Senior Public Affairs Specialist

Note: APA operates on a 37.5-hour work week with one hour lunch breaks each day. APA sets salaries based on several considerations, including years of relevant experience, level of education, and previous staff and/or governance experience at APA.

Description:

The Senior Public Affairs Specialist provides strategic program and office management support for the Office of Public Affairs and the senior director of strategic external communications and public affairs. This position serves as the first point of contact for inquiries from media to APA seeking expert spokespeople and official comment on issues.

Education and Experience Required:

Bachelor's degree, preferably in journalism, public relations or communications, plus a minimum of 3-4 years' previous experience in an office setting and writing in AP news style. Editing and proofreading skills. Ability to handle large volume of emails/phone calls and respond in a timely and professional manner. Detail oriented and able to manage multiple projects at once.

Computer Skills Required:

Proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially Word and Outlook. Understanding of Power Point, Excel and database management. Proficiency with online public relations platforms Cision and Critical Mention and email marketing platform Salesforce. Basic understanding of HTML and email design.

Responsibilities:

• Conducts online research to identify and tally media coverage of APA, its products, staff, members and key developments in psychology. Prepares daily clipping report for manager's review and distribution to key staff.
• Maintains news clipping database, inputting and categorizing clips. Compiles monthly and annual media reports.
• Compiles and distributes weekly news digest email newsletter APA Media Watch. Researches and reports metrics. Works with director to develop and implement marketing plan to increase subscribers.
• Fields media and public inquiries, determining routine and non-routine requests. Independently responds directly to routine requests; forwarding non-routine and high-level media requests to appropriate Public Affairs staff.
• Looks for new expert spokespeople to add to the department's Media Referral Service, which is used daily to assist journalists.
• Researches and prepares targeted media lists for distributing press releases. Distributes press releases to media and works with website staff to publish.
• Reviews APA journals as assigned to identify articles with potential for publicizing. Pitches and writes press releases on approved articles.
• Researches and writes press releases and expert advisories as assigned.
• Staffs press room at APA's annual convention, screening and assisting reporters on-site.
• Manages department bills, inputting invoices into system and tracking payments as necessary.
• Other duties as assigned.

About APA:

The American Psychological Association (APA) represents 146,000+ psychologists, students, and affiliates, primarily in the U.S. and Canada but also in other countries around the world. APA is a scientific and professional organization with about 500 employees and is categorized as a 501(c)(3) along with its 501(c)(6) companion organization, APA Services, Inc.

Job Location: Remote: APA jobs may be considered for remote work eligibility as defined in APA's Flexible Work Policy and are subject to approval. Remote work employees may not work from the following states or U.S. territories: Alaska, California, Colorado, Guam, Hawaii, Iowa, Louisiana, Montana, Nebraska, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, U.S. Virgin Islands, Washington, Wyoming.

Application Instructions:

Qualified candidates must apply online through APA's applicant system and attach a resume and cover letter specifying your salary expectations. Applications that are submitted without both documents are considered incomplete and will not be reviewed for consideration. Once your application is submitted, you will receive a confirmation email. Please make sure to check your Spam folder if you do not receive an email from us.

The American Psychological Association is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected categories covered under local law.

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Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)