Pay Grade/Pay Range:  57 Monthly (exempt): - Minimum - $ 35027.16 Midpoint - $ 51147.24

Department/Organization: 214103 - Engineering Development

Normal Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am to 4:45pm

Job Summary: The Communications Specialist II works under moderate supervision to craft communications and develop and implement communication plans and activities to support the goals of a department and/or college/division and the University. Coordinates the production of materials and resources through a variety of platforms, including digital and physical mediums. Knows and applies fundamental communications and public relations concepts, practices and processes. May supervise students.

Additional Department Summary: This position is part of the External Affairs team in the College of Engineering and will collaborate with the Director of External Affairs and the Division of Strategic Communications to develop and implement communication plans and activities to support the goals of the College of Engineering and the University. This position must be able to work independently and be adept at writing stories or news releases within tight deadlines.

Responsible for communications with external and internal stakeholders across various media platforms including web communication, social media, print publications, e-newsletters, media releases and various other media. The position may also create/edit video and shoot/edit photographs. The Communication Specialist serves as the project lead on publications and creates/writes most content. This position will frequently integrate communication strategy and activities with other University operations. The Communication Specialist will be expected to build a base of knowledge about the College of Engineering and generate specialized reporting and communication with faculty, staff and students as sources for material, both face-to-face and electronically. The position will also occasionally interact with and report activities involving alumni and friends outside of the College. The Communication Specialist therefore must be comfortable working one-on-one with constituents and maintaining relationships within the College.

Required Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree and two (2) years of journalism, public relations, marketing, communications; OR master’s degree or higher and some experience in journalism, public relations, marketing, communications. Student or Graduate Assistant, Intern, or student-oriented experience will be considered. To be considered student experience, it must be detailed in the employment section on the application.

Skills and Knowledge: Excellent oral and written communication, strong personal skills, ability to work independently and manage multiple projects with multiple deadlines, and knowledge of higher education. Knowledge of AP Style, content management systems and news release distribution. Must be proficient in objective/inverted pyramid journalistic writing style and feature writing style depending on situation.

Preferred Qualifications: Experience with podcasting and audio/video editing software.

Background Investigation Statement: Prior to hiring, the final candidate(s) must successfully pass a pre-employment background investigation and information obtained from social media and other internet sources. A prior conviction reported as a result of the background investigation DOES NOT automatically disqualify a candidate from consideration for this position. A candidate with a prior conviction or negative behavioral red flags will receive an individualized review of the prior conviction or negative behavioral red flags before a hiring decision is made.

Equal Employment Opportunity: The University of Alabama is an Equal Employment/Equal Educational Opportunity Institution. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment or volunteer status without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, age, genetic or family medical history information, disability, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected basis, and will not be discriminated against because of their protected status. Applicants and employees of this institution are protected under Federal law from discrimination on several bases. Follow the link below to find out more. "EEO is the Law" Poster