Communications Specialist

The Whiting School of Engineering (WSE) at Johns Hopkins University is seeking a Communication Specialist for the Department of Materials Science & Engineering. This position will support departmental and the Materials Characterization Processing (MCP) core facility activities as they involve communication through a variety of mediums such as digital and print media, newsletters, annual reports, magazine articles, and videos. They are responsible for disseminating information with affiliated faculty, students, and the public.

Writing samples may be required. The successful candidate(s) for this position will be subject to a pre-employment background check.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities:

Materials Science and Engineering Department duties include, but are not limited to:

• Maintain departmental websites (3 total). Maintain and update the DMSE website, MCP website, Labs & Facilities website, and occasionally help edit/update faculty/researcher websites. Keep information up-to-date; use backend software (i.e. WordPress
• Collect, write, and upload news items and status updates from research groups to appropriate website:
• Create page graphics, design layout and flow as required.
• Design, edit existing content, create new content including written copy for new DMSE website.
• Determine what content to feature for specific audiences, re-write outdated and overly technical information for new website.
• Learn third party platform “Airtable” to assist website development vendor in the successful transfer content from old site to new site.
• Learn “backend” of new website, update both new and old websites until new site is launched.
• Ensure website is ready for public use with pre and post-launch refining.
• Write news/stories at least once every week or every other week.
• Liaise with WSE MarComm and vendors to provide appropriate content and layout on DMSE and MCP websites.
• Liase for faculty and chair communications strategy and website design theory to approve new features encourage by developer/WSE MarComm for DMSE and MCP websites.
• Lead resource for faculty and department chair regarding new website, transition process to new site, best practices for website design, audience targeting, content types, accessibility, filtering jargon from science language, etc.
• Maintain website links to University-wide resources for information, safety, training, purchasing, and administration for four websites.
• Stay current with technology and media trends, and suggest new, related activities to department faculty and staff.
• Maintain working knowledge of Search Engine Optimization (SEO), digital marketing, and website design. Serve as web developer and independently develop a comprehensive strategy to improve DMSE ranking in search engine results; meet marketing, recruitment and communications goals of expanding reach, audiences, and increasing awareness.
• Develop database for SEO keyword research and updates to keep DMSE/MCP websites at top of search results.
• Write, edit, and distribute a twice-yearly newsletter to department chairs, faculty, staff, students, and alumni.
• Prepare content for “news updates” on alternate months to newsletters (4 –6 per year).
• Maintain email lists and databases of students, alumni, faculty, and related professionals.
• Maintain shared information and calendar information on the department shared drives/Outlook calendars. OneDrive and Google Drive to organize and store DMSE MarComm resources and materials for faculty, staff, and student workers.
• Perform assessments on the effectiveness of media-related activities. (SEO, social media analytics, website analytics, etc.)
• Serve as point-of-contact to non-JHU community members. Provide timely answers to inquiries regarding the department and its functions.
• Ensure all communication projects and marketing efforts comply with University Branding Guidelines and JHU Use of Name Guidelines.
• Ensure all new faculty, staff, and researchers have branded materials for lectures, presentations, correspondence, etc.
• Consult with faculty and mentor student communications reps for lab websites about WordPress how-to’s, regular maintenance and updates, best practices for website layout, content, and WSE and University Branding Guidelines.
• Develop and produce media projects (i.e. videos, social media content, graphics, photography, etc.) associated with education, classroom, outreach, and grant research-related activities.
• Serve as a point-of-contact for all WSE communications office projects including newsletters, new website and associated projects.
• Liaise with DAR communications and other JHU entities on alumni giving projects, events, campaigns, etc., and track success.
• Create and maintain a comprehensive editorial calendar to ensure coordination of communications efforts, in alignment with WSE overall calendar.
• Provide bi-weekly check-ins with WSE MarComm writing staff on department news and updates, provide ideas and content for WSE social media initiatives.
• Write and edit science and other related news content for JHU news outlets, including The Hub, JHU Engineering Magazine, and Johns Hopkins Magazine.
• Develop a strategy to disseminate department news via Facebook, Twitter, website, and other social media. 7 social media accounts across four platforms for two organizations and assist with additional social accounts as new centers and institutes are formed by faculty.
• Create original content (promotional videos, infographics, images, etc.) to integrate online activities and digital presences with marketing communications plans to ensure consistency and meet goals.
• Curate all social accounts with original and shared content by creating media and regularly scanning all related JHU channels for sharable content. Engage with audiences daily to establish rapport and keep accounts active in timelines of followers.
• Develop and curate databases/archives on multiple platforms of media created or shared via social/website to be accessed and used by other comms specialists, WSE comms staff, etc.
• Oversee from conception to completion (creative process, planning and budget) media projects for the purposes of fulfilling marketing and recruitment goals.
• Identify goals for digital communications based on DMSE strategic goals.
• Utilize social media and website analytics and meaningful metrics to evaluate and measure progress towards institutional and WSE communications goals and targets and report progress to supervisor.
• Assist in Head’s and Administrative Manager’s needs in preparing special reports and presentations. Gather information, proofread, edit, and draft report for their review. Assist in reports such as Abet and department self-study report.
• Design printed materials (e.g. flyers, booklets, etc.) to advertise or publicize department events (e.g. named lectures, Inaugural Professorial lectures, etc.).
• Programs: Graduation, orientation, and potential graduate student welcome event
• Flyers: digital and print - seminars, special events
• Design and decorate bulletin boards in Maryland Hall (15 owned by MatSci) and flyer campus for upcoming DMSE events.
• Attend and report on school and other faculty or student-driving initiatives to stay informed and report on research and educational programs.
• Manage student workers. Create training schedules, to-do lists, train on social media and website management systems.
• Work with the Development Office and Communication Office to coordinate and assist in Design Day, Advisory Leadership Week, and other special WSE events which DMSE and the MCP needs a presence.

