Communications Specialist

Colorado State University, United States

Updated: almost 2 years ago
Location: Fort Collins, COLORADO
Deadline: 30 May 2022

Posting Details
Posting Detail Information


Working Title Communications Specialist
Position Location Fort Collins, CO
Research Professional Position No
Posting Number 202200688AP
Position Type Admin Professional/ Research Professional
Classification Title Prof/Indiv Contrib I
Number of Vacancies
Work Hours/Week 40
Proposed Annual Salary Range $50,000 - $60,000
Employee Benefits
Colorado State University (CSU) is committed to providing employees with a strong and competitive benefits package that supports you, your health, and your family. Visit CSU’s Human Resources website for detailed benefit plan information for permanent full-time and part-time faculty and administrative professional employees in the following University benefit areas: https://hr.colostate.edu/hr-community-and-supervisors/benefits/benefits-eligibility/ & https://hr.colostate.edu/prospective-employees/our-perks/ .
Desired Start Date 07/01/2022
Position End Date (if temporary)
To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by 11:59pm (MT) on 05/30/2022
Description of Work Unit
As one of the nation’s top public research universities, Colorado State University (CSU) in Fort Collins, Colorado, is a land-grant institution, with enrollment of more than 33,000 students. CSU offers 76 undergraduate degree programs, 114 graduate degree programs, 21 professional master’s degree programs, and a Professional Veterinary Medicine program. CSU’s world-class research and scholarship attract more than $400 million in research funding annually, putting the university among top federally funded public universities without a medical school. Colorado’s Front Range is a high-tech hub with companies such as Woodward, Hewlett-Packard Enterprise, IBM, Intel, Keysight Technologies, Broadcomm, AMD, Xilinx, Ball Aerospace, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, and Northrop Grumman located in or near Fort Collins.
Fort Collins is an attractive community of approximately 170,000 located along the Colorado Front Range at the base of the Rocky Mountains, 65 miles north of Denver. The city is routinely recognized as one of the most desirable places to live in the United States. It consistently ranks high on quality of life measures by numerous publications; see https://www .fcgov.com/visitor/awards for the complete list. The city offers a pleasant climate with excellent schools and abundant cultural and recreational opportunities nearby. For more information on Fort Collins, check out the City’s website: www.visitftcollins.com.
The Department of Mechanical Engineering (ME) at CSU offers a curriculum that integrates exceptional classroom learning and in-depth engineering practice for an unparalleled educational experience. Made up of 43 faculty members, 10 staff members, 1,000 undergraduate students, and 125 graduate students, ME is one of the largest departments on CSU’s campus. State-of-the-art labs provide unmatched, hands-on experience to help undergraduate students conceptualize industry environments, and $11M in annual research funding provide groundbreaking opportunities focusing on health, materials, and energy, for graduate students to enhance their educational concentrations. Award-winning faculty offer industry and academic perspective, and equip each graduate with the tools needed to obtain leading positions in advanced technology fields. The Mechanical Engineering program at CSU includes majors in both Mechanical Engineering and Biomedical Engineering-Mechanical Engineering; both curriculum combine classroom learning with engineering practice. The department recently added specialties for Aerospace Engineering and Advanced Manufacturing, offering undergraduate concentrations, a graduate certificate, a Master of Engineering (M.E.) with specialization, and a Master of Science (M.S.) with a specialized master’s thesis. Our goal is to give our graduates the engineering skills they need to obtain leading positions in advanced technology fields. Our students are integral members of our research groups and their thesis and dissertation topics focus on cutting-edge research. Further information about the Department can be found at www.engr.colostate.edu/me/.
Position Summary
The individual in this position will have been trained and specializes in communications, outreach, and marketing. The individual will report the Department’s significant events and news, support recruitment efforts, and engage with current students and alumni through social media and other channels. This individual must be comfortable working in a fast-paced, constantly changing environment with the ability to set priorities under pressure. Must possess strong organizational skills and the ability to meet deadlines. Must have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, a commitment to diversity and inclusion, demonstrated ability to work with diverse people, the ability to manage office workflow, and work successfully individually and as part of a team. Occasional local and in-state travel will be required.
Required Job Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree in English, Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, or related field.
• Two years’ experience creating content on multiple media platforms including digital, print, and social media.
• Experience and strong ability to write features stories and create meaningful content for multiple audiences.
• Experience creating and maintaining websites.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment with the ability to set priorities and meet deadlines under pressure.
Preferred Job Qualifications
• Five years’ experience in Communications and / or Marketing.
• Experience using WordPress or similar content management system.
• Knowledge of marketing principles, best practices, and techniques.
• Experience with technical and science writing.
• Experience in Adobe Creative Suite programs including Adobe InDesign, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, and Adobe Premier.
• Design and photography / videography skills to create meaningful materials to engage the audience.
• Ability to work individually and as part of a team.
Diversity Statement
Ability to advance the department’s commitment to diversity and inclusion through research, teaching and outreach with relevant programs, goals and activities.

