Specialist – Communications

Posting Number PG194086SP

Internal Recruitment No

Working Title Specialist – Communications

Anticipated Hiring Range $54,985 – $64,272 (commensurate with experience)

Work Schedule Monday – Friday, 8 am – 5 pm

Job Location Raleigh, NC

Department NC Clean Energy Technology Center

About The Department

The North Carolina Clean Energy Technology Center ( NCCETC ) at NC State University advances a sustainable energy economy by educating, demonstrating and providing support for clean energy technologies, practices, and policies. This mission is accomplished through work in the following major program areas; Renewable Energy, Clean Power & Industrial Efficiency; Clean Transportation; Energy Policy and Markets; Training and Workforce Development; and Communications and Outreach. The NCCETC serves as a resource for innovative, clean energy technologies through demonstration, technical assistance, outreach and training. More information about the NCCETC is available at http://nccleantech.ncsu.edu.

About the Communications & Outreach Program:

The Communications & Outreach team oversees and administers internal and public outreach and communications activities across the Center’s main program areas. The team manages media and public relations efforts, participation in national and local events, plans and coordinates the State Energy Conference of North Carolina, consults with all program areas on brand management and communication strategies, manages all social media, websites, the Center’s contact management system, and digital communications, manages some Center’s fundraising initiatives, and engages in partner outreach and collaboration.

Essential Job Duties

The Public Communications Specialist at the NC Clean Energy Technology Center supports the Center’s communication and outreach activities. This position reports to the Senior Program Director for Communications, and works closely with the supervisor and also programmatic staff to support their communications initiatives. The Public Communications Specialist provides communications and marketing support for a wide variety of initiatives and activities across the Center’s program areas.

The position requires the candidate to be organized and self-motivated and either have, or be capable of learning, technical familiarity with clean and renewable energy technologies, with a special emphasis on advanced transportation technologies, as well as having a general awareness of policy and workforce development as related to clean energy.

The candidate should have a solid understanding of, and experience in news writing and storytelling, design and layout of publications and marketing materials, social media and website content management, and digital communication. The candidate should also have a working knowledge of graphic design, event planning and partner/relationship building. We are looking for a candidate who has demonstrated initiative and out-of-the box thinking in relation to communications ideas and projects.

Website, contact management and social media

• Research and post relevant internal programmatic and clean energy industry content to the Center’s social media pages, and analyze metrics to make recommendations for improving all social media outlets
• Assist with planning, implementing and analyzing paid social media campaigns
• Coordinate and write content, feature articles and blogs for the Center’s online news and also for other Center-related websites and accounts
• Update and provide content recommendations for the Center’s website, keeping all content relevant and up-to-date with a specific focus on clean transportation, Center-wide and clean energy industry news and information
• Analyze website-related metrics and make recommendations for improvement
• Assist planning and implementing marketing efforts for Google Paid Search for specific campaigns
• Assist in the management of the contact management system

Communications

• Research topics, interview staff, write and edit news stories that help to promote Center programs, projects and activities
• Assist with implementing strategic communications plans for programs areas at the Center
• Create and coordinate the development of the Center-wide and the programmatic teams’ email newsletters; assist with managing the Center’s contact database
• Lead creating content and developing informative documents such as fact sheets, case studies, brochures and the Center’s annual report
• Lead the development of document design and layout for all Center materials
• Manage the video and image library for the Center, updating and adding to this library as needed
• Represent the Center and/or clean transportation program at relevant conferences and workshops throughout the year, taking relevant photos for documentation and for social media purposes
• Develop communication materials for all events and activities taking place on the clean transportation team. This includes email marketing, promotional flyers, postcards, graphic design, press releases, and any other materials deemed relevant for the event

Other Responsibilities

Other Work and Responsibilities can include, but are not limited to:

• Create videos for use on the Center’s website and social media as needed
• Develop illustrative content for Center-wide and clean transportation program materials with Adobe Creative Suite
• Create graphics for use online and in social media
• Understand standard and routine communication, design and visual arts principles and concepts and can apply those standards to NCCETC communications and to an energy audience in general.
• Understand and apply a variety of standardized and commonly accepted design procedures and techniques and make recommendations to the Communications Director.
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

Minimum Experience/Education

Bachelor’s degree in a discipline related to the area of assignment; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.

All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.

Other Required Qualifications

• Experienced writer and storyteller with the ability to translate complex and technical content into communications appropriate for a variety of audiences
• Demonstrated experience in strategic social media management, generating online content, and engaging stakeholders
• Demonstrated experience creating and coordinating website content and online blogs
• Demonstrated experience creating, designing and producing communications materials
• Proven ability to effectively manage priorities, set and accomplish deadlines, and adapt to dynamic atmosphere with limited supervision
• Demonstrated ability to independently manage project timelines, resources, and lead implementation efforts in assigned communication project areas
• Demonstrated ability to take the lead, think innovatively and make recommendations to leadership
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team and independently
• Excellent project management skills, and experience working within a matrixed environment
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and organizational skills
• Strong attention to detail, accuracy, and quality
• Self-starter with excellent time management
• Able to meet demands and timelines without sacrificing quality; works well under quick turnaround deadlines (when needed)
• Customer service oriented in working effectively and comfortably with external and internal constituents and stakeholders

Preferred Qualifications

• Working knowledge of clean energy and sustainability related topics; previous clean energy industry work experience a huge plus
• Demonstrated experience in the Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, Premiere)
• Experience with public speaking
• Demonstrated communications project management experience
• Experience with website content management and working knowledge of graphic design
• Experience and knowledge of WordPress website content management system
• Experience with Hubspot or other Customer Relationship Management ( CRM ) software
• Experience with iContact or other similar e-newsletter software tools
• Knowledge or experience with AP style

Required License Or Certification

N/A

Valid NC Driver’s License required No

Commercial Driver’s License Required? No

Recruitment Dates and Special Instructions

Job Open Date 07/22/2024

Earliest Close Date—- (Positions will be posted until 5:00 PM ET on this date. Positions remaining posted after this date are still accepting applications but may close at any time.) 07/26/2024

Notice to Applicants

Special Instructions

In addition to the application, candidates must attach a CV/resume, cover letter, and contact information for three references.

Applicants will submit other publications or items from their portfolio of work for the review committee to consider. These can be attached as “Other Documents 1 and 2. If the item is web based, just attach a simple word doc with the address we should view. Also include a short writing sample.

Position Details

Position Number 00107423

Position Type SHRA

Position Classification Band Title Public Communication Specialist

Position Classification Band Level Journey

Position Classification Salary Range $ 35,880 – $ 96,560

Salary Grade Equivalency GN10

Alternate Option

If no applicants apply who meet the required competency level and training & experience requirements, then management may consider other applicants. Salary would be determined based on competencies, equity, budget, and market considerations.

Full Time Equivalent (FTE) (1.0 = 40 hours/week) 1.0

Appointment 12 Month Recurring

Mandatory Designation – Adverse Weather Non Mandatory – Adverse Weather

Mandatory Designation – Emergency Events Non Mandatory – Emergency Event

Time Limited Position No

Time-Limited Appointment Length (if applicable)

Department Id 140150 – The North Carolina Clean Energy Technology Center

AA/EEO

NC State University is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as an individual with a disability, or status as a protected veteran. Individuals with disabilities requiring disability-related accommodations in the application and interview process are welcome to contact 919-515-3148 to speak with a representative at the Office of Institutional Equity and Diversity.

If you have general questions about the application process, you may contact Human Resources at (919) 515-2135 or [email protected] .

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. Degree(s) must be obtained prior to start date in order to meet qualifications and receive credit.

NC State University participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.