Communications & Public Relations Coordinator

approximately 65 miles northeast of Atlanta, with extended campuses in Atlanta, Griffin, Gwinnett, and Tifton. UGA employs approximately 3,100 faculty and more than 7,700 full-time staff. The University's enrollment exceeds 41,000 students including over 31,000 undergraduates and over 10,000 graduate and professional students. Academic programs reside in 19 schools and colleges, including our newly established School of Medicine.

About the College/Unit/Department: The University of Georgia's Skidaway Institute of Oceanography (SkIO) is a multidisciplinary research and training institution located on a 700-acre campus on Skidaway Island. The Institute's primary goals are to further understanding of marine and environmental sciences, conduct leading edge research on marine and coastal systems, and train tomorrow's scientists. Our campus is also a host to Georgia Southern University's Applied Coastal Research Lab, NOAA Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary, The University of Georgia's Marine Education Center and Aquarium, and The Nature Conservancy. Skidaway Institute of Oceanography is also home to the Research Vessel (R/V) Savannah. The R/V Savannah is owned and operated by the Institute and is a member of the University National Oceanographic Laboratory System (UNOLS) and Academic Research Fleet (ARF).

College/Unit/Department website: https://www.skio.uga.edu/about/uga-skidaway-institute-story/

Posting Type: External

Retirement Plan: TRS or ORP

Employment Type: Employee

Benefits Eligibility: Benefits Eligible

Full/Part time: Full Time

Additional Schedule Information: 40 hours per week, work times will vary as needed. Infrequent but regular event coordinating and hosting required.

Advertised Salary: Commensurate with Experience

Posting Date: 07/01/2026

Open until filled: Yes

Proposed Starting Date: 07/20/2026

Location of Vacancy: Savannah Area

EEO Policy Statement: The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status or other protected status. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR (hrweb@uga.edu).

USG Core Values Statement: The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 25 institutions of higher education and learning, as well the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 08.02.18.01.02.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 06.05 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom.

Classification Title: Public Relations Pro II

FLSA: Exempt

FTE: 1.00

Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent and 2 years of professional experience

Preferred Qualifications: Web management/WordPress experience preferred.

Position Summary: Manages the communications and public relations for the Skidaway Institute of Oceanography. Responsibilities include media relations, development of printed and digital media, full editorial responsibility for the website and the Skidaway Campus Notes, and interfacing with Skidaway faculty, staff, administration, campus partners, and general public.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and/or Competencies:

• Ability to work independently, conceptualize project and manage multiple priorities.
• Ability to perform creative writing and related activities such as conducting interviews, research, and copy editing.
• Ability to communicate effectively.
• Comfortable with public speaking to diverse audiences.
• Ability to understand and interpret information.
• Ability to multitask and coordinate multiple projects.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with peers, staff, and supervision.
• Superior verbal/written skills.
• Multimedia skills – Photoshop, videography, graphic design, social media.
• Website management.
• WordPress experience preferred.

Physical Demands: Driving as needed to perform job duties.

Is driving a responsibility of this position?: Yes

Is this a Position of Trust?: Yes

Does this position have operation, access, or control of financial resources?: Yes

Does this position require a P-Card? : No

Is having a P-Card an essential function of this position? : No

Does this position have direct interaction or care of children under the age of 18 or direct patient care?: No

Does this position have Security Access (e.g., public safety, IT security, personnel records, patient records, or access to chemicals and medications): No

Credit and P-Card policy: Be advised a credit check will be required for all positions with financial responsibilities. For additional information about the credit check criteria, visit the UGA Credit Background Check website.

Background Investigation Policy: Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a background investigation including, a criminal background check demonstrating your eligibility for employment with the University of Georgia; confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in your application materials (including reference checks) as they relate to the job-based requirements of the position applied for; and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check. You may also be subject to a pre-employment drug test for positions with high-risk responsibilities, if applicable. Please visit the UGA Background Check website.

Duties/Responsibilities

Communications

• Produce news releases and articles for use by SkIO and UGA websites, news, and other media.
• Initiate and promote news coverage of SkIO research, academic programs, etc.
• Coordinate interaction between SkIO faculty and news media, and support SkIO faculty in their interaction with reporters. (sit-in on interviews as requested, facilitate exchange of other information, etc.)
• Function as external affairs point of contact for SkIO.
• Respond to media requests for expert interviews or other news coverage needs.
• Provide the majority of content for, and edit and publish quarterly Skidaway Campus Notes newsletter.
• Develop and maintain mailing list for newsletter.
• Maintain SkIO website, and social media presence (ex. Facebook, Instagram, YouTube accounts).
• Shoot and edit still photographs for use in news article, newsletters, etc. and for use by outside news media. Photograph head-shots for SkIO website (faculty, staff, students).
• Shoot and edit video for use in promotional materials and by outside news media.

Percentage of time: 70

Duties/Responsibilities

Manage Associates of Skidaway Institute Fund (Foundation activities)

• Handle all administrative responsibilities for Associates of Skidaway Institute Fund (ASF) including monitoring donations records, financial transactions, balances, etc.
• Notify and invoice members when their annual donations are due.
• Write and mail acknowledgement, thank-you and solicitation letters.
• Work with UGA Development personnel to promote giving.

Percentage of time: 15

Duties/Responsibilities

External Public Interactions

• Represent SkIO to a variety of outside groups, such as the Chamber of Commerce (Governmental Affairs Committee, PR Council, etc.), The Creative Coast, the Skidaway Island Marathon and others.
• Coordinate public interaction with the SkIO community. Includes campus tours and introductory talks to visiting groups.
• Be a contact point for the public to provide information and answer questions.

Percentage of time: 10

Duties/Responsibilities

Event planning

• Plan and coordinate Evening @ Skidaway lecture series, and other additional events.
• Plan, coordinate and/or provide support to visiting groups or meetings.
• Troubleshoot and coordinate duties with such events, such as tending bar, setting up buffet lines, or cleaning tables and washing dishes.

Miscellaneous: Collect, summarize and store faculty activity reports.

Percentage of time: 5

Contact Details

For questions concerning this position or recruitment progression, please refer to the Recruitment Contact listed below.

Recruitment Contact Name: Karie Ann Neukomm

Recruitment Contact Email: karie.neukomm@uga.edu

Recruitment Contact Phone: 912-598-2443