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Communications and Outreach Associate
- University of Maine System (Orono, ME)
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The Communications and Outreach Associate will support the Communications Manager and the Maine Sea Grant Team in creating and distributing communications products for both general and targeted audiences. The position will work closely with the Communications Manager to develop and implement the Maine Sea Grant communications strategies. They will also support Maine Sea Grant extension staff, students, and researchers to develop and implement storytelling strategies for projects and programs that target diverse audiences in Maine and beyond. Typical hiring salary for this soft-money funded position is up to $60,000 commensurate with qualifications and experience.
Complete Job Description (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1oGAlOecfQN14ED3OQ9uT9WcRTxYToMAz/view?usp=sharing)
About the University:
The University of Maine is a community of more than 11,900 undergraduate and graduate students, and 2,500 employees located on the Orono campus, the regional campus in Machias, and throughout the state. UMaine is a land, sea and space grant university, and maintains a leadership role as the University of Maine System's flagship institution. UMaine is the state's public research university and a Carnegie R1 top-tier research institution, dedicated to providing excellent teaching, research and service for Maine, the nation and the world. More information about UMaine is at umaine.edu.
The University of Maine offers a wide range of benefits for employees including, but not limited to, tuition benefits (employee and dependent), comprehensive insurance coverage including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and short and long term disability as well as retirement plan options.
UMaine is located in beautiful Central Maine. Many employees report that a primary reason for choosing to come to UMaine is quality of life. Numerous cultural activities, excellent public schools, safe neighborhoods, high quality medical care, little traffic, and a reasonable cost of living make the greater Bangor area a wonderful place to live. Visit the Maine Office of Tourism (https://themainehighlands.com/places-to-visit/greater-bangor-region/) to learn more about what the Bangor region has to offer.
Qualifications:
Required:
+ Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, business, journalism, or a related.
+ Excellent written and oral communication skills.
+ Strong interpersonal and public outreach and engagement skills.
+ Strong attention to detail and the ability to multitask while staying on deadline.
+ Demonstrated proficiency in a diversity of communications skills including (but not limited to): writing, copyediting, social media campaigns, graphic design, and website maintenance.
+ Proficiency in the use of the Google Suite of products, social media management systems (ex: Hootsuite), website content management systems (ex: Wordpress), e-news platforms (ex: Mailchimp), event management platforms (ex: Eventbrite), and the Adobe Creative Suite.
+ Proficiency with graphic design (InDesign, Canva), web content management systems (Drupal, Squarespace), and/or data visualization (ArcGIS, ESRI StoryMaps).
+ Experience managing social media accounts, particularly Instagram, Facebook, Twitter/X, YouTube, and LinkedIn.
+ Experience implementing tools and strategies to interpret and communicate complex information to diverse audiences.
+ Ability to travel to meet with researchers and attend periodic meetings and events.
Preferred:
+ Experience writing for a variety of print and digital media.
+ Strong background or interest in marine-related topics.
+ Professional experience with web and social media.
+ Experience using analytics (ex: Google analytics, Facebook Insights, Twitter analytics, etc.) to evaluate communications project outcomes or reassess communications strategies.
+ Ability to interview people and synthesize material into a print or digital story.
+ Experience making web updates.
+ Experience using photo editing software to process and resize photos.
Other Information:
To be considered for this position you will need to “Apply” and upload the documentation listed below:
1.) a cover letter which describes your experience, interests, and suitability for the position
2.) a resume/curriculum vitae
Candidates selected to proceed to the final stages of the search process will be requested to provide a list of names and contact information for references.
Incomplete application materials cannot be considered. Materials received after the initial review date will be reviewed at the discretion of the University.
For full consideration, materials must be submitted by 4:30 p.m. EST on February 13, 2026.
The successful applicant is subject to appropriate background screening.
The University of Maine System (the System) is an equal opportunity institution committed to fostering a nondiscriminatory environment and complying with all applicable nondiscrimination laws. Consistent with State and Federal law, the System does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability (physical or mental), genetic information, pregnancy, or veteran or military status in any aspect of its education, programs and activities, and employment. The System provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. If you believe you have experienced discrimination or harassment, you are encouraged to contact the System Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX Services at 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, Orono, ME 04469-5713, by calling 207.581.1226, or via TTY at 711 (Maine Relay System). For more information about Title IX or to file a complaint, please contact the UMS Title IX Coordinator at www.maine.edu/title-ix/.
Clery Act
The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, or Clery Act, mandates that all Title IV institutions, such as the University, prepare, publish and distribute an Annual Security Report, (ASR) and provide notice of the availability of the ASR to all prospective employees. This report consists of two basic parts: disclosure of the University’s crime statistics for the past three calendar years; and disclosures regarding the University’s current campus security policies. You may view the University’s Annual Security Report (https://umaine.edu/police/clery-annual-safety-report/) . If you wish to have a paper copy of the ASR or you need to have a copy of the ASR in an accessible format, the University will provide such a copy upon request. Please contact: UMaine Police Department, 81 Rangeley Rd., The University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5794, or call 207.581.4053.
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