Communications Support Specialist Non-Exempt Temporary or Casual

Position Overview

The Center for Applied Research and Educational Improvement (CAREI) within the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities is seeking a highly motivated, focused, and results-oriented communications specialist. This position is a part-time, hourly, casual appointment, meaning the employee can work 14 or fewer hours per week.

The Communications Support Specialist will play a critical role in ensuring the professional presentation and quality of our products and services deliverables. This individual is responsible for editing, formatting, and packaging a variety of documents, reports, and other deliverables to meet organizational standards and client expectations. The specialist will work closely with CAREI teams to ensure that all materials are clear, consistent, and professionally presented.

The University of Minnesota encourages a healthy work life balance for employees. CEHD is committed to an excellent employee experience, offering a flexible work environment that meets the needs of students, staff, faculty, and the communities we serve. Flexible work arrangements may include flexibility in schedule and/or work location. Please note that 100% remote work requires approval prior to offer.

Job Responsibilities

Writing, Editing, Formatting, Packaging (60%)

• Review and refine written content for accuracy, clarity, grammar, and adherence to organizational style guides. Ensure that all documents are free from errors and meet high-quality standards.
• Apply consistent formatting across all documents and deliverables, including reports, rubrics, and other materials.
• Ensure that all content is aligned with organizational branding and style guidelines.
• Prepare and assemble final deliverables for distribution, ensuring that all components are complete, properly formatted, and presented in a professional manner.

Mass Email Support (20%)

• Format newsletters and announcement email messages in Salesforce Marketing Cloud in accordance with CAREI editorial calendars.
• Distribute mass messages sent out to various CAREI listservs and audiences.

Website Maintenance (15%)

• Update web content upon request on CAREI-affiliated public websites and intranet websites.

Graphic Design Support (5%)

• Develop promotional materials in systems such as Canva and/or Adobe Creative Cloud software for events, project reports, and research initiatives that utilize CEHD/UMN branding and templates.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• BA/BS degree with relevant or transferrable work experience in communications, business administration, project management or a related field, or a combination of related education and work experience to equal at least four years.
• Proven experience in editing, formatting, and document preparation, preferably in a professional services or program management environment.
• Strong attention to detail and a commitment to quality.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and other relevant software or cloud tools.
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
• Strong communication and ability to collaborative effectively with people from a variety of communities, backgrounds, and identities.
• Demonstrated commitment to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion in practice.

Preferred Qualifications

• Related employment experience in higher education or an organization with a complex structure.
• Experience with an email marketing platform and/or customer relationship management (CRM) technology (MailChimp, Salesforce, Constant Contact, etc.).
• Experience with website content management systems (Google Sites, Wordpress, Drupal) and/or HTML.
• Experience with Canva and/or Adobe Creative Cloud software.

About the Department

Department Overview

The Center for Applied Research and Educational Improvement (CAREI) is a well-established college-wide center that serves as the link between research and practice in Minnesota schools PreK-16 and other agencies interested in applied educational and social science research. CAREI's mission is to maximize wellbeing in schools, families, and communities.

Our vision is to become the premier hub for making research accessible and actionable to ensure equitable outcomes.

College Overview

The College of Education and Human Development (CEHD), the third largest college and the University, contributes to a just and sustainable future through engagement with the local and global communities to enhance human learning and development at all stages of the life span. We know diversity is necessary to do our best work and foster our humanity. That's why the CEHD community is collectively dedicated to cultivating an inclusive and equitable environment, embracing and celebrating all identities of our students, staff, and faculty. These values are also a moral imperative requiring continuous proactive measures and a firm stance against prejudice, discrimination, and systemic injustice. https://cehd.umn.edu

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 have the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a 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 employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

Diversity

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

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

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

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).