Grant communication associate
Location
Duluth, MN | United States
Job description
Job ID: 359703
About the Job The Communication Associate is a full-time (40
hours-per-week) staff position with the University of Minnesota Sea Grant College Program (MNSG) and reports to the MNSG communications
supervisor. The MNSG communication associate will assist the communications manager with the translation of science and research into
user-friendly language for a variety of end users and platforms; federally mandated data collection, tracking, and reporting; media
relations; and event and activity information coordination. The successful candidate must be a detailed-oriented, initiative-taking
wordsmith. Sea Grant is a federal-university water-science program and facts and accuracy are paramount. The successful candidate must
consistently, accurately, and engagingly convey the work of MNSG extension educators and supported scientists into jargon-free lay terms for
a variety of audiences including legislators, resource agency staff, community organizations, university administrators, government
officials, reporters, and formal and informal educators.
Working Location
This position is located at the
University of Minnesota Sea Grant Program offices on the University of Minnesota Duluth campus. There will be occasional-to-regular travel
to MNSG's St. Paul campus offices and occasional travel during non-business hours and days.
Position Duties
Translation
of science and research information (25%)
- Assists the communications manager with the collection and translation of large amounts of
science and research information into user-friendly, non-specialist language for a variety of end users and platforms. Knowledge of and/or
ability to learn and apply Associated Press style. Knowledge of and/or ability to learn and apply industry, university, and federal
accessibility standards.
Public relations (20%)
- Assist the communications manager with public relations activities and
evaluations (e.g., analytics, user surveys, etc.) to include newsletters, social media, and awareness campaigns for MNSG and for MNSG's
participation in the Great Lakes Sea Grant Network and National Sea Grant Network. May include support for news releases, press conferences,
and media advisories.
Data collection, tracking, and reporting (20%)
- Provide support to the communications manager for the
implementation, collection, tracking, and reporting of programwide metrics, measures, and other reporting as required by the program's
federal government oversight agency (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration-National Sea Grant Office). Including submission of
program-developed publications, products, tools, and information service repositories (federal requirement). Support includes creation, use,
and coordination of multiple tracking documents, spreadsheets, and databases as well as staff engagement, training, and
troubleshooting.
Event and activity information coordination (15%)
- Coordination of program event and activity submissions to
include review, translation of scientific information into user-friendly and non-specialist language, distribution to target audiences,
tracking, and reporting. Coordination and maintenance of MNSG communications equipment, materials, and products inventory and check-out
system. May be required to provide on-site support to MNSG staff at events.
Other duties (15%)
- Assists with other duties
including, but not limited to: photo and video metadata and cataloging, participating in program meetings, project meetings, regional and
national Sea Grant committees, conference calls, webinars, etc. Meetings typically require 4 hours per
week.
Professional development (5%)
- Identifies and participates in professional development/educational
opportunities that will demonstrably enhance this position's ability to perform the required duties. This may include technical training in
science communication, community outreach and extension, incorporating and applying accessibility and inclusion in science communication and
work environments, topical training (e.g., watersheds, climate change, stormwater, ballast water, etc.), and National Sea Grant Office
training for reporting (to meet federal requirements).
Qualifications Required
Qualifications
- BA/BS degree or combination of related education and work experience to equal at least four
years.
Preferred Qualifications
- Bachelor of arts or bachelor of science degree in science communication, English,
public relations, or science.
- Evidence of ability to accurately interpret and summarize technical, specialized or complex
information for public understanding.
- Familiarity with and ability to consistently use Associated Press
style.
- Excellent writing, proofreading, fact-checking, and editing skills.
- Two (2) years of post-college experience as
a writer, editor, reporter, communication specialist, multimedia specialist, public relations specialist or similar role in which excellent
writing skills were evident.
- Experience managing at least one social media account.
- Familiarity with and interest in
freshwater topics, particularly the Great Lakes.
- Experience writing about science and research for non-academic
audiences.
- Experience using Adobe Creative Cloud programs (e.g., InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, etc.).
- Experience
using MailChimp (or other CRM platforms), Drupal, WordPress.
Benefits Working at the
University At the University of Minnesota, you'll find a flexible work environment and supportive colleagues who are
interested in lifelong learning. We prioritize work-life balance, allowing you to invest in the future of your career and in your life
outside of work.
The University also offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:
- Competitive wages, paid holidays,
and generous time off
- Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the
Regents Scholarship
- Low-cost medical,
dental, and pharmacy plans
- Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
- University HSA contributions
- Disability and employer-paid life insurance
- Employee wellbeing program
- Excellent retirement plans with employer
contribution
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
- Financial
counseling services
- Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding
benefits.
How To Apply Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this
position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online
application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.
Additional documents may be attached after application by
accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.
To request an
accommodation during the application process, please e-mail
[email protected] or call (612)
624-8647.
Additional Application Instructions In order to be considered for this
position, please attach the following documents to your application:
- A resume or curriculum vitae.
- A cover letter indicating
how your qualifications and experience have prepared you for this position
- Diversity statement
During the interview,
finalists will be given time to complete a writing and/or editing assignment, compose sample social media posts, and write a brief
announcement about an event based on information provided.
Employment Requirements Any offer
of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible
to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.
About the U of
M University of Minnesota, Duluth (UMD) The University of Minnesota, Duluth (UMD)
consistently ranks among the top Midwestern, regional universities in U.S. News and World Report's "America's Best Colleges"
issue.
Overlooking Lake Superior, UMD provides an alternative to both large research and small liberal arts environments and attracts
students looking for a personalized learning experience on a medium-sized campus of a major university. A firm liberal arts
foundation anchors a variety of traditional degree programs, as well as professional and graduate students that draw on UMD's many research
institutes and labs.
At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021,
as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity
(2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).
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