Media Information Specialist, Rural Institute

The Rural Institute invites applications for the position of a Media Information Specialist . The employee assigned to this position will serve as the primary staff person for activities related to MonTECH's alternative financing program. The MATL (MonTECH Assistive Technology Loan) program coordinates financial assistance and low-interest loans to any Montanan with a disability who may benefit from purchasing assistive technology.

The person assigned to this position will develop and implement innovative outreach and marketing initiatives to drive potential clients to the MATL program. Social media development (print, audio, video) and image management will be required of the employee in this position. The person assigned to this position may work remotely, with the expectation of traveling as needed (based upon business need) to facilitate and deliver outreach activities within smaller communities across the state of Montana.

The individual in this position will also be responsible for networking with potential partners throughout the state, attending conferences, and creating presentations/training. The person assigned to this position will coordinate closely with the current MonTECH Outreach Coordinator, as well as the Disability Resource Coordinator at MonTECH's partner lending agency, Rural Dynamics, Inc. in Great Falls, MT. The employee assigned to this position reports directly to, and is supervised by the Program Director at MonTECH.



Required Skills

• Proficient computer use, along with a variety of software packages including Microsoft Office and Adobe
• Experience with assistive technology
• Communications and media asset development (e.g., ad and journalistic print, radio, social media).
• Experience developing, writing content for posting, and maintaining websites
• Excellent interpersonal communication and professional collaboration skills.
• Social media development (print, audio, video) and image management skills.
• Ability to effectively communicate information to diverse audiences, both verbally and in writing
• Ability to self-manage time and complex task completion.
• Independent development of written communication assets.
• Willingness and ability to travel frequently around central and eastern Montana
• Basic financial knowledge related to lending policies and procedures
• Ability to actively participate with and contribute to Rural Institute Communication Team activities (e.g., public awareness, dissemination, outreach, marketing)

Minimum Required Experience

• High school diploma (or equivalency) in addition to three (3) years of closely related experience; or any combination of experience and education that provides the competencies necessary to successfully discharge the duties and responsibilities assigned to the position.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology or a related field.
• Experience educating users about assistive technology.
• Independent development of social media assets for communication and marketing purposes.
• Understanding of uses and benefits of assistive technology devices and services.
• Lived experience with disability (self or immediate family member)
• Lived experience with assistive technology (self or immediate family member)•
• Experience working with people with disabilities

About the Rural Institute, UM , and Missoula

The Rural Institute engages in research, provides education and interdisciplinary training, and develops model services that improve the skills, abilities, quality of life and satisfaction of people with disabilities in rural communities, their families and those who support and partner with them. MonTECH provides technology, support, and services that improve the quality of life for Montanans with disabilities.

The University of Montana is a unit of the Montana University System with over 10,000 students. It is located in Missoula, a culturally vibrant community of about 72,000, surrounded by mountain grandeur which was recently ranked in the “ top 20 best college towns with a population of less than 250,000 ” by the American Institute for Economic Research and ranked 9th in Outside Magazine’s “ The 16 Greatest Places to Live in America” in 2014 . Many national publications recognize Missoula for its high quality of life . Abundant recreational opportunities in surrounding state and national forests and nearby Glacier National Park and Yellowstone National Park complement a thriving intellectual atmosphere. The University of Montana offers eligible employees a generous benefits package that positively separates UM from other local employers and offers many programs and policies to support work-life balance for its employees.

The University of Montana is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and has a strong institutional commitment to the principle of diversity in all areas. In that spirit, we are particularly interested in receiving applications from a broad spectrum of qualified people who would assist the University in demonstrating its five priorities for action : Place student success at the center of all we do; drive excellence and innovation in teaching, learning, and research; embody the principle of “mission first, people always"; partner with place; and proudly tell the UM story.



To learn more about the University of Montana, Missoula, and the State of Montana, please visit the links below.

• University of Montana
• Video: UM Lifestyles
• University Highlights
• City of Missoula
• Video: There's This Place
• Destination Missoula
• Missoula Area Chamber of Commerce
• The State of Montana
• Visit Montana

Position Details

Position Title: Media Information Specialist

Position Number: New

Department: Rural Institute

Work Schedule: Part-time 0.5FTE (35 Hours a week), Monday through Friday, 12 months/year

Salary: $17.766/hr – Current employee’s rate of pay for this position will be determined by the staff compensation plan and will minimally be this posted salary. For questions and details regarding the staff compensation plan, email the Compensation Department .

Union Affiliation: FOCUS - MFPE

Probationary Period: Six months minimum

Benefits Include : Insurance package, mandatory retirement plan, and wellness program.

Criminal Background Investigation is required prior to the Offer of Employment In accordance with University regulations, finalists for this position will be subject to criminal background investigations. ADA/EOE/AA/Veteran's Preference Reasonable accommodations are provided in the hiring process for persons with disabilities. For example, this material is available in alternative format upon request. As an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer, we encourage applications from minorities, veterans, and women. Qualified candidates may request veterans’ or disabilities preference in accordance with state law. References: References not listed on the application materials may be contacted; notice may be provided to the applicant. Testing: Individual hiring departments at UM may elect to administer pre-employment tests, which are relevant to essential job functions. Employment Eligibility: All New Employees must be eligible and show employment eligibility verification by the first date of employment at UM, as legally required (e.g., Form I-9).

How to Apply

Application Deadline: Thursday, November 12, 2020 by 11:59 PM (Mountain Time)

Candidates are required to submit the following materials online via "New Resume/CV" button below

A complete application Includes:

1. Letter of Interest – addressing your qualifications and experience related to the stated required skills for the position. A general letter salutation such as “Dear Search Committee” or “Dear Hiring Manager” is acceptable.
2. Detailed Resume – listing education and describing work experience.
3. Professional References – names and contact information for three (3) professional references.

Need additional help? Check out our UM Jobs FAQ website.

Job Location Missoula, Montana, United States
Position Type Part-Time