Title: Director of Public Relations and Community Engagement #00021

State Role Title: PR & Mktg Spec III

Hiring Range: $70,000.00 - $90,000.00

Pay Band: 4

Agency: Southern VA Higher Educ Center

Location: Southern Va Higher Education

Agency Website: https://www.svhec.org

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

The Southern Virginia Higher Education Center (SVHEC) is seeking a Director of Public Relations and Community Engagement to support its mission of advancing Southern Virginia’s economic potential through education, innovation, and collaboration. The Southern Virginia Higher Education Center provides access to higher education, workforce training and programming, innovative industry services, and technologically advanced state-of-the-art facilities and learning labs that includes comprehensive fiscal management, operational and supportive services, community outreach and engagement, and extensive collaborations. These components work together to support the organization’s mission of advancing Southern Virginia’s economic potential through education, innovation, and collaboration. This position plans, develops, and executes clear, accurate, timely, and effective communications with students, staff, partners, and regional community groups. The Director oversees outreach events and initiatives for the SVHEC, strengthens the SVHEC’s presence and engagement within the community, and develops relationships with external agencies, organizations, and community groups. This position also serves as a primary liaison between the SVHEC and local, regional, and other media outlets; coordinates media relations and responses to media inquiries; develops and distributes news releases and other public information; and identifies opportunities to promote the SVHEC’s programs, achievements, initiatives, and community impact through appropriate media channels.

Minimum Qualifications

Considerable knowledge of media relations, including responding to media inquiries, preparing news releases and public information, coordinating media interviews, and promoting organizational programs and accomplishments. Considerable experience in website management and oversight, social media platforms, digital communications tools, and content management systems. Working knowledge of graphic design principles and design software used to develop professional communications and promotional materials. Considerable knowledge providing effective day-to-day supervision, leadership, and performance management of assigned staff. Considerable knowledge providing leadership and oversight for SVHEC community engagement and outreach activities. Considerable knowledge coordinates the development, preparation, and submission of reports, promotional material, and institutional communications. Demonstrated excellent written, oral, interpersonal, and presentation skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences across multiple communication platforms. Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, employees, community organizations, business and industry partners, government agencies, members of the media, and other stakeholders. Demonstrated ability to lead and engage diverse groups, build collaborative partnerships, facilitate effective discussions, and support problem-solving. Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects, establish priorities, meet deadlines, and coordinate communications, marketing, public relations, and community outreach initiatives. Demonstrated ability to supervise employees, provide effective leadership and oversight of departmental operations, develop staff, build effective teams, and achieve organizational goals and objectives. High school graduate or equivalent.

Additional Considerations

College coursework in Marketing, Business, or Education.

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

State employees who have been affected by Policy 1.3 Layoff and possess a valid Interagency Placement Screening Form (Yellow Card) or a Preferential Hiring Form (Blue Card) must submit the card BEFORE the closing date for this position. The card may be scanned and attached to the application or faxed to (804) 371-7401. Please include your name and the position number on the fax cover sheet. AMERICORPS, PEACE CORPS, AND OTHER NATIONAL SERVICE ALUMNI ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY.

All applicants are subject to a background investigation. The investigation may include: fingerprint checks (State Police, FBI); local agency checks; employment verification; verification of education (relevant to employment); credit checks; and other checks requested by the hiring authority.

“The Southern Virginia Higher Education Center is dedicated to recruiting, supporting, and maintaining a competent and diverse work force.”

Equal Opportunity Employer

Southern Virginia Higher Education Center
820 Bruce Street
South Boston, Virginia 24592

Contact Information

Name: Derek Mountford

Phone: 804-292-6417

Email: derek.mountford@dhrm.virginia.gov

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.