Job Description

Scheduled Hours

21

Position Summary

The Communications Specialist, working under the direction of the CSD Communication Manager, will play a key role in shaping the narrative about CSD’s research, evidence, and impact through compelling storytelling, content creation and management, and editorial support. This individual will also be responsible for researching best practices in communications, ensuring our strategies are innovative and impactful.

This position is responsible for a variety of communications products for both external and internal audiences. Key audiences reflect CSD’s focus on conducting research to inform evidence-based practice and policy, and include social service providers, researchers, policymakers, financial institutions, and philanthropic foundations. Communications approaches apply appropriate language, style, and media to suit message and audience. The Communications Specialist will also use other online tools to disseminate content, and to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of these efforts.

Job Description

Primary Duties & Responsibilities:

Storytelling

• Craft engaging narratives that resonate with our target audiences and reflect our mission, values, and research initiatives. These narratives will be written and disseminated online and in print in various styles, depending on the medium, including news stories, blog posts, community reports, essays, op-eds, fact sheets, infographics, and research and policy briefs. 
• Maintain a presence on social media and disseminate CSD news via Facebook, Twitter, and other social media venues as appropriate.

Content Creation and Management

• Create visually appealing graphics and multimedia content to enhance storytelling and support various communication channels.
• Support researchers in creating infographics that effectively articulate data findings to a lay audience.
• Assist with ongoing evolution of web design, content, and brand design.
• Develop an image database to facilitate use of images across projects and platforms.

Work with the university’s public affairs office and other media outlets to distribute CSD news. Facilitate dissemination of research findings and position the Center in a manner consistent with the communications strategy.

Editorial Support

• Provide substantive and copy edits to CSD academic and policy publications.
• Maintain the CSD publications database, which is currently housed on the CSD’s website and linked to the University library’s OpenScholarship repository.
• Obtain DOIs and track publication downloads.

Develop and Maintain Systems to Track and Analyze Metrics for Reporting

• Develop systems to track and analyze metrics on readership, media mentions, and social media. Communicate analytics to CSD leadership and funders.
• Monitor broader communications-industry trends and incorporate new tools and strategies as appropriate.
• Analyze and propose new ways the Center could use communications tools more efficiently and effectively, particularly to reach academic and policy constituencies.

Perform other duties as assigned.

Working Conditions:

Job Location/Working Conditions

• Normal office environment
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• Occasional work outside normal working hours
• Ability to travel to on and off-campus locations

Physical Effort

• Typically sitting at desk or table

Equipment

• Office equipment

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by the personnel so classified. Management reserves the right to revise or amend duties at any time.

Required Qualifications

Education:

Bachelor's degree

Certifications:

No specific certification is required for this position.

Work Experience:

Relevant Experience (2 Years)

Skills:

Not Applicable

Driver's License:

A driver's license is not required for this position.

More About This Job

WashU seeks highly motivated individuals who are able to perform duties in a manner consistent with our core mission and guiding principles.

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

No additional education beyond what is stated in the Required Qualifications section.

Certifications:

No additional certification beyond what is stated in the Required Qualifications section.

Work Experience:

No additional work experience beyond what is stated in the Required Qualifications section.

Skills:

Adobe Creative Studio, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign, Adobe Photoshop, AMA Manual of Style, American Psychological Association (APA) Format, Chicago Manual of Style, Content Management, Creativity, Detail-Oriented, English Grammar, Highly Resourceful, Oral Communications, Planning Ability, Policy Communications, Print Communications, Prioritization, Project Management, Research Synthesis, Social Sciences Research, Storytelling, Web-Based Communications, Working in a Fast-Paced Environment, Writing

Grade

G09

Salary Range

$45,600.00 - $75,300.00 / Annually

The salary range reflects base salaries paid for positions in a given job grade across the University. Individual rates within the range will be determined by factors including one's qualifications and performance, equity with others in the department, market rates for positions within the same grade and department budget.

Questions

For frequently asked questions about the application process, please refer to our External Applicant FAQ.

Accommodation

If you are unable to use our online application system and would like an accommodation, please email CandidateQuestions@wustl.edu or call the dedicated accommodation inquiry number at 314-935-1149 and leave a voicemail with the nature of your request.

All qualified individuals must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.

Pre-Employment Screening

All external candidates receiving an offer for employment will be required to submit to pre-employment screening for this position. The screenings will include criminal background check and, as applicable for the position, other background checks, drug screen, an employment and education or licensure/certification verification, physical examination, certain vaccinations and/or governmental registry checks. All offers are contingent upon successful completion of required screening.

Benefits Statement

Washington University in St. Louis is committed to providing a comprehensive and competitive benefits package to our employees. Benefits eligibility is subject to employment status, full-time equivalent (FTE) workload, and weekly standard hours. Please visit our website at https://hr.wustl.edu/benefits/ to view a summary of benefits.

EEO/AA Statement

Washington University in St. Louis is committed to the principles and practices of equal employment opportunity and especially encourages applications by those from underrepresented groups. It is the University’s policy to provide equal opportunity and access to persons in all job titles without regard to race, ethnicity, color, national origin, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information.

Diversity Statement

Washington University is dedicated to building a diverse community of individuals who are committed to contributing to an inclusive environment – fostering respect for all and welcoming individuals from diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. Individuals with a commitment to these values are encouraged to apply.