Media Relations Specialist - Chicago, United States - State of Illinois

State of Illinois
State of Illinois
Verified Company
Chicago, United States

3 weeks ago

Mark Lane

Posted by:

Mark Lane

beBee recruiter
Description

Agency:
Illinois Power Agency


Closing Date/Time:


Salary:
$65,000 - $75,000


Job Type:
Salaried


County:

Adams; Alexander; Bond; Boone; Brown; Bureau; Calhoun; Carroll; Cass; Champaign; Christian; Clark; Clay; Clinton; Coles; Cook; Crawford; Cumberland; DeKalb; DeWitt; Douglas; DuPage; Edgar; Edwards; Effingham; Fayette; Ford; Franklin; Fulton; Gallatin; Greene; Grundy; Hamilton; Hancock; Hardin; Henderson; Henry; Iroquois; Jackson; Jasper; Jefferson; Jersey; Jo Daviess; Johnson ; Kane; Kankakee; Kendall; Knox; LaSalle; Lake; Lawrence; Lee; Livingston; Logan; Macon; Macoupin; Madison; Marion; Marshall; Mason; Massac; McDonough; McHenry; McLean; Menard; Mercer; Monroe; Montgomery; Morgan; Moultrie; Ogle; Peoria; Perry; Piatt; Pike; Pope; Pulaski; Putnam; Randolph; Richland; Rock Island; Saline; Sangamon; Schuyler; Scott; Shelby; St.

Clair; Stark; Stephenson; Tazewell; Union; Vermilion; Wabash; Warren; Washington; Wayne; White; Whiteside; Will; Williamson; Winnebago; Woodford


Number of Vacancies: 1


A RESUME IS REQUIRED FOR THIS JOB POSTING

Work Hours:
Mon-Fri 9AM-5PM


Work Location: 105 W Madison St Chicago, IL

Posting Group:
Environmental & Natural Resources; Arts, Design & Cultural; Legal, Audit & Compliance

**Illinois Power
Agency

Media Relations Specialist


The Illinois Power Agency (IPA) is seeking a Media Relations Specialist.
The IPA Media Relations Specialist will work under the direction of the Chief Strategy & Communications Officer in all aspects of the development and implementation of the IPA's media-based communication strategies.

Additionally, the IPA Media Relations Specialist will work on promoting success stories of the IPA solar incentive programs, increasing visibility of the Agency's equity initiatives in the clean energy economy, and producing compelling content on the Agency's work related to power procurement for residential and small commercial customers of Illinois electric utilities.


The IPA Media Relations Specialist will report to the Chief Strategy and Communications Officer but is also expected to work closely with the Agency Director, Chief Legal Counsel, Consumer Protection Counsel, Planning and Procurement Chief, Program Managers, and other key Agency staff.


JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:


  • Develop and implement media relations strategies for the IPA to broaden the media's understanding of the Agency and its activities related to power procurement, expansion of renewable resources to support the State's Renewable Portfolio Standard, and equity initiatives to accelerate the clean energy economy for underserved and disadvantaged communities in Illinois.
  • Work closely with the IPA Program Administrators in pitching success stories of the IPA's solar incentive programs.
  • Work closely with the IPA Program Administrators on developing program materials for media.
  • Serve as the IPA's official media contact.
  • Develop written press materials —press releases, talking points, story pitches, spokesperson media training, and media briefs.
  • Manage the approval process for media statements with the Agency's key staff.
  • Build the IPA's crisis communications plan and serve as the Agency's pointofcontact during crisis.
  • Cultivate and maintain knowledge of and relationships with key news media outlets (local, state, national, and trade).
  • Track and measure media coverage for the IPA.
  • Maintain targeted media lists.
  • Develop weekly news clips for all IPA staff and IPA Program Administrators.
  • Other duties as assigned.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:


  • Bachelor's degree in journalism, public relations, or communications.
  • At least 5 years of experience in media relations or experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified.
  • Strong verbal and written communications skills.
  • Excellent writing and editing skills.
  • Highly organized with a strong sense of deadlines.
  • Ability to execute multiple tasks in a fastpaced, deadlinedriven environment.
  • Detailoriented and extremely organized.

CORE COMPETENCIES:


  • Ability to use independent judgment and to gather, manage and impart information to the media.
  • Ability to think strategically and critically on issues.
  • Ability to adapt in a fastpaced environment.
  • Ability to keep up with current trends in media and communication.
  • Capable of working well as part of a team as well as independently.
  • Strong knowledge of local and trade media contacts and/or a proven ability to develop such relationships quickly.
  • Inherent drive for innovative solutions and approaches.
  • Ability to provide effective advice and counsel on strategic and/or critical communication issues and exercise effective judgement.
  • Knowledge of journalism, public relations and general communications principles and practices.
  • Ability to investigate and analyze information and draw conclusions.
  • Must have knowledge of AP Stylebook.
**PREFFERED QUALIFICATIONS*
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