Salary
The annual salary for this position ranges from $45,400 to $62,600. The final offer will be commensurate with the candidate’s relevant experience and qualifications.
Documents Needed to Apply
Required
- Resume
- Cover letter
- References (minimum of three)
- Portfolio or examples of work
Purpose of Position
Provides a broad range of communication support for the School of Social Work (SSW) by documenting student, faculty, alumni, and staff achievements through writing news stories and press releases, as well as editing and designing newsletters, the annual magazine, and other publications including fliers, brochures, pamphlets, and information booklets. Develops print content that directly supports student recruitment, retention, and graduation, institutional advancement, community outreach, alumni initiatives, reputation management, marketing, admissions, special events, and other functions.
Essential Functions
- Responsible for writing news stories, news releases, and feature stories about the achievements, research, activities, events, and other initiatives of students, faculty, alumni, and staff.
- Develops ideas and writes and edits news and feature stories following Associated Press Stylebook writing guidelines and industry journalistic reporting standards.
- Serves as the project lead and editor for SSW’s annual magazine, e-newsletter, and annual research and doctoral publications.
- Develops, creates, designs, and publishes e-newsletters, flyers, brochures, pamphlets, advertising placements, and hard copy annual report publications/magazines, along with other materials for the school.
- Ensures SSW publications are designed, published, and distributed on time.
- Serves as the primary project lead in reviewing and editing, developing written descriptive content for the SSW website.
- Writes clear and concise content for the SSW webpages.
- Ensures that the content on the SSW website is free from grammatical errors and misinformation.
- Regularly monitors and updates written and imagery content for the SSW Web Developer/Web Software Specialist for the school’s website.
- Assists the SSW marketing team in writing and creating engaging content for social media platforms, including taking and posting photos, videos, and other multimedia content.
- Writes speeches, talking points, statements, and other remarks for deans and senior leaders.
- Collaborates with SSW leadership, University Institutional Advancement, University Communications/Media Relations, alumni, and others to enhance SSW's community outreach, engagement, and reputation.
- Keeps the SSW Media Toolkit updated.
- Assists the communications manager and assistant dean with media training for faculty, staff, and students, and identifies and collaborates with University Communications to connect faculty with various media outlets, journalists, professional publications, and social work-related blogs for interviews.
- Monitors media and news coverage of the SSW and social work-related issues, providing regular reports and updates to the supervisor.
- Supports media relations operations, crisis communications, planning, and both internal and external communications.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in print journalism, digital journalism, communication, public relations, or a related field, and two (2) years of experience in public relations, communication, writing/editing, or a related field, or six (6) years of an equivalent combination for education and experience.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience using email-marketing software, Adobe Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop, Premiere Pro and audio/visual editing equipment and software.
- A demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with others to effectively complete communication and marketing projects on time.
- Experience as an editor, co-editor, publisher and writer for a publication, journal or periodical.
- Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
- In addition, experience in a higher education environment and interpreting complex academic research to write engaging news and feature stories.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
- Knowledge of journalistic writing, editing, reporting, AP Style, communications, public relations, media relations, marketing, and reputation management practices.
- Ability to write, edit, and develop clear, accurate, and engaging news stories, feature articles, press releases, speeches, talking points, and other communications materials.
- Ability to create and manage content for websites, blogs, e-newsletters, magazines, social media, and other digital or print communication channels.
- Proficiency with desktop publishing, graphic design, email marketing, video editing, photo editing, web-based communication tools, and Microsoft Office applications.
- Ability to manage multiple projects, prioritize work, meet deadlines, and maintain accuracy and attention to detail.
- Strong organizational, analytical, critical-thinking, problem-solving, and judgment skills.
- Ability to support media inquiries, media relations, media training, crisis communications, and internal and external communications.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively with faculty, staff, students, alumni, leadership, and external partners while maintaining professionalism, confidentiality, and responsiveness.
Work Schedule
- Monday through Friday; 8:00am through 5:00pm.
- Requires occasional evening or weekend hours.
Working Conditions
- May work around standard office conditions.
- Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation.
- Position may be designated security-sensitive based on job duties or location.
Benefits Information
Position is benefit eligible: Yes
We are proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package to our employees at the University.
https://www.uta.edu/hr/employee-benefits
PreEmployment Background Check
It is the policy of The University of Texas at Arlington to conduct a pre employment background check on any applicant who is under final consideration for employment with the University.
This position may have access to critical infrastructure as defined by Section 113.001(2) of the Texas Business and Commerce Code. If so, to be hired for and continue to be employed in this position you must maintain the security or integrity of the infrastructure as set forth in Texas Executive Order GA 48. By assuming this position, and if you have access to critical infrastructure, you authorize the University to conduct routine background checks.
University Information
The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) is located in the heart of the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metroplex, a vibrant and diverse metropolitan area that is home to over 7 million people, one of the fastest-growing tech economies in the United States, and a wide array of arts, entertainment, and cultural activities. As a comprehensive teaching, research, and public service institution, UTA is dedicated to the advancement of knowledge through scholarship and creative work. With an enrollment of more than 42,000 students, UTA is the second largest in the University of Texas System. As a result of its combination of rigorous academics and innovative research, UTA is designated as a Carnegie R-1 “Very High Research Activity” institution and nationally recognized for its commitment to student success and service. It ranks No. 5 in Military Times’ “Best for Vets: Colleges” and is the top university in North Texas for its graduates’ salaries (The Wall Street Journal). UTA is designated as both a Hispanic-Serving Institution and an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution and is No. 6 for undergraduate ethnic diversity in the United States (U.S. News & World Report, 2023). With a global alumni network of approximately 280,000 – including leaders at many of the 24 Fortune 500 companies headquartered in North Texas – UTA contributes an estimated $29 billion annually to the Texas economy.
UTA is expanding its regional footprint by building a regional campus, called UTA West, in Parker County on the far west side of Fort Worth. It is scheduled to open in fall 2028. This initiative aligns with the university’s strategic growth and commitment to serving the broader community.
This is an exciting time to join UTA and contribute to its bold vision for the future.
EEO Statement
It is the policy of The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA or The University) to provide an educational and working environment that provides equal opportunity to all members of the University community. In accordance with federal and state law, the University prohibits unlawful discrimination, including harassment, on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, disability, genetic information, and/or veteran status. The University also prohibits discrimination on the basis of gender identity, and gender expression. Retaliation against persons who oppose a discriminatory practice, file a charge of discrimination, or testify for, assist in, or participate in an investigative proceeding relating to discrimination is prohibited. Constitutionally-protected expression will not be considered discrimination or harassment under this policy. It is the responsibility of all departments, employees, and students to ensure the University’s compliance with this policy.
ADA Accommodations
The University of Texas at Arlington is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to 817-272-5554 or email ADADocs@uta.edu .