Essential Duties


Job Duty Category Communications
Duty/Responsibility
• Proactively strategize department communications to stay current and consistently engaged with target audiences.
• Promote news, events, and accomplishments involving the faculty, staff, students, alumni, and other partners.
• Coordinate a wide range of projects including, but not limited to, copywriting, layout design, website development, social media management, and logistical support related to project development and production.
• Work in collaboration with the College and University communications and marketing groups and other stakeholders.
• Actively evaluate all communications channels and evolve strategy based on data-driven results.
• Generate online content that ensures a dynamic, relevant and mission-driven online presence.
• Maintain and grow website design and content to reflect University branding.
• Maintain department-level social media platforms and assist in the planning and execution of publicity and social media campaigns.
• Assist in the management of effective communications with partners/corporate sponsors and support donor stewardship and cultivation strategies.
• Participate in and/or lead initiatives to increase communication and community-building/networking with distance student population.
• Support department and college communications efforts for a variety of groups including advising, admissions, faculty, staff, students, and research.
Percentage Of Time 50%
Job Duty Category Marketing / Outreach
Duty/Responsibility
• Create and print digital marketing materials including fliers, brochures, posters, postcards, PowerPoint presentations, and branded items.
• Write and edit copy for department marketing materials, website, newsletters, and other pieces as assigned.
• Photograph college events and activities for use in marketing and public relations as needed; record, edit, and produce videos for the department as needed.
• Identify and market to new populations of potential students, drawing them in to the point of application. Research, initiate, develop, promote and implement plans for marketing and recruiting purposes for the department as well as our mechanical engineering degree program at Adams State University in Alamosa, CO.
• Support graduate student recruitment events. Along with department faculty or staff, attend such events as a presenter and representative on behalf of the Department. Events and presentations may happen in or around the Denver and Fort Collins areas, or in other Colorado locations, at the campus of industry partners or within communities.
Percentage Of Time 40%
Job Duty Category Department Support
Duty/Responsibility
• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned or directed
Percentage Of Time 10%

Application Details


Special Instructions to Applicants
Interest applicants must submit a cover letter which addresses how education and professional experiences align with identified required and preferred qualifications of the position, a current resume with links to a communications portfolio, and the names, email addresses, and telephone numbers of three (3) professional references.  References will not be contacted without prior notification of candidates.
Conditions of Employment Pre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for new hires)
Search Contact Ellen Plese, [email protected]
EEO Statement
Colorado State University is committed to providing an environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based on race, age, creed, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, gender, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, or pregnancy in its employment, programs, services and activities, and admissions, and, in certain circumstances, marriage to a co-worker. The University will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. Colorado State University is an equal opportunity and equal access institution and affirmative action employer fully committed to achieving a diverse workforce and complies with all Federal and Colorado State laws, regulations, and executive orders regarding non-discrimination and affirmative action. The Office of Equal Opportunity is located in 101 Student Services.
The Title IX Coordinator is the Director of the Office of Title IX Programs and Gender Equity, 123 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, CO 80523-0160, (970) 491-1715, [email protected] .
The Section 504 and ADA Coordinator is the Director of the Office of Equal Opportunity, 101 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, CO 80523-0160, (970) 491-5836, [email protected] .
The Coordinator for any other forms of misconduct prohibited by the University’s Policy on Discrimination and Harassment is the Vice President for Equity, Equal Opportunity and Title IX, 101 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, Co. 80523-0160, (970) 491-5836, [email protected] .
Any person may report sex discrimination under Title IX to the Office of Civil Rights, Department of Education .
Background Check Policy Statement
Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, CSU conducts background checks for the finalist before a final offer. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.

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