Minimum Qualifications (Mandatory):

• Bachelor's Degree in related field.
• Two years related experience.
• Advanced degree may substitute for required experience, to the extent permitted by the JHU equivalency formula.*

* JHU Equivalency Formula: 30 undergraduate degree credits (semester hours) or 18 graduate degree credits may substitute for one year of experience.  Additional related experience may substitute for the required education on the same basis. For jobs where equivalency is permitted, up to two years of non-related college course work may be applied towards the total minimum education/experience required for the respective job.

** Applicants who do not meet the posted requirements but are completing their final academic semester/quarter will be considered eligible for employment and may be asked to provide additional information confirming their academic completion date.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree with emphasis in journalism, marketing, writing, or public relations.
• Minimum of five to seven years related experience.
• Experience in science journalism and web design/maintenance.

Special Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Excellent communication skills, written and verbal, and strong interpersonal skills.
• Excellent time-management skills, along with demonstrated ability to juggle multiple projects.
• Proficiency in Word, Excel spreadsheets, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• First-hand knowledge of regional and national print, broadcast and electronic media outlets, and social networking, including web-based and online media/information sites.
• Experience using Google Analytics, Adobe Creative Suite, and WordPress.

Classified Title: Communications Specialist
Role/Level/Range: ATP/03/PB
Starting Salary Range: $43,970 - $60,390 annually (commensurate with experience)
Employee group: Full Time
Schedule: M-F, 8-5pm
Exempt Status: Exempt
Location: Homewood Campus
Department name: ​​​​​​​MSE Administrative
Personnel area: Whiting School of Engineering

The successful candidate(s) for this position will be subject to a pre-employment background check.

If you are interested in applying for employment with The Johns Hopkins University and require special assistance or accommodation during any part of the pre-employment process, please contact the Talent Acquisition Office at jhurecruitment@jhu.edu. For TTY users, call via Maryland Relay or dial 711.

Johns Hopkins has mandated COVID-19 and influenza vaccines, as applicable. Exceptions to the COVID and flu vaccine requirements may be provided to individuals for religious beliefs or medical reasons. Requests for an exception must be submitted to the JHU vaccination registry. For additional information, applicants for SOM positions should visit https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/coronavirus/covid-19-vaccine/ and all other JHU applicants should visit https://covidinfo.jhu.edu/health-safety/covid-vaccination-information/.

The following additional provisions may apply, depending on campus. Your recruiter will advise accordingly.

The pre-employment physical for positions in clinical areas, laboratories, working with research subjects, or involving community contact requires documentation of immune status against Rubella (German measles), Rubeola (Measles), Mumps, Varicella (chickenpox), Hepatitis B and documentation of having received the Tdap (Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) vaccination. This may include documentation of having two (2) MMR vaccines; two (2) Varicella vaccines; or antibody status to these diseases from laboratory testing. Blood tests for immunities to these diseases are ordinarily included in the pre-employment physical exam except for those employees who provide results of blood tests or immunization documentation from their own health care providers. Any vaccinations required for these diseases will be given at no cost in our Occupational Health office.

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