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Media Relations Specialist

California State University, Fresno

Fresno, CA

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JOB DETAILS
SALARY
$5,877–$5,994
SKILLS
Background Investigation, Best Practices, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Communication Skills, Compensation and Benefits, Conference Management, Content Delivery/Distribution, Content Management Systems (CMS), Crime Prevention, Customer Support/Service, Diversity, English Language, Google Apps, Higher Education, Journalism, Legal, Mac Operating System X (OS X), Marketing Communications, Marketing Communications Strategy, Medical Conditions, Multilingual, News Reporting, Press Releases, Project/Program Management, Public Health, Public/Media/Press/Analyst Relations, Relationship Management, Spanish Language, Technical Support, Time Management, Training/Teaching, Vaccination
LOCATION
Fresno, CA
POSTED
Today


Media Relations Specialist

Job No: 559952
Work Type: Staff
Location: Central California: Fresno
Categories: Bargaining Unit: Unit 9 - CSUEU - Technical Support Services, Appointment Type: Probationary, Time Basis: Full Time, Job Search Category/Discipline: Marketing/Communications

Media Relations Specialist
(Marketing Communications Professional III)

Compensation and Benefits

The anticipated hiring salary range is $5,877 to $5,994 per month (Steps 1 -2), commensurate with qualifications and experience.

The salary range for this classification is $5,877 to $8,561 per month.

This is a full-time, probationary, exempt position.

Positions at Fresno State are to perform their work onsite. Some positions, depending upon University needs and operations, may be eligible for remote work, one day per week, pursuant to Fresno State's remote work guidelines and the CSU policy.

The CSU system provides a comprehensive benefit package that includes medical, dental and vision plans, membership in the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS), sick and vacation time, and 15 paid holidays a year. Eligible employees are also able to participate in the fee waiver education program. A summary of benefit information can be found here.

Job Summary

The Media Relations Specialist serves as the university's primary contact with external media sources. The position works to protect the reputation of the university and reflect institutional strategic priorities. The position conducts media outreach, maintains relationships with reporters, responds to media inquiries in a timely manner, and develops, positions and pitches stories to news outlets. The Media Relations Specialist organizes and manages press conferences and media events. In addition, the Media Relations Specialist maintains the university's experts list, connects experts with media and provides media training. The Media Relations Specialist writes and distributes press releases, media advisories, news tips and other stories on behalf of the university. This position also participates in the emergency operations center in times of crisis and helps support strategic communications efforts.

Key Qualifications
  • Thorough understanding of media relations strategies and techniques.
  • Knowledge of copyright law, media best practices and accessibility in communications.
  • Ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing, and to demonstrate journalistic style competency.
  • Ability to manage multiple, concurrent writing assignments, working successfully under deadline.
  • Ability to build and manage strong relationships with media contacts.
  • Technical skills to use web-based platforms, including Google Workspace (Google Docs, Google Sheets, Google Slides, etc.), content management systems, software applications, project management platforms, databases and other tools.
To view the full list of qualifications and job responsibilities, please click the Position Description button above.

Education and Experience
  • Equivalent to a bachelor's degree in journalism, mass communications, or a related field.
  • Four years of progressively responsible professional experience in news writing, crisis communications, public relations or related experience.
    • Additional experience which demonstrates acquired and successfully applied knowledge and abilities shown above may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis. An advanced degree in a related field may be substituted for the required experience on a year-for-year basis.
Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience serving as media liaison for an organization.
  • Experience/background in higher education.
  • Experience and competence in working with culturally diverse internal and external audiences.
  • Bilingual in English and Spanish.


Department Summary

University Marketing and Communications is Fresno State's central strategic marketing and communications office. Housed in the Office of the President, University Marketing and Communications (MarComm) develops and distributes compelling content that builds trust, understanding and support for the university. MarComm tells the Fresno State story and engages a broad range of key audiences, championing Bulldog spirit and elevating the institutional brand locally, nationally and across the globe.



