Strategic Content Specialist - Prairie Research Institute

Prairie Research Institute

Illinois is a world leader in research, teaching, and public engagement. We serve the state, the nation, and the world by creating knowledge, preparing students for lives of impact, and addressing critical societal needs through the transfer and application of knowledge. Illinois is the place where we embrace difference. We embrace it because we value it. Illinois is especially interested in candidates who can contribute, through their research, teaching, and/or service, to the diversity and excellence of the Illinois community.

The Prairie Research Institute (PRI), a research and service institute of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign centrally located between Chicago, St. Louis, and Indianapolis, houses five large scientific surveys covering a wide range of expertise including biology, water resources, climate, geology, sustainable technology, and archaeology. PRI’s mission is to provide objective, integrated scientific research and service that allow citizens and decision-makers to make choices that ensure sustainable economic development, enduring environmental quality, and cultural resource preservation for the people, businesses, and governments of Illinois. Learn more at go.illinois.edu/PRIjobs.

PRI is seeking to hire a Strategic Content Specialist (focus on writing) to conceptualize, research, and produce communication products to effectively reach PRI's internal and external stakeholders/audiences.

Job Summary

Conceptualize, research, and produce communication products to effectively reach PRI's internal and external stakeholders/audiences.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Scientific Communication
  
  • In collaboration with strategic communication team, identify internal and external communication needs and develop strategic communication projects to address these needs.
  • Write news releases, web content, and other marketing and communications materials that communicate key PRI messages and that advance relationships with PRI stakeholders, including internal audiences, the campus community, policymakers, donors and potential donors, and funding agencies.
• Strategic Communication
  
  • Create social media campaigns, schedules, graphics, and posts and monitor social media engagement.
  • Create illustrations and infographics.
  • Analyze and measure effectiveness and impact of communication efforts.
• Other
  
  • Perform other duties as needed in order to further the mission and goals of PRI.
  • Keep abreast of developments in strategic communication, advancement, social media, design, social media, and other relevant areas.

Additional Physical Demands

The work of this position takes place in an office setting. The work is sedentary and involves remaining in a stationary position for extended periods of time working at a computer, using a keyboard and mouse, and using repetitive hand motions.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, business administration, communications, public relations, or a closely related field.
• Three (3) years of professional work experience in marketing, public relations, communications, brand management, managing social media for an organization, or a related professional area.
• Demonstrated experience writing articles, social media posts, press releases, etc.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in a university or non-profit setting.
• Experience writing about archaeology, geology, sustainability, and/or the natural world, or other scientific topics.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrated ability to perform effectively in a diverse and fast-paced work environment consisting of multiple and changing priorities with stringent deadlines, under minimal supervision.
• Attention to detail, sound judgment, and strong conflict resolution skills.
• Proficiency in commonly-employed software and databases.
• Effective communication, personal relations, collaboration, organizational, teamwork, and leadership skills.

Appointment Information

This is a 100% full-time Civil Service 5004 - Marketing Associate position, appointed on a 12-month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after 5/16/2023. Salary is commensurate with experience.

For more information on Civil Service classifications, please visit the SUCSS web site at https://www.sucss.illinois.gov/pages/classspec/default.aspx.

Application Procedures & Deadline Information

Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (CST) on June 11, 2023. Apply for this position using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting. In order to be considered as a transfer candidate, you must apply for this position. Applications not submitted through https://jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered. If required by the position, transcripts or other documentation of credentials are to be provided no later than the first day of employment. For further information about this specific position, please contact Megan Weeks (mkweeks@illinois.edu). For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, COVID-19 vaccination requirement, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.

Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodations portal, or by contacting the Accessibility & Accommodations Division of the Office for Access and Equity at 217-333-0885, or by emailing accessibility@illinois.edu.

Requisition ID: 1017242
Job Category: Administrative
Apply at: https://jobs.illinois.edu