COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST

Institute of Sustainability, Energy, and Environment

Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

The Institute for Sustainability, Energy and Environment (iSEE), http://sustainability.illinois.edu/, at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is seeking a Communications Specialist to provide various communications, public relations, writing, graphic design, audiovisual, and layout needs for print and web-based materials within the Institute of Sustainability, Energy, and Environment, as well as collaborative research efforts.

Primary Position Function:

The Communications Specialist will be responsible for providing assistance to the iSEE Communications & Public Affairs Director, and will have primary responsibility for supporting iSEE and affiliated research centers and projects.

Major Duties & Responsibilities:

CONTENT CREATION/DEVELOPMENT

• Develop and maintain a dynamic, informative, and useful website for iSEE and affiliate centers.
• Assist in various writing capacities. Research, create, and edit content for print and online publication. This includes articles on scientific research and researchers, coverage of events, seminars, and symposia, interviews with faculty, affiliates, and students of all levels, proofing and writing help for grant proposals, and creating press releases on awards, grants, and developments. Edits and proofs work as necessary, in collaboration with iSEE’s Communications & Public Affairs Director.
• Write articles for regional/national newsletters.
• Support internal communications efforts. Write announcements, web content, and other communication pieces.
• Brainstorm creative ideas for event themes, such as workshops and conferences. Formulate key messages and a strategy for marketing those messages.
• Assist in design of specific material, such as single and multi-page brochures, annual reports, publications, large-scale signage, digital signage, and illustrations.
• Capture and edit photographic and video material on research, education/outreach, and campus sustainability efforts.
• Effectively lead social media efforts, such as Facebook and Twitter, to reach current and potential audiences.

EVENT PUBLICITY AND SUPPORT

• Provide comprehensive event support for workshops and annual conference, including print invitations, email invitations, presentation templates, locating needed technologies for presentations, photographs and or video footage of the event, and other event logistics as needed.

EDITING AND WRITING, MISCELLANEOUS

• Plan and draft non-technical sections of research proposals, as well as edit drafts produced by others.
• Write and edit a variety of comprehensive narratives for stylistic consistency according to sponsor requirements.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Required: 

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications/Public Relations, Journalism, English, or another communications related field.
• One year of professional work experience in marketing, public relations, communications, brand management, or a related professional area.

Preferred:

• Experience working in an academic setting. Experience in sustainability, science, and technical writing. Experience in translating the science to a non-scientific audience.

Successful candidates will have:

• Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Excellent verbal communication skills.
• Dependability and ability to take the initiative required.
• Have the ability to work, research, and brainstorm ideas independently -and to multitask.
• Knowledge of media production, including social media platforms and efficiency of use, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods.
• Thorough knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite and MS Office program.
• Qualified applicants must have the ability to handle multiple assignments, work well with a wide variety of constituencies, and collaborate in a team environment.

Salary and Appointment Information:

This is a full-time Civil Service Marketing Associate position appointed on a 12 month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after the close date. Salary is commensurate with experience.

To apply:

Applications must be received by August 8, 2019. Apply for this position using the “Apply for Position” button below. If you have not applied before, you must create your candidate profile at http://jobs.illinois.edu. If you already have a profile, you will be redirected to that existing profile via email notification.

To complete the application process:

Step 1) Submit the Staff Vacancy Application.

Step 2) Submit the Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability forms.

Step 3) Upload your cover letter, resume (months and years of employment must be included), academic credentials (unofficial transcripts or diploma may be acceptable), and names/contact information for three references.

In order to be considered as a transfer candidate, you must apply for this position using the “Apply for Position” button below. Applications not submitted through this website will not be considered.

For further information please contact Erica Hanson, HR Associate, Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research, at elhanson@illinois.edu. For questions about the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.

The University of Illinois conducts criminal background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer.

The University of Illinois is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action employer. Minorities, women, veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. For more information, visit http://go.illinois.edu/EEO.