Deadline & Application Instructions

Applications received by July 22, 2026 will be given full consideration by the search committee. Applications received after that date will be forwarded at the request of the Hiring Manager and/or search committee.

Please click "Apply Now" to complete the employment application for California State University, Fresno. Interested applicants must complete the application and attach the following: 1) their most recent resume/vitae, 2) a cover letter that addresses their specific qualifications and interest, and 3) contact information for three professional references.

Fresno State

California State University, Fresno is one of 22 campuses in the California State University System. The University's mission is to boldly educate and empower students for success through our values of Discovery, Diversity and Distinction. The current student population is more than 25,000, including a large percentage of students with diverse and culturally rich backgrounds. The University serves the San Joaquin Valley while maintaining deep involvement with the state, nation, and across the globe. Fresno State is a tobacco-free, smoke-free and vapor-free campus.

Metropolitan Fresno, with a multi-ethnic population of over 527,000, is located in the heart of the San Joaquin Valley. The campus is within driving distance of Yosemite, Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks, San Francisco, Los Angeles, the Monterey Peninsula, beaches, sailing, lakes, and numerous ski resorts. Fresno boasts one of the most reasonable housing markets in California and offers a wide array of locally grown fruits and produce.

Equal Employment Opportunity

California State University, Fresno is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against persons on the basis of race, religion, color, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, medical condition, National origin, sex, sexual orientation, covered veteran status, or any other protected status. Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified applicants with disabilities who self-disclose by contacting the Human Resources Department at (559) 278-2032.

Title IX

Please view the Notice of Non-Discrimination on the Basis of Gender or Sex and Contact Information for Title IX Coordinator at:

Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act Notification (not listed on the CO job posting template)

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act, the current Annual Security Report (ASR) is available for viewing at

The ASR contains the current security and safety-related policy statements, emergency preparedness and evacuation information, crime prevention and sexual assault prevention information, and drug and alcohol prevention programming. The ASR also contains statistics of Clery Act crimes for Fresno State for the last three (3) calendar years. Paper copies are available upon request by emailing the Clery Director at jhorio@mail.fresnostate.edu.

Under the Clery Act, this position may be designated as a Campus Security Authority (CSA) depending upon the role on campus and/or job duties. If this position is identified by the Director of Clery Compliance as a CSA position, you will be notified via email and will be assigned the appropriate training in CSU Learn.

COVID19 Vaccination Policy

Per the CSU COVID-19 Vaccination Policy, it is strongly recommended that all employees who are accessing office and campus facilities follow COVID-19 vaccine recommendations adopted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) applicable to their age, medical condition, and other relevant indications. Questions may be sent to hr@csufresno.edu.

CSUOut of State Employment Policy

California State University, Office of the Chancellor, as part of the CSU system, is a State of California Employer. As such, the University requires all employees upon date of hire to reside in the State of California. As of January 1, 2022, the CSU Out-of-State Employment Policy prohibits the hiring of employees to perform CSU-related work outside the state of California.

Background Check Information

Following a conditional offer of employment, a background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate may start work with California State University, Fresno. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may result in the withdrawal of the offer of employment. Current employees who are offered positions on campus will be required to undergo a background check for any position where a background check is required by law or that Fresno State has identified as sensitive.

Additional Information

Education Code 89521 Requirements: Applicants will be required to disclose whether they have received a final administrative decision or final judicial decision determining that they have committed sexual harassment within the last 7 years only after a determination is made that they meet the minimum qualifications for the position, and before an offer of employment is extended. Applicants who reach the final stages of the application process must also sign a release form that authorizes the release of information by the applicant's current and/or former employers to the CSU concerning any substantiated allegations of misconduct.

Fresno State is not a sponsoring agency for staff or management positions. (e.g. H1-B Visas)

To apply, visit

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About the Company

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California State University, Fresno