Visual Arts Specialist

The Visual Arts Specialist position has a strong graphic design focus and plays a major role in the to College of Agriculture and Environmental Science's communications unit. This position designs and coordinates graphics for projects such as brochures, reports, magazines, posters, invitations, newspapers, newsletters, logos, letterhead, business cards, web pages and other printed materials.

It also creates brand identity materials and standards; helps communicate brand strategy and best practices internally and externally and positions the CAES and its parent, N.C. A&T Sate University, to be highly visible. This is a highly technical position; current knowledge of layout, design, publishing software and graphics design are essential.

Primary Function of Organizational Unit

The Agricultural Communications unit is the primary marketing, branding and outreach arm of N.C. A&T's College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences (CAES). "Ag Comm" is responsible for creating and implementing relevant, responsive, innovative and impactful communications strategies and deliverables for the college's research, academics and Cooperative Extension divisions. The unit includes graphics design, web development, writing, photography and videography specialists.

CAES has a rich history of innovation and application of cutting-edge technology. From our pioneering Laboratory Animal Science and Landscape Architecture programs to our award-winning Cooperative Extension and Agricultural Research programs, our faculty and staff serve today's needs while keeping an eye on the future.

With programs and expertise in such areas as biotechnology, agricultural and biosystems engineering, natural resources management, waste management, and food microbiology, the A&T College of Agriculture grows concurrently with the demand for qualified graduates. Our four academic departments are the Department of Agribusiness, Applied Economics and Agriscience Education; the Department of Animal Sciences; the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences; and the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Design. Within these departments, students will find a myriad of opportunities for classroom learning, research and field work.

Through our Agricultural Research Program and our Cooperative Extension Program, we are able to research issues of importance to North Carolina and also provide research-based outreach training to citizens across the state and around the world.

Work Hours 8 am to 5 pm Monday

• Friday Is this position eligible for a remote or hybrid work arrangement, consistent with university and state policies.

Key Responsibilities and Related Competencies

Required Competency Knowledge

• Technical Duties

Produces graphic materials for print and digital applications for the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences (CAES), including The Cooperative Extension Program. This covers a wide range of skill, from creating digital content, including web and mobile graphics, to designing more complex marketing and educational material, advancing the College and University linked to strategic priorities.

Follows the brand identity for the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences CAES), including The Cooperative Extension Program, that is harmonious with the University's brand. In collaboration with the creative lead and the department director,

ensures that best practices, consistency, responsive design and branding practices and strategies are followed.

Advanced technical expertise in the most recent Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, Acrobat), is required for all tasks. Knowledge of different file types and which types are best for each media are essential.

Advanced technical expertise in the most recent Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Powerpoint and Excel), is necessary for some tasks, such as creating templates for other users without access to Adobe's Creative Suite.

Required Competency Project Management Duties

In consultation with the creative lead and the unit director, manage graphics design work, including initial client meetings, scheduling projects and assignments, consulting with vendors/contractors on timelines, prioritizing conflicting requests and balancing time and resource constraints.

Required Competency Technical Solution Development Duties

Assist and advise the unit director and/or writing and editorial staff, and web master, with planning and assessment of the ongoing needs for the print and production of all deliverables. Establishes, builds and maintains effective working relationships within CAES, and externally, to create and/or implement custom projects.

Maintains knowledge of the latest developments in the industry and higher education best practices. Organizes and maintains physical publication archive as well as the digital archive and backup.

Performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the supervisor.

Required Competency Consulting/Advising Duties

Advises, collaborates and consults with CAES members, including high-level administrators, on planning, developing, constructing and designing visual art and digital materials for education and promotion.

Advises, collaborates and consults with clients in developing and designing a variety of non-standard and complex graphic/media arts. Advises and consults with high-level administrators on visual and graphic arts methods and procedures. Researches, evaluates, assesses, recommends, advises and implements various technology and equipment purchases.