Job Title News Writer Agency Texas A&M University Department Marketing & Communications Proposed Minimum Salary Commensurate Job Location College Station, Texas Job Type Staff Job Description Our Commitment Texas A&M University is committed to enriching the learning and working environment by promoting a culture that respects all pers p ectives, talents & lived experience s . Embracing varying opinions and perspectives strengthens our corevalues which are: Respect, Excellence, Leadership, Loyalty, Integrity, and Selfless Service . Who We Are The Division of Ma rketin g & Communications tells the story of Texas A&M and promotes and protects the Texas A&M brand. We achieve our goals through: Messaging, Branding, and Brand Oversight. For more infor ma tion, please visit us at https:// ma rcomm.tamu.edu/ (https://marcomm.tamu.edu/) What We Want The Communications Specialist II, under general supervision, will tell stories - proactively and as assigned - of impactful research being conducted at Texas A&M to elevate the university’s national reputation and image. This team member will build relationships with national media members and work with them to create media mentions, placements and make A&M researchers the go-to voice on certain topics. What You Need To Know + This position may require less than 5% or more travel. + Ability to travel independently to other remote locations by driving and/or flying on commercial airlines. + All travel to and from College Station, Texas will be at the expense of the employee aside from mandatory business travel. + This position may require work beyond normal office hours and/or work on weekends. + This position allows alternate work location per TAMU guidelines. + Location: College Station, TX. + Salary: Commensurate based on selected candidates experience. + Cover Letter/Resume: A cover letter and resume are strongly recommended and will help in our review. You may upload them on the application under the CV/Resume section. Responsibilities Writing: + Telling stories of impactful research through news releases, stories or videos as assigned by supervisors, CMO or members of the central Marketing team. + Proactively finding interesting research stories and presenting them for approval. + Balance writing several stories and projects at the same time. + Cultivating relationships with faculty, researchers and research deans. + Assisting Central team with content packages, feature or strategic communications writing. + Assists with compiling and sending weekly newsletter. + Assists with website content management. + Work collaboratively with college and department and Office of Research communicators to ensure appropriate approvals and avoid duplication of work. + Write social media copy and work with central social team to ensure thoughtful and strategic distribution. Media relations: + Build relationships with reporters, pitch and assist them as they write stories based on our releases. + Assist with distribution lists for wider media sends. + Attend “meet the media” events and conferences. Qualifications Required Education & Experience: + Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience. + Two years of related experience. Preferred Qualifications: + Ability to write in clear and understandable language for journalists and the public. + Knowledge of the national media landscape in both traditional and emerging media areas. + Ability to effectively communicate both orally and in writing. + Ability to positively and professionally interact with coworkers, administrators, faculty and staff. + Excellent communication and presentation skills. + Strong interpersonal and organizational skills. + Self-motivation to find stories and topics on their own. + Working knowledge of office software and instructional programs. + Ability to multitask and work cooperatively with others. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: + Strong written and oral communications skills. + Demonstrated ability to successfully manage projects. + Ability to work professionally and harmoniously in a service-oriented position. + Self-motivation and ability to manage time efficiently, as well as make quick decision, with minimal supervision. + Critical thinking skills. + Ability to collaborate successfully with internal and external teams. + Ability to multitask and work cooperatively with others. Why Texas A&M University? We are a prestigious university with strong traditions, Core Values, and a community of caring and collaboration.  Amenities associated with a ma jor university, such as sporting and cultural events, state-of-the-art recreation facilities, the Bush Library and Museum, and much more await you.  Experience all that a big city has to offer but with a reasonable cost-of-living and no long commutes.  + Medical, (https://www.tamus.edu/benefits/medical/) prescription drug, dental, (https://www.tamus.edu/benefits/dental/) vision, life and AD&D, (https://www.tamus.edu/benefits/life-add/) flexible spending accounts , and long-term disability insurance (https://www.tamus.edu/benefits/long-term-disability/) with Texas A&M contributing to employee health and basic life premiums + 12- 15 days (https://employees.tamu.edu/employee-relations/leave/index.html) of annual paid holidays + Up to eight hours of paid sick leave (https://employees.tamu.edu/employee-relations/leave/paid/sick.html)  and at least  eight hours of paid vacation (https://employees.tamu.edu/employee-relations/leave/paid/vacation.html)   each month + Auto ma tically enrollment in the  Teacher Retirement System of Texas (https://www.trs.texas.gov/Pages/Homepage.aspx) + Health and Wellness: Free exercise programs and release time (https://flourish.tamu.edu/wellness-release-time/) + Professional Development: All employees have access to free  LinkedIn Learning (https://linkedinlearning.tamu.edu/)  training, webinars, and limited financial support to attend conferences, workshops, and more + Educational release time and tuition assistance (https://livingwell.tamu.edu/employee-tuition-assistance)   for completing a degree while a Texas A&M employee + Living Well, (https://livingwell.tamu.edu/) a program at Texas A&M that has been built by employees, for employees Instructions to Applicants: Applications received by Texas A&M University must either have all job application data entered or a resume attached. Failure to provide all job application data or a complete resume could result in an invalid submission and a rejected application. We encourage all applicants to upload a resume’ or use a LinkedIn profile to pre-populate the online application. All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check. Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Veterans/Disability Employer.