Press Assistant
Description
About the Role
A successful candidate will have exceptional writing and organizational skills with a strong attention to detail. They will be passionate about public service and looking to build a career in press and communications. They will be comfortable owning the administrative portions of this role while embracing opportunities to learn the basics of media relations from our team. Candidates must be able to work and multi-task effectively in a fast-paced environment under tight deadlines. While the candidate should be a self-starter, they are part of the larger Media Relations team and must be able to coordinate with other staff members at various levels.
The Press Assistant will provide key administrative support for Media Relations and the Communications teams more broadly. The position is located at 4 World Trade Center in Manhattan. Consistent with the Agency’s in-person mandate, this position will be expected to report to work in-office four days a week.
Responsibilities
Lead Functions:
- Ensuring accurate and timely distribution of agency clips to staff, senior leadership and the Port Authority board.
- Drafting the agency’s weekly travel advisory.
- Handle incoming from the media, with a focus on managing the many requests for journalists to access our facilities, such as the airports, the midtown bus terminal and the PATH system.
- Staffing public and internal events on behalf of Media Relations.
- Responding to press inquiries as assigned.
- Supporting the Press Secretary as they handle inquiries from the media.
- Managing the relationship with a Port Authority department, proactively helping plan their press needs and drafting necessary collateral.
- Owning the administrative duties of the Office of Media Relations, such as sending and posting press releases, updating our press list, and managing subscriptions.
- Handling website updates for Media Relations.
- Other duties as assigned, including special projects.
- As part of the Media Relations team, you will work in an environment where breaking news events dictate daily priorities. Flexibility is essential, as on-site, on-call, evening and weekend work will be necessary.
Minimum Qualifications
- Candidates must present the following qualifications to be considered for this position:
- Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field.
- Superior written and oral communication skills, including critical thinking, writing, editing and consistent attention to detail.
- Superior organizational skills, with the ability to balance multiple priorities while meeting deadlines.
- Excellent understanding of the current media landscape and the political landscape the Port Authority operates within.
- Passionate about a career in public service.
- Team player with effective teamwork and communications skills for collaboration within the Media Relations team and with staff at various levels across the agency.
Desired Qualifications
- 1-2 years’ experience in communications, journalism or public relations, including internship experience.
- Strong interest in transit, infrastructure, transportation and urban planning issues and policies.
- Previous on-the-record experience.
- Technical competency using Microsoft programs such as SharePoint, PowerPoint, Teams, etc.
- Working knowledge of AP style.
Selection Process
Compensation, Benefits & On-Site Collaboration Requirements
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey anticipate that the actual salary offered to a successful candidate will depend on aspects such as experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, and internal factors. The expected compensation range for this role is:
Minimum: $50,128 Midpoint: $65,158 Maximum: $80,184
In accordance with Port Authority policy, this position permits employees to work remotely a maximum of one day per week, subject to operational and business needs
How to Apply: Interested candidates should apply to this job by clicking on the "Apply Now" button and submitting a resume. The Port Authority of NY & NJ welcomes veteran and military spouse applications. Only applicants under consideration will be contacted. About The Port Authority: Founded in 1921, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey builds, operates, and maintains many of the most important transportation and trade infrastructure assets in the country. The agency's network of aviation, ground, rail, and seaport facilities is among the busiest in the country, supports more than 550,000 regional jobs, and generates more than twenty three billion in annual wages and eighty billion in annual economic activity. The Port Authority also owns and manages the 16-acre World Trade Center site, where the 1,776-foot-tall One World Trade Center is now the tallest skyscraper in the Western Hemisphere. Equal Opportunity Employer The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey/Port Authority Trans-Hudson (PATH) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the Port Authority’s policy, in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws, to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities who are employees or applicants for employment and who request the Port Authority do so, unless providing the requested accommodation would result in an undue hardship to the Port Authority. Job applicants may request a reasonable accommodation (1) if they claim a disability is affecting the interview process, or (2) to ensure that if they are selected for a position, they can perform the essential job functions. To submit a request, please contact the recruiter or email the Human Resources Department’s Disability Accommodation Coordinator at [email protected]. The Port Authority will treat any request for Reasonable Accommodation by a job applicant confidentially.