Public Information Rep/Communications

View the original job posting and apply here.

Portland State University is Oregon's most affordable public research university, located in the heart of one of America's most dynamic cities. Our mission to "let knowledge serve the city" reflects our dedication to turning ideas into action - in Portland and around the world. The city is our campus, giving students unmatched access to career connections, a vibrant cultural scene and hands-on learning experiences with hundreds of community partners.

More than 20,000 students from all backgrounds bring diverse perspectives to our classrooms and campus life, from the tree-lined Park Blocks to the bustling Urban Plaza and state-of-the-art science labs. We are proud of our world-class faculty, groundbreaking research and international reputation for excellence in sustainability, community engagement and innovation.

The Transportation Research and Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University (PSU) is a multidisciplinary hub for all things transportation. We are home to the Initiative for Bicycle and Pedestrian Innovation (IBPI), the data programs PORTAL and BikePed Portal, the Better Block PSU program, and PSU's membership in PacTrans, the Pacific Northwest Transportation Consortium. Our continuing goal is to produce impactful research and tools for transportation decision makers, expand the diversity and capacity of the workforce, and engage students and professionals through education, seminars, and participation in research.

This position prepares, presents, and shares information to promote awareness and understanding of programs, events, and research activities undertaken by the Transportation Research and Education Center (TREC). The position may also provide similar tasks for other centers or institutes that TREC collaborates with, such as the Institute of Metropolitan Studies (IMS).

Essential Job Functions

• Produce materials designed to promote awareness and understanding of programs, events, and research activities undertaken by the Transportation Research and Education Center

• Design, write, edit, and produce written material for the website and publications (print and electronic) to explain and promote center/institute activities. This could include websites, news stories, brochures, research briefs, annual reports, and other formats. This will involve summarizing and communicating technical research to a broader audience.

• Design, create, and distribute newsletters for the center/institute.

• Promote center/institute events through a variety of communication methods, including email, website, social media, and outreach to partner organizations. This may include more creative communication methods, including videos, graphics, multimedia presentations, interactive activities for in-person events, new forms of social media, and other creative products.

• Coordinate printing, graphics and other production work for timely project completion. Advise management and staff on planning and production of information materials. Prepare cost estimates for projects and productions. Monitor production process to assure costs are within budget.

• Advise management and staff on planning and production of information materials. Prepare cost estimates for projects and productions. Monitor production process to assure costs are within budget.

• Give technical advice and assistance to student assistants. Oversee their work for technical quality.

• Ensure that products conform to federal requirements for accessibility from the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Keep up on the latest state of practice with ADA accessibility, learning and implementing new tools as they become available. Assist staff in resolving accessibility issues.

• Website, social media, and information management

• Update center/institute website. Coordinate with staff and web developers to ensure web content is updated and technical errors are addressed as needed.

• Catalog and organize an electronic library of photographs, video, logos, and graphics for center/institute use.

• Maintain center/institute public-facing social media, including YouTube channel and LinkedIn.

• Operate cameras and video recorders to document events and other activities. Edit video.

• Information Gathering

• Meet with management to identify communications needs and procedures for gathering, packaging and presenting information to meet communications objectives.

• Search center/institute files and public documents to find background information for communications tasks.

• Interview center/institute staff and management about current activities.

• Compile statistics or other data to show successes or progress in attaining communication goals.

• Research similar communications activities in other university, governmental or private organizations to learn about their experience.

• Conduct outreach to units, researchers, and students across campus to develop and share stories about PSU's transportation research and education activities and accomplishments.

• Public Relations

• Maintain information resources, material/production resource files, and internal operating procedures related to communications.

• Respond to inquiries from the media by connecting them to faculty experts.

• Meet regularly with staff and management to keep informed of center/institute activities.

• Consult with management regarding sensitive or controversial issues to assure correct and consistent responses to inquiries.

• Represent TREC at outside meetings and on-campus visits to present overviews of the center's activities.

• Respond to written or telephone inquiries about center/institute activities.

• Other Writing and editing

• Write media news releases. Assure correct and effective format, timing and distribution of releases.

• Write scripts for audiovisual presentations and promotional videos.

• Format and copyedit documents written by others.

• Prepare or edit presentations, remarks, and talking points for the center/institute management.

Other Job Functions:

• Assist at large in-person TREC events, including set-up, registration, and clean-up. Staff information table at events.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Three years experience in gathering information, writing/producing materials, presenting information to the public and public relations. One year of this experience must have included responsibility for press releases and interaction with the news media.
• A Bachelor's degree in journalism, communication or closely related field may substitute for up to two years of the general experience.
• Three years experience in gathering information, writing/producing materials, presenting information to the public and other audiences.
• One year of this experience must have included responsibility for website and social media communications.
• Ability to write in a clear, direct style for a broad audience, including translating technical information.
• Exceptional attention to detail and ability to plan and manage multiple projects to meet critical deadlines.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills (written, visual, and oral) with a wide range of people and organizations particularly including external partners
• Collaborative. Ability to work as part of a team.
• Flexible. Ability to adjust work tasks and deadlines to meet changing priorities.
• Experience with Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Calendar OR Experience with Microsoft Word (including using styles), Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook; and Experience with Adobe Acrobat.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with Customer Relationship Management (CRM) databases and software
• Experience with HTML, Drupal, and other related web and content management programs
• Experience with Adobe InDesign, Canva, and other graphics software
• Experience with social media (LinkedIn, You Tube, etc.) in a professional setting
• Knowledge in making written electronic documents accessible for people with disabilities (e.g., using screen readers).

Key Cultural Competencies:

• Creates an environment that acknowledges, encourages and celebrates differences.
• Functions and communicates effectively and respectfully within the context of varying beliefs, behaviors, orientations, identities and cultural backgrounds.
• Seeks opportunities to gain experience working and collaborating in diverse, multicultural, and inclusive settings with a willingness to change for continual improvement.
• Adheres to all PSU policies including the policies on Prohibited Discrimination & Harassment and the Professional Standards of Conduct.
• Contributes to a culture of environmental stewardship, practices resource conservation, and actively works toward achieving long-term sustainability goals.

Additional Information:

Work hours are scheduled between Monday-Friday, 8am - 5pm. The schedule may include occasional evening/weekends. Up to one day remote, after training period and with the approval of the supervisor.

The starting rate for this position will be between $22.84 and $26.20 per hour, dependent upon the knowledge, experience, skills and abilities of the chosen candidate, the budget of the hiring department, and approval from HR.

PSU's excellent benefits package includes 95% premium paid healthcare; a generous retirement and vacation package; and reduced tuition rates for employee, spouse or dependent at any of the Oregon Public Universities

This position is limited duration for one year, in accordance with Article 32 of the SEIU collective bargaining agreement. The appointment may be renewed, contingent upon availability of funding. This position is established at .5 FTE (20 hours per week) but may occasionally vary up to .7 FTE (28 hours per week), based on the business needs.

If you have questions, please contact asktrec@pdx.edu.

Apply here.