Communications & Outreach Specialist

Position Responsibilities
The Community Outreach Specialist (Communications Generalist) focuses on health promotion, education, and outreach for the agricultural workforce in the Upper Midwest.

Outreach & Event Planning (40%)

Maintain relationships with partner organizations to support joint outreach efforts.

Coordinate planning and facilitation of key public stakeholder events, advisory board meetings, and center meetings.

Provide logistical support for detailed event planning, including scheduling, meeting space, catering, technology needs, and the production of marketing programs and materials.

Assist leadership with meeting facilitation, technical support, note-taking, and follow-up activities.

Serve as an ambassador for UMASH in agricultural and public health spaces, building relationships with farmers, farm organizations, community groups, Extension networks, and other partners.

Communications & Content Development (40%)

Support the creation and production of external-facing materials such as press releases, email newsletters, research briefs, spotlight stories, social media campaigns, and promotional resources.

Write, review, and edit communications materials for accuracy, clarity, and audience appropriateness, including website content and email communications.

Translate technical research findings into accessible plain-language content for a broad range of audiences.

Manage key areas of external digital communication, including social listening, media channels, audience segmentation, copywriting, plain language standards, and digital media channel management. May involve basic design work in Canva.

Support routine website updates and email communications and newsletters via Mailchimp and other platforms.

Administrative Support (20%)

Assist leadership in planning and integrating external communications with outreach priorities and broader center initiatives.

Serve as a point of contact for knowledge management resources related to communications and outreach, maintaining organized systems for partner contacts and content assets.

Compile and edit summary reports for funders and stakeholders that highlight center activities, outputs, community reach, and outcomes.

Qualifications
Required

BA/BS plus at least two years of experience or a combination of related education and work experience equal to at least six years.

Adaptability and collaboration skills, ability and passion to work with a diverse team of interested parties.

Digital skills, including experience planning and implementing social media engagement and familiarity with Google Workspace, Microsoft Office, Canva, Asana, and Air Inc.

Organizational skills to balance multiple projects simultaneously, coordinating workflow and priorities.

Communication skills, including effective writing, proofreading, and editing for both technical and non-technical audiences.

Commitment to fostering an inclusive, respectful workplace.

Preferred

Bilingual with fluency in Spanish preferred.

Specialized knowledge about agriculture, agricultural health, farming communities, environmental issues, public health, and/or occupational safety.

Experience with event planning, public relations, and/or coordinating with external partner organizations in community, nonprofit, and/or public health settings.

Pay And Benefits
Pay Range: $52,000 – $69,000 per year.

Benefits include competitive wages, paid holidays, generous time off, professional training opportunities, low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans, health and dependent care flexible spending accounts, HSA contributions, disability and life insurance, wellbeing program, retirement plans with employer contribution, public service loan forgiveness, financial counseling, employee assistance program, and transit pass options.

How To Apply
Submit an online application with a resume and cover letter or writing sample. Attach any additional documents in the applicant portal.

Employment Requirements
Successful completion of a background check is required. Prospective employees must have eligibility to work in the United States.

Diversity
The University values diversity and inclusion and provides equal access 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.

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