Public Relations Specialist jobs in Laramie, WY

The University of Wyoming invites diverse applicants to consider our employment opportunities.  We are also especially interested in candidates who have experience working with diverse populations and/or diverse initiatives. 

JOB TITLE:   

GEAR UP Wyoming Professional Development & Public Relations Coordinator  

JOB PURPOSE:

The GEAR UP Wyoming program (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) is a federally-funded grant program intended to increase the number of low-income students who are prepared to enter college and earn a degree. This position is designed to meet the needs of GEAR UP Wyoming (GUWY) participants by providing professional development opportunities to 7th-12th grade Wyoming educators in Wyoming schools.  It is also responsible for public relations and community outreach to students, parents, partner schools, the Wyoming Department of Education, and other stakeholders statewide as well as coordination of tutoring services provided to SEO’s UW participants. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Oversee the daily operational functions for the teacher training and professional development component within the GEAR UP Wyoming (GUWY) grant, including planning and delivering training to staff who work in GUWY schools statewide and coordinating training provided by educational consultants. 
• Oversee the daily operations for all public relations activities, including budget management, long- and short-range goal attainment, website maintenance, and social media updates and production of a quarterly newsletter to inform GUWY constituencies about program services, achievements, and opportunities. 
• Design, implement, and assess GUWY teacher training and professional development activities to meet the needs of teachers, schools, and staff throughout Wyoming and increase achievement levels among disadvantaged students.
• Research best practices and instructional design models that improve academic outcomes of low-income students. Assist in the planning and coordination of educational conferences involving state, regional, and national educational leaders, practitioners and academics. 
• Research, analyze, compile, and organize data related to the professional development needs of Wyoming 7-12 grade school personnel in order to improve academic outcomes for Wyoming’s at-risk, 7-12 grade populations. 
• At least quarterly, plan, prepare, document, and calculate GUWY professional development in-kind and match sources and amounts derived from professional development trainings and organize and maintain match documentation according to federal, UW, and SEO policy.
• Act as primary GUWY liaison to the Wyoming Department of Education (WDE), including:  developing and implementing collaborative statewide initiatives and teacher trainings that impact low-income students; negotiating and monitoring GUWY agreements with WDE; and coordinating, monitoring, and documenting WDE match obligations as outlined in the MOU. 
• Coordinate tutoring services for SEO participants attending UW. This includes hiring, training, and managing tutors as well as collecting and reporting data on tutoring services and outcomes and administering the Penji tutoring platform. 

SUPPLEMENTAL FUNCTIONS:

• Represent GUWY on university, state, regional, or national committees, as directed.
• Occasional evening/weekend hours and year-round, periodic, in-state travel by car to oversee and deliver professional development events.
• Out-of-state travel to professional conferences and trainings.

COMPETENCIES:

• Independence
• Organization
• Individual Leadership
• Strategic Planning
• Judgment
• Initiative
• Collaboration

REMOTE WORK ELIGIBILITY: 

This position is eligible for a limited remote work schedule after 6 months.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:  

Education:  Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Experience: 3 years work-related experience designing and delivering professional development trainings in an educational setting. 

Required licensure, certification, registration or other requirements:  

• Valid driver's license and ability to pass a UW Motor Vehicle Record check for professional travel is required 
• Successful criminal background check necessary for working with minors is required

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:  

• Master’s Degree
• Strong attention to detail and capacity to remain organized while managing multiple projects.
• Familiarity with or understanding of the educational access barriers encountered by low-income student populations. 
• Experience with event planning, management, and implementation.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work in a team environment with a wide variety of stakeholders.
• Experience collaborating with high schools to facilitate college access for under-served student populations.
• Ability to effectively communicate program goals and activities, both orally and in writing, with a wide range of individuals and constituencies.
• Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to make effective decisions and think independently.
• Experience working with websites and social media, graphic arts software, and on-line registration for events and/or marketing.
• High level of proficiency in the use of Microsoft software and Google applications.   

REQUIRED MATERIALS:  

PLEASE NOTE:  This is an at-will, grant-funded position. 

• Complete the online application and upload the following for a complete application:  1) cover letter, 2) resume specifically addressing the qualifications of this position, 3) contact information for four work-related references, and 4) a one page or less statement that addresses the following questions: 
  • What are some of the barriers to successful preparation and entry into postsecondary education among Wyoming's low-income middle and high school students?  
  • What types of training and professional development would best prepare Wyoming’s 7-12 grade educators to assist GEAR UP students with enrolling and completing a college degree program?

Applications that do not include all required materials will not be considered. 

HIRING STATEMENT:  

UW is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Educator and Employer. We are committed to a multicultural environment and strongly encourage applications from women, minorities, veterans and persons with disabilities.   

In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation to apply for a position, please call 307-766-2377 or email jobapps@uwyo.edu

ABOUT LARAMIE:

The University of Wyoming is located in Laramie, a town of 30,000 in the heart of the Rocky Mountain West. The state of Wyoming continues to invest in its university, helping to make it a leader in academics, research and outreach. The university has state-of-the-art facilities in many areas and the community provides the advantages of a major university.

Located in a high mountain valley near the Colorado border, Laramie offers both outstanding recreational opportunities and close proximity to Colorado’s Front Range, a bustling group of metropolitan cities including Denver, Boulder, and Fort Collins. This beautiful mountain landscape offers outdoor enjoyment in all seasons, with over 300 days of sunshine annually. For more information about the region, please visit http://visitlaramie.org/