Posting Detail Information

Working TitleEnergy Institute Communications Specialist

Position LocationFort Collins, CO

Work LocationPosition is fully in-office/in-person

Research Professional PositionNo

Posting Number202401221AP

Position TypeAdmin Professional/ Research Professional

Classification TitleProf/Indiv Contrib III

Number of Vacancies

Work Hours/Week40

Proposed Annual Salary Range$65,000-$75,000

Employee Benefits

Colorado State University is not just a workplace; it’s a thriving community that’s transforming lives and improving the human condition through world-class teaching, research, and service. With a robust benefits package, collaborative atmosphere, commitment todiversity, equity and inclusion (https://inclusiveexcellence.colostate.edu/about/) , and focus on work-life balance, CSU is where you can thrive, grow, and make a lasting impact.

• Review our detailed benefits information here. (https://hr.colostate.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/25/2021/01/benefits-summary-afap.pdf)

• Explore the additional perks of working at CSU here.

• For the total value of CSU benefits in addition to wages, use our compensation calculator (https://hr.colostate.edu/total-compensation-calculator/) .

• Lastly, click here for more information about why Fort Collins is consistently ranked in the top cities to live in (https://hr.colostate.edu/prospective-employees/our-community/) !

Desired Start Date09/02/2024

Position End Date (if temporary)

To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by 11:59pm (MT) on08/05/2024

Description of Work Unit

Founded in 1870, Colorado State University is among the nation’s leading research universities and enrolls approximately 32,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. Located an hour north of the Denver metro area, Fort Collins is a vibrant community of approximately 157,000 residents that offers the convenience of a small town with all the amenities of a large city. Fort Collins is situated on the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains with views of 14,000 foot peaks, and offers access to numerous cultural, recreational, and outdoor opportunities.

The Energy Institute is operated under the Office of the Vice President for Research ( OVPR ) at Colorado State University ( CSU ). The Institute builds on the long history of work in energy, climate solutions, and decarbonization at CSU and is intended to foster greater collaboration among energy staff and faculty across all eight colleges with broad access to facilities for faculty and industry partners. The Institute conducts research, education, commercialization, and outreach activities for the entire CSU campus. Also, the Institute operates the Powerhouse Energy Campus, located north of the CSU main campus, and provides safe, secure, and sophisticated facilities for university investigators and industry partners to collaboratively develop clean energy solutions. This position resides at the Powerhouse Energy Campus, which is an industrial working environment.

Position Summary

The Communications Specialist plays a key role at the Energy Institute and offers a unique opportunity for an innovative person to shape the Institute’s storytelling through dynamic content writing in a fast-paced environment. The ideal candidate will be a self-starter with a passion for creating compelling content with a future opportunity to build a cohesive communications team; someone who is eager to make a significant impact and develop this role according to their vision in alignment with the Energy Institute’s mission.

The Communications Specialist is the primary source of all internal and external communication activities for the Energy Institute (EI). This position directs all facets of the Institute’s communication from creation of marketing/communications to editorial review of all public-facing content and is the point of contact for all media, communications, and marketing activities.

In addition, this position may supervise a team of employees and project-based work to include CSU internal partners and/or external consultants of media, graphic design, and digital or social media specialists. This position advises the EI’s executive and administrative teams on communications strategy and implementation to connect with the wide audience base (alumni, donors, students, prospective students, faculty, staff, industry partners). Through a yearly strategic communications plan, this position aims to strengthen the brand and further promote the research and outreach endeavors and global impact of the Institute. This position also works collaboratively with several university partners including, but not limited to, the Office of Vice President for Research, the Walter Scott, Jr. College of Engineering (and other colleges), and the Office of University Advancement development efforts.

This position is located at the Powerhouse Energy Campus with a majority of the work hours each week being in-person.

Required Job Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in English, journalism, communication, marketing or related field

• Minimum of five years professional experience in the communication field, with at least two years dedicated to:

• Developing/implementing/monitoring/strategic communication efforts, including writing, branding, and editing in digital and traditional media

• Work experience as a digital media specialist with demonstrated experience of writing, editing, proofreading, and tenets of journalism, including AP style

• Identifying and managing vendor and consultant relationships

Must have a valid driver’s license or the ability to obtain a driver’s license or access to a licensed driver by the employment start date.

Preferred Job Qualifications

• Project management experience, especially with websites and content management systems

• Experience with videography (filming, editing and web publishing) and graphic design

• Demonstrated proficiency at managing competing deadlines in a fast-paced environment with short timelines

• Demonstrated experience in collaborating and fostering relationships with diverse stakeholders Higher education with management of staff experience

• Strong familiarity (through experience) with the clean energy space

Diversity Statement

Reflecting departmental and institutional values, candidates are expected to have the ability to advance the Department’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Essential Duties

Job Duty CategoryDigital Content Creator

Duty/Responsibility

• Manage and create compelling stories through writing and other media that highlight the work of students, alumni/friends, faculty, and staff, and support the strategic priorities of the Energy Institute.

