2024 Resume
- Rene Schwartz
- Jan 17, 2024
- 4 min read
Updated: Sep 22, 2024
Download the PDF to check out the interactive features, including working links.
Text only:
Rene Schwartz, M.A.-DMST
346-395-9874
Houston, TX
DETAILED WORK HISTORY
Public Information Officer
Houston, TX | May 2024 to September 2024
In my role as Public Information Officer, I represented the department as spokesperson and acted as a liaison between the department and the community.
I often attended various civic, city council, outreach, and other public events/activities. I oversaw the preparation and distribution of responses to all media requests, interviews, public inquiries, social media messaging, open record requests, and all public facing communications.
I managed all City Council requests ensuring accuracy and timeliness. And during Hurricane Beryl, I reported to the Joint Information Center at the City Office of Emergency Management.
Harris County Public Library (HCPL)
Communications & Community Engagement Liaison
Houston, TX | February 2024 to April 2024
In my role as a Communications & Community Engagement Liaison, I played a key role in the Early Learning Quality Network Project. I focused on building partnerships with childcare providers, policymakers, and educators, implementing outreach strategies, and coordinating events for assessing early childhood development.
Specifics of this role included conducting needs assessments, fostering collaborations, analyzing county-wide data, providing all digital media and communications support, and providing exemplary customer service.
Harris County Public Health (HCPH)
Senior Communications Coordinator & Team Lead
Houston, TX | February 2023 to September 2023
In this leadership role, I managed the day-to-day tasks and projects for 10 communications specialists (and 3 interns). I was also the gatekeeper and point of contact for all incoming and outgoing requests for the Office of Communications, Education, and Engagement.
Recent projects included creating, updating, and finalizing SOPs to standardize the division, department, interdepartmental, and external request process; creating an editorial style guide; writing communications plans and social media strategies; developing and designing fact sheets for the 15+ divisions, offices, and programs; coordinating with web designers for a complete re-design; and more.
Harris County Department of Economic Equity & Opportunity (DEEO)
Communications & Community Engagement Manager
Houston, TX | October 2021 to February 2023
I oversaw all Communications needs for the department, executive leadership, public, and media.
This was a unique experience because I was brought on as the Communications component of a brand-new county department. I developed a communications framework that included a brand guide, social media policy, media manual, newsletter template, process flowchart, asset library, flyers, event collateral, and more.
I led an exciting collaboration with UHCL Digital Media Studies graduate students. In this real-world (yet still simulated) client-based simulation, I worked with students as if DEEO was their client and tasked them with developing content — while providing them with internship-quality experience and pieces for their portfolios.
Harris County Resources for Children and Adults (HCResources)
Communications Specialist
Houston, TX | December 2020 to October 2021
Collaborated with the Communications/ Public Relations manager to create diverse communication materials, engage internal staff, managed social media content, maintained the agency’s Speakers Bureau, worked on projects from concept to distribution, organized and participated in events, tracked metrics, and provided reports and multimedia documentation.
I also transitioned the department through an ultimately successful major rebranding campaign.
DrillSoft
Multimedia & Marketing Manager, Intern
Houston, TX | August 2020 to December 2020
During this graduate school internship, I contributed web and graphic design, marketing, press release writing, design, advice, brand guidance, copy editing, video/audio editing, promo video creation, motion graphics work, and social media management.
I mastered the craft of creating digital media to communicate with data-driven storytelling and translating technical information to plain language ensuring maximum understandability.
Congregation Beth Israel
Graphic Design & Marketing Coordinator
Houston, TX | July 2019 to July 2020
I managed social media, event marketing, graphic and web design, publication and advertising design, implemented marketing strategies, produced videos, utilized Microsoft suite and email marketing tools, editing and proofreading, wrote diverse content, coordinated between departments, handled internal communications, and negotiated budget with vendors.
Southern Newspapers Inc
The Facts News Editor & Page Designer
Clute, TX | September 2018 to July 2019
As the News Editor at The Facts in Brazoria County, my responsibilities included graphic design, page design, and publication design. I supervised a team of 4 reporters, a photographer, and a featured writer, and I was involved in editorial and article writing. Additionally, I excel in infographic design, editing, copy editing, and proofreading. Furthermore, I handled social media, coordinated with community leaders, and elected officials.
Southern Newspapers Inc
Galveston County Daily News Copy Editor & Page Designer
Galveston, TX | May 2016 to September 2018
As the copy editor and page designer at Galveston County Daily News, I was responsible for a diverse range of tasks, including writing and reporting, graphic design, page layout, and publication design. I supervised a team of three reporters, a features writer, a sports writer and copy editor, one full-time photographer, and multiple correspondents. Additionally, I handled infographic design, editing, copy editing, and proofreading. Furthermore, I contributed back-end support and social media during breaking news.
Southern Newspapers Inc
The Facts Reporter & Interviewer, Intern
Clute, TX | May 2018 to August 2018
As a Reporter Intern for The Facts in Brazoria County, my responsibilities included pitching stories, writing news, features, sports, enterprise, etc., creating breakout materials, interviewing people, transcribing interviews, receiving and implementing constructive criticism, identifying news opportunities, building community relationships, and more.
Foster Kids Charity
Assistant Manager
Galveston, TX | March 2014 to February 2018
As the Assistant Manager at Foster Kids Charity, I effectively managed the organization’s social media accounts and promptly handled phone calls and mail. Additionally, I was responsible for rent payments and maintaining the office’s organization. I collaborated with managers to support children in need and implemented various communication strategies to further our mission.
Education
Master of Arts in Digital Media Studies from University of Houston Clear Lake, Houston, TX, Received May 2021
Bachelor of Arts in Communications, University of Houston Clear Lake, Houston, TX, Received December 2019
Certification in Graphic Design from University of Houston Clear Lake, Houston, TX, Received December 2018
Associate of Arts in English from Austin Community College, Austin, TX, Received in 2014
Comments