Public Relations Specialist

Marklund

Who We Are:

Marklund is a nonprofit organization that serves infants, children, teens and adults with serious and profound developmental disabilities and special healthcare needs. With three residential locations - the Marklund Hyde Center in Geneva, the Marklund Philip Center in Bloomingdale, and the Marklund Wasmond Center in Elgin, it is currently home to nearly 174 clients. It is a Day School offering Multi-Needs and Life Skills programs for children and young adults with multiple medical needs, and those diagnosed on the Autism Spectrum. It is a skilled nursing unit for medically fragile children and adults, and a developmental training center for adults who need assistance in managing their disabilities.

Marklund provides a rich culture where everything we do contributes to our mission of "making everyday life possible for individuals with profound disabilities." Each and every employee’s job contributes to Marklund’s vision of a happy, safe purpose-filled life for every individual with intellectual and developmental disabilities and is integral to enhancing the lives of the individuals we serve. As part of our private, not-for-profit network of services, you will learn what it’s like to have the individuals we serve not only change your career, but also change your life.

https://www.marklund.org/


Position Details

Public Relations Specialist
Job
Full-time
12/10/2019
Northern Illinois
Geneva, IL

Marklund in Geneva is hiring a Public Relations Specialist! Would you like to make a difference in the lives of others and be appreciated for what you do? Join us in making everyday life possible for individuals with profound disabilities and love your job!

Marklund is looking for an inquisitive and self-starting Public Relations Specialist to join our team. We are looking for a multi-talented individual who is a journalist, copywriter, social media content specialist, and visually creative designer who will help tell our story both internally and externally with words, photos and videos. This role requires a person able to handle multi-tasking, have strong initiative, strong journalistic writing talent, some art direction and graphic design ability, and a passion for supporting nonprofit missions. Candidate must provide writing and design samples.This is a full-time position that is based out of the Marklund Hyde Center in Geneva, IL with frequent travel to our Marklund Philip Center in Bloomingdale, IL and Marklund Wasmond Center in Elgin, IL. This position has a regular schedule of Monday - Friday from 9am - 5pm with occasional evenings and weekends. Candidates must be able to perform the essential functions of the job and to meet its functional and environmental requirements.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Research, write and edit compelling copy for a variety of projects including media and newsletter articles, social media posts, marketing/fundraising collateral, web landing pages 
  • Design compelling newsletter pages, infographics, PowerPoint presentations, YouTube-style videos that project Marklund’s mission and messaging 
  • Collaborate with other agency staff and clients to curate new contentand visual images 
  • Receive and collaborate on assignments for stories and pitch compelling story ideas 
  • Promote Marklunds’ key messages into appropriate social content 
  • Produce clear, SEO-rich product copy for websites 
  • Research to find current, relevant details about newsworthy events in real-time and after the fact 
  • Gather newsworthy stories through observation, interviews, investigation, and research 
  • Be highly motivated and productive while working independently at Marklund sites 
  • Proofread other written works

Required Skills and Experience:

  • Bachelor’s degree preferred (in journalism, communication, English or related field), or equivalent combination of education, training and experience 
  • Strong knowledge of and ability to use AP Journalistic Style 
  • Impeccable journalistic writing and editing skills 
  • A storyteller that can think visually 
  • Strong visual communication skills 
  • Strong knowledge of communications media and technology 
  • Able to maintain an ethical, honest and objective standard in reporting 
  • Adaptable and able to build rapport with a diverse array of people 
  • Disciplined with strong time management skills; able to work to within deadlines 
  • Creative and inquiring mind
  • Strong interpersonal communication skills 
  • Experience with website content tools (e.g. WordPress) a PLUS 
  • Experience in managing and analyzing social media platforms (e.g. Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram) a PLUS 
  • Experiencing in creating graphically compelling social (YouTube-style) videos with SmartPhones or MovieMaker a PLUS 
  • Basic photography skills using 35mm cameras

Additional Skills:

  • Desire to be part of an organization that values teamwork 
  • A go-getter who can multi-task and has strong project management skills 
  • Ability to proactively react to changes 
  • Strong work ethic and willingness to go over and above 
  • A passion for creative problem-solving and solutions 
  • Enthusiasm and pride in your work 
  • As a representative of the organization to outside media, maintains a professional attitude, demeanor and appearance during work hours and work-related functions 
  • Ability to be flexible with schedule for occasional evening or weekend events

Job Benefits:

The full-time PR Specialist is eligible for the following benefits:

  • Medical (BlueCross/BlueShield), Dental, Prescription Drug, Vision and Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
  • Industry Leading Pay
  • Retirement plan with match
  • Paid time off (PTO): vacation, sick, personal - PTO cash in option twice per year
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Employee recognition program
  • Company paid life insurance and voluntary life insurance
  • Company paid long term disability and voluntary short term disability insurance 
  • Paid time off (PTO): vacation, sick, personal - PTO cash in option twice per year 
  • Extended sick bank (protection against loss of income due to illness, accident, maternity) 
  • Six (6) paid holidays per year Tuition reimbursement


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