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Public Relations Specialist II or Senior Public Relations Specialist

Position Summary

The Lansing Board of Water & Light (BWL) is looking for a self-starter to join its award-winning Public Relations & Marketing Department. Responsible for corporate communications, the department develops and maintains BWL's corporate voice across internal communications and external customer relations while respecting and promoting diversity, equity and inclusion.

Reporting to the Public Relations & Marketing Manager, the Public Relations Specialist will work closely with departments throughout the company, including Government and Community Relations and Customer Operations. The ideal candidate is passionate about public relations and can pivot seamlessly between developing creative and engaging social media content, managing corporate communications initiatives and responding to media inquiries during a crisis.

The Public Relations Specialist is responsible for supporting a wide range of public relations and corporate communications initiatives designed to build and strengthen BWL's brand among employees, customers and external stakeholders.

The position may be filled at the Public Relations Specialist II or Senior Public Relations Specialist level, depending on the candidate's qualifications, experience and demonstrated level of responsibility.

Core Responsibilities - All Levels

• Keep a pulse on social media trends to create relevant and engaging social media content while building and strengthening the BWL brand online.
• Assist with updating BWL's external website content.
• Utilize online monitoring tools and reporting platforms to create media reports, dashboards and other analysis as needed.
• Support media relations activities under the direction of the Public Relations & Marketing Manager, including responding to media inquiries, coordinating media interviews and staffing media interviews.
• Write, develop and manage approvals for fact sheets, the internal quarterly magazine, customer bill inserts, awards submissions and other communications materials.
• Produce well-crafted, compelling written content for communications and marketing initiatives.
• Support and develop internal communication channels, including BWL's internal digital signage network and weekly announcements.
• Successfully manage complex, fast-moving and unexpected communications challenges.
• Assist with general administrative support for communications department activities, including company event photography, records retention and maintaining constituent contact lists.
• Work closely with stakeholders throughout the organization to ensure brand, voice and messaging consistency.
• Perform other duties as assigned or necessitated by the needs of the department.

Physical Requirements / Working Conditions:

Must be able to remain in a stationary position for the majority of the working day. The person in this position needs to move about inside the office environment. Constantly operates a computer and other office equipment. Ability to adjust focus, especially due to concentration on a computer screen. Must communicate frequently with other departments and employees both verbally and in writing. May need to lift and carry up to 30 pounds and/or position the body to reach items on the floor/ below the knee level or reach above head. On occasion, may need to use stairs.

Works in temperature-controlled office environment, with occasional work in outdoor weather conditions, and in industrial environments. The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this position. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities and skills that may be required of the employee. Management reserves the right to add, remove, or otherwise alter these duties, responsibilities, and skills at any time.

Public Relations Specialist II Starting wage: $78,100 - $93,800

Level II Responsibilities

In addition to the core responsibilities listed above, the Public Relations Specialist II will:

• Support the development and execution of public relations and corporate communications initiatives.
• Assist with media relations activities, including responding to media inquiries, coordinating interviews and supporting media interview logistics.
• Develop communications materials and coordinate the internal approval process.
• Contribute to social media strategy and content development based on current trends and organizational priorities.
• Support communications planning and execution for company initiatives, events and projects.
• Apply sound judgment when managing sensitive communications matters and escalating issues appropriately.
• Manage multiple projects and deadlines while maintaining quality, accuracy and consistency.
• Provide communications support during complex, fast-moving or unexpected situations.

Qualifications - Public Relations Specialist II

Required

• Bachelor's degree in public relations, communications, marketing or a related discipline.
• Minimum of three years of public relations, communications or similar professional experience.
• Strong understanding of social media platforms, media management and Microsoft Office/Microsoft 365.
• Superior written and oral communication skills with a strong understanding of AP Style.
• Exceptional professional and interpersonal skills, with the ability to interact effectively with employees and stakeholders at all levels of the organization, including executive leadership.
• Excellent time-management skills and the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously.
• Outstanding organizational, planning and problem-solving skills.
• Self-starter with an excellent work ethic and a positive, proactive approach.
• Demonstrated judgment and discretion in handling sensitive matters.
• Ability to work after-hours and support a non-traditional schedule, as needed. This position will be required to participate in an on-call rotation.
• Must possess a valid Michigan driver's license with an acceptable driving record.

