Coordinator of Special Programs - Public Relations Specialist 1

Overview

The Division of Community and Campus Engagement (C&CE) at Utah State University (USU) Eastern is seeking a highly organized and people-oriented person to serve as a Coordinator of Special Programs in the division. The coordinator moves forward critical special programs and public relations projects in the Division of C&CE. This position oversees various special programs, serves as a leading member of the Eastern PR Task Force, writes media articles, does design work, produces Qualtrics surveys, and plans campus events.

Those hired in the Public Relations Specialist series organize, coordinate, and oversee public relations strategies in order to advance the profile and reputation of a program, department, and/or college. Those hired build and maintain positive relations with the public, the press, and electronic media.

Responsibilities

• Supports the university’s goals and objectives by developing, implementing, and delivering publications, press and media communications, special promotions, and general information.
• Develops and maintains a comprehensive list of press, media, and community communication mediums; writes, produces, and distributes press kits, feature stories, public service announcements, and other items for department, college, or event.
• Conducts media relations efforts; establishes and maintains contacts with key media personnel; develops and implements press conferences.
• Researches, writes, edits, and distributes electronic and printed marketing communication materials.
• Ensures publications match Utah State University’s branding position.
•  Develops, coordinates, and executes multiple communication plans that support the department’s initiatives and strategies.
• Develops website content.
• May assist in the development and implementation of special events and promotional activities.
• Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.

40% of Time

• Serve as a leading member of the Eastern PR (Public Relations) Task Force.
• Write articles/posts for various types of media.
• Writes, edits, and coordinates development of promotional materials, educational materials, newsletters, and/or brochures.
• Oversees the posting events on Eastern social media platforms.
• Assists with the content creation websites that inform the public of events at Eastern.
• Conceive and produce graphic designs for various types of SWAG.
• Conduct market research, including analyzing data, to identify target populations and to identify the appropriate media for distribution of promotional information.
• Partner with other marketing and public relations personnel to move forward projects.
• Build and maintain the positive brand of the division of Community and Campus Engagement.
• Handle confidential information with tact and discretion.
• Other duties, as assigned

40% of Time

• Designs, coordinates, and implements special programs (e.g. Internships, Eastern Leaders Academy).
• Serves as a principal liaison between students, staff, other departments, and/or external constituencies.
• Facilitates seminars, meetings, and special projects.
• Coordinates activities of support staff, consultants, and/or volunteers engaged in implementation and administration of program objectives.
• May develop or participate in the development of funding proposals for the program.
• Ensure completion of clerical and administrative support tasks, including creation, typing, and editing of program correspondence, reports, handbooks, and other publications.
• Write and/or assist with writing grants and proposals as appropriate to the objectives and funding nature of the program; may participate in other fundraising activities.
• May train and direct lower level staff, student employees, volunteers, and/or graduate students.
• May teach or lead seminars, classes, and/or workshops.

20% of Time

• Assist with the marketing and coordination of campus events including the Eastern Utah Economic Summit, the Legacy Dinner, "A" Day of Giving, Employee Giving, and Town Ties.
• Plan and coordinate special events such as open houses and outreach and community events.
• Seek opportunities for efficiency improvement of existing processes.
• Collect and analyze data; prepare scheduled and special reports; Identify trends
• Create and maintain reports and data visualizations to aid in the delivery and understanding of data
• Assist in the initiation and development of grant proposals to various local, state, and federal funding agencies

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, public relations, advertising, communications, or related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience is required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree plus two years of relevant work experience. 
• Knowledge and experience with USU policies and procedures
• Knowledge of Banner, Service Now, Argos, EZ BUY, and ServiceNow
• Proficient in using Canva and Qualtrics
• Experience in marketing and public relations in a rural community

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• It is imperative that the Program Coordinator II have excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to act with tact and discretion. Additionally, the coordinator must be able to communicate with people from various backgrounds and cultures. It is important that the coordinator be energetic, dynamic, motivated, responsible, a leader, and a problem solver. The coordinator should also be autonomous, hardworking, well organized, and take initiative without direct supervision. The coordinator must be able to brainstorm and collaborate well with other colleagues, sometimes across multiple campuses. The coordinator must complete assignments while balancing multiple tasks at one time, without direct supervision. It is also important that the coordinator be comfortable with ongoing assessment and change.
• Knowledge of principles and practices related to program development.
• Ability to make administrative/procedural decisions and judgments.
• Skilled in the use of personal computers and related software applications.
• Skilled in organizing resources and establishing priorities.
• Ability to lead and train staff and/or students.
• Ability to interact with students, faculty and/or staff in a team environment.
• Knowledge of communication principles, media, and marketing techniques.
• Ability to gather and analyze statistical data and generate reports.
• Ability to exercise a high level of creativity, decision making, problem solving, and discretion as work is varied and may be undefined.
• Ability to create, compose, and edit written materials.
• Knowledge of publishing procedures and requirements, including desktop publishing.
• Ability to plan, organize, and coordinate media activities and promotional events.
• Website/electronic media development skills.
• Knowledge of journalism, marketing, and branding principles and techniques.
• Ability to work with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community.
• Ability to read and interpret designs, specifications, and schematic drawings.

