Communications Associate

Thank you for considering a career with the Research Foundation of The City University of New York (RFCUNY).The team at RFCUNY is made up of dedicated, talented professionals committed to providing the services that allow CUNY researchers, faculty, and staff to focus on their intellectual curiosity and scientific discoveries.We are pleased that you are interested in exploring opportunities to join RFCUNY.Primary Location:OFFICE OF SR. UNIV DEAN FOR ACADEMIC AFFAIRSBargaining Unit:NoMISSIONChildren need to spend their most critical years with dedicated, educated, trained, and well-compensated individuals in order to thrive. The New York Early Childhood Professional Development Institute (PDI) leads the work to establish and implement an early childhood workforce system to ensure funding, standards and competencies, career development resources, qualifications and credentials, professional development (training and strengths-based coaching), and program quality assurance and improvement for individuals who work with young children throughout New York. Housed at the City University of New York, the Institute is a fast-paced, dynamic public/private partnership that is committed to the early childhood workforce across New York State.QUALITYstarsNY is New York State’s Quality Rating and Improvement System for early childhood education programs in all regulated settings. QUALITYstarsNY exists because early childhood educators across the state deserve support to engage in continuous quality improvement. QUALITYstarsNY provides individualized, comprehensive support to hundreds of early childhood programs across New York State and continues to expand participation. Programs participating in QUALITYstarsNY are rated on a 5-Star scale every three years and are supported with a full complement of resources to improve and sustain their quality – all at no cost to their program.GENERAL DESCRIPTIONThe Communications Associate will support the development and implementation of communications and marketing strategies for QUALITYstarsNY. The Communications Associate will contribute to the creation and distribution of compelling and visually engaging print and digital materials for a range of stakeholders and audiences. The Communications Associate will report directly to the QUALITYstarsNY Communications & Outreach Manager.DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIESCommunications – 80%Support the creation and dissemination of digital and print communications and education materials for a wide range of internal and external audiencesEnsure consistency of messaging and brand identity for QUALITYstarsNY in materials development and across various platformsDesign visually compelling content for a variety of print and digital platformsCreate and post content for QUALITYstarsNY social media channels, manage engagement, and monitor social media metrics to measure successDevelop web content, including creating and maintaining webpages and blog posts for the QUALITYstarsNY websiteCollect participant and staff testimonials to develop content for the blog and social media that spotlight diverse experiences within the QUALITYstarsNY communityManage email lists and pull data reports for targeted print and email communications campaignsSupport strategic planning for communications campaigns and to achieve short- and long-term goals for the QUALITYstarsNY projectSupport the development of resources and templates to help internal staff communicate effectively on behalf of QUALITYstarsNYAssist with reviewing and editing public-facing content created by internal team members to ensure consistency with current messaging and brand guidelinesAssist with onboarding new staff members so they can effectively communicate about QUALITYstarsNY and reinforce the QUALITYstarsNY brand identity in their written and verbal communicationsSupport the development of presentations and reports for internal and external audiencesPeriodically represent QUALITYstarsNY at conferences and events and deliver presentations about QUALITYstarsNY impact and processes for internal and external audiencesOther Duties – 20%Participate in team meetings and strategic planning discussionsBuild and maintain relationships with external vendors and support communications projects with external partnersCorrespond regularly with staff about important operational matters and updatesProvide Institute Leadership with updates about accomplishments and key data as neededRespond to external requests for information about QUALITYstarsNYPerform special projects and other duties as assignedQUALIFICATIONS :Minimum QualificationsBachelor’s degree in CommunicationsORBachelor’s degree in related field with three years relevant experienceExcellent oral and written communication skillsExcellent organizational skills and attention to detailExperience writing for a variety of audiences, from the general public to more specific stakeholdersExperience designing visually compelling communications and marketing contentInterest in learning new technologies and software for creation and dissemination of digital and print contentAbility to distill complex ideas into accessible language and content for various audiencesProficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, and PowerPoint) designFamiliarity with Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop)Active listener, flexible thinker, team playerFlexibility and enthusiasm for multi-tasking and creative problem-solvingPreferred QualificationsSpanish language fluencyGraphic design skills/experienceExperience creating and managing website content through a Content Management System (CMS) — preferably WordPressKnowledge of basic HTMLExperience with development/management of email distribution lists and use of email distribution systems (such as Mailchimp)Familiarity or background in the field of early childhood education or a related fieldPhysical RequirementsThis position operates in a professional office environment located in Manhattan, NY, and is currently hybrid, working 70% in the office. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as personal computers, laptops, tablets, smartphones, photocopiers, filing cabinets, and presentation equipment.While performing these duties, the employee is required to perform physical activities such as, but not limited to, lifting items (up to 20 pounds), bending, reaching, and sitting for prolonged periods of time. Reasonable accommodations will be made for employees with disabilities or other needs per RFCUNY policies.Ability to travel to other sites as needed.As of May 27, 2022, all candidates will be required to provide proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 upon commencing employment. Exemption (medical or religious) requests to this requirement will be considered in accordance with applicable law and criteria. Being fully vaccinated is defined for this purpose as two weeks after a final dose in primary series of an authorized COVID-19 vaccine (example: two weeks after the second dose of a two-dose vaccine such as Moderna or Pfizer, or two weeks after a single dose vaccine such as Johnson and Johnson). Final candidates must be fully vaccinated as of their first day of employment. Newly hired employees will be sent an email with instructions on how to upload their vaccine information on the Research Foundation portal.Pay Range:$51,000 - $56,000RFCUNY BenefitsEqual Employment Opportunity StatementThe Research Foundation of the City University of New York is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Americans with Disabilities Act/E-Verify Employer. It is the policy of the Research Foundation of CUNY to provide equal employment opportunities free of discrimination based on race, color, age, religion, sex, pregnancy, childbirth, national origin, disability, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, domestic violence victim status, arrest record, criminal conviction history, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.
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