Preferred

• Familiarity with basic graphic design tools such as Adobe Creative Cloud and/or Canva.

Senior Public Relations Specialist Starting wage: $96,400 - $117,600

Senior-Level Responsibilities

In addition to the core responsibilities listed above, the Senior Public Relations Specialist will:

• Assume a greater level of strategic ownership, independence and accountability, including.
• Develop and execute comprehensive public relations strategic plans, including the use of the Research, Planning, Implementation and Evaluation (RPIE) process.
• Independently lead communications projects from initial concept and planning through execution and evaluation.
• Anticipate potential or emerging brand reputation issues and identify proactive communications strategies and solutions.
• Provide strategic communications counsel and recommendations to leadership and internal stakeholders.
• Execute media relations activities, including responding to media inquiries, coordinating and conducting interviews, developing proactive media pitches and maintaining productive relationships with members of the media.
• Develop proactive media opportunities.

Additional Qualifications - Senior Public Relations Specialist

Required

• Minimum of 6 years of public relations, communications or similar professional experience.
• Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) from the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA).
• Thorough understanding of public relations ethics and professional standards.
• Develop and execute comprehensive public relations strategic plans, including following and executing the RPIE process.
• Anticipate potential or emerging brand and reputation issues and identify appropriate communications strategies and solutions.
• Lead communications projects from concept and planning through execution and evaluation.
• Execute media relations activities, including conducting media interviews, developing proactive media pitches and maintaining productive media relationships.
• Provide strategic communications counsel and recommendations to leadership and internal stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to independently manage communications projects from start to finish.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and execute public relations strategies and proactively identify communications opportunities and challenges.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain productive relationships with media representatives and internal stakeholders.

Why Should You Apply?

Competitive wages, employee development, and opportunity for professional growth.
Robust time off benefits including vacation, free choice, sick leave, parental leave and 11 paid holidays.
Comprehensive benefits package offered including medical, prescription, dental, life insurance, long-term disability, employee assistance program.
Voluntary benefits including vision, supplemental and dependent life insurance, flexible spending, AFLAC options, LifeLock anti-theft, long term care, tuition reimbursement, and BWL's Home Purchase Plan - Forgivable $5,000 loan for purchase of a home in Lansing.
Retirement programs including 401(a) Defined Contribution Plan (DC) (100% company paid up to 9.5 % of base salary for BU positions and up to 13% of base salary for NBU positions), 457 Deferred Compensation matches up to $2,500 per year.
Post retirement benefits offered at the respective level of coverage, co-pays and health care premium, at the same level as active employees.
Two fitness centers located on site open 24/7, work life balance program, employee assistance program, free parking and much more!
About BWL:
The Board of Water & Light serves Lansing, Michigan, and surrounding areas with electricity, water, and steam. Lansing's city charter vests the BWL with full and exclusive management of water, steam, and electric services for or the city. The American Public Power Association has honored the Lansing Board of Water & Light as one of the country's best publicly-owned utilities.
The Location:
Lansing lies at the heart of the Great Lakes State and offers all the beauty and splendor of the four seasons. A haven for swimming, boating, fishing, snowmobiling, golf, and hunting, mid-Michigan is also just a couple hours from premier skiing and one of the most beautiful freshwater lakeshores in the world on our Lake Michigan Coast. Lansing itself is only minutes and miles away from two of the nation's premier universities, Michigan State University and the University of Michigan, and boasts miles of walking, running, biking trails, Potter Park Zoo, professional sports, the arts, and fine dining.

THE BOARD OF WATER & LIGHT IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER