Major Accountabilities: *• Develops and writes press releases, fact sheets, presentations and other external materials as required by the External Communications group. • Assists with public relations activities involving employees, agencies, press and the public. Helps plan and organize internal programs, news conferences and related activities. • Suggests creative ideas for media opportunities, keeping in mind the company brand, image and strategy. • Provides support for special company projects, at the direction of the department’s management team, which may be assigned to the Communications Department as a result of corporate initiatives, new programs or business processes. • Supports the department’s media and public relations plans. Helps design and implement marketing programs to promote the corporate brand internally and externally. • Performs analytic research to help determine best ways of using the various communication channels available to promote external company programs. • Provides support to the Internal Communications group, writing articles and news stories for distribution within the company. • Prepares or helps coordinate presentations, scripts, displays, visuals and slides. • Provides proactive, effective communications support and counsel to assigned in-house clients. Successful client relationships require regular attendance at staff meetings, learning the client's business needs and communications challenges, developing internal and external stories and other communications about initiatives/programs for clients' various audiences (employees, customers, media, community), and managing special projects. Must provide biannual report of client activity to supervisor. • Performs other duties as assigned.

Recommended Education/Experience: Bachelor’s degree in public relations, communications, journalism, marketing or related field. Two to four years’ experience in public relations, journalism, corporate communications or marketing is desirable.

Special Qualifications: Ability to perform as an entry- to mid-level spokesperson (including prior news interview experience with members of the television, print and radio media) is strongly recommended. Solid interpersonal skills and self-confidence are fundamental. Ability to listen effectively and communicate influentially is critical. Candidates should have some familiarity or experience with public speaking, debate, presentation development and basic business issues. Candidates must have the highest standards for personal integrity, presentation and commitment to task. The incumbent is expected to operate effectively within a basic strategic framework for public relations and corporate communications. Attending meetings and responding to issues during evenings or weekends can be expected.