RSA Seeks Applicants for a Public Relations Officer

RSA seeks applicants for a Public Relations Officer to oversee and coordinate RSA’s outreach to its various constituencies and publics, to enhance the visibility, activities, and services of the organization and to advance and promote research, teaching, and disseminate of scholarship in rhetorical studies for RSA members and potential members. Experience with or skills in marketing and media relations are welcome but not required. 

Specific duties include:

• provide timely messages designed to educate RSA members on the activities and services of the Society;
• provide timely messages designed to educate non-members outside RSA on the activities of the Society and the relation of rhetoric to civic life at all levels;
• interface with departments to increase forming of Students Chapters registered with RSA;
• work with conference and institute planners on publicizing events to the communities in which they are being staged;
• provide content for the RSA Facebook page that highlights Society events;
• provide content for the RSA Facebook page that draws attention to regional and state events featuring rhetoric;
• initiate and respond to press coverage of issues of interest to our members by generating key media contacts to highlight the individual research and expertise of RSA members;
• develop themed discussion on rhetoric via social media among RSA members;
• promote the scholarly work of members, including selected articles appearing in RSQ, to encourage inclusive conversations on topics important to RSA members;
• coordinate with the Electronic Communications Officer for use and circulation of content across RSA media; and
• other duties related to RSA Public Relations needs, as assigned by the Executive Director, officers, and/or board.

The Public Relations Officer, as a member of RSA’s administrative staff, will work directly with the RSA staff and officers—principally the Executive Director and RSA staff administrator for membership services, and with the Membership Officer and Electronic Communications Officer—in fulfilling these responsibilities. 

The Public Relations Officer will be an ex officio member of the RSA Board of Directors and thus will be expected to attend and report at RSA Board meetings. Proposals for significant changes in design or services will be presented to the RSA Board for approval. 

The ECO position is considered to be similar in function to the Membership Officer and Electronic Communications Officer and will be eligible for reimbursement for travel to Board meetings, as specified in the RSA Board Travel Policy. A modest budget to support the Public Relations Officer’s activities will be provided. 

The Public Relations Officer should have a Ph.D. in an appropriate discipline, hold an academic position, and be a member of RSA. The appointment to a three-year term may begin January 1, 2018. 

Nominations/applications for the position should include: a statement accepting the nomination (or a statement of self-nomination); a 2-3 page statement about plans and projections for RSA’s public relations needs; a current curriculum vita; names and addresses of at least two references qualified to assess the candidate's ability to carry out the position; if available, a letter from the responsible administrator confirming that institutional support (released time, administrative support, travel, etc.) will be provided. Nominations and supporting materials should be sent to Gerard A. Hauser at hauserg@colordo.edu by September 15, 2017. The search committee (Gerard Hauser, RSA Executive Director, chair, Casey Boyle, RSA Electronic Communications Officer, and Joan McAlister, RSA Membership Officer) will begin consideration of completed applications on a rolling basis, beginning on the posted deadline of September 15, until the position is filled.