Public Relations Specialist

Description

Position: Public Relations Specialist

Location of Position: Marin Headlands, Sausalito, California 

Reports to: Associate Director, Public Relations

Position Classification & Expected Hours of Work, and Travel:

• This is a Fixed Term, Full-Time position. Position dates are approximately October 1, 2026 - September 30, 2027, with extension available for up to April 2029 based on funding availability. 
• This is a full-time, hybrid position, with 2-3 days on site, and 2-3 days at home.
• Days and hours of work may vary according to the needs of The Marine Mammal Center.
• Evening, weekend, and holiday work may be required as job duties demand.
• Travel within California and the Hawai’ian Islands may be expected for this position.

Compensation Range: $30.00 - $31.73 / hour

Benefits:  

• Holidays, Sick Time, Vacation
• Medical, Dental, and Vision
• Life Insurance, Long Term Disability Insurance
• 401k Retirement Plan
• Employee Assistance Program

Job Summary:

The Public Relations Specialist supports The Marine Mammal Center’s earned media efforts by developing compelling press content, cultivating productive relationships with members of the media, and coordinating media engagement activities that promote accurate, timely, and mission-aligned representation of the Center. This role will independently research and pitch story opportunities, respond to media inquiries, draft press materials, and coordinate onsite media and documentary visits in close collaboration with the Associate Director, Public Relations. Working with key internal partners, the Public Relations Specialists supports fundraising-aligned media efforts, contributes to multimedia storytelling initiatives, and maintains media tracking and reporting systems to strengthen outreach effectiveness and visibility of the Center’s programs and impact.

The start date for this position is October 1, 2026.

Essential Functions:

Public Relations: 40%

• Welcome media and non-traditional media partners to the Center, coordinate and oversee onsite media visits, and support a positive and well-organized media experience.
• Monitor the media inbox and respond to media inquiries in a timely, accurate, and professional manner, escalating sensitive or high-risk matters as appropriate.
• Collaborate with department management to produce a balanced mix of both short-form and long-form, data and research informed stories highlighting the Center’s programs, scientific expertise, and ocean health impact.
• Support fundraising-focused public relations efforts in close collaboration with the Advancement team, identifying story opportunities aligned with campaigns and donor engagement priorities.
• Support video and multimedia production efforts, including documentary projects, b-roll filming for media requests, social media content, and sponsorship videos, ensuring adherence to safety, brand, and messaging standards. 

Public Relations Research: 30%

• Research traditional and nontraditional media outlets (podcasters, influencers, bloggers, etc.) to identify relationship-building and pitching opportunities that strengthen the Center’s thought leadership profile. 
• Perform ongoing research to track news related to ocean health, conservation, marine mammals, and relevant policy or environmental trends to support timely and informed media outreach.
• Maintain accurate records of media outreach, inquiries, placements, and engagement activity with the Center’s public relations database (Cision).
• Compile and generate routine metrics and performance reports related to media outreach, coverage, and engagement to support program tracking and continuous improvement. 

Content Creation: 20%

• Draft and edit engaging press kits, press releases, and media advisories, that translate complex scientific and operational information into accessible public-facing content.
• Gather and curate supporting visual assets, including photography and video footage, to strengthen press materials and storytelling impact.
• Ensure consistency with brand voice, messaging standards, and editorial quality across all externally facing materials.

Other Duties as Assigned: 10%

• Perform special projects and research as assigned.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibility:

None

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Strong passion for marine and environmental conservation and the mission of The Marine Mammal Center. 
• Demonstrated experience developing earned media strategies, pitching stories, and building productive media relationships.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to craft compelling press content and translate complex information for public audiences.
• Strong editorial judgment, attention to detail and ability to maintain accuracy under deadline-driven conditions.
• Ability to independently manage multiple projects, priorities, and timelines with minimal supervision.
• Experience conducting media research, analyzing trends, and identifying proactive storytelling opportunities.
• Comfort representing the organization professionally in external-facing interactions including building and maintaining relationships with key partners and stakeholders
• Ability to analyze performance data and use insights to improve outreach effectiveness.
• Strong collaboration skills and ability to work effectively with cross-functional partners.
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities, emerging issues, and evolving media landscapes.
• Strong organizational, time management, and project coordination skills.
• Proficiency using Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, SharePoint, Word) and virtual collaboration tools (Asana, Slack, Teams, Zoom).
• Fluency is spoken and written Spanish is preferred. Familiarity with media databases, CRM tools, content management systems, and digital asset platforms preferred.
• Ability to build and sustain effective working relationships with people from diverse backgrounds while demonstrating self-awareness, respect, and professionalism. 
• Willingness to support and participate in the Center’s diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.

Qualifications and Experience:

This position requires a combination of education and/or experience equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, public relations, or related field; and 3 years of relevant professional experience in public relations, media relations, communications, or a related discipline.
 

Work Environment & Physical Requirements: 

• This position operates in a professional office, laboratory, and hospital environment both indoors and outdoors with access to other parts of the facilities via outdoor pathways. 
• Routinely uses standard office equipment requiring repetitive motion in tasks.
• Ability to work at a desk for extended periods using a computer.
• Ability to drive/operate a vehicle for extensive periods of time.
• Ability to perform physical work requiring manual dexterity, agility, strength, and coordination including ability to lift and/or move to 25 pounds.
• Ability to spend extended periods on your feet, walking, standing, crouching, and climbing stairs (potentially in inclement weather conditions). 
• Limited exposure to allergens and zoonotic diseases.

OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY

The Marine Mammal Center actively engages individuals from all backgrounds. We are committed to embracing diversity within our organization because we firmly believe that diverse employee teams help us to achieve our best organizational outcomes and provide the most effective support to the communities we serve. We are deeply dedicated to creating and maintaining an inclusive, equitable and supportive work environment.  We strongly encourage people from underrepresented groups to apply. The Marine Mammal Center believes in growth and supporting our employees as best we can so they can become their best selves in and outside of work. We believe that a healthy work environment means building an inclusive culture where people can thrive together and feel supported and empowered. We believe in stretch versus constraint.

OUR MISSION

The Marine Mammal Center advances ocean health through marine mammal rescue and rehabilitation, research, and education.

ABOUT THE MARINE MAMMAL CENTER

The Marine Mammal Center is leading the field in ocean conservation through marine mammal rescue, veterinary medicine, science, and education. 

For more information, please visit our “About Us” page at www.marinemammalcenter.org

To Apply: Please submit a cover letter and resume and provide a brief description about how your experience aligns with the role.

Note that applications without a cover letter will not be considered.

In your cover letter, please feel free to note which pronouns you use (For example – she/her/hers, he/him/his, they/them/theirs, etc). 

We strongly encourage people of color, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and non-binary people, veterans, parents, and individuals with disabilities to apply. The Center is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes everyone to our team. If you need reasonable accommodation at any point in the application or interview process, please let us know.