Job Summary:
About Extension:
UW-Madison's Division of Extension serves the people and communities of Wisconsin by addressing local, statewide and national issues, improving lives through research-based education, fostering partnerships and action, and facilitating positive impacts.
About the Position:
The Division of Extension is currently seeking a pivotal communication role aimed at developing creative strategies to connect with families, the aging community, parents, and youth. This role entails creating, editing, and disseminating digital resources stemming from university research and the promotion of programs tailored to benefit families, the aging community, parents, youth, and other stakeholders statewide.
The Communications Specialist, embedded within the Extension Institutes of Human Development and Relationships and Positive Youth Development, will become a member of the Youth and Family Health communications team, and collaborate closely with program leadership, faculty, and staff to strategically edit and position both existing and upcoming content for maximum impact. This position involves executing the planning of website maintenance, expansion, and reorganization, staying informed on digital trends, and proactively anticipating future content needs. The role also involves assisting social media marketing and targeted email campaigns and will offer basic graphic design and layout assistance as needed, marketing campaigns, and institute specific branding guidelines. Additionally, this position provides guidance and support in developing creative strategies using modern digital resources to promote the work of the two Institutes. Responsibilities include adapting content for websites such as articles, internal & external reports, research papers, and news posts for broader online accessibility.
The Division of Extension has a deep and profound commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equity, believing that these values are foundational elements to eliminate disparities and expanding access for all. As Extension, we acknowledge the need for strategic and coordinated actions that help us form a more equitable, anti-racist, non-biased, and inclusive organization (https://blogs.extension.wisc.edu/oaic/call-to-action/). As such, all Extension employees are expected to foster and promote the values of diversity and inclusion.
Responsibilities:
Develops and drafts communication content and assists in the execution of the communications strategy in support of unit communication goals.
- 15% Monitors reach and effectiveness of communication campaigns, projects, and initiatives
- 15% Plans editorial content according to established goals and objects
- 15% Communicates with stakeholders to verify requests and identify editorial resources
- 15% Writes, edits, and publishes content for various communication projects and marketing platforms to align with strategic initiatives and established communication campaigns
- 20% Provides project management and execution of communications programs, initiatives, and tactical plans
- 10% Website content development: Provides website maintenance, expansion, and reorganization; reviews, edits, produces content for online presence; gathers website content from internal and external partners, and performs content updates
- 10% Graphic Design: Provide and/or coordinate basic design and layout support for digital publications
Institutional Statement on Diversity:
Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background - people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.
For more information on diversity and inclusion on campus, please visit: Diversity and Inclusion
Education:
Required
Bachelor's Degree
In a relevant field or equivalent experience in lieu of a degree in the following fields: communications, human development, family sciences, graphic design, Fine arts, or marketing.
Preferred
Master's Degree
In communications, human development, family sciences, graphic design, Fine arts, or marketing.
Qualifications:
Required:
- At least two years of relevant communications experience including website, marketing, and social media
- Demonstrated exemplary oral and written communication skills
- Excellent organizational skills, with a proven ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines
- Strong interpersonal relationship and problem-solving skills in a team setting
- Demonstrated ability to effectively work with people from different cultural backgrounds, including those associated with race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, socioeconomic status, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation, and other aspects of human diversity
Preferred:
- Knowledge and familiarity with family sciences and youth development practices and industries
- Graphic Design Skills
- Experience in video production and editing
- Website development and management skills including content development, layout, digital accessibility, and overall user experience
Work Type:
Full Time: 100%
This position may require some work to be performed in-person, onsite, at a designated campus work location. Some work may be performed remotely, at an offsite, non-campus work location.
Appointment Type, Duration:
Ongoing/Renewable
Salary:
Minimum $60,000 ANNUAL (12 months)
Depending on Qualifications
Employees in this position can expect to receive benefits such as generous vacation, holidays, and paid time off; competitive insurances and savings accounts; retirement benefits. Benefits information can be found at (https://hr.wisc.edu/benefits/).
Additional Information:
The primary accountability for this position is the Institute Director and Assistant Dean for Human Development and Relationships for supervision, compensation and benefits, and performance reviews.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison has a remote work policy that offers the potential for remote or hybrid work. More about that policy within the Division of Extension can be found here: https://kb.wisc.edu/extension/113536.
Employees are expected to make individual arrangements for transportation adequate to meet position responsibilities and essential job functions, which would include in-state and out-of-state travel. Information about UW-Madison Driver Authorization can be found at https://businessservices.wisc.edu/managing-risk/driver-authorization-and-insurance/driver-authorization/.
This position may be required to work occasional nights and weekends to meet the program needs and priorities of the communities served.
Please note that successful applicants are responsible for ensuring their eligibility to work in the United States (i.e. a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without need of employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of appointment.
How to Apply:
We are eager to learn more about how your experience and passion may align with this position. To begin the application process, click the "apply now" button. You will be prompted to upload the following documents:
- Resume or CV
- Letter of Qualifications (cover letter)
Please submit a cover letter referring to your related work experience and a resume or CV detailing your educational and professional background. Your cover letter should communicate your interest in the position and how your skillset aligns with the role. The application reviewers will be relying on written application materials to determine who may advance to preliminary interviews.
For additional guidance and resources on how to tailor your application materials to the job posting, please click https://extension.wisc.edu/careers/.
Contact:
Stuart Henn
stuart.henn@wisc.edu
608-262-2391
Relay Access (WTRS): 7-1-1. See RELAY_SERVICE for further information.
Official Title:
Communications Specialist(CM004)
Department(s):
A47-EXTENSION/YFH/HDR/HUM DEV REL INST
Employment Class:
Academic Staff-Renewable
Job Number:
308325-AS
The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer.
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, or status as a protected veteran and other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies. We promote excellence through diversity and encourage all qualified individuals to apply. For more information regarding applicant and employee rights and to view federal and state required postings,
click hereIf you need to request an accommodation because of a disability, you can find information about how to make a request at the following website:
https://employeedisabilities.wisc.edu/disability-accommodation-information-for-applicants/Employment may require a criminal background check. It may also require you and your references to answer questions regarding sexual violence and sexual harassment.
The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7).
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