OSU - Public Info Representative

Position Summary

This recruitment will be used to fill one full-time Public Info Representative 1 position for Professional and Continuing Education at Oregon State University (OSU).

Professional and Continuing Education (PACE) is a fast-growing, entrepreneurial organization with a commitment to meet the educational needs of professionals, lifelong learners, youth and vulnerable or underserved audiences across the state by providing access to Oregon State's programs of excellence. We offer courses in the areas of gardening, small farms, music, museum interpretation, sustainability, beer brewing, digital communication and many other areas. Our team is fun, bright, hardworking and innovative.

The Marketing and Curriculum Writer develops marketing and instructional copy and provides periodic instructional support for PACE courses. This position reports to the Marketing Manager and works closely with the rest of the marketing and project management teams.

Position Duties

60% - Marketing/Promotional Writing and Support

Supports and implements regional and global marketing strategies on behalf of the Marketing Manager and other PACE team members. Generates ideas and content for press releases, website, social media, newsletter/other promotional messaging, course descriptions and email communications in language inclusive to all audiences. Develops, writes, and distributes PACE press releases in accordance with AP style under review of the Marketing Manager. Writes messaging content for PACE newsletter and other promotional content.

Provides general marketing support and works on specific projects as requested. Composes course and program descriptions for use in a variety of digital and print formats, keeping in mind the diversity of potential students. Communicates messaging and promotional content in a professional style, tone, and voice as a public representative of PACE. Composes email communications and responds to website and public inquiries as needed. Independently communicates with prospective students, instructors and partners and responds to questions, comments or services related to PACE offerings. Participates in team meetings and works closely with team members to reach project goals and deadlines.

Analyzes and helps evaluate effectiveness of marketing communications to a diverse audience. Works with Marketing Manager to identify areas for improvement and development of strategies. Monitors competitive best practices, keeps up with industry trends and introduces new ideas for improving performance.

30% - Instructional Support and Curriculum Development

Synthesizes and compiles instructional content from various sources. Supports subject matter experts and instructors by capturing their expertise and developing written course materials formatted in prose understandable and accessible to a diverse audience.

Refreshes a subset of PACE content and courses on a regular basis to ensure content is up to date and accurate. Periodically, provides copy copyediting for PACE curriculum and course descriptions.

10% - Professional Development and Service

Provides service to both the unit and university by working on departmental, division, university, regional and national committees and projects as assigned. Attends relevant workshops, conferences and meetings, presenting and sharing knowledge and expertise and networking with colleagues.

Position Duties (continued):

Working Conditions/Work Schedule:

This position's work schedule is typically 8 am to 5 pm, but the schedule will include occasional assigned weekend and/or evening hours based on program needs for course support.

Minimum/Required Qualifications

Three years experience in gathering information, writing/producing materials, presenting information to the public and public relations. One year of this experience must have included responsibility for press releases and interaction with the news media. A Bachelor's degree in journalism, communication or closely related field may substitute for up to two years of the general experience.

Experience with marketing writing including press releases, articles for promotional purposes, media alerts, etc.

Experience with digital content creation (blog posts, e-mail content) and social media management

Familiarity with developing, updating, and maintaining a website

Demonstrated ability to research and analyze complex topics then synthesize for consistent content creation in alignment with diverse audiences and use across platforms

Experience writing course curriculum, instructional or educational content

Demonstrates outstanding writing skills including strong understanding of grammar and punctuation

Demonstrates strong oral communication skills

Demonstrated experience with AP style guidelines

Demonstrated ability to juggle multiple competing tasks and demands in a fast-paced environment.

Demonstrated commitment to promoting and enhancing diversity

Strong ability to work as a team member

Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail

Experience meeting deadlines

Preferred (Special) Qualifications

Advanced degree in marketing, English, communications, or related field

Experience or education in journalism

Demonstrated experience training or teaching using online social channels or tools

Project management experience

Experience with project manager software and tools (i.e. Basecamp, JIRA, etc.)

Ability to synthesize complex information in written format (i.e., technical writing experience)

Experience analyzing marketing campaign performance

Reporting on web traffic and digital analytics

Experience with a wide variety of software used in digital marketing (examples include, but are not limited to, Mailchimp, GoToWebinar, Google Analytics and Google Adwords.

Cross-cultural communication skills