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Position Title:Outreach and Communications Specialist

Job Group:Professional & Scientific

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

Preferred Qualifications:Background in agriculture, with a preference for experience in the swine industry.

Experience creating accessible digital content.

Experience updating and maintaining websites utilizing web content management systems (e.g., Drupal, WordPress, etc.) or basic coding/programming (e.g., HTML, CSS, JavaScript).

Experience using Adobe Creative Suite and Canva to create marketing materials such as newsletters, infographics, fact sheets, etc.

Professional experience with social media management.

Familiarity with online course development tools (e.g., Articulate, Adobe Captivate) and learning management systems (e.g., Canvas).

Job Description:

Are you interested in making a real impact in agriculture and food production? Are you looking for a role that offers strong work-life balance and a collaborative, team environment?

If so, the Iowa Pork Industry Center (IPIC) with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach is seeking candidates for an Outreach and Communications Specialist! This role will be classified as a Communications Specialist II.

What You'll Do:

+ Develop and distribute promotional materials, news releases, and monthly newsletters.

+ Manage IPIC’s social media presence across platforms (Facebook, X, YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn).

+ Promote faculty and staff work through internal and external media channels.

+ Maintain and update IPIC website content, ensuring accessibility and functionality.

+ Collaborate with subject matter experts to design and implement online courses and training.

+ Develop content and delivery strategies using innovative digital tools.

+ Write articles for industry publications and create educational visuals and videos.

+ Tailor content for broad audiences including farmers, consumers, and allied industry.

+ Coordinate with Agriculture and Natural Resources communications team on publications and promotional efforts.

+ Manage data entry and reporting for media releases and program evaluations.

+ Develop and assess communication strategies.

+ Support logistics for programs like SowBridge and manage IPIC communications channels.

Occasional travel will be involved in this role.

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.

About Iowa Pork Industry Center:

The Iowa Pork Industry Center was established in 1994 as a coordinated effort of the colleges of Agriculture and Life Sciences and Veterinary Medicine at Iowa State University. Through partnerships with the IPIC, pork producers receive accurate and timely information to aid in making their operations more efficient and profitable. We provide a variety of educational and informational opportunities for producers and the Iowa pork industry, ranging from issue focused workshops to large multi-topic events like Iowa State’s annual Iowa Swine Day. We work in partnership with commodity organizations, private industry and commercial businesses to deliver appropriate, timely and accurate resources. The IPIC efforts are linked with the activities and programs of the ISU Extension and Outreach campus and field staff members, partnering on a variety of outreach opportunities.

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

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: November 3, 2025

Posting Close Date:November 12, 2025

Job Requisition Number:R18058

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.