Public Relations Specialist 2

Headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Focus on the Family has nearly 700 employees who work to achieve the mission of enriching the lives of families, engaging the culture, advocating for life and spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The work is meaningful, the culture is rewarding, and the purpose is eternal.

The Public Relations Specialist 2 position exists to advance the media and public relations efforts of the Communications team. This position serves as the main “face” of the ministry to mainstream and Christian media channels by handling the bulk of interview coordination for Focus on the Family spokespeople. It establishes and deepens contacts with media - especially Christian and conservative podcasts and radio stations - to advance coverage goals. Conducts research for use in media interview prep, manages media lists, online newsrooms, and other distribution channels, and creates Twitter posts, as necessary.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities:

• Takes on incoming radio and podcast requests for the PR team and other Focus ministries, coordinating those requests promptly and on deadline
• Assesses whether to accept radio and podcast interview requests and selects appropriate Focus spokesperson to speak on the topic
• Intentionally cultivates and maintains new media relationships
• Creates written pitches featuring Focus spokespeople and sends them to media outlets – primarily Christian and conservative radio and podcasts
• Drafts news releases, spokesperson bios, as well as internal and external correspondence, presentations, reports, and forms that advance PR strategy
• Coordinates media/PR events such as media campus press visits, news conferences, and on-site interviews
• Serves as a liaison to other ministry teams on special projects as assigned
• Establishes and maintains contact with media distribution and clipping services; assists Director in managing relationships with knowledge-based research contractors and list builders
• Uses online list builders to create media lists and distributes news releases to the targeted media
• Researches news articles, media entities, and issues of ministry concern on the Internet
• Provides courteous help to people outside the team who may ask or need help when they enter in or call the Communications office
• Conducts monthly meetings with core Focus departments to brainstorm future pitch ideas
• Conducts monthly meetings with core Focus department spokespeople to provide and gather feedback on interviews conducted
• Arranges speaking engagements for core department spokespeople
• Provides the Director of Communications with a monthly interview report
• Drafts talking points for Focus spokespeople in preparation for their scheduled interviews
• Creates monthly internal emails to highlight PR projects, the number of interviews conducted, interview clips, speaking engagements, etc.
• Creates written pitches for The Daily Citizen and sends them to media outlets- primarily conservative radio and podcasts
• Serves as a copy editor for The Daily Citizen news team

Other Duties/Responsibilities:

• Provides administrative support to the media/PR team as needed
• Performs other duties, including but not limited to duties as assigned, some of which may include the development and creation of a variety of copyrightable works (e.g., print, photography, film, music, visual arts, etc.) for distribution in all media and formats (such as television, radio, internet, wireless, DVD, satellite and digital) on a world-wide basis, all of which shall be for the benefit of Focus on the Family

Working Environment/Physical Requirements:

• Office environment
• Quarterly travel as needed for conferences and media meetings
• Occasionally will work events outside normal work hours
• This role may require occasional travel including nights and weekends

JOB QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS

Character/Spiritual:
Exemplifies Ephesians 5:1-2, “Therefore be imitators of God as dear children and walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us...”

Pursues the Great Commission given by Jesus Christ in Matthew 28:19-20, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Is a consistent witness for Jesus Christ; maintains a courteous, Christ-like attitude in dealing with people within and outside of Focus; adheres to the Standard of Moral Conduct and Statement of Faith; upholds Focus on the Family's ministry in prayer

Prays personally for Focus on the Family’s staff and constituents and may occasionally lead in a public prayer

Engages in Christian ministry

Demonstrates behaviors aligned with FOF core values

Personal Characteristics:

• Is a strong team player with a positive, “can-do” attitude
• High level of energy and enthusiasm
• Well-developed social skills that convey warmth and a genuine interest in people
• Emotionally resilient and capable of handling pressure and rejection without inappropriate disappointment of personal reproach
• Ability to multi-task and adapt to quickly-changing work demands
• Creates favorable impression in terms of appropriate attire, appearance, bearing, and manner
• Trustworthy

Knowledge/Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree in a Communications field with a Public Relations emphasis preferred
• 3-5 years of related PR or marketing experience
• Knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Publisher, with knowledge of Apple Keynote a plus
• Knowledge of AP writing style

Skills, Abilities, and Special Talents/Gifts:

• Excellent attention to detail
• Excellent organizational and time management skills
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Ability to handle multiple projects and meet strict deadlines
• Highly skilled in use of computer hardware and software
• Highly skilled in using online social media tools and web editing programs
• Ability to work well without close and constant supervision
• Ability to maintain a sense of perspective with humor under pressure and when confronted with shifting priorities
• Ability to assess requests and make decisions without close supervision
• Ability to generate newsworthy angles and to create persuasive pitches
• Skilled at building rapport and strengthening relationships, both internally and externally

Salary Range: $58,236 to $67,077/yr
Application Materials Required: Cover Letter, Resume/CV

• Colorado Residents: In any materials you submit, you may redact or remove any age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.

Application Materials Instructions: Please identify the job specific minimum qualifications you possess in your cover letter and be sure your resume includes any and all relevant experience to be accurately assessed against the qualifications listed in the posting. To apply, please submit the following application materials to this posting. 1. A current resume. 2. A cover letter that specifically addresses the job requirements and outlines qualifications.

Focus on the Family puts a high value on our team members and offers a unique benefit package.

Employees scheduled for 20 hours or more per week are eligible for:

• Norton LifeLock ID Theft Coverage
• Legal Shield/ID Shield Coverage
• AFLAC
• 403B Retirement Plan
• Vacation Time & Vacation Payout
• Sick Time
• Holidays
• Service Awards
• Community Service Days
• Bookstore Discount
• Fitness Center

Employees scheduled for 30 hours or more per week are eligible for all the above and:

• Medical Plan
• Dental Plan
• Vision Plan
• Life Insurance
• Disability Insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• EAP (Employee Assistance Program)
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Warehouse Membership Reimbursement

Note: This is a summary and should not be construed as future promises to continue to provide benefits as outlined above. For complete and definitive language, refer to the governing plan documents.

• Temporary employees are not eligible for benefits, except for:
• Sick Time
• Bookstore Discount
• Fitness Center

Tentative Search Timeline:

• Priority will be given to applications submitted by March 25, 2025. However, this posting will remain open until filled.
• The potential employee start date is March 31, 2025.

Posting date: February 28, 2025
Unposting date: ongoing until filled
Posting contact email: job@fotf.org

Helping Families Thrive in Christ! Focus on the Family is a 501c3 Christian Non-Profit Ministry.

Salary : $58,236 - $67,077