Company Overview
NAFSA: Association of International Educators and its nearly 10,000 members worldwide believe international education by its nature is fundamental to fostering peace, security, and well-being. NAFSA promotes study abroad; the amelioration of legislative and regulatory barriers to international students who seek to study at U.S. higher education institutions; the exchange of citizens and scholars across borders; and the internationalization of U.S. higher education.
NAFSA, through its public policy department, is the leading association advocating for policies, laws, and regulations that promote and enhance international education. The public policy department houses NAFSA's press office, whose primary focus is to advance the association's public policy agenda. The press office also supports other NAFSA departments with media outreach. NAFSA's nine-person public policy department offers a collegial, action-oriented work environment for skilled advocates and change agents who want to make a difference.
Job Summary
The media relations associate reports to and provides support for the director of media relations. The position supports a responsive and organized press office for the purpose of promoting NAFSA's public policy agenda, including outreach to new media and grassroots media advocacy. This is an ideal position for a person pursuing a career in media relations or public affairs. The position offers significant opportunities for professional development.
Responsibilities
- Provide administrative and substantive support to the director of media relations.
- Maintain systems or create new systems as needed to support NAFSA's media relations activities.
- Monitor and internally distribute media coverage of NAFSA and key international education issues in print, broadcast, and online media.
- Screen, refer, or respond to mail, telephone, and email inquiries to the press office, as appropriate.
- Format and coordinate submission and distribution of media communications such as releases, statements, letters, and press kits.
- Draft media relations communications as assigned, such as fact sheets, talking points, and press kit items.
- Maintain the section of NAFSA's Web site dedicated to news media outreach.
- Help develop and manage outreach on NAFSA public policy issues to blogs, social networking sites, and other new and online media.
- Support grassroots media advocacy efforts.
- Coordinate media-related aspects of the NAFSA's annual conference, including preparation and distribution of press materials; managing press inquiries and press registration; logistics and staffing for on-site press room and press briefings; liaison with other NAFSA departments on media relations issues.
- Provide support for special projects, such as research and media analysis.
- Coordinate logistics and preparation of materials for special events and briefings.
- Maintain orderly and complete filing system for press office.
- Other duties as assigned.
Job Requirements
- Minimum two years experience in journalism, communications, public affairs, or related field.
- Confident and articulate personal style and presence; comfortable in a multicultural and political environment.
- Superb verbal skills and telephone style.
- Exceptional writing and editing skills.
- Professional-level word processing and database management skills (Excel and Access)
- Proficient in Internet research and interested in learning new technologies; experience with web-based programs, tools, and media preferred
- Attention to detail.
- Initiative, creativity, and superb judgment.
- Flexible, able to work both collaboratively and independently, set priorities, handle multiple projects concurrently, and thrive in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment.
- Discretion with sensitive material.
- Ability to create effective information and coordination systems.
- Bachelor's degree in liberal arts. Degree in communications, public affairs, or journalism preferred.
- International education experience preferred.
- Foreign language ability preferred.
Salary
First quartile hiring range: $38,400 - $43,000
To Apply
Reference Job # 09/2 and send letter of interest and resume to:
hiringmanager@nafsa.org or
Hiring Manager #09/2
NAFSA: Association of International Educators
1307 New York Avenue NW Suite 800
Washington DC 20005
