Job Description

Job Summary
The College of Agricultural Science is seeking a Communications Specialist. This is a full-time (1.00 FTE), 12-month, professional faculty position.

The Communications Specialist creates content in a variety of media and delivery platforms to inform public audiences about the College’s programs, people and impact. The primary focus is on storytelling and media relations, including writing, editing and basic multimedia production. This work serves to build awareness of and support for the division and its units among the public, decision makers, and other audiences. This position covers programmatic beats as assigned. In addition, this position contributes to efforts to create content and related strategies that are accessible to all and linguistically and culturally relevant.

The Communication Specialist collaborates with unit colleagues, faculty and staff, and external collaborators, including government agencies and organizations, members of the media and the public.

This position reports to the unit’s Director of Marketing and Communications.

About the College’s communication and marketing unit:
The CAS Marcomm team operates as an integrated communication and marketing team in support of the College of Agricultural Sciences. The team collaborates with college leadership and colleagues to create engaging and brand-aligned communications. This includes marketing and branding, visual design and multimedia, web and content strategy, and executive and internal communication efforts. The team also offers advice, consultation and training for unit employees in these areas. In addition, the team provides collaborative leadership for innovative and effective use of educational and communication technologies that support access to and engagement with OSU Extension.

About the College of Agricultural Sciences:
With over 3,400 students, 280 professorial faculty, and exceeding $160 million per year in expenditures, the College of Agricultural Sciences (CAS) is a complex organization. In addition to the main campus, CAS has faculty-located Branch Experiment Stations in 13 agroecozones across the state and Extension Faculty in each county. CAS is well known for its collaborations among state and federal agencies. Our researchers and Extension faculty work closely with agency partners in EPA, USDA ARS, USGS, US Forest Service, US Navy, USDOE, NIH, NOAA, NMFS, USFWS, as well as state agencies, local governments, and professional organizations. CAS supports faculty in the College of Veterinary Medicine, College of Health, and the Chemistry, Microbiology, and Statistics departments in the College of Science.

Regional industries and commodity groups are also important partners. Oregon’s remarkable agricultural diversity, with more than 220 commercial commodities, means that many commodity groups depend on OSU research and development to improve their varieties and expand their markets.
Why OSU?
Working for Oregon State University is so much more than a job!

Oregon State University is a dynamic community of dreamers, doers, problem-solvers and change-makers. We don’t wait for challenges to present themselves — we seek them out and take them on. We welcome students, faculty and staff from every background and perspective into a community where everyone feels seen and heard. We have deep-rooted mindfulness for the natural world and all who depend on it, and together, we apply knowledge, tools and skills to build a better future for all.

FACTS:

• Top 1.4% university in the world
• More research funding than all public universities in Oregon combined
• 1 of 3 land, sea, space and sun grant universities in the U.S.
• 2 campuses, 11 colleges, 12 experiment stations, and Extension programs in all 36 counties
• 7 cultural resource centers that offer education, celebration and belonging for everyone
• 100+ undergraduate degree programs, 80+ graduate degrees plus hundreds of minor options and certificates
• 35k+ students including more than 2.3k international students and 10k students of color
• 217k+ alumni worldwide
• For more interesting facts about OSU visit: https://oregonstate.edu/about

Locations:

Oregon State has a statewide presence with campuses in Corvallis and Bend, the OSU Portland Center and the Hatfield Marine Science Center on the Pacific Coast in Newport.

Oregon State’s beautiful, historic and state-of-the-art main campus is located in one of America’s best college towns. Corvallis is located close to the Pacific Ocean, the Cascade mountains and Oregon wine country. Nestled in the heart of the Willamette Valley, this beautiful city offers miles of mountain biking and hiking trails, a river perfect for boating or kayaking and an eclectic downtown featuring local cuisine, popular events and performances.

Total Rewards Package:

Oregon State University offers a comprehensive benefits package with benefits eligible positions that is designed to meet the needs of employees and their families including:
• Medical, Dental, Vision and Basic Life. OSU pays 95% of premiums for you and your eligible dependents.
• Free confidential mental health and emotional support services, and counseling resources.
• Retirement savings paid by the university.
• A generous paid leave package, including holidays, vacation and sick leave.
• Tuition reduction benefits for you or your qualifying dependents at OSU or the additional six Oregon Public Universities.
• Robust Work Life programs including Dual Career assistance resources, flexible work arrangements, a Family Resource Center, Affinity Groups and an Employee Assistance Program.
• Optional lifestyle benefits such as pet, accident, and critical illness insurance, giving you peace of mind and the support you need to thrive in all aspects of your life.

Future and current OSU employees can use the Benefits Calculator to learn more about the full value of the benefits provided at OSU.
Key Responsibilities
This Communications Specialist embeds the commitment of the university to a collaborative and inclusive community in all interactions and duties performed and contributes to a welcoming and respectful workplace culture.

65% – Content creation, writing, and editing

20% – Collaboration and coordination

10% – Research, training and service

5% – Other duties and projects
What You Will Need
Bachelor’s degree in public relations, journalism, communications or field related to the duties of the position. Two years of professional communications experience relevant to duties of the position.

Strong written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills.

Experience working with diverse populations and crafting stories that demonstrate and enhance inclusion.

Demonstrated skill with photography and/or videography, including basic photo and video editing.

Demonstrated ability to sustain effective, professional interactions with colleagues, supervisor and others. Ability to learn and adapt to using multiple forms of digital communication systems and other tools in a changing technological environment.

Ability to balance multiple projects and meet deadlines through independent and team work.

This position requires driving a university vehicle or a personal vehicle on behalf of the university; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a motor vehicle history check, possess and maintain a current, valid driver’s license in their state of residence, be determined to be position qualified and self-report convictions as per University Policy 05-030.

This position is designated as a critical or security-sensitive position; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a criminal history check and be determined to be position qualified as per University Standard: 05-010 et seq. Incumbents are required to self-report convictions and those in youth programs may have additional criminal history checks every 24 months.
What We Would Like You to Have
Experience working with Associated Press (AP) or other standard style.

Experience publishing content in digital platforms, such as websites.

Experience using video- and photo-editing software such as Photoshop and Final Cut Pro or Adobe Premiere Pro. Sharp news sense, good copy-editing skills and strong attention to accuracy and detail.

An understanding of local, state and national news media and media relations practices.

Experience sharing best practices and coaching collaborators on using digital systems.

Ability to present to and provide training for individuals and groups.

Ability to accurately interpret technical, specialized or complex topics for public understanding.