Recruitment Outreach Communications Specialist and Content Creator

Please note, this position is not eligible for H-1B or Green Card sponsorship. This position does not offer a STEM OPT training program. This is a hybrid position.

This marketing communications specialist posting supports the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences (CFANS) by developing and implementing communications that increase awareness of CFANS academic programs, student experiences, and career pathways among prospective students, educators, and youth audiences.

Reporting to CFANS Marketing & Communications, this position is primarily responsible for creating and coordinating communications across digital, print, and social media channels that promote CFANS programs and youth engagement opportunities.

The marketing communications function role works closely with our youth outreach and recruitment team, admissions partners, and departmental communicators to ensure youth engagement initiatives are effectively promoted and aligned with broader recruitment and marketing strategies.

This position focuses on storytelling, promotional communications, and audience engagement that highlight CFANS' strengths in experiential learning, hands-on discovery, and career-connected education in agriculture, food systems, environmental science, and natural resources. In addition to content development, the position leads cross-functional coordination and project management of integrated communications initiatives spanning web, social media, email, print, and in-person engagement.

While the role collaborates with youth outreach programming, its primary responsibility is communications strategy and content development, to better reach student focused audiences and other student facing stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Communications and Digital Content Creator (65%)

Develop and implement communications that support CFANS recruitment and youth
engagement priorities.

• Lead digital and print content creation - write and edit content for web, email, social
  media, digital newsletters,video, print, and multimedia channels promoting CFANS
  programs, opportunities, and student experiences.
• Leads web strategy to strengthen and optimize CFANS pages supporting recruitment,
  youth outreach programs, educator resources, and prospective student engagement.
• Create youth- and educator-focused content highlighting academic pathways and
  careers in agriculture, food, environmental science, and natural resources.
• Drive paid recruitment social and search marketing campaigns.
• Contribute content for CFANS social media channels, including specific channel
  management.
• Lead user-centered improvements and ongoing optimization of youth outreach web
  content, including redesign efforts that improve usability and integration with prospective
  student and admissions information.
• Develop messaging that connects CFANS academic programs with real-world career
  opportunities and societal challenges for purpose driven careers.
• Coordinate messaging across communications channels to ensure alignment with
  CFANS brand standards and University recruitment messaging.
• Identify and amplify stories highlighting experiential learning, student success, faculty
  research, and career outcomes.
• Support the promotion and visibility of youth outreach initiatives through coordinated
  communications and storytelling.
• Develop templates, messaging frameworks, and communications materials that support
  recurring outreach activities such as field trips, classroom visits, and career exploration
  programs.
• Coordinate communications needs with faculty, student ambassadors, and volunteers
  involved in youth engagement efforts.

• Provide guidance and resources to faculty, staff, and student ambassadors engaged in
  youth outreach communications.

Outreach & Event Communications (25%)

Support communications and promotion for youth outreach programs and prospective student engagement activities.

• Develop communication plans and promotional materials for youth outreach initiatives
  and events.
• Create invitations, registration communications, promotional messaging, and follow-up
  communications.
• Produce event-related communications materials including but not limited to digital
  content, signage, and participant communications.
• Collaborate with CFANS Admissions, outreach staff, and departmental partners to
  ensure events and programs are effectively promoted.

• Personalized engagement strategy: Develop and manage personalized pre- and
  post-event communications strategies to enhance engagement with prospective
  students, including coordination of targeted outreach such as departmental follow-up
  and recognition communications

Communications Project Coordination (10%)

• Manage communications timelines and workflows for youth outreach and recruitment
  initiatives.
• Track communications deliverables and maintain organized digital assets and templates.
• Assist with coordination of promotional materials and communications resources used in
  outreach activities.
• Lead project management for communications initiatives related to youth outreach,
  recruitment, and admissions, coordinating work across content, design, web, social
  media, and multimedia teams.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, marketing, public relations, or a
  related field plus two years of professional experience, or a combination of related
  education and work experience totaling at least six years.
• Demonstrated experience writing and editing content for public distribution across digital
  or print platforms.
• Experience supporting communications, marketing, or outreach initiatives.

• Experience working with web content management systems, social video content
  creation, email marketing platforms, or customer relationship management (CRM) tools.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting recruitment communications, youth programming, or educational
  outreach initiatives.
• Familiarity with the University of Minnesota or land-grant university missions.
• Experience working with multiple communications channels including web, email, and
  social media.
• Experience coordinating communications for events or outreach initiatives.
• Experience working with individuals from diverse backgrounds and communities.

Pay Range: $63,000 - $68,000 per year; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: Civil-Service & Non-Faculty Labor Represented Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

While our salary ranges provide a framework, it is important to note that most of the
time, the initial pay may not reach the maximum of the range. This approach ensures
that compensation reflects the value and unique contributions of each candidate while
maintaining equity within our organization. As part of our commitment to fair and
equitable compensation, please be aware that the salary offered to incoming candidates
will be based on their individual credentials and experience.

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

Please include the following required application materials:

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• Three samples of Content Work (Video and/or Written)

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).