential skills to compete in a fast-paced and technology-driven global society. The university prepares students for successful careers, leadership in communities, problem solving and life-long learning through personalized attention in a residential setting with opportunities for a variety of transformational experiences through its award-winning, high-impact practices. One of only three selective universities within the University System of Georgia and a top 10 ranked public university in the Southeast, GCSU offers undergraduate degrees in more than 40 majors, more than 30 graduate programs, doctorates in education and nursing, professional certificates, and continuing education programs.

As a member of the prestigious Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges (COPLAC), GCSU is committed to fostering a liberal arts environment that values academic preeminence, interdisciplinary inquiry and an inclusive learning community. GCSU enjoys a strong reputation for academic excellence and nationally ranked programs according to US News & World Report, The Princeton Review and Colleges of Distinction - among other ranking sources.

Georgia College & State University takes great pride in combining the educational experience of a private liberal arts college with the affordability of a public university. Faculty and staff are dedicated to student engagement and experiential learning through high-impact practices such as internships, service- and community-based learning, leadership development, study abroad opportunities, mentored undergraduate research and a capstone project that fosters intellectual curiosity, reasoned inquiry and critical thinking.

The universitys beautiful and historic campus is located downtown in Milledgeville, Georgia, a charming college town of approximately 19,000 residents in Central Georgia, and only 90 miles southeast of Atlanta. Milledgeville is also the home of noted American author and alumna, Flannery OConnor, 45, and the college community enjoys many exciting literary arts programs at OConnors former home, Andalusia, a National Historic Landmark owned by the university. Milledgeville is located on the banks of beautiful Lake Sinclair and Lake Oconee, allowing faculty, staff and students to take full advantage of the environmental and recreational benefits of being part of a lake community. For cultural, educational and leisure opportunities beyond Milledgeville - Macon and Atlanta are located within easy driving distances.

Georgia College & State University is dedicated to protecting academic freedom in addition to supporting freedom of expression as outlined in the University System of Georgias Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom policy and its Ethics Code of Conduct. For more information, visit us online at gcsu.edu.

Job Summary

Reporting to the Director of News & Media Relations, the Communications Communicator is a talented and multifaceted writer responsible for producing a high volume of newsworthy story content aimed at generating earned media placements for the university. Stories will be pitched to reporters (local, state and national) as well as published to the universitys website and promoted in its alumni magazine, campus newsletters and more. This position will also serve as the primary backup to the director in engaging with reporters, pitching stories, distributing releases, coordinating interviews and escorting media on campus visits, and will play a pivotal role in editing content developed by the team.

Communications coordinators must be comfortable interacting with individuals across the university to gather story leads, conduct interviews, and ensure proper approval of all written news content.

Responsibilities

News Writing - 60%

• Find and develop stories about the latest university news, with special attention given to stories with potentially broad media appeal, such as those that highlight innovative research projects with real-world impacts, significant student successes, community partnerships, hands-on learning opportunities, university accomplishments and more.
• Success in this role depends on building and maintaining healthy relationships with faculty and staff across campus. The person in this role will regularly check in with campus sources to solicit fresh story ideas, as well as ensure that every story they write is appropriately fact-checked prior to publication.
• Regularly query faculty for commentary on current events to potentially highlight their expertise in thought leadership pieces that reinforce the universitys authority in strategic fields of study.
• Collaborate with colleagues within the communications team to have news content published on the universitys website, internal news platform and in print publications.

Editing - 20%

• This position will also copyedit/proof colleagues editorial content prior to publication, in a backup capacity to the director.

Media Relations - 10%

• Serving in a support role to the director, this position will pitch stories as news releases/event advisories to reporters to encourage in-person media visits to campus.
• Field queries from reporters and help set up interviews with subject matter experts by phone, email and in-person.
• Escort reporters during campus visits.
• Help refine university media lists to ensure proper targeting of reporters according to coverage area, beat and areas of interest.
• Provide faculty with talking points and media training as needed.

Other - 10%

• Working closely with fellow members of the team, this position must be available 24/7 during university crisis situations to help share critical messaging to campus, the public and student families.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

Educational Requirements

Bachelors Degree in English, journalism, communications or related field.

Other Required Qualifications

Exceptional writing skills and the versatility to write for various audiences.

Required Experience

3-5 years of professional writing experience, preferably in a news setting

Preferred Qualifications

Additional Preferred Qualifications

Preferred candidate should have a demonstrated ability to be able to work with a wide-variety of clients: students, faculty, staff, administrators, community members, and high-level corporate personnel. Prior experience working within higher education is a plus.

Preferred Educational Qualifications

Masters degree

Preferred Experience

In addition to prior experience working in marketing, communications, journalism, or a related field, at least two years of prior project management experience is preferred.

Proposed Salary

This position is a pay grade 8. The available salary range is $47,476 to $69,081. Starting salary within this range is based on relevant years of experience.

For more information about GCSU compensation practices, click here: https://www.gcsu.edu/humanresources/pay-grade-structure.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

ABILITIES

• Ability to consistently craft engaging headlines, strong/concise news leads and clean copy.
• Ability to think big-picture and tell stories that reveal the universal through the specific.
• Ability to conduct interviews and research.
• Must be a flexible team player who stays cool under pressure and is happy to share responsibilities/contribute in any way that helps the team. -Ability to adhere to strict deadlines.

KNOWLEDGE

• Fluent in AP style.

SKILLS

• Exceptional writing skills and the versatility to write for various audiences.
• A+ editing skill.

USG Core Values

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 25 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Equal opportunity and decisions based on merit are fundamental values of the University System of Georgia (USG). The Board of Regents prohibits discrimination on the basis of an individuals age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status ("protected status"). No individual shall be excluded from the participation in, denied the benefits of, or otherwise subjected to unlawful discrimination, harassment, or retaliation under, any USG program or activity because of the individuals protected status; nor shall any individual be given preferential treatment because of the individuals protected status, except that preferential treatment may be given on the basis of veteran status when appropriate under federal or state law.

Other Information

This is not a supervisory position.

This position does not have any financial responsibilities.

This position will not be required to drive.

This role is not considered a position of trust.

This position does not require a purchasing card (P-Card).

This position does not require security clearance.

Background Check

• Criminal Background Check
• Education Verification