Graphics Specialist II

Job Title

Graphics Specialist II

Agency

Texas A&M University

Department

International Ocean Discovery Program

Proposed Minimum Salary

Commensurate

Job Location

College Station, Texas

Job Type

Staff

Job Description

Our Commitment

Texas A&M University is committed to enriching the learning and working environment for all visitors, students, faculty, and staff by promoting a culture that embraces inclusion, diversity, equity, and accountability.  Diverse perspectives, talents, and identities are vital to accomplishing our mission and living our core values .

Who we are

The International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP)  is an international research collaboration that coordinates seagoing expeditions  to study the history of the Earth recorded in sediments and rocks beneath the ocean floor. The JOIDES Resolution Science Operator (JRSO) operates the scientific drillship JOIDES Resolution  on behalf of the National Science Foundation. We are committed to exceeding the expectations of the scientific ocean drilling community by maximizing the science the JOIDES Resolution delivers.

What we want

What an awesome opportunity that's now been made available to be part of the world-renowned International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP), serving as our Graphics Specialist II (also known as Communication Specialist II)! The Graphics Specialist II, under supervision, works with Graphic Designers to produce graphics for expedition publications and other program materials. This individual will also coordinate with members of the editorial and production sections to maintain style and consistency, as well as apply standard formats, style guidelines, and workflow procedures and coordinates at least one area for the Graphics section. Due to the adventures on sea, all seagoing employees must pass a new employee physical and regular annual physical exams. The selected candidate will subscribe to and support our commitment to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accountability (IDEA) as stated above. We are looking for you if you have the expertise we desire and you want to contribute meaningfully to the geosciences community. Consider this job and apply.

What you need to know

This position is funded on research funds, continued employment may be contingent upon future funding.

Please note: This position is required to sail on a research ship/vessel, typically on two-month expeditions. You must be able to obtain and hold a passport and appropriate visas on a continuing basis.

COVID-19 information:  Texas A&M University monitors local, state and federally mandated health guidelines to keep students, employees, prospective employees, and visitors as safe as possible. For the latest information regarding Texas A&M’s COVID-19 response, please visit the University’s COVID-19 website . For COVID-19 employment-related information, please visit the Division of Human Resources and Organizational Effectiveness’ COVID-19 website .

Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Two years of graphics, communication and/or production experience.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to multi task and work cooperatively with others.

• Ability to work in a collaborative team environment in a service-oriented position.

• Strong communication and problem-solving skills.

• Working knowledge of graphics software, Adobe Illustrator, MS Word, and Excel.

Required Licenses and Certifications:

• Ability to obtain and hold a passport and appropriate visas on a continuing basis.

Other Requirements:

• This position is required to sail on a research ship/vessel, typically on two-month expeditions.

• Seagoing employees must pass a new employee physical and regular annual physical exams.

• While at sea, the position requires physical tolerance to maintain balance on a moving ship, working under confined conditions, in an environment with exposure to low-to mid-level noise and vibration, and exposure to dust, potential allergens, and occasional odors.

• It is a physically demanding position that requires moving cores and other heavy items (up to 60 lb).  

• Employee shifts at sea are on a 12-hour a day, 7-days a week basis for approximately two months for an expedition.

Preferred Education and Experience:

• Coursework in graphic arts, geology, oceanography, or related scientific/technical field.

• Two years of experience in graphic arts or print production.

• Experience working with graphics for scholarly or scientific publications.

• Previous experience sailing on the JOIDES Resolution.

• Experience creating technical graphics for scholarly or scientific publications.

• Experience organizing/coordinating large publications or books.

• Professional experience using Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, and Adobe Acrobat.

• Experience using graphic software CorelDraw.

• Experience writing and using Excel macros and/or other scripting programs.

• Experience plotting technical data.

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Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to successfully implement and train others in standard IODP graphics formatting guidelines.

• Ability to review tracking sheets and status reports to prioritize work in the production schedule.

• Excellent proofreading skills.

Preferred Other Factors:

• Long computer usage and sitting or standing at a desk.

Responsibilities:

Production

• Formats volume graphic content for IODP expedition volumes, reports, and expedition research manuscripts.

• Provides postcruise meeting support.

• Produces graphic visual core descriptions from expedition data.

• Assists with HTML translations and web content.

• Prepares figure zip files to be included with the electronic volume.

Seagoing

• Provides administrative support during port calls and expeditions.

• Provides graphic software support to shipboard science participants.

• Coordinates expedition reports, serving as a liaison among staff scientists, authors, review boards, and seagoing/shore-based publications staff.

• Provides recommendations to scientists to improve graphics content.

• Prepares core/section graphics reports from LIMS data using Strater.

• Provides assistance in shipboard laboratories.

Quality Control

• Carries out standards and style guidelines for quality control.

• Understands and implements IODP publications style.

• Ensures quality, consistency, and completeness in all publications.

• Proofs prime data content and structure.

• Proofs HTML and PDF online publications, links, and other web content.

• Works with production and editorial sections to promote consistency throughout each volume.

• Proofs volume front matter to ensure prime data contents are complete and correct.

• Organizes and maintains publications files to preserve version control.

Development/Training

• Understands the publication workflow from submission to publication.

• Assists with research into software, hardware, and other technologies or techniques to streamline workflow and keeps IODP publications technically current.

• Learns graphics techniques and software beyond the basics.

• Attends software training as needed.

• Assists with development of written procedures as assigned.

Coordination

• Coordinates one or more graphics section tasks such as:-

  • Producing volume site maps.

  • Updating the cumulative drill site maps.

  • Updating web content as assigned by web master.

Other Duties

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Instructions to Applicants: Applications received by Texas A&M University must either have all job application data entered or a resume attached. Failure to provide all job application data or a complete resume could result in an invalid submission and a rejected application. We encourage all applicants to upload a resume or use a LinkedIn profile to pre-populate the online application.

In accordance with the federal contractor vaccination mandate , specific facilities at The Texas A&M System may be considered a covered contractor workplace with covered contractor employees. Therefore, successful applicants for this position may be subject to the federal mandate and will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment unless an approved medical or religious accommodation is in place.

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Veterans/Disability Employer committed to diversity.