• Serve as editor-in-chief for electronic Newsletters and any other internal and external facing communications.

• Create content, provide editing and proofreading support for communication concerning the EI; ensuring all content and design reflects strategic priorities and brand standards of the EI.

• Point of contact for all reporters/members of the media and other internal and external constituents seeking communications support.

• Collaborate closely and effectively with the EI leadership to understand and quickly respond to communication priorities with developed materials.

• Direct the promotion and publicity of all EI events including collaborating with internal and external partners to create the promotional materials for each one.

• Maintain and enforce brand guidelines for EI, and facilitate buy-in from diverse parties, in collaboration with the Office of the Vice President for Research and other cross-campus partners.

• Collaborate on internal communication to ensure messages and delivery methods are effective and cohesive across EI thereby maintaining a consistent look, tone, and feel for branding via social media, weekly email newsletters, posters, displays etc. This includes print and electronic media and will frequently entail short timelines.

• Collaborate with the campus communication and marketing partners to ensure strategic and consistent institutional messaging and initiatives.

• Direct the production and promotion of the EI strategic plan and annual report.

• Manage and maintain the website as needed and serve as gatekeeper for website permissions and training.

• Manage all paid media advertisements and news releases.

• Comply with applicable laws, regulations, and guidelines pertinent to all marketing activities.

Percentage Of Time75

Job Duty CategoryStrategic Communications and Marketing

Duty/Responsibility

• Collaborate with the executive leadership team to develop and execute the Institute’s strategic communication and marketing plan.

• Regularly update the executive leadership team on the status of the strategic plan implementation, providing insights, metrics, and recommendations for improvement; ensuring marketing efforts are aligned with the strategic goals.

• Create and manage an editorial calendar and a monthly social media plan that aligns with the communications plan.

• Tracking of all activities and marketing/communications efforts via analytics whenever possible (i.e., open rates in emails, UTM codes, Google Analytics etc.) with the goal of increasing engagement across platforms.

Percentage Of Time20

Job Duty CategorySupervision

Duty/Responsibility

• Supervise student interns focused on media, communications, and graphic design and future permanent staff, as resources become available.

• For example, provide supervision to staff by editing content and ensuring posts are engaging across Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube.

• Be fully responsible for work product of all staff working on communication and event-related projects.

Percentage Of Time5

Application Details

Special Instructions to Applicants

CSU is committed to full inclusion of qualified individuals. If you are needing assistance or accommodations with the search process, please reach out to the listed search contact. Please note, applicants may redact information from their application materials that identifies their age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution.

Interested applicants must submit acover letterwhich addresses how professional experiences align with the identified required and preferred qualifications of the position and how those experiences will contribute to the Energy Institute’s mission and vision; acurrent resume;and thenames, e-mail addresses, and telephone numbers of three (3) professional references. References will not be contacted without prior notification of candidates. If you have questions, please contact the listed search contact. Semi-finalists will be asked to submit samples of work and a proposed 1-page future communications vision for the Energy Institute.

Conditions of EmploymentPre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for new hires)

Search ContactLynsey Bosch, Lynsey.Bosch@colostate.edu

EEO Statement

Colorado State University is committed to providing an environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based on race, age, creed, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, gender, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, or pregnancy in its employment, programs, services and activities, and admissions, and, in certain circumstances, marriage to a co-worker. The University will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. Colorado State University is an equal opportunity and equal access institution and affirmative action employer fully committed to achieving a diverse workforce and complies with all Federal and Colorado State laws, regulations, and executive orders regarding non-discrimination and affirmative action. TheOffice of Equal Opportunity (https://oeo.colostate.edu/) is located in 101 Student Services.

The Title IX Coordinator is the Director of the Office of Title IX Programs and Gender Equity, 123 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, CO 80523-0160, (970) 491-1715,titleix@colostate.edu.

The Section 504 and ADA Coordinator is the Director of the Office of Equal Opportunity, 101 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, CO 80523-0160, (970) 491-5836,oeo@colostate.edu.

The Coordinator for any other forms of misconduct prohibited by the University’s Policy on Discrimination and Harassment is the Vice President for Equity, Equal Opportunity and Title IX, 101 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, Co. 80523-0160, (970) 491-5836,oeo@colostate.edu.

Any person may report sex discrimination under Title IX to theOffice of Civil Rights, Department of Education (https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/howto.html) .

Background Check Policy Statement

Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, CSU conducts background checks for the finalist before a final offer. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.

References Requested

References Requested

Minimum Requested3

Maximum Requested3

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

• Cover Letter

• Resume

Optional Documents