Digital Communications Specialist

Job Posting Title:

Digital Communications Specialist

Hiring Department:

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Position Open To:

All Applicants

Weekly Scheduled Hours:

40

FLSA Status:

Exempt

Earliest Start Date:

May 01, 2024

Position Duration:

Expected to Continue

Location:

JOHNSON WILDFLOWER CENTER

Job Details:

General Notes

The University of Texas at Austin Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is committed to inspiring the conservation of native plants through its public botanic garden and its education, research and outreach programs. Founded by Lady Bird Johnson and Helen Hayes in 1982, the Wildflower Center is the state botanic garden, a community gem, and a national leader in the field of native plant education, sustainable landscapes, land restoration and research. It is home to the largest living collection of Texas native plants in the state, welcomes 240,000 visitors annually, has 16,000 members and reaches more than 2 million people through its website. The Center is focused on improving landscapes, promoting biodiversity, and connecting people with our environment.

The Wildflower Center believes that the "environment is where we all meet," as Lady Bird Johnson once wisely said. We are a community of people that care for each other, our land and our broader community.

Benefits-eligible Wildflower Center staff members enjoy the robust health, time off and leave, and retirement benefits of The University of Texas at Austin employees. Wildflower Center staff get free parking, a free annual membership, discounts on Center classes and purchases made at the Gift Shop and Gallery and the Wildflower Café, and access to featured events. An inspiring and beautiful work environment with outstanding coworkers awaits you.

Purpose

The University of Texas at Austin Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is seeking a Digital Communications Specialist to propel the Center's mission through better-than-ever digital engagement. This member of the marketing and communications team creates and publishes digital content for the Center's social media channels and website, ensuring content is coordinated, diversified, relevant, and effective in communicating the Center's mission and communications objectives. The Digital Communications Specialist will work as an integral member of the Marketing and Communications team and be available for occasional weekend and evening assignments, with a great deal of flexibility to capture and promote the most engaging content possible.

Job Responsibilities

• Conceptualize, create, and distribute engaging digital content, with a heavy video focus, promoting the impact of horticulture, research, science, conservation, land management, and other relevant stories that convey the Center's purpose and mission. Embrace the ability to switch between video projects requiring lengthy editing and those that may be captured, edited, and published expediently to make maximum impact for the Center.

• Apply strategy to manage, monitor and continue growing the Center's official social media channels, including Instagram, YouTube, X, Facebook, and LinkedIn, keeping them relevant and up to date with engaging content, and continually monitoring social media trends, current events, and looking for ways to enhance and expand the Center's digital reach. Establish benchmarks and metrics for web, social media, e-marketing and digital communications efforts and recommend strategies to extend the reach of those efforts.

• Assist in the management of website content and updates. Utilizes WordPress experience to keep website content relevant, up-to-date, and dynamic, to help propel the Center's mission. Perform ongoing website content audits to ensure consistency of content, messaging, and adherence to brand voice, as well as accuracy and appropriateness of content across digital channels.

• Collaborate with colleagues to develop digital editorial calendar; conceptualize and implement online and marketing programs and campaigns, engaging diverse target audiences.

• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree

• At least 5 years of experience in:

• digital marketing and communications,

• product/program management,

• professional journalist writing experience for digital channels

• managing content on a large website, and

• information architecture, content creation and content strategy.

• At least 3 years of experience directly managing social media channels for a brand or organization.

• Demonstrated ability to create social media posts and content that drive strong engagement and follower retention.

• Ability to use a full-range of storytelling methods, i.e., written text, videos and other visual content. Ability to work collaboratively as a member of a professional team, fulfilling obligations to other team members, being positive and supportive of others, and complying with policies, procedures and goals of the organization.

• A motivated self-starter and proven team-player with the ability to deliver a high level of interactive customer service, develop and maintain collaborative relationships, prioritize efficiently, and proactively solve problems are all required of this position. The ideal candidate must be a creative storyteller, tech savvy and possess excellent communication skills. Familiarity with Windows and Mac operating systems, WordPress website publishing software, and Microsoft Office are required.

• The Digital Communications Specialist must be able to work in a deadline-driven setting, effectively cross-manage multiple projects simultaneously with a great deal of accuracy, high level of quality and keen attention to detail. This position must work well with guests, members, and staff at all levels in a collaborative environment.

• Strong organizational and time management skills.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to effectively interact with guests, vendors, and colleagues.

• Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines without compromising quality of work.

• Reliable, dependable, flexible, and responsive; ability to work outside of normal work schedule as needed.

Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Preferred Qualifications

• Degree in digital communications, marketing or related field

• Experience in a botanical garden, university, or museum setting

• Strong WordPress experience

• Experience with Adobe Creative Suite and video editing software

Driving Required

This job requires a class "C" operator's driver's license. The applicant selected must provide a current three year driving record from the current state of residence. If not currently a Texas resident, a Texas driver's license must be obtained within 30 days of becoming a Texas resident. Employees who are required to have a CDL are subject to drug and alcohol testing (pre-employment, post-accident, reasonable suspicion, random, return-to-duty, and follow-up drug and alcohol testing).

Salary Range

$52,000 + depending on qualifications

Working Conditions

• May work around standard office conditions.

• Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation.

• Ability to work outside in all types of weather including extreme temperatures.

• Evening and weekend work will sometimes be required for events.

Work Shift

• Monday through Friday, 8:00 am-5:00 pm

• Evening and weekend work will occasionally be required for events.

Required Materials

• Resume/CV

• 3 work references with their contact information including email address; at least one reference should be from a supervisor.

• Letter of interest

Important for applicants who are NOT current university employees or contingent workers: You will be prompted to submit your resume the first time you apply, then you will be provided an option to upload a new Resume for subsequent applications. Any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) will be uploaded in the Application Questions section; you will be able to multi-select additional files. Before submitting your online job application, ensure that ALL Required Materials have been uploaded. Once your job application has been submitted, you cannot make changes.

Important for Current university employees and contingent workers: As a current university employee or contingent worker, you MUST apply within Workday by searching for Find UT Jobs. If you are a current University employee, log-in to Workday, navigate to your Worker Profile, click the Career link in the left hand navigation menu and then update the sections in your Professional Profile before you apply. This information will be pulled into your application. The application is one page and you will be prompted to upload your resume. In addition, you must respond to the application questions presented to upload any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) that were noted above.

Employment Eligibility:

Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University-Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion/transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval.

Retirement Plan Eligibility:

The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

Background Checks:

A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

Pay Transparency:

The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information.

Employment Eligibility Verification:

If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form. You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.

E-Verify:

The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university's company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following:

• E-Verify Poster (English) [PDF]
• E-Verify Poster (Spanish) [PDF]
• Right To Work Poster (English) [PDF]
• Right To Work Poster (Spanish) [PDF]

Compliance:

Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). If this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031.

The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.