Position Information

Position Title Public Relations Assistant

Position Category Civil Service

Position Status 12 Month

FLSA Non-Exempt

Advertised Salary $27.73 per hour

Department Public Relations & Event Management

Working Hours Monday - Friday 35 hours per week (Evening and weekend hours may be required)

General Description

SUNY Niagara is seeking a creative and dynamic Public Relations Assistant to support the College’s marketing and communication efforts. This position plays a vital role in shaping the image of the College by developing engaging content for various platforms, including print, digital, and social media.

The Public Relations Assistant is responsible for performing public relations activities to enhance public interest and understanding of SUNY Niagara, its programs, and policies. This role supports the College’s brand and marketing strategies by managing, creating, and sustaining dynamic communications, including advertisements, printed materials, videos, and digital content for the College’s website and social media platforms. The position works closely with various departments, including Admissions, Niagara Falls Culinary Institute, Workforce Development, Student Life, Small Business Development Center, Student Development, NCCC Foundation, and academic divisions.

Reporting to the Director of Public Relations.

SUNY Niagara provides phenomenal benefits to our employees. Please visit https://www.niagaracc.suny.edu/hr/benefits to view our benefits offerings. Our exceptional work environment fosters growth and personal fulfillment. As an employee, you can expect:

Work-Life Balance: When employees can balance their work and personal lives, they are happier, more productive, and better positioned to support our students. At SUNY Niagara, generous paid time off, holiday, and leave policies make this possible. Our college closes for winter break from late December through early January and a week in mid-March for spring recess. In the summer, employees observe a four-day workweek, allowing them to enjoy all that Western New York offers.

Professional Growth: SUNY Niagara cares about employees’ professional advancement and development. You will have access to ongoing training, programs, and workshops. We support career growth and encourage employees to pursue further education.

Welcoming Culture: SUNY Niagara values the principles of equity, diversity, inclusion, and social justice as they create a sense of belonging for our students and employees. We foster a collaborative culture that respects and appreciates different perspectives, ideas, and backgrounds which contribute to the richness of our institution. We believe that our diverse, inclusive community enriches the experiences of students and employees alike.

Meaningful Work: At SUNY Niagara, your work will directly impact the lives of our students and the region we serve. Our college is for all who are passionate about teaching and focused on supporting students. Our small class sizes facilitate engagement. You will shape students’ futures, prepare them for successful careers, and empower them to contribute to society. Your dedication and expertise will propel students to achieve their educational goals.

Become part of an institution that values employees, positively impacts students’ lives, and invests in its community.

Typical Work Activities

1. Assists the management team in the coordination and the preparation of external college publications that may include but not be limited to brochures, newsletters, calendar, the web site and print and online advertisements;

   2. Assists the Print Shop with layout capabilities when necessary;

   3. Serves as campus photographer of events, awards, and special occasions;

   4. Coordinates printing services, working within allotted budget: solicits, assesses, and makes recommendations on price quotations and bids as appropriate;

   5. Provides publication guidance to staff and faculty to assist them in the production and effective use of their own publications;

   6. Works collaboratively with the rest of the public relations team to insure that the offerings and branding messages of the college are articulated clearly, consistently, and engagingly through publications and advertising;

   7. Reviews proposals from printing and advertising vendors and offers input on appropriate directions;

   8. Assesses success of publications and advertisements by identifying, gathering and reporting appropriate data;

   9. Refers appropriate messages and issues to the Public Relations Director and with management direction, provides prompt responses to requests for public information about the college, its policies, and its programs;

   10. Coordinates the layout and dissemination of official internal communication publications, including the video monitors, electronic newsletter and annual report;

   11. Stays abreast of professional practices in the public relations and graphic design field;

   12. Provides design direction and graphics for website as needed;

   13. Assists with posting to the college’s social media accounts and develops content in support of the college’s digital platforms including Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram;

   14. Contributes stories and press releases as needed;

   15. Shoots, edits, and produces videos for marketing and/or academic purposes;

   16. Utilizes computer software to produce multi-media presentations using computer-based editing equipment;

   17. Develops and supports methods for tracking digital advertising, including appropriate conversion metrics;

   18. Ensures that creatives for the digital campaigns are in accordance with the College’s brand, visual, and copy standards;

   19. Recommends website changes to support the launch, tracking, optimization, and conversion goals of digital campaigns;

   20. Provides monthly and quarterly reports on paid ads, website traffic, and social engagement

   Essential Functions

Thorough knowledge of public relations principles and methods; good knowledge of the methods and procedures of producing, publishing and distributing community information materials; working knowledge of the operations, programs, policies, and activities of the college; thorough knowledge in graphic design software such as Adobe Creative Suite; ability to apply a creative approach to reaching target markets through design; ability to express ideas clearly and concisely, verbally and in writing and to use proper grammar and punctuation; ability to think and write creatively; ability to complete tasks within established timelines; ability to manage multiple priorities and to work as a team member as well as independently; ability to collaborate and interact effectively; ability to collect data and prepare reports; commitment to the philosophy and mission of the College; initiative; resourcefulness; physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position.

