Thank you for your interest in the BWL. We think you'll find it a rewarding and nurturing place to grow your career.
Starting Salary Range: $78,100.00 - $93,800.00
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.
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.
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.
