PROGRAM COORDINATOR (COMMUNICATIONS)

As a UW employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees offer their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills and dedication to build stronger minds and a healthier world. UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty.

The Department of Chemical Engineering (ChemE) has more than 26 faculty, 16 postdocs, and 14 staff. ChemE has a long tradition of openness and innovation. We recognize and value the perspectives and contributions that everyone, including women, ethnic and racial minorities, LGBTQ+, disabled, veterans, and under-served individuals can bring to our discipline. We actively advance the inclusion and representation of these groups, whose views, goals and participation enrich and enhance ChemE’s mission to create knowledge and solutions for a changing world.

The UW’s ChemE department has an outstanding opportunity for a Program Coordinator to develop communications program goals and distribute program content, support department operations, and prioritize professional growth. This position reports to the Communications Manager.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Communications:
Understand the academic and research programs of ChemE and the faculty in the department. Using this knowledge, and under the general direction of the Communications Manager, this position will work independently to produce and distribute materials that promote our students, faculty, and programs via emails, social media, websites, publications, flyers, or events.
• Develop a network of contacts within the department to stay on top of news and announcements. Post and edit news stories, announcement, and information pages to the department website; format text, images, and hyperlinks following our communication plan and design standards. Create and maintain calendar entries on the ChemE website.
• Monitor automated quality-assurance tools and resolve issues that are flagged. Perform periodic site audits and update information as needed.
• Contribute content and updates to Benson lobby digital signage that are designed to promote the goals of ChemE programs.
• Following the communication plan, produce posts for department Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn channels; monitor analytics and audience engagement. Exercise independent judgement in interpreting and applying program goals, and use detailed knowledge of our academic and research programs to engage external audiences, Serve as the lead staff person on social media, monitoring program activities and ensuring consistency with program goals.
• In partnership with the Communications Manager, ensure accessibility of web assets and acquire appropriate images for web content or social media. Assist in the creation of custom graphics and cropped images as needed.
• Send or forward emails to promote upcoming events internally to the department, to other relevant campus units, and to external audiences.
• Monitor compliance to brand guidelines and provide approved logos and other assets to partners.
• Provide coordination and logistical support to the Communications Manager’s and the Assistant to the Chair’s lead events.
• Take meeting minutes for Faculty Meetings and format them for review/distribution.
• Process incoming checks that are gifts.

Office Management:
Support department operations as the receptionist and first point of contact for ChemE and regularly interact with faculty, students, staff, and visitors.
• Receive and refer visitors and answer departmental phone.
• Maintain the mail room, daily shipping/receiving, and process incoming/outgoing mail.
• Monitor the inventory of office, kitchen, and first aid supplies. Order and replenish supplies, as needed. Responsible for managing and projecting the Office and Kitchen budget.
• Issue keys. Maintain building keys in an Access database.
• Operate and maintain departmental office equipment throughout the building.
• Maintain booking calendars for rooms in Benson Hall. Coordinate and schedule meetings as requested in Benson Hall or alternative locations on campus.
• Other duties as assigned.

Professional Growth:
• Professional development is very important to the culture of the department and it is essential that employees demonstrate accountability for their own professional growth and competency by seeking opportunities and activities that improve skills to support the department. The Program Coordinator will stay current on emerging information and technologies by attending workshops/trainings and developing relationships with peers. It is expected that new ideas and best practices will be incorporated into solutions and plans so the entire department can benefit.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
• High school graduation or equivalent AND two years of experience in Communications that includes producing and distributing promotional content; or equivalent education/experience.

Additional requirements:
• Ability to work independently, take initiative, learn quickly, have strong attention to detail, and organization skills. Demonstrated ability to multi-task and maintain flexibility. Ability to exercise independent judgment. A creative problem solver.
• Excellent interpersonal, customer service, and communications skills, both written and verbal. Experience working with diverse teams of individuals.
• Demonstrated experience with current social media platforms and best practices.
• Ability to use discretion when handling confidential/sensitive information.
• Ability to learn University guidelines and procedures and the ability to reference them on the UW website when requested.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and Google Suite. Ability to gain proficiency in other software and web-based tools, as needed.

Equivalent education and/or experience may substitute for minimum requirements.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
• This position requires working in person Monday through Friday on the Seattle campus to respond to in person needs and inquiries.

Application Process:
The application process for UW positions may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process. These assessments may include Work Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others. Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select “Apply to this position”. Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment, you will be prompted to do so the next time you access your “My Jobs” page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.