Part-Time Communications Specialist

Department

College Pozen Family Center for Human Rights

About the Department

Pozen Family Center for Human Rights

Job Summary

This position plans, prepares and disseminates information designed to keep the public informed of the University's perspectives, programs, and accomplishments. Work is performed with a moderate level of guidance, and typically includes marketing, press relations, creative editorial and design services, and internal communications.

Responsibilities

• Coordinates and develops promotional materials and activities for Pozen Center events, programs, research, and initiatives.
• Manages and develops content for the Pozen Center website and other social media platforms to ensure consistent messaging and visual identity across all communication channels.
• Writes and edits long-form articles, reports, and other in-depth content that focuses on human rights topics related to the Pozen Center's work and events.
• Creates concise, accurate, and compelling written and visual content for emails, blogs, social media, and webpages.
• Designs, drafts, and manages email newsletters and oversees the email database in MailChimp.
• Creates website content and uploads it using the Drupal content management system.
• Coordinates and contributes to developing and implementing the communication plan for the Pozen Center.
• Works collaboratively on special projects that promote the Pozen Center and its work to the University of Chicago and local, national, and international human rights communities.
• Coach students on the development of social media, newsletters, and other communication activities.
• Tracks website and social media analytics to inform content strategy and demonstrate continuous improvement in communication efforts.
• Plans, develops and disseminates information designed to keep the public informed of the organization's programs, accomplishments, or point of view, with moderate levels of guidance and direction.
• Accomplishes assigned duties through two or more of the following: written communications; visual/graphic media, which may include Web site development and maintenance; speeches and personal contact. The incumbent is still acquiring higher-level knowledge and skills.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications:

• --

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in journalism, communications, or a liberal arts-related field.
• Master's degree in a relevant field.

Experience:

• Minimum 2 years of prior experience in a communications or marketing role.
• Working in a university or non-profit setting, particularly in human rights or a related field.
• More than 2 years of experience in web content management, digital, and communications.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• Proficiency with graphic design tools, such as Canva, Adobe Creative Suite, for creating visual content.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Suite.
• Familiar with Adobe Creative Suite.
• Skilled in collaborative online tools such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and BOX.
• Skilled in Outlook and mass mailing tools, such as MailChimp.
• Skilled with website content management and creation using Drupal or similar CMS.

Preferred Competencies

• Superior written, verbal, and storytelling communication skills; excellent copywriting, editing, and proofreading abilities; and the capacity to present concepts verbally.
• Work under tight timelines to write, edit, and produce communication media.
• Strong knowledge and understanding of current trends in digital and social media.
• Manage multiple concurrent projects competently and professionally while overseeing details and deadlines.
• Perform duties with minimal supervision, displaying confidence while working on several projects and tasks simultaneously.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build collaborative relationships.
• Attention to detail.
• Creativity in communicating organizational impact.

Working Conditions

• Office environment.
• Lift up to 40 lbs.
• Sit at a computer for 4-6 hours.
• Climb up to two flights of stairs.
• This is a part-time position of approximately 20 hours per week.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)
• Cover Letter, which is to include your interest in this position (required)
• References Contact Information (3)(required)
• Two Writing Samples, at least one should be a longer-form piece (required)

When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family

Communications

Role Impact

Individual Contributor

Scheduled Weekly Hours

20

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Pay Rate Type

Hourly

FLSA Status

Non-Exempt

Pay Range

$28.90 - $34.00

The included pay rate or range represents the University's good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

Benefits Eligible

Yes

The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu. Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.