As a UW employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees offer their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills and dedication to build stronger minds and a healthier world.

UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty.

The Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering at the University of Washington educates tomorrow’s innovators, conducts cutting-edge research in core and emerging areas of the field, and leads a broad range of multi-disciplinary initiatives that demonstrate the transformative power of computing. Consistently ranked among the top computer science programs in the nation, the Allen School is widely recognized for the excellence and impact of our research and teaching across the region and around the globe. As a leader in efforts to broaden participation in computing, we are committed to advancing diversity, equity and inclusion in our program and in our field. Members of the Allen School actively work to cultivate a welcoming community in which students, faculty and staff with diverse backgrounds, identities and experiences can thrive. The Allen School occupies two spectacular buildings — the Paul G. Allen Center and the adjacent Bill & Melinda Gates Center — located at the heart of the UW campus in Seattle.

The Allen School is seeking outstanding candidates for the position of Communications Specialist.

The Communications Specialist will contribute to the continued success of the Allen School through the production of timely, high-quality and compelling content that showcases the academic excellence, research contributions, and service of Allen School faculty and staff. Using a variety of media, this position will expand the quantity and quality of communications targeting campus and external audiences to increase the visibility and reputation of the school and the University of Washington as leaders in computer science and computer engineering education, research, and entrepreneurship. This position will support the Allen School on a temporary 12-month project basis while we develop the organizational structure and capacity to better meet our rapidly growing communications, public relations and marketing needs on a permanent basis. This position reports to the Communications Manager.

RESPONSIBILITIES
Content Generation (60%)
•Conceptualize, research, write, edit and publish content highlighting Allen School research, education and outreach programs, and professional and academic accomplishments of faculty, students and staff using a combination of print and electronic media, including but not limited to blog articles, newsletter articles, social media content, website content, brochure content, and promotional mailings; 
•Actively solicit story opportunities within the school and manage their production from conception, through review and approval, to final publication, working collaboratively with school leadership, faculty, students and staff; 
•Seek out new opportunities to feature the people and programs that distinguish the Allen School and UW’s excellence in computer science education, including student and faculty profiles and diversity and outreach efforts;
•Edit and proofread your own content as well as the content of others;
•Adhere to media embargoes and maintain confidentiality of source material where required; and
•Ensure all content produced adheres to University, College of Engineering and Allen School branding and editorial style guidelines.

Administration and Project Management (20%)
•Maintain the school editorial calendar, tracking story development and publication timelines;
•Assist with the periodic evaluation and refinement of editorial processes to ensure the school’s marketing and communications needs are being met;
•Create, organize and maintain school creative assets, including but not limited to photography, logos, and templates; 
•Assist with updating content on the school website;
•Collaborate with Allen School staff to ensure adequate public relations coverage at school events;
•Attend communications and marketing meetings and events on campus to stay connected with the broader University communications and marketing community and ensure alignment of Allen School public relations efforts; and
•Other duties as assigned.

Strategy and Program Development (10%)
•Collaborate with leadership and staff in the Allen School and College of Engineering on the development of communications strategies that support a variety of public relations goals, including student recruitment, donor cultivation and stewardship, and alumni and industry relations;
•In collaboration with the Communications Manager, develop and support the use of various communication technologies, including blogs, social media platforms, multimedia, intranet tools and other technologies as appropriate to support strategic public relations goals and engage internal and external audiences;
•Use analytics tools to recommend and implement strategies that expand audience engagement for school-generated content; and
•Provide strategic communications support using a variety of traditional and social media tools around major school announcements and milestones.

Media Relations (10%)
•Coordinate with the UW News Office to promote coverage of research, awards, and school milestones via university channels and in local and national media; 
•Facilitate interview and visual asset requests between media outlets and researchers as needed;
•Assist in the tracking and reporting of media coverage; and
•Cultivate and maintain positive working relationships with local technology and higher education reporters.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
•Bachelor’s degree in English, communications, journalism, marketing, science, engineering or a related discipline, and at least three years of writing and editing experience in communications, marketing, journalism, copywriting, or related field. Equivalent combination of education and experience from which comparable knowledge and skills have been acquired may substitute for the degree requirement.
•Portfolio that demonstrates excellent conceptual and copywriting skills, including the ability to edit your own work as well as have your work edited by others.
•Portfolio that demonstrates familiarity with science, engineering and technology-related topics along with the ability to translate complex concepts to appeal to a variety of audiences.
•Experience writing for web, social media, and other media.
•Basic proficiency with photo editing, with a willingness to build skills in this area.
•Proficiency with Google apps (specifically Drive, Docs, Sheets), Microsoft Office, and Adobe Creative Suite (specifically Acrobat and Photoshop).
•Experience working in WordPress, Drupal and/or other web content management systems.
•Must be able to work in a team environment as well as independently, exercising sound judgment with minimal supervision while effectively collaborating with peers and supervisors.
•Exhibit an awareness of and commitment to the goal of advancing diversity, equity, inclusion and access (DEIA).
•Must be flexible, organized, and able to work well under deadline pressure.
•Must possess strong attention to detail.
•Must be willing and able to learn and use new software as required.
•Must be self-motivated and demonstrate both intellectual curiosity and a strong commitment to the mission of the Allen School and the University.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
•Familiarity with AP style and UW brand guidelines a plus.
•Knowledge of Adobe InDesign and Illustrator a plus.
•Basic knowledge of HTML highly desirable.
•Prior experience writing specifically about computing-related topics desirable.
•Familiarity with the local technology community desirable.
•Experience working in a higher education setting highly desirable.

CONDITIONS
•Ability to work a flexible schedule when needed, to support occasional deadlines that require extra work.

Application Process
Writing samples may be requested of applicants. The application process for UW positions may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process.  Assessments may include Workforce Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others.  Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select “Apply to this position”. Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment you will be prompted to do so the next time you access your “My Jobs” page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.