Media Communications Coordinator - University of Illinois Extension - 1025133-6689

at University of Illinois in Urbana, Illinois, United States

Job Description

• Writing and Reporting
  • Maintain active involvement with educators and staff within Illinois Extension to determine strategies for
    communicating about a range of technical topics, including training, volunteer recruitment, program promotion, conference planning, and information sharing around topics including horticulture, gardening, sustainability, land stewardship, and working with volunteers.
  • Interview educators, faculty, volunteers, and staff to write news releases for appropriate media outlets and adapt them for the web and social media.
  • Write and edit content for use in newsletters and media outlets.
  • Assist with the planning, creation, and writing of promotional materials, the creation and distribution of merchandise and other print materials for assigned projects and events from across the Illinois Extension system's programs in gardening and naturalist programs.
  • Provide communications support as needed by any of Extension's 27 units or educator teams as it pertains to these program areas.
• Communications Plan Development
  • Collaborate with the State Marketing and Communications Team, unit communicators, educators, and program leaders to develop, implement, and execute marketing and communications plans tailored to specific project needs and goals.
  • Work with staff to analyze audiences, situations, and subject area to generate recommendations that will achieve targeted outcomes.
  • Support administration of Extension's social media accounts, including the state accounts for Master Gardeners and Master Naturalists and the unit accounts within these program areas by creating social media posts and providing leads to other team members regarding news, events, and resources.
  • Provide guidance to unit communicators as needed to help them optimize their social media profiles and
    grow their influence through their social media activities with respect to these topic areas.
  • Assist with other writing tasks as assigned, including but not limited to, annual reports, scripts for videos,
    speeches, blogs, and educational products.
  • Provide writing and editorial support as needed to support multidisciplinary projects and educator teams.
• General Communications and Marketing Support
  • Manage assigned projects within the team project management system, ensuring deadlines are tracked and projects are delivered on time.
  • Represent the communications team at meetings and events across the Extension system, the College of Agricultural, Consumer, Environmental Sciences, and the University of Illinois.
  • Other communications-related duties as requested and in compliance with university and Extension brand standards and Extension DEIA goals.

• Skills in interviewing, writing press releases, news articles, and feature stories, and writing for the web and other digital distribution channels.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and to work well with diverse people in a team environment.
• Ability to work under pressure and to adhere to established deadlines.
• Ability to review and analyze the content of scientific publications. Excellent knowledge of spoken and written English for editing and creating correspondence, storytelling, and report generation.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Understanding of the scientific research process and relevant scientific concepts.
• Familiarity with sources of online scientific information.
• Knowledge of Windows desktop computer applications.