Public Relations Specialist jobs in Sunland Park, NM

ABOUT LAS AMERICAS IMMIGRANT ADVOCACY CENTER

Las Americas is a nationally recognized organization dedicated to serving immigrants and asylum seekers with high quality legal services, advocacy and support. Las Americas is binational with a geographic footprint of El Paso, TX, southern New Mexico, and Ciudad Juárez, Mexico.

Founded in 1987 by the visionary co-founders of Annunciation House, Las Americas was designed to address the unmet legal needs of Central Americans fleeing civil war and political unrest in the 1980’s. Since its founding, Las Americas has served nearly 50,000 persons, while advocating for a robust asylum system, working to reunify separated families, and advocating for systemic change to US immigration policy and practices. 

Today, Las Americas is a leading edge organization rooted in social justice and human rights through radical accompaniment. We are legal service providers, social workers, communicators, and policy wonks focused on centering the needs of marginalized communities at the intersection of poverty and immigration.

POSITION OVERVIEW: The public relations intern is a critical component in our response to anti-immigrant laws in Texas. You will gain hands-on experience at a critical moment for our state.  You will be responsible for supporting the strategic communications team  in executing various strategies to build and maintain key performance metrics. This position reports directly to the director of strategic communications and works closely with the executive director.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

We are seeking an energetic public relations intern to specifically support strategic communications regarding SB 4. The ideal candidate will possess strong organizational skills, deep cultural competency, fluency in English and Spanish, plus an understanding of immigration policy and state law. 

Responsibilities

• Assist in the development and implementation of PR campaigns and strategies.
• Monitor media coverage and compile media reports.
• Create and maintain media lists and contact databases.
• Assist in organizing and coordinating press events, conferences, and interviews.
• Support in writing and editing press releases, media pitches, and other PR materials.
• Conduct research on industry trends, competitors, and media outlets.
• Monitor social media platforms for mentions and engagement opportunities.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure consistent messaging across all channels.
• Assist in crisis management and reputation management activities.
• Help maintain relationships with media contacts and influencers.

Required Skills

• Deep familiarity with social media platforms and tools.
• Creative thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build relationships.
• Knowledge of PR industry trends and best practices.
• Basic knowledge of media relations and journalist etiquette.
• Interest in public policy and advocacy.
• Interest in immigration.

Required Qualifications

• Currently pursuing or recently completed a degree in Public Relations, Communications, Journalism, Marketing, or a related field.
• Previous experience or coursework in public relations or communications is preferred.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English and Spanish.
• Ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines.
• Must be able to work a minimum of 15 hours per week.
• Availability to work on-site or remotely.
• Familiarity with social media analytics and monitoring tools is a plus.
• Knowledge of graphic design software (e.g., Canva, Adobe Photoshop) is a plus.
• Strong interest in the field of public relations and a desire to learn and grow in the industry.
• Must be a team player with a positive attitude and a willingness to take initiative.

COMPENSATION

Hourly pay of $15 - $20 an hour, commensurate with experience. 

TO APPLY

Send resume, cover letter, and (3) references via Bamboo at las-americas.org/joinourteam. 

Las Americas Immigrant Advocacy Center is an equal opportunity employer and offers equal employment opportunities in recruitment, selection, and advancement with no regard to race, cultural heritage, nationality, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, or any other status protected under the law.