Communications Specialist II - 522201

Pay Grade/Pay Range:  Minimum: $48,600 - Midpoint: $60,800 (Salaried E7)

Department/Organization: 750501 - Alabama Water Institute (AWI)

Normal Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am to 4:45pm

Note to Applicants: Position is eligible for hybrid work subject to University policy .

Job Summary: The Communications Specialist II writes and edits communications for a college, division, and/or the University. Develops and implements plans, activities, and tactics to support the goals of assigned areas. Coordinates the production of materials and resources through a variety of platforms, including digital and physical mediums.

Additional Department Summary: The Alabama Water Institute (AWI) is one of The University of Alabama’s five research institutes. AWI serves as a catalyst for interdisciplinary collaboration across the University’s various colleges, uniting engineers, computer scientists, biologists, social scientists, economists, and more to tackle the pressing water challenges faced by Alabama and the world. AWI-affiliated researchers specialize in water security and quality, remote sensing, hydrologic and hydraulic modeling, biodiversity, watershed management and human health through synergies with AWI research programs, including the NOAA Cooperative Institute for Research to Operations in Hydrology, the Global Water Security Center, and the CONSERVE Research Group.

The Cooperative Institute for Research to Operations in Hydrology (CIROH) is the largest external award in UA’s history and seeks to create the next generation of water predication for the U.S through a partnership with NOAA’s Office of Water Prediction (OWP) and 28 institutions around the country.

Under the supervision and guidance of AWI’s Director of Research Institute Communications and the Executive Director of CIROH, respectively, the Communications Specialist II will be responsible for supporting the communications and marketing needs of CIROH. The responsibilities will include, but are not limited to, creating press releases, featured stories, social media posts, recurring newsletters, graphics, videos, reports, and web content. This individual will also be responsible for arranging and managing media engagements for CIROH members/partners. Further, this individual will also support intra-consortium communication activities, including distributing messages to CIROH email listservs, monitoring the CIROH email and Slack channel, working with the NOAA repository, and coordinate consortium-wide media engagements.

The ideal candidate is an experienced communicator with a background in communications, public relations, marketing – with preferred experience in communicating technical scientific information to broad audiences.

Required Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor's degree and two (2) years of experience in journalism, public relations, marketing, and/or communications; OR master's degree and some experience in journalism, public relations, marketing, and/or communications.

Skills and Knowledge: Strong interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal. Detail oriented, organized, and able to meet deadlines. Experience turning complex scientific information into a breadth of digestible communications materials. Proficient with computers and computer applications used for writing and developing communications materials.

Preferred Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Physical Science, or related field. General interest in science.

Background Investigation Statement: Prior to hiring, the final candidate(s) must successfully pass a pre-employment background investigation and information obtained from social media and other internet sources. A prior conviction reported as a result of the background investigation DOES NOT automatically disqualify a candidate from consideration for this position. A candidate with a prior conviction or negative behavioral red flags will receive an individualized review of the prior conviction or negative behavioral red flags before a hiring decision is made.

Equal Employment Opportunity: The University of Alabama is an Equal Employment/Equal Educational Opportunity Institution. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment or volunteer status without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, age, genetic or family medical history information, disability, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected basis, and will not be discriminated against because of their protected status. Applicants and employees of this institution are protected under Federal law from discrimination on several bases. Follow the link below to find out more. "EEO is the Law" Poster