Public Relations Assistant

The Rutgers Democracy Lab (RDL) was established through a transformative gift received in November 2024. Its mission is to serve as a vibrant hub for civic engagement and a collaborative workshop for studying, analyzing, and addressing the challenges and opportunities of contemporary democracy.

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey is seeking a Public Relations Assistant for the Rutgers Democracy Lab.Among the key duties of this position are the following:

• Furthers RDL’s mission by helping to coordinate strategic communication plans to highlight groundbreaking programs.
• Connects RDL with students, faculty, staff, practitioners, and external stakeholders/partners.
• Coordinates RDL’s public profile and relationships with key audiences through targeted outreach and strategic communications plans.
• Assists both the Administrative and Academic Director with media for the RDL.
• Helps directors build relationships across traditional and social media, both in New Jersey and nationally, to increase awareness of and engagement with RDL’s research, education, events, and resources.
• Partners with leading democracy-focused organizations to promote shared content and messaging.
• Partners with the RDL’s student digital content creators to disseminate engaging, student-led social media content.

The Eagleton Institute is a collaborative team. On occasion, all members are asked to participate in Institute-wide and/or cross-team projects.

Qualifications

Minimum Education and Experience

• Bachelors degree in Communications, Journalism, Digital Communications, Political Science, or a related field as well as one year of work experience or volunteering in the political or communications field, including as a journalist or a communications specialist for a non-profit organization, elected official, or government entity.

Certifications/Licenses

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Excellent writing, editing, proofreading, and verbal communications skills.
• Creativity and excellent organizational skills.
• Demonstrated digital media marketing skills and the ability to identify and master new communications tools quickly.
• Strong interpersonal skills and be comfortable meeting and working with a broad range of people – from high-level public officials to media representatives to vendor staff to students – in a variety of highly visible settings.
• Ability to independently manage multiple tasks and short deadlines in high-stress situations.
• Ability to be very organized, efficient, and detail oriented.
• Must be comfortable working for an organization that is political yet non-partisan and straddles the worlds of politics and academia.
• Proficient in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher), Photoshop, email marketing tools, social media, and desktop publishing.
• Proficient in website management.

Preferred Qualifications

• Some web development experience.

Rutgers provides a comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees. The specific benefits vary based on the position and may include:

• Medical, prescription drug, and dental coverage
• Paid vacation, holidays, and various leave programs
• Competitive retirement benefits, including defined contribution plans and voluntary tax-deferred savings options
• Employee and dependent educational benefits (when applicable)
• Life insurance coverage
• Employee discount programs