Req #:	172681
Department:	ELECTRICAL & COMPUTER ENGINEERING
Job Location:	Seattle Campus
Posting Date:	09/30/2019
Closing Info:	Open Until Filled
Salary:	Salary and benefits are competitive. Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience.
Shift:	First Shift
Notes:	As a UW employee, you will enjoy generous benefits and work/life programs.  For detailed information on Benefits for this position, click here.

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. All of which has allowed the UW to be nationally recognized as a “Great College to Work For” for six consecutive years.

The Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering at the University of Washington is a nationally ranked education and research program.  Located on the main Seattle campus of the University of Washington, UW Electrical & Computer Engineering currently supports greater than 800 undergraduate and graduate students and over 55 active tenured/tenure track and research faculty. UW ECE is a dynamic organization that provides comprehensive administrative and advising services in support of our teaching, research and service missions. UW ECE is currently seeking a Public Information Specialist position to become a member of our UW ECE Public Relations Team.

The Public Information Specialist develops and provides comprehensive, creative communication services to the faculty, staff and students whom comprise the Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering (UW ECE).  The Public Information Specialist will be responsible for the proactive identification, creation and ongoing management of relevant, compelling story leads, based directly on UW ECE key research areas (communications/ networking, electromagnetics/remote sensing, integrated systems/circuits/VLSI, nanotechnology/MEMS/photonics, power/energy, speech/image/video processing, systems/controls/robotics).

This position works independently to develop and generates content which will feed directly into electronic, web, print, social media, graphic design and video communication materials that effectively leverage department research efforts generated by UW ECE distinguished faculty, cutting edge laboratories and outstanding student projects. This position is responsible for all design elements and event support, including photography, for the ECE PR team.

This position and is responsible for generating appropriate, timely, and accurate information for communication to our internal and external audiences. Leveraging strong relationships and connections with key individuals and groups, this position directly influences and increases the visibility of the Department.

JOB FUNCTIONS
PUBLIC RELATIONS VISION AND STRATEGY

Directly manage all departmental communications, including designing all electronic and print pieces, event photography, video production projects and creating a strategic vision for departmental image. 

Collaborate with UW College of Engineering Marketing and Communications staff to effectively strategize on shared communications coverage, to be shared at the department, college and university level.

Working directly with the ECE Chair and ECE Events Team, strategize and plan for PR/communications/graphic design coverage at all ECE events, annual lectures, alumni and department events, weekly colloquium lectures, capstone and class project demonstrations.

Formulate and oversee an annual communications plan.  Monitor and measure the impact of communications efforts to evaluate needs and opportunities.

Develop communications success metrics and share with ECE Chair and Administrator on a quarterly basis.

CONTENT RESEARCH AND GENERATION 

Work proactively with the ECE Chair, Administrator, Associate Chairs, faculty, students and staff to identify stories of interest within UW ECE key research areas to identify stories of interest.

Directly collaborate with faculty members and students to obtain topics, gather data, quotes, graphics and photos in support of content development for research communications.

Conduct interviews with individuals to obtain content, develop research stories and testimonials. Work directly with interviewees to establish relationships and comfort levels. Develop interview questions and format interviews to allow for multiple methods of distribution (electronic media, graphic design, social media, video, etc).

Regularly meet and engage with faculty to obtain updates and new information on research projects and breakthroughs and follow-up on developments.

Maintain and create new and updated content for website and social media channels.

Increase ECE social media presence, through creative campaigns, engagement and content generation.

Demonstrate excellent editing skills in video and other creative media production.

Demonstrate excellent skills with Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign and PhotoShop, specifically).  

Measure website metrics and other analytics against communications goals to guide priorities.

CONTENT DISEMMINATION

Along with the other PIO, manage and determine editing and production timelines for standard and special communications.  

Create, select, prioritize and approve final content for PR/communications distribution. Provide generated content for final production and distribution for use in the Department's annual research magazine and help with the Department's communication magazine (Integrator), Fact Sheet, electronic media, website, emails, and social media.

Ensure accurate and timely postings and communications on external websites, emails, social media and other materials as necessary.

In tandem with ECE Chair and Administrator, decide on the best ways to make content available to a variety of audiences.

DIGITAL MEDIA CONTENT CREATION AND GENERATION

Build a strong department visual brand. The brand will inform all outbound communication strategies through thoughtful graphic design and collaboration with key stakeholders.

Design, create and disseminate departmental publications and promotional materials. Create visual assets for sharing across digital channels.

Based on transcripts from video interviews and established talking points, develop video content that meets established goals and expectations.

Oversee and generate all department video production. Work directly with the Department Chair, Administrator and Department Faculty to identify specific research opportunities suitable for video production.

Generate and integrate graphics, video and text into web content to effectively present information and ideas to target audiences.

Enhance the department’s photography and improve department photography equipment for in-house photography applications, including providing photography services at all department events.

Coordinate with Department IT specialists on technical website issues and ongoing maintenance.

Produce promotional materials for department-sponsored seminars, academic programs, advancement events and recruitment initiatives, including creating unique and original design elements.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT/ADMINISTRATION

Work on other public relations projects as assigned by the UW ECE Department Chair, Administrator or Associate Chair of Research. Regularly report progress and status of projects to Chair and Administrator.

Collaborate directly with UW ECE faculty to manage and showcase research efforts. Meet proactively with faculty to obtain information and leads on content creation, and prioritize communications of student projects, awards and presentations.

Remain current on trends in content marketing and public relations. Build technical skills and understand current and emerging communication technologies as needed for role.

Write, develop and maintain new and existing PR/communications process documents for department faculty and staff.

QUALIFICATIONS
Minimum:

Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations, Communication, Marketing, Journalism, English or related field.

4-5 years of experience in creative design, marketing/communications.

Graphic design experience 

Proven expertise in creating communications intended for diverse audiences. Must be able to create effective, engaging communications that directly relate to overall strategic message and goals.

Strong proficiency with computer skills, including Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft Office, Final Cut Pro, Dreamweaver and HTML skills.

Demonstrated experience in using social media for successful business communications and outcomes.

Strong organization and project planning skills. Attention to detail, strong work ethic and must have the ability to focus on both large project/long term organization and consistent messaging as well as small scale copy and messaging.

Must be able to work in fast paced, dynamic environment, with the ability to be flexible and work under pressure.

Proficiency using Microsoft Office (MS Word, Excel, Power Point), Adobe Creative Suite.

Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.

Desired:

Experience with higher education institutions and/or marketing in a complex organization.

Strong Experience with video content, creation and editing

Application Process:
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.  These assessments may include Work 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.