Community Development Institute Communications Specialist

Job Summary:
About the Division of Extension:
As a statewide engagement arm of UW-Madison, the Division of Extension embodies the Wisconsin Idea to extend university knowledge to every corner of the state. Our statewide network of educators and specialists is responding every day to emerging and longstanding hurdles residents are overcoming to compete and prosper.

Extension Vision: A thriving, well-known and sought-out educational resources that reflects the rich diversity of the state

Extension Purpose: We Teach, Learn, Lead, and Serve, connecting people with the university of Wisconsin-Madison, and engaging with them in transforming lives and communities

Extension Values: We strive to live by the values of Community, Discovery, Inclusiveness, Relationships, and Respect. (https://extension.wisc.edu/files/2023/01/PurposeVisionValues.pdf).

About the Community Development Institute: The Extension Institute of Community Development provides educational programming to assist leaders, communities, and organizations realize their fullest potential. We work with communities to build the vitality that enhances their quality of life and enriches the lives of their residents. We educate in leadership development, organizational development, food systems, community economic development, local government education and much more. In short, the Community Development Institute plants and cultivates the seeds for thriving communities and organizations. (https://extension.wisc.edu/community-development/).

This position works with Community Development Institute leadership to develop and execute Institute and Program-level communications plans and strategies. The position generates original website and communications content (articles and annual reports for a general audience), and adapts content (journal articles, program reports, and other sources) to online and print formats for wider audiences. The position assists with overall planning for website maintenance, expansion, and reorganization, keeps current on digital trends, and engages in forward thinking about upcoming content needs. The position provides guidance on and helps implement social media marketing and targeted email campaigns. The position provides basic graphic design and layout support as needed or coordinates these services through Extension's Communications Office.

The Division of Extension has a deep and profound commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equity, believing that these values are foundational elements to eliminate disparities and expanding access for all. As Extension, we acknowledge the need for strategic and coordinated actions that help us form a more equitable, anti-racist, non-biased, and inclusive organization. (https://blogs.extension.wisc.edu/oaic/call-to-action/). As such, all Extension employees are expected to foster and promote the values of diversity and inclusion.
Responsibilities: Develops and drafts communication content and assists in the execution of the communications strategy in support of unit communication goals.

• 15% Monitors reach and effectiveness of communication campaigns, projects, and initiatives
• 10% Plans editorial content according to established goals and objects
• 10% Communicates with stakeholders to verify requests and identify editorial resources
• 25% Writes, edits, and publishes content for various communication projects and marketing platforms to align with strategic initiatives and established communication campaigns
• 20% Provides project management and execution of communications programs, initiatives, and tactical plans
• 10% Web content development: Provides CDI website maintenance, expansion, and reorganization; Reviews, edits, produces content for online presence; Gathers website content from internal and external partners, and performs content updates
• 10% Graphic Design: Provide and/or coordinate basic design and layout support for CDI publications

Institutional Statement on Diversity:
Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background - people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.

For more information on diversity and inclusion on campus, please visit: Diversity and Inclusion
Education:
Preferred
Bachelor's Degree
Preferred focus in communications, marketing, journalism, or related field OR equivalent level of experience in communications, marketing, or a related field.
Qualifications:
Required:
-3 or more years of relevant communications experience including print, website, and social media content
-Experience managing and/or directing a comprehensive communications strategy
-Demonstrated exemplary oral and written communication skills
-Proven understanding of emerging communication technologies and channels including blogs, social networking sites, and other new media and a vision for using them strategically
-Excellent organizational skills, with a proven track record of effectively managing multiple simultaneous projects and deadlines

Preferred:
-Experience and/or familiarity with working in a decentralized organizational structure
-Demonstrated success interacting with local and regional media
-Experience with developing new and/or maintaining websites with a focus on content, layout, digital accessibility and overall user experience
-Familiarity with content generation, analytics tracking, and audience building in social media
-Experience with web content management systems, e-mail marketing software, graphics software and/or social media platforms/management tools
-Graphic design skills
Work Type:
Full Time: 100%

This position may require some work to be performed in-person, onsite, at a designated campus work location. Some work may be performed remotely, at an offsite, non-campus work location.
Appointment Type, Duration:
Ongoing/Renewable
Salary:
Minimum $63,000 ANNUAL (12 months)
Depending on Qualifications
Employees in this position can expect to receive benefits such as generous vacation, holidays, and paid time off; competitive insurances and savings accounts; retirement benefits. Benefits information can be found at (https://hr.wisc.edu/benefits/).
Additional Information:
Please note that successful applicants are responsible for ensuring their eligibility to work in the United States (i.e. a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without need of employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of appointment.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison has a remote work policy that offers the potential for remote or hybrid work. More about that policy within the Division of Extension can be found here: https://kb.wisc.edu/extension/113536.
How to Apply:
We are eager to learn more about how your experience and passion may align with this position. To begin the application process, click the "apply now" button. You will be prompted to upload the following documents:
-Resume
-Letter of Qualifications (cover letter)
-3 writing samples

Please submit a cover letter referring to your related work experience and a resume detailing your educational and professional background. Your cover letter should communicate your interest in the position and how your skillset aligns with the role. The application reviewers will be relying on written application materials to determine who may advance to preliminary interviews.

For additional guidance and resources on how to tailor your application materials to the job posting, please click https://extension.wisc.edu/careers/.
Contact:
Lindsey Farnsworth
lindsey.day.farnsworth@wisc.edu
608-890-2433
Relay Access (WTRS): 7-1-1. See RELAY_SERVICE for further information.
Official Title:
Communications Specialist(CM004)
Department(s):
A47-EXTENSION/ANRCD/COMM/COMM DEV INST
Employment Class:
Academic Staff-Renewable
Job Number:
304391-AS