Working Title: Information Officer 2 - Assistant Director of Athletic Media Relations
Job Class: Information Officer 2
Agency: Minnesota State

• Who May Apply: Open to all qualified job seekers
• Date Posted: 04/22/2024
• Closing Date: 05/14/2024
• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit: MN St Colleges & Universities / Bemidji State University-MAPE
• Division/Unit: MnSCU Bemidji SU / MnSCU BSU Class M&E Payroll
• Appointment Type: Unlimited, Full-time
• Work Shift/Work Hours: Required to work weekends during the academic year, depending on sport program assignments and the schedule of events, with evening work on certain weekdays also required.
• Days of Work: Required to work weekends during the academic year, depending on sport program assignments and the schedule of events, with evening work on certain weekdays also required.
• Travel Required: No
• Salary Range: $24.20 - $35.13 / hourly; $50,530 - $73,351 / annually
• Classified Status: Classified
• Bargaining Unit/Union: 214 - MN Assoc of Professional Empl/MAPE
• Location: Athletic Department - Bemidji State University
• FLSA Status: Nonexempt
• Telework Eligible: No
• Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities: Yes

Make a difference in the lives of Minnesotans.

The work you’ll do is more than just a job. Join the talented, engaged and inclusive workforce dedicated to creating a better Minnesota.

BEMIDJI STATE UNIVERSITY (BSU) invites applicants to join our team as an Assistant Director of Athletic Media Relations. BSU’s vision is to educate people to lead inspired lives. To accomplish BSU’s vision, the University prioritizes creating a culture in which diversity is embraced and all people are safe, welcome, and validated. Centered between the three largest Tribal nations in Minnesota – Leech Lake, Red Lake and White Earth – BSU also prioritizes increasing engagement with American Indian communities to become a destination university.

Enrolling more than 4,000 students, BSU offers more than 70 undergraduate majors and nine graduate degrees encompassing arts, sciences and select professional programs. BSU is a member of the Minnesota State system of colleges and universities and has a faculty and staff of more than 550. BSU’s Shared Fundamental Values include civic engagement and leadership, international and multicultural understanding, belief in the power of the liberal arts, and environmental stewardship. BSU is located amid the lakes and forests of northern Minnesota and occupies a wooded campus along the shore of Lake Bemidji. BSU balances rigorous academia with the opportunity to enjoy a fun, robust, outdoor culture. The proximity to the lake and the surrounding north woods allows easy access to an assortment of recreation.

The Assistant Director of Athletic Media Relations is responsible for assisting the Associate Athletic Director for External Relations in all facets of operations and management of the Athletic Media Relations Office and the publicity of Bemidji State's 15 collegiate athletic programs, with special attention to football, men’s and women’s basketball, baseball and other sports as assigned, such as cross country and indoor and outdoor track and field, including but not limited to providing work direction for student staff; responding to media requests. Coordinating media interviews; advising coaches and student-athletes for media interviews and social media communications. Compiling game and season-long individual and team statistics and program record books. Generating creative content for BSUBeavers.com as well as University and program social media channels. Producing, shooting and editing highlight videos, news stories, and promotional content for other university electronic outlets. The Assistant Director of Athletic Media Relations will be required to work weekends during the academic year, depending on sport program assignments and the schedule of events, with evening work on certain weekdays also required.

Responsibilities of the Assistant Director of Athletic Media Relations include:

