ND Epscor Communications Specialist

Description & Details:

ND EPSCoR develops, implements, funds, and manages several statewide programs and activities and administers several federal awards in support of its mission to broaden and diversify North Dakota's STEM workforce pathways, support and grow statewide STEM research capacity and competitiveness, and inform and communicate science to ND stakeholders. ND EPSCoR provides leadership and coordination to broaden and diversify North Dakota's science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) workforce pathway from elementary through graduate school; supports and grows statewide STEM research efforts and competitiveness at participating institutions of higher education; and conveys the impact of STEM research, outreach, and workforce efforts to North Dakota stakeholders.

The Communication Coordinator undertakes a variety of communications, reporting, and writing-related tasks to advance key scientific, education, and outreach messages from participating institutions and effectively disseminate those messages to our various audiences (including scientific and education partnerships, other stakeholders and the citizens of ND) through integrated communication efforts. Included in these efforts are developing and executing integrated communication strategies and tactics; and writing and producing high-quality content that advances key messages across a variety of platforms, including print, web, video, and social media.

The Communication Coordinator will have communication and outreach duties that include:

• Create and execute communication and marketing strategies for programs, events, and activities for ND EPSCoR

• Plan and manage the design, content, and production of all social media campaigns, digital communication, presentation templates and marketing materials - including managing the ND EPSCoR's website

• Create press releases, press kits, newsletters, and related materials

• Develop promotional strategies to enhance brand awareness.

• Define and track measures of success for communication campaigns and channels

• Create and execute internal communications protocols to foster clear communication among faculty, staff, and students

• Coordinate with faculty to communicate research activity and findings to the public through diverse products:

• generating editing content for internal publications and other publications

• helping with arranging various media appearances

• editing content for external publications to engage stakeholders

• Develop relationships with media relations and other communications professionals at all participating institutions

• Ensure compliance of communications activities with University policies

• Engage with researchers, staff, and external stakeholders in the production of technical reports and technical presentations, including desktop publishing and creation/editing of visual presentation materials

• Produce monthly newsletters and an annual report for ND EPSCoR stakeholders

• Assist with event planning and operations

• Build networks with communication professionals across institutions of higher education in North Dakota and other EPSCoR jurisdictions

• Coordinate communications activities with relevant communications professionals and educational institutions participating in ND EPSCoR

• Other duties, as assigned

Work Schedule:

Full-time, 12 months. Monday-Friday 8am-5pm [academic year]; 7:30am-4pm [academic breaks and summer]

Advertised Salary:

Commensurate with experience

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent number of university course credits in Strategic Communication or Communication-related field

• 1 or more years working in a communication or related field

• Driver's License for statewide travel. Currently, 11 campuses participate in ND EPSCoR

• Ability to communicate complex ideas to diverse audiences in writing

• Experience with graphic design principles to build effective and visually interesting reports, graphics, infographics, and other written/web-based material

• Ability to build, update and maintain a professional website

• Ability to establish and maintain appropriate general audience messaging through multiple social media platforms

• Knowledge of science and communications theory and applications research

• Ability to provide advice and guidance in technical areas including writing, graphics, and website design

• Proficiency with software programs such as Microsoft Office Suite and Adobe Creative Suite or equivalent

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Strategic Communication

• 2-3 years working in communication or a related field

• Demonstrated experience

• representing an organization to the public or/and media

• creating and managing media content in a scientific or higher education setting

• with photography or videography

• Knowledge of, and experience with, the NSF EPSCoR Program

Applicant Materials Required:

• Resume

• Letter of application describing your relevant training and experiences applicable to the minimum and preferred qualifications listed in the job posting

• Names and telephone numbers of three professional references in a separate document attached as "Other Document 1"

Benefits:

NDSU offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes single or family health insurance coverage with premiums paid for by the university - with an effective date for new employees the first of the month following date of hire. Other benefits include: wellness benefits, basic life insurance, retirement plan, tuition waiver, annual leave, EAP, sick leave and holiday pay. Optional benefits include: supplemental life, dental, vision, long-term care insurance, flexible spending account, and supplemental retirement plans.

About Us:

North Dakota State University is distinctive as a student focused, land-grant, research university. We educate leaders who solve national and global challenges by providing affordable access to an excellent education that combines teaching and research in a rich learning environment.

NDSU is in the highest Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, R1, granted to the top research institutions in the country.

NDSU has offices across the state of North Dakota, and the main campus is in Fargo, on the Minnesota border. Along with Moorhead, Minnesota, Fargo forms one of the largest metropolitan centers between Minneapolis and Seattle. The community is consistently ranked as one of the best places to live.

No Smoking Notice:

As an employer, the State of North Dakota prohibits smoking in all places of state employment in accordance with N.D.C.C. § 23-12-10.

EO/AA Statement:

North Dakota State University is an Equal Opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, gender expression/identity, genetic information, marital status, national origin, participation in lawful off-campus activity, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, public assistance status, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, spousal relationship to current employee, or veteran status, as applicable.

Diversity Statement:

NDSU strives to be a community of belonging, recognizing unique differences as strengths of our university. We seek to recruit and retain a diverse workforce that supports a community in which diverse populations and perspectives will know and learn from one another. NDSU values candidates who are committed to our core values of respect, inclusivity, community, creativity, excellence, impact, innovation, integrity, resilience, responsiveness, and transformation. Successful candidates will be committed to and help advance our strategic goal to create and maintain an open and respectful environment to promote inclusivity and diversity as a cornerstone of education, research, and outreach.

Veteran's Preference Notice:

This position is subject to North Dakota Veteran's Preference requirements.

Reasonable Accommodation Information:

North Dakota State University is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education, and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process, please contact Human Resources at 701-231-8961 or ndsu.hr@ndsu.edu.