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Position Title:Communications Specialist II

Job Group:Professional & Scientific

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

Preferred Qualifications:Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, public relations or a related field

Experience planning and creating a variety of content for multiple platforms, including printed publications, electronic newsletters, social media, podcasts, websites and videos

Experience working with multiple constituents in a corporate, higher education or other organization

Understanding of social media best practices, trends and platform differences

Demonstrated ability to follow brand standards, editorial and style guidelines while offering creative solutions

Job Description:

Iowa State University’s College of Design is seeking a Communications Specialist II to play a key role in promoting the college and its initiatives. This position will work closely with the Director of Strategic Communications to plan and execute communications and marketing projects that enhance the college’s visibility and reputation. This is a writing-intensive role requiring the development of various content to engage a variety of audiences, including students, faculty, staff, alumni, donors and the broader community. The Communications Specialist II will collaborate with academic leadership, staff and faculty across the college’s seven departments and work alongside the marketing and enrollment strategy team to deliver high-quality communications that align with strategic priorities.

The ideal candidate will be highly organized and able to plan and manage multiple projects and priorities, working independently as well as with various internal and external stakeholders. Excellent communication skills, including interpersonal skills, are essential, along with effective time management.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

+ Develop creative content that tells engaging stories about students, faculty, staff, alumni, events, projects, research and college initiatives.

+ Research, interview and gather information to create news and feature articles, news releases, reports, social media posts, calendar entries and other print and digital communications materials.

+ Assist in the creation and editing of video content to showcase college programs, events and initiatives.

+ Create, update and maintain college web content within the established framework.

+ Collaborate with colleagues to develop and execute a social media strategy that increases engagement across platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

+ Develop and distribute internal weekly faculty-staff e-newsletter, ensuring accurate collection, verification, editing and formatting of information.

+ Plan and implement short- and long-term projects in collaboration with colleagues in recruitment, development and alumni relations, offering creative solutions to achieve project goals and engage target audiences.

About the College of Design:

At Iowa State University’s College of Design, we are dedicated to fostering a culture of care—toward ourselves, our communities and the environment—through art, planning and design. As one of the nation’s most comprehensive art and design institutions, we educate approximately 2,000 undergraduate and 160 graduate students across 11 undergraduate majors, 11 minors and multiple graduate programs. Filled with creativity, energy and enthusiasm, we are a close-knit community where meaningful collaboration thrives.

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.

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• May provide guidance to students

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 Vitae 2) Letter of Application/Cover Letter If 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 • Iowa State offers WorkFlex options for some positions. WorkFlex offers flexibility on when, where, and how you do your work. For more information, please speak with the Hiring Manager.

Original Posting Date: October 8, 2025

Posting Close Date:October 18, 2025

Job Requisition Number:R17786

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.