COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST

Req #: 231089

Department: COMPUTER SCIENCE & ENGINEERING

Posting Date: 03/21/2024

Closing Info: Closes On 04/26/2024

Salary: $6,834 - $7,244 per month

Shift: First Shift

Notes: As a UW employee, you will enjoy generous benefits and work/life programs. For a complete description of our benefits for this position, please visit our website, click here. (https://hr.uw.edu/benefits/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/02/benefits-professional-staff-librarians-academic-staff-20230701_a11y.pdf )

As a UW employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees offer their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills and dedication to build stronger minds and a healthier world.

UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty.

The Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering at the University of Washington educates tomorrow’s innovators, conducts cutting-edge research in core and emerging areas of the field, and leads a broad range of multi-disciplinary initiatives that demonstrate the transformative power of computing. Consistently ranked among the top computer science programs in the nation, the Allen School is widely recognized for its success in promoting diversity and for the impact of its research and teaching across our region and around the globe. The Allen School occupies two spectacular buildings — the Paul G. Allen Center and the adjacent Bill & Melinda Gates Center — located at the heart of the UW campus in Seattle.

The Allen School has an outstanding opportunity for a

Communications Specialist (Public Information Specialist).


The Communications Specialist (Public Information Specialist) will contribute to the Allen School’s continued success through the production of timely, high-quality and compelling content that showcases the academic excellence, research contributions, and service of Allen School faculty and staff. Using a variety of media for a variety of campus and external audiences, this position will expand the quantity and quality of communications in order to increase the visibility and reputation of the school and the University of Washington as leaders in computer science and computer engineering education, research, and entrepreneurship. This position reports to the Director of Communications and Marketing.


For more information on the Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering, visit the Allen School website. (https://www.cs.washington.edu/)

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Content Generation:

• Conceptualize, research, write, and edit content highlighting Allen School research, education and outreach programs, and professional and academic accomplishments of faculty, students and staff using a combination of print and electronic media, including but not limited to blog articles, newsletter articles, social media content, website content, brochure content and promotional mailings.
• Actively solicit story opportunities within the school and manage production from conception to final publication, working collaboratively with school leadership, faculty, students and staff.
• Interview members of the school and manage the review and approval process.
• Seek out new opportunities to feature the people and programs that distinguish the Allen School and UW’s excellence in computer science education, including student and faculty profiles and diversity and outreach efforts.
• In collaboration with the Director of Communications and Marketing, the Web ContentStrategist and various school stakeholders, develop website content that highlights the impact of the school’s education and research missions.
• Edit and proofread your own content as well as the content of others.
• Adhere to media embargoes and maintain confidentiality of source material where required.
• Ensure all content produced adheres to University and Allen School branding and editorial style guidelines.Strategy and Program Development:
• Collaborate with leadership and staff in the Allen School and College of Engineering on the development of communications strategies that support a variety of public relations goals, including student recruitment, donor cultivation and stewardship, and alumni and industry relations.
• In collaboration with the Director of Communications and Marketing, develop and support the use of various communication technologies, including blogs, social media platforms, multimedia, and other technologies as appropriate to support strategic public relations goals and engage internal and external audiences.
• Use analytics tools to recommend and implement strategies that expand audience engagement for school-generated content.
• Provide strategic communications support using a variety of traditional and social media tools around major school announcements and milestones.Media Relations:
• Coordinate with the UW News Office to promote coverage of research, awards, and school milestones via university channels and in local and national media.
• Facilitate interview and visual asset requests between media outlets and researchers.
• Assist in the tracking and reporting of media coverage.
• Cultivate and maintain positive working relationships with local technology and higher education reporters.Administration and Project Management:
• Collaborate with the Director of Communications and Marketing on the development of an editorial calendar and editorial processes to ensure the school’s marketing and communications needs are being met, periodically evaluating and refining as needed.
• Create, organize and maintain school creative assets, including logos, templates, and photography.
• Assist the Web Content Strategist with routine updates to website content as needed.
• Collaborate with Allen School staff to ensure adequate communications/public relations coverage at school events.
• Attend communications and marketing meetings and events on campus to stay connected with the broader University communications and marketing community and ensure alignment of Allen School public relations efforts. MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
• Bachelor’s degree in English, Communications, Journalism, Marketing or related field and at least three years of writing and editing experience in Communications, Marketing, Journalism, Copywriting, or related field. Equivalent combination of education and experience from which comparable knowledge and skills have been acquired may substitute for the degree requirement. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
• Portfolio that demonstrates conceptual and copywriting skills, including the ability to edit your own work as well as have your work edited by others.
• Portfolio that demonstrates familiarity with science, engineering and technology-related topics along with the ability to translate complex concepts to appeal to a variety of audiences.
• Proficiency with Google Workspace, Microsoft Office and Adobe Creative Suite (particularly Acrobat and Photoshop).
• Experience working in WordPress, Drupal and/or other web content management systems.
• Experience writing for web, social media, and other media.
• Experience pitching story ideas and maintaining relationships with reporters and editors.
• Must be able to work in a team environment as well as independently, exercising sound judgment with minimal supervision while effectively collaborating with peers and supervisors.
• Must be flexible, organized, and able to work well under deadline pressure.
• Must possess strong attention to detail.
• Exhibit an awareness of and commitment to the goal of advancing diversity, equity, inclusion and access (DEIA).
• Must be willing and able to learn and use new software as required. DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
• Familiarity with AP style and UW brand guidelines a plus.
• Knowledge of Adobe InDesign and Illustrator a plus.
• Knowledge of photography and experience working with photographers desirable.
• Experience working in a higher education setting desirable.
• Prior experience writing specifically about computing-related topics desirable.
• Familiarity with the local technology community desirable.
• Experience working in a higher education setting highly desirable. CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
• Ability to work a flexible schedule when needed, to support occasional events outside of traditional business hours or deadlines that require extra work.
• Writing samples may be requested of applicants Application Process: The application process may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process. These assessments may include Work Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others. Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select “Apply to this position”. Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment, you will be prompted to do so the next time you your “My Jobs” page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are access ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.
  
  

University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, among other things, race, religion, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.