Public Relations Assistant

Public Relations Assistant

Position Details

Recruitment/Posting Title: Public Relations Assistant
Job Category: URA-AFT Administrative
Department: Eagleton Institute of Politics

Overview

The Rutgers Democracy Lab (RDL) was established through a transformative gift received in November 2024. Its mission is to serve as a vibrant hub for civic engagement and a collaborative workshop for studying, analyzing, and addressing the challenges and opportunities of contemporary democracy.

RDL embodies a bold commitment to equipping students with the tools and knowledge to engage with, strengthen, and sustain democracy for future generations. The Lab also seeks to examine emerging threats, such as the influence of social media, and explore their profound impact on democratic processes.

Posting Summary

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey is seeking a Public Relations Assistant for the Rutgers Democracy Lab.

Among the key duties of this position are the following:

• Furthers RDL’s mission by helping to coordinate strategic communication plans to highlight groundbreaking programs.

• Connects RDL with students, faculty, staff, practitioners, and external stakeholders/partners.

• Coordinates RDL’s public profile and relationships with key audiences through targeted outreach and strategic communications plans.

• Assists both the Administrative and Academic Director with media for the RDL.

• Helps directors build relationships across traditional and social media, both in New Jersey and nationally, to increase awareness of and engagement with RDL’s research, education, events, and resources.

• Partners with leading democracy-focused organizations to promote shared content and messaging.

• Partners with the RDL’s student digital content creators to disseminate engaging, student-led social media content.

The Eagleton Institute is a collaborative team. On occasion, all members are asked to participate in Institute-wide and/or cross-team projects.

Position Information

FLSA: Nonexempt
Grade: 03

Salary Details:

• Max salary is $65,000

• Minimum Salary: $52,602.480

• Mid Range Salary: $64,788.980

• Maximum Salary: $76,975.480

Offer Information

The final salary offer may be determined by several factors, including, but not limited to, the candidate’s qualifications, experience, and expertise, and availability of department or grant funds to support the position. Market benchmarks and internal equity are also considered to ensure fair compensation relative to the university’s broader compensation structure. Rutgers is committed to offering competitive and flexible compensation packages to attract and retain top talent.

Benefits

Rutgers provides a comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees. Benefits may include:

• Medical, prescription drug, and dental coverage

• Paid vacation, holidays, and various leave programs

• Competitive retirement benefits, including defined contribution plans and voluntary tax-deferred savings options

• Employee and dependent educational benefits (when applicable)

• Life insurance coverage

• Employee discount programs

Position Status

Status: Full Time
Standard Hours: 37.50 hours per week
Terms of Appointment: Staff – 12 month
Position Pension Eligibility: ABP

Work Arrangement

Consistent with the current application of Rutgers Policy 60.3.22 or the applicable provisions of relevant collective negotiations agreements, this position may be eligible for a hybrid work arrangement. Flexible work arrangements are not permanent, are subject to change or discontinuation, and contingent on approval in the FlexWork@RU Application System.

Union Description: URA-AFT Administrative
Payroll Designation: PeopleSoft

Qualifications

Minimum Education and Experience

Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Digital Communications, Political Science, or a related field, as well as one year of work experience or volunteering in the political or communications field, including as a journalist or communications specialist for a non-profit organization, elected official, or government entity.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Excellent writing, editing, proofreading, and verbal communications skills

• Creativity and strong organizational skills

• Demonstrated digital media marketing skills and ability to quickly master new communications tools

• Strong interpersonal skills and comfort working with a broad range of people, including public officials, media representatives, vendor staff, and students

• Ability to independently manage multiple tasks and short deadlines in high-stress situations

• Highly organized, efficient, and detail oriented

• Comfortable working for an organization that is political yet non-partisan and straddles the worlds of politics and academia

• Proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher), Photoshop, email marketing tools, social media, and desktop publishing

• Proficiency in website management

Preferred Qualifications

Some web development experience.

Equipment Utilized

• Microsoft Office Suite

• Adobe Creative Suite or other basic photo editing tools

• CiviCRM

• SurveyMonkey

• Social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.)

• Social media management tools such as Hootsuite and Buffer

Physical Demands and Work Environment

Eagleton offices are located within a historic building with no elevator. The duties of this position regularly involve navigating stairs numerous times a day. Applicants may request reasonable accommodation if they have a disability that restricts their ability to climb or navigate stairs.

Special Conditions

This position is paid from a five-year gift, and continuation is contingent upon available funds.

Must be available to work some evenings and weekends.

Posting Details

Posting Number: 26ST0313
Posting Open Date: 02/26/2026

Regional Campus: Rutgers University–New Brunswick
Home Location Campus: Douglass (RU–New Brunswick)
City: New Brunswick
State: NJ

Tagged as: Communications, Digital Media, Media Relations, Public Relations