• Compiling news releases, publications and printing material. Supervising and training of student staff and intern positions and identifying and assigning of short and long-term projects to student staff. Fostering positive interactions between department and media (local, regional, hometown and national). Cultivating story ideas to generate media coverage and social media interest. Coordinating interviews with local, regional and national media outlets. Assisting in maintenance and the development of content for BSUBeavers.com. Generating pregame notes packages, game programs, etc. appropriate to coverage; postgame recaps, highlights, interviews, etc. appropriate to coverage. Assisting in developing content for a monthly electronic newsletter and University magazine.
• On game day, assisting with the organization of statistical teams for department events. Compiling accurate statistics at events and distributing to media outlets, etc. Working with media to ensure those covering the events have all the information needed to shine the most positive and complete light on the department, its programs, coaches and student-athletes, though postgame interviews, game notes packages, rosters, pronunciation guides, etc. Overseeing and training student game day staff.
• Developing content, which includes video, for the department’s and individual sport program social media channels. Managing department’s content calendar. Assisting in the development and integration of contests, behind-the-scenes access, Q&As, trivia, contests and other tools of engagement. Assisting in the development and integration of graphic design elements such as infograph images, used to tell the story of events beyond text and aid in the marketing efforts of the department, programs, coaches and student athletes.
• Assisting in the identification and nominations for a variety of athletic and academic awards the department's administrators, programs, coaches and student-athletes are eligible for through NSIC, WCHA, and a variety of organizations.
• Completing historical research and archiving. Keeping accurate records of department programs, coaches and student-athlete accomplishments, photos and statistics. Assisting in the further development of the department’s record books, rosters, award winners, etc.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required, preferred degree in journalism, communications, sports marketing, public relations or related field.
• One year of experience working within sports information, intercollegiate athletics, public relations or electronic or in a print media setting.
• Strong written and interpersonal communication skills.
• Understanding of operations of a collegiate athletics department.
• Strong computer skills in desktop publishing, graphic design, video editing, statistical software and website maintenance.
• Understanding of new media.
• Understanding of standards and practices in media relations.
• Familiar with NCAA legislation regarding publicity activities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Three years of experience working within sports information, intercollegiate athletics, public relations or electronic or in a print media setting.
• Proficiency in the use of software in the Adobe Creative Suite.
• Experience using Apple computers.
• A demonstrated commitment to the principles of diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism.

Additional Requirements

In accordance with the Minnesota State Vehicle Fleet Safety Program, employees driving on college/university business who use a rental or state vehicle shall be required to conform to Minnesota State's vehicle use criteria and consent to a Motor Vehicle Records check.

How to Apply

Select “Apply for Job” at the top of this page. If you have questions about applying for jobs, contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us. For additional information about the application process, go to http://www.mn.gov/careers.

If you have questions about the position, contact Mary Miller at mary.miller@bemidjistate.edu or 218-755-2084.

To receive consideration as a Connect 700 Program applicant, apply online, email the Job ID#, the Working Title and your valid Proof of Eligibility Certificate by the closing date to Mary Miller at mary.miller@bemidjistate.edu.

About Minnesota State

Minnesota State is making a difference. From the students we serve, to our business partners, to those we employ, chances are good you or someone you know has benefited from the work of your state colleges and universities. It is the core value of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities to provide an opportunity for all Minnesotans to create a better future for themselves, for their families, and for their communities.

Why Work for Us

Diverse Workforce

We are committed to continually developing a workforce that reflects the diversity of our state and the populations we serve. The varied experiences and perspectives of employees strengthen the work we do together and our ability to best serve the people of Minnesota.

A recent engagement survey of State of Minnesota employees found:

• 95% of employees understand how their work helps achieve their agency’s mission
• 91% of employees feel trusted to do their jobs
• 88% of employees feel equipped to look at situations from other cultural perspectives when doing their job
• 87% of employees report flexibility in their work schedule

Comprehensive Benefits

Our benefits aim to balance four key elements that make life and work meaningful: health and wellness, financial well-being, professional development, and work/life harmony. As an employee, your benefits may include:

• Public pension plan
• Training and professional development
• Paid vacation and sick leave
• 11 paid holidays each year
• Paid parental leave
• Low-cost medical and dental coverage
• Prescription drug coverage
• Vision coverage
• Wellness programs and resources
• Employer paid life insurance
• Short-term and long-term disability
• Health care spending and savings accounts
• Dependent care spending account
• Tax-deferred compensation
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Tuition reimbursement
• Federal Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program

Programs, resources and benefits eligibility varies based on type of employment, agency, funding availability, union/collective bargaining agreement, location, and length of service with the State of Minnesota.

Other Information

Employment information for this position can be found in its collective bargaining agreement or its plan document at http://mn.gov/mmb/employee-relations/labor-relations/Labor/.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Minnesota State is an equal opportunity employer/educator committed to the principles of diversity. We prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their race, sex, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or membership in a local commission as defined by law. As an affirmative action employer, we actively seek and encourage applications from women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and individuals with protected veteran status.

Reasonable accommodations will be made to all qualified applicants with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability who needs assistance or cannot access the online job application system, please contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us. Please indicate what assistance is needed.