Public Relations Specialist

Description

Recruitment Period: 01/14/2026 - Until Filled

Status: Full-Time, 40 hours/week

Salary Information: Annual Minimum Salary-$48,000-Annual Maximum Salary-$72,000

Hiring Rate: $23.08-$28.85

Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences (PNWU) does not sponsor employment visas. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and for the duration of their employment with PNWU. Employment eligibility will be verified in accordance with federal law.

Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences (PNWU) was founded as a 501(c) (3) non-profit medical institution in 2005 aimed at increasing access to health care in medically underserved areas of the Pacific Northwest.

The University currently offers the degrees of Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, Doctor of Physical Therapy, Doctor of Dental Medicine, Master of Arts in Medical Science, and Master of Science in Occupational Therapy enrolling over 550 students annually with plans to develop other programs and/or colleges. Interprofessional education partnerships with other universities adds another 100 students to the population. The campus includes 300 employees with academic programming spread over a five-state region.

PNWU is located in Yakima, WA, a city of approximately 95,000 located in the south-central part of the state near the eastern slopes of the Cascade Mountains in a major agricultural and outdoor recreation region. It is approximately 140 miles from Seattle, 170 miles from Portland, and 200 miles from Spokane. The Yakima Valley is a wonderful place to live, work and play. For more information, visit https://www.visityakima.com/.

General Summary:

Assists the Marketing and Communications department with promoting the mission and vision of PNWU to students, alumni, and community members. Using a variety of media, develops marketing, communications, and engagement content that shares PNWU’s story with key target audiences. Develops relationships with local and regional media representatives and manages crisis communications.

Essential Job Functions:

• Researches and creates stories and content for emails, websites, publications, social media, digital ads, and speeches.

• Develops content for social media on various channels. Monitors social media channels and responds to comments.

• Plans and executes PR strategies to promote University initiatives, such as academic research and program recruitment, to external and internal audiences. 

• Coordinates media relations, builds relationships with media contacts, proposes stories, distributes press releases, and schedules media interviews with University representatives; performs regular media training for campus representatives.

• Manages crisis and emergency communications as needed. 

• Performs other related duties as assigned and based on departmental need. 

Requirements

Education:

• Required: Bachelor's degree in marketing, communications, journalism or related field

Experience:

• Required: 1-3 years

Desired Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities:

Skill in effective communication (both written and oral); skill in independent decision making; skill in performing a variety of duties, often changing from one task to another of a different nature; skill in problem solving; skill in public speaking; knowledge of computer and network operating systems; knowledge of customer service principles and practices; knowledge of project management principles, processes, and techniques; ability to maintain professional composure in emergent and crisis situations; and ability to operate relevant equipment required to complete assigned responsibilities for the position 

To ensure full consideration submit:

• A letter of introduction outlining background and qualifications for the position

• Detailed resume

• Contact information for three professional references

The job announcement above is not the full job description but represents the job responsibilities and requirements. A full job description can be provided upon request.

PNWU offers a comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees first of the month following date of hire and competitive salary.

Benefit Package (benefit eligible is at least .5 FTE):

• Health Benefits - Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance
• Paid Time Off
• 403b with Roth Option
• Paid Holidays

For information about life in Yakima visit our PNWU page.

PNWU is a drug-free workplace, equal opportunity employer and educational institution. To request this publication in an alternative format, or to apply in an alternative format, please call Human Resources, 509.452.5100.