We're Hiring!

Position Function:

Looking for a communication role where your work truly matters? Join the National Research & Training Center on Blindness & Low Vision (NRTC) at Mississippi State University as a Communications Specialist and help promote innovative research, training, and products that support people who are blind or have low vision across the country. The position's primary purpose is to coordinate NRTC communications and marketing efforts, including promoting center activities, research results, products, training, and technical assistance opportunities to a national audience.

Salary Grade:  14

Please see Staff Compensation Structure or Skilled Crafts and Service Maintenance Compensation Schedule for salary ranges.  For salary grade UC, these positions are "Unclassified" and salary ranges are determined by the hiring department.

Department Profile:

https://www.blind.msstate.edu

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

The following duties will be completed in collaboration with NRTC team members.

1. Create quarterly newsletters and monthly newsletter briefs, which include soliciting story ideas, developing the items, and disseminating the final products via an email marketing platform.
2. Prepare center products for public dissemination, which involves editing, formatting, adding graphics as needed, and completing accessibility checks.
3. Manage strategic dissemination of NRTC products and activities through social media, listservs, an email marketing platform, and other outlets, and evaluate the effectiveness of dissemination strategies.
4. Produce a 12-episode podcast series, in collaboration with NRTC researchers.
5. Design, order, and distribute promotional products for the NRTC, including brochures, flyers, videos, business cards, and other requested items.
6. Design and maintain templates and style guidelines for newsletters, social media, presentations, and promotional materials.
7. Provide leadership and support for various events, including virtual webinars, live presentations, exhibit booths, outreach events, and conferences, which may include serving as a representative for the NRTC at these events.
8. Maintain a shared content calendar to coordinate newsletters, social media, website updates, and event promotions.
9. Document all NRTC activities and products to facilitate reporting to funding agencies, including gathering information needed for quarterly and annual reports.
10. Create and edit videos.
11. Maintain a relationship with the MSU Office of Public Affairs and COE to adhere to branding standards, communicate relevant news items, and promote NRTC work.
12. Work closely with the other communication specialist, assisting with their primary assignments as needed, including:
a. Managing NRTC websites
b. Preparing courses to be posted online, posting courses, and providing assistance to course users as needed.
c. Managing social media accounts, including assisting with content, creating graphics, taking pictures, and connecting with followers.
13. Perform related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree in Communication, Marketing, Journalism, English or related field or equivalent education and/or work experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

Two years of related work experience

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies. 
• Skill in organizing resources and establishing priorities.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Ability to appropriately edit the content, structure, and format of a range of written material.
• Skill in using Adobe Premiere Pro, Canva, and Microsoft Office.
• Ability to develop clear, concise summaries of products and publications for website posting.
• Ability to plan and coordinate projects and events.
• Knowledge of media production and publishing principles and processes.
• Knowledge of communication principles, media, and public relations techniques.

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

No unusual physical requirements. Requires no heavy lifting, and nearly all work is performed in a comfortable indoor facility.

Routine deadlines; usually sufficient lead time; variance in work volume seasonal and predictable; priorities can be anticipated; some interruptions are present; involves occasional exposure to demands and pressures from persons other than the immediate supervisor.

The job frequently requires sitting, talking, hearing, and handling objects with the hands.

Instructions for Applying:

Link to apply:  http://explore.msujobs.msstate.edu/

Please follow both steps for applying for the position. Email your letter of application, resume or curriculum vitae, and names and contact information for at least three references to nrtcjobs@colled.msstate.edu. Additionally, apply through the university's job website at: https://explore.msujobs.msstate.edu, PARF Number 510981 (job title – Communications Specialist). For more information about our center, view the NRTC website at https://blind.msstate.edu.

Restricted Clause:

Position is contingent upon continued availability of funding.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

Mississippi State University is an equal opportunity institution. Discrimination is prohibited in university employment, programs or activities based on race, color, ethnicity, sex, pregnancy, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, or any other status to the extent protected by applicable law. Questions about equal opportunity programs or compliance should be directed to the Office of Civil Rights Compliance, 231 Famous Maroon Band Street, P.O. 6044, Mississippi State, MS 39762, (662) 325-5839.

What do I do if I need an accommodation?

In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act (ADA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position with Mississippi State University, please contact the Department of Human Resources Management at tel: (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu.

If you have any questions regarding this policy, contact the Department of Human Resources Management at (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu. Upon request, sections of this job listing are available in large print, and readers are available to assist the visually impaired.