Required Documents

Along with the online application, please attach:

Resume to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Resume/CV”

Cover letter to be typed/pasted at the end of your application

Answer the following question within the application: 

• If not already included on the resume submitted for this position, please provide an employment history for the past 4 years as a part of answering this question; please provide 1) the name of each business/organization, 2) how long worked at each business/organization (month/year to month/year), and 3) phone number and address of each business/organization.  If a five-year employment history is provided with the resume submitted for this position, please write, “Information on resume” in response to this question.

**Document size may not exceed 10 MB.**

Advertised Salary

$45,670 Commensurate with education and experience. Plus an excellent benefit package.

ADA

Work Environment and Physical Requirements:

Employees typically work in an office environment and are protected from weather conditions or contaminants, but not necessarily occasional temperature changes. However, in certain instances employees may work outdoors and may not be protected from weather conditions. Employees could be exposed to hazardous chemicals. Employees nearly continuously sit and often use repetitive hand motion (such as typing). Bending and stooping is occasionally required. Employees nearly continuously listen, hear, and talk.

Fundamental Abilities:Within the scope and complexity of each position’s responsibilities, each incumbent is expected to possess and demonstrate the following abilities:1. Communicating: Communicates effectively both verbally and in writing. 2. Problem solving: Analyzes information and evaluates results to select the best solution and solve problems. 3. Monitoring: Measures performance of self; makes improvements and takes appropriate corrective action.4. Critical Thinking: Comes to well-reasoned conclusions, solutions, and approaches to problems.5. Team Building: Works to create a team-based environment. Consistently demonstrates cooperative behavior with colleagues, supervisors, and customers.6. Active Listening: Gives full attention when others are speaking; listens to understand, asks questions as appropriate, and does not interrupt.7. Service Orientation: Actively seeks opportunities to help others.8. Conflict Resolution: Acts professionally when encountering customers who, at times, may be frustrated.

Core CharacteristicsAs representatives of Utah State University and primary contributors to its mission, all employees are expected to demonstrate the following characteristics:1. Take initiative.2. Maintain confidentiality.3. Be accountable.4. Behave ethically.5. Be honest and trustworthy.6. Demonstrate a strong work ethic.7. Be inquisitive.8. Be detail oriented.9. Be self-motivated.10. Efficiently manage multiple tasks.11. Be a team player.12. Be committed to improving USU.

University Highlights

As Utah’s student-centered, land-grant research university, Utah State University expands opportunity and strengthens communities across the state through learning, discovery, extension, and engagement. Founded in 1888, USU now holds two Carnegie distinctions: R1 status for very high research activity and the Carnegie Community Engagement Classification. Its innovative research and scholarship is grounded in reciprocal partnerships with local, regional, and global communities, advancing knowledge and serving the public good across Utah, the nation, and the world. With over 50 world-class research facilities and the nation’s second-oldest undergraduate research program, USU prepares students to become active, civically engaged leaders who can address critical societal challenges.

USU enrolls over 29,800 students, both online and in person at locations throughout the state. Utah State’s 30 locations include a main campus in Logan, Utah, residential campuses in Price and Blanding, and six additional statewide campuses, along with education centers serving every county. USU educates students from all 50 states and more than 80 countries. For over 100 years, USU Extension has served and engaged Utahns, serving every county in the state.

Competing at the NCAA Division I level in 16 sports, USU is a proud member of the Pac-12 Conference, which it joined July 1, 2026. The Aggies capped a historic final season in the Mountain West by capturing nine combined regular-season and tournament titles in 2025-26, with five teams advancing to postseason play. This tradition of excellence extends to the classroom, where 232 student-athletes earned academic honors, and to the community, where USU ranked second nationally in Division I service hours, with nine teams placing in the top 10 for community service.

Utah State is dedicated to fostering a community where all individuals feel respected, valued, and supported and where diversity of thought and culture are cultivated. We seek to recruit, hire, and retain people from all walks of life who will champion excellence in education, research, discovery, outreach, and service. We believe that promoting a strong sense of community and belonging empowers and engages all members of USU to thrive and be successful. Forbes recognized our commitment to employees when it named Utah State the best employer in Utah in 2023. Learn more about USU.

The university provides a Dual Career Assistance Program to support careers for partners who are also seeking employment. Additionally, USU is committed to providing access and a reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities. To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability, contact the university’s ADA coordinator in the Office of Human Resources at 435-797-0122 or [email protected].

*updated 10/26

Notice of Non-discrimination

In its programs and activities, including in admissions and employment, Utah State University does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination, including harassment, based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy, Title IX, or any other federal, state, or local law.

Utah State University is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination including harassment in employment including in hiring, promotion, transfer, or termination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy or any other federal, state, or local law.

Utah State University does not discriminate in its housing offerings and will treat all persons fairly and equally without regard to race, color, religion, sex, familial status, disability, national origin, source of income, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Additionally, the University endeavors to provide reasonable accommodations when necessary and to ensure equal access to qualified persons with disabilities.

In all circumstances, Utah State University follows state and federal laws related to sex-segregated spaces.

The following office has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the application of Title IX and its implementing regulations and/or USU’s non-discrimination policies:

Civil Rights & Title IX Office

Old Main Room 405

1475 Old Main Hill, Logan UT 84322

[email protected]

(435) 797-1266

For further information regarding non-discrimination, please visit crtix.usu.edu or contact:

U.S. Department of Education

Denver Regional Office

303-844-5695| [email protected]

U.S. Department of Education

Office of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights

800-421-3481 |  [email protected]

*updated 08/2026