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Position Title:Communication Specialist II

Job Group:Professional & Scientific

Required Minimum Qualifications:Bachelor’s degree and 2 years of related experience

Preferred Qualifications:Experience in creating manuals, signs, annual reports, and/or other graphics for use in various media channels.

Proficiency in using Adobe Creative Cloud tools (e.g., Premiere Pro, InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator).

Knowledge of accessibility standards related to digital media and printed materials.

Experience managing content for websites and social media platforms (e.g., Facebook, YouTube, X/Twitter).

Background in technical writing or editing for instructional or compliance-based content.

Experience producing educational and/or training content.

Some familiarity with Learning Management Systems (LMS) or e-learning platforms (e.g., Canvas, Articulate 360).

Job Description:

Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) at Iowa State University is dedicated to preventing illness and injury, protecting the environment, and connecting the university and community to the message of safety and preparedness. Reporting to the Office of University Counsel, EH&S delivers effective education, fosters beneficial partnerships, maintains technical expertise, and provides exemplary service across a broad range of safety and environmental areas.

The Communications Specialist II will play a critical role on the EH&S training team by producing safety-focused multimedia content, managing communications through social media and the department website, and assisting in the development of engaging classroom presentations. This position combines creative videography, technical writing, and digital communication skills to enhance campus safety awareness and education in collaboration with subject matter experts.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

+ Produce a variety of videos, including demonstration videos, promotional clips, profiles, and documentaries that promote safety; maintain responsibility for all video and lighting equipment and follow standard single-camera videography principles.

+ Promote campus safety through social media platforms such as X, YouTube, Facebook, and website media.

+ Manage the layout, design, and content of the EH&S department website and related online materials.

+ Provide professional audio voice-over for training courses and other media projects.

+ Utilize graphic design skills to create displays, publications, and outreach materials; assist in training staff on software and equipment related to multimedia production.

+ Review and update EH&S publications with subject matter experts, making technical writing and design improvements as needed.

+ Organize and oversee the content of housing publications.

+ Develop classroom presentations and online courses as part of the EH&S training team.

+ Provide technical assistance and client support for EH&S’ Learning Center classroom; serve as a backup for Learning Management System (LMS) administrators and assist with LMS operations.

+ Maintain and recommend upgrades or purchases of video and recording tools and compile standard operating procedures (SOPs) for video production tasks.

+ Perform other duties related to environmental health, safety, and emergency preparedness as assigned.

About the Department:

EH&S is committed to delivering education and services that prevent illness and injury and protect the environment at Iowa State University. The department encompasses programs in Emergency Management, Fire Safety, Hazardous Waste, Health, Laboratory Safety, Radiation, Safety Services, Training, and more. EH&S’s mission is to deliver effective education, foster beneficial partnerships, maintain technical expertise, and provide exemplary service. Guided by core values of service, knowledge, and quality, EH&S ensures the campus community stays safe and well-prepared through professional, knowledgeable, and timely support.

Example of Duties

• Composes, reviews, edits, produces, and duplicates audio, visual, video, and/or printed program materials for distribution to target audiences.

• Reviews and/or edits layouts, drafts, and information in order to check for content readability and style, while keeping in mind accessibility standards.

• Works on internal and external communications projects, including website and intranet creation, management of media, public relations and press releases.

• Conducts the required research and analysis to prepare presentations for management.

• Provides general customer relations information to clients or customer, usually not dealing with sensitive subject matter.

• Responsible for developing, implementing, and maintaining internal and external policies and programs to ensure that the organization is represented positively to the media, the general public, and stakeholders including media relations, government and regulatory liaison, company branding, events management, and internal employee communications.

Level Guidelines• Intermediate-level position with solid professional and/or technical skills working under general supervision to achieve goals• Applies broad, working knowledge of the principles of the field to moderately complex, difficult, and varied problems and issues• Exercises judgment within defined procedures and practices to determine appropriate action and resolve problems• Responds to a broad range of inquiries and requests• May provide training and/or direction to lower-level staff• May lead projects of moderate scope and complexity• Provides guidance to students

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship. Immigration sponsorship is not available for this position.

Appointment Type:Regular

Number of Months Employed Per Year:12 Month Work Period

Time Type:Full time

Pay Grade:PS807

Application Instructions:

To apply for this position, please click on “Apply” and complete the Employment Application. Please be prepared to enter or attach the following:1) Resume/Curriculum Vitae2) Letter of Application/Cover LetterIf you have questions regarding this application process, please email [email protected] or call 515-294-4800 or Toll Free: 1-877-477-7485.Why Choose ISU?Iowa State Employees enjoy comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental; as well as:• Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans• Generous vacation, holiday and sick time and leave plans• Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa)• Life insurance and long-term disability• Flexible Spending Accounts• Various voluntary benefits and discounts• Employee Assistance Program• Wellbeing program

Original Posting Date: July 22, 2025

Posting Close Date:July 29, 2025

Job Requisition Number:R17443

By focusing on the future and providing the best student experience possible, Iowa State University (http://www.iastate.edu/) attracts students and faculty who want to make a difference. With a comprehensive land-grant mission of education, research, extension and outreach, we produce scholars whose ideas change the world. And through Innovate at Iowa State, we provide innovative and entrepreneurial opportunities for students of all backgrounds. Located just 30 minutes north of Des Moines, the city of Ames was recently named one of the Top 10 cities in the U.S. for campus life and career opportunities.

Iowa State University is a welcoming community of students, faculty, and staff. Campus community members have a wide range of backgrounds and experiences and are committed to engaging with each other respectfully as outlined in the university's Principles of Community (https://www.iastate.edu/principles-community) . Iowa State recognizes that diverse intellectual and philosophical perspectives are vital to innovation, critical thinking skills, and a dynamic academic community that fosters the land-grant ideals of putting science, technology, and human creativity to work.

All offers of employment, oral and written, are contingent upon the university’s verification of credentials and other information required by federal and state law, ISU policies/procedures, and may include the completion of a background check and/or a consumer credit check.

Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. Veteran. Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies may be directed to Office of Equal Opportunity, 2680 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, Ames, Iowa 50011, Tel. 515-294-7612, email [email protected].

If you have questions about the application process please email [email protected] or call 515-294-4800 or Toll-Free at 1-877-477-7485. Iowa State University provides reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should email [email protected] or call (515) 294-4800 or Toll-Free: (877) 477-7485. TTY users are welcome to use the Iowa Relay Service number by dialing 7-1-1 or (800) 735-2942.

General ISU compensation information can be found on the University Human Resources (https://www.hr.iastate.edu/careers/compensation) website. Please note that this is only a list of ranges and individuals will be paid commensurate with qualifications.