Required Qualifications

1. Graduation with a Bachelor’s Degree in media arts, graphic design, communications, marketing, or a related field and two (2) years of paid experience using graphic design software, or as a professional photographer, or in a paid marketing position that included purchasing, printing, advertising, or related services; OR

2. Graduation with an Associate’s Degree in media arts, graphic design, communications, marketing, or a related field and four (4) years of paid experience using graphic design software, or as a professional photographer, or in a paid marketing position that included purchasing, printing, advertising, or related services.

   NOTE : Verifiable part-time experience will be pro-rated.

   Desirable Qualifications

   License(s)/Certifications

   About SUNY Niagara

   SUNY Niagara is a thriving educational institution located between the picturesque landscapes of Niagara Falls and the vibrant city of Buffalo, NY. Our college serves a diverse student population and is committed to providing a supportive and inclusive learning environment. With a commitment to academic excellence and student success, SUNY Niagara offers a supportive and collaborative environment for both faculty and staff.

   SUNY Niagara is an accredited institution of higher education that offers high-quality academic programs leading to degrees and certificates that are supported by outstanding student services. The top 4 majors of our students are Liberal Arts and Sciences, Nursing, Psychology, and Criminal Justice. In 2023, SUNY Niagara ranked #1 in graduation rate among community colleges in New York State!

   SUNY Niagara provides a variety of cultural, athletic, social, and international experiences, as well as community education, small business, and workforce development that supports economic development that positively impacts the quality of life of valued stakeholders. The college operates through a collegial model of shared governance and transparency and is accountable for meeting the highest standards of professionalism and integrity.

   SUNY Niagara has two locations in western New York consisting of 287 acres and 11 buildings. The Sanborn, campus is minutes from Buffalo, Niagara Falls, and the Canadian border and is centrally located between the county’s three main cities of Lockport, Niagara Falls, and North Tonawanda. The Sanborn campus offers a traditional college experience with world-class academics, knowledgeable faculty members, state-of-the-art classrooms, NJCAA athletics, and on-campus housing. We continue to invest in our facilities with the addition of the Learning Commons Center, which has become the nucleus of the campus; a place for faculty to collaborate and help students develop critical thinking skills while incorporating state-of-the-art technology and innovative student support services. We also modernized our campus dining commons, providing quality meal options in a sleek, comfortable, collaborative environment.

The Niagara Falls Culinary Institute (http://www.nfculinary.org/) ( NFCI ) is located in the heart of one of the world’s biggest tourist destinations, Niagara Falls. Fully outfitted with modern labs and tools for students to use as they train in both classic and trendy techniques, NFCI is home to Culinary Arts, Baking and Pastry Arts, and Hospitality programs. The college also operates Savor, a fine dining restaurant, and La Patisserie, a European-style pastry café, at NFCI .

Our college nurtures and empowers its students and employees in ways that recognize and value our common humanity as well as the richness of our diversity. SUNY Niagara welcomes applicants who want to join a leading regional institution that provides a dynamic, educational environment, responds to students’ current and emerging needs, and strengthens its community. At SUNY Niagara we embrace diversity and promote inclusion throughout the institution by recognizing, accepting, and celebrating differences within our campus and surrounding communities. Therefore, we desire and pursue candidates who share those principles and encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply to our positions.

EEO Statement

SUNY Niagara does not discriminate and prohibits harassment or discrimination related to any protected category including creed, ethnicity, citizenship, national origin, sex, gender, pregnancy, disability, marital status, political or social affiliation, age, race, color, veteran status, military status, religion, sexual orientation, domestic violence status, genetic information, gender identity, gender expression or perceived gender. Women, minorities, veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Posting Detail Information

Posting Number S326P

Open Date 02/21/2025

Close Date

Open Until Filled Yes

Special Instructions Summary

For full consideration applications must be submitted by March 23, 2025. if a viable candidate is not found during the initial review, applications submitted after March 23, 2025 will be considered.

SUNY Niagara considers only those applications that clearly demonstrate the applicant meets all required qualifications as indicated on the posting, please review the qualifications before applying. Persons meeting the required qualifications as stated above should submit the following:

• cover letter that addresses each of the qualifications

• resume

• unofficial transcripts

• names and contact information for three (3) current, work related references

Incomplete packets will be rejected for lack of information.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• • How many years of paid experience do you have using graphic design software, or as a professional photographer, or in a paid marketing position that included purchasing, printing, advertising, or related services?

• No experience

• 1 year

• 2-3 years

• 4-5 years

• 5 plus years

• • Do you have at least an Associate's degree or Bachelor's degree in media arts, graphic design, communications, marketing, or a related field?

• Yes

• No

  Documents Needed to Apply

  Required Documents

• Resume

• Cover Letter

• Transcripts

  Optional Documents

• Letter of Recommendation

• Certifications/Licenses

• Transcript 2

• Transcript 3