Overview
We are seeking a motivated, creative individual to maintain and grow a social media community for the Institute for Disability Research, Policy & Practice. The successful candidate will increase the awareness of the Institute for Disability at USU and its events, network with agencies, and provide information and resources to multiple audiences. They will communicate appropriately about disability issues and will ensure everything they publish is accessible to people with disabilities.
This position requires a thorough knowledge of social media networks, applications and trends. It also requires a solid understanding of analytics to help drive strategy and measure success. The successful candidate will craft and implement multimedia posts to engage audiences online, share information on the Institute’s website, create growth both in quantity and quality of followers, and expand awareness. They will develop hashtags to help promote and identify the Institute’s projects and events.
The specialist should be knowledgeable about industry tools like scheduling services, photo and video editing software, use of stock photos, etc. They should be willing to contact people to clarify information or ask for supporting material. The specialist will be expected to provide quarterly status reports, work independently, and communicate effectively with other members of the team.
Responsibilities
- Develop relevant content/topics to reach the target audience;
- Continue to actively grow IDRPP’s following;
- Create, curate and manage all content published on social media (images, video and written) on all social platforms (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter and YouTube), posting several times per week;
- Utilize paid advertising on various platforms and provide timely receipts;
- Listen and respond to users in a social way;
- Assist with updating the IDRPP website and blog when needed;
- Work with the PR/Marketing team at the Institute to strategize information dissemination and share content;
- Understand IDRPP operations and projects;
- Communicate effectively to ensure information is accurate and presented in the most effective way;
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications
- Emphasis of study in one or more of the following, or one year’s relevant experience in: communications, marketing, public relations, journalism, or English.
- Job offer contingent upon successful completion of a background check.
Preferred Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Communications, marketing, public relations, journalism, creative writing, English, or a disability-related field;
- Experience working in the human services and supporting people with disabilities;
- Competence with Adobe Creative Suite and Canvas or similar software;
- Experience with making digital content accessible.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Passion for digital media, storytelling and community engagement;
- Strong computer skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office, page layout or design programs, and content management systems.
- Good understanding of the English language; excellent written and oral communication skills; good spelling, grammar and proofreading.
- Fluent in basic graphic and video software.
- Ability to work effectively and manage multiple tasks while still meeting deadlines;
- Effective organization and problem-solving skills, with the ability to work independently with limited supervision;
- Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills;
- Ability to maintain a positive, friendly attitude with others;
- Commitment to inclusion and cultural sensitivity;
- Strong work ethic and commitment to high standards of excellence;
Required Documents
Along with the online application, please provide:
- Resume to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Resume/CV”.
- Contact information for three professional references to be provided in the Candidate Profile.
- Cover letter to be typed/pasted at the end of your application.
- Upload three examples of social media posts here: https://usu.app.box.com/f/ed76c65d70b648b4b8888e044ccc3e95. Please include the three social media links or screenshots on a Word Document or PDF with your first and last name in the document title.
**Document size may not exceed 10 MB.**
Advertised Salary
$18.50 to $23.00 per Hour
ADA
Employees work indoors and are protected from weather and/or contaminants, but not, necessarily, occasional temperature changes. The employee is regularly required to sit and often uses repetitive hand motions.
College/Department Highlights
The Institute for Disability Research, Policy & Practice (IDRPP) is Utah’s federally designated University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD). The IDRPP opened its doors in 1972 and was the first UCEDD program in the U.S. to focus on the educational and social needs of children and adults with disabilities. Over the past 50 years the IDRPP has grown into one of the largest UCEDD programs in the nation and is recognized as a pioneer in research, training, technical assistance, and services for children and adults with disabilities, their families, and the professionals who serve them.
The IDRPP is committed to hiring people with disabilities, veterans, and diverse individuals from all communities and backgrounds. We value visible and invisible differences, and we recognize that diversity makes us stronger. We welcome applicants who bring something different and unique to our organization. We value creativity, loyalty, and hard work. We believe that we can change the world and make it a better, more inclusive place for everyone, and we want to hire people who also believe that they can make a difference.
Mission:
We are working together to create inclusive communities and improve the lives of children and adults with disabilities and their families through sustainable innovation, collaborative research, responsive service, and interdisciplinary training and education.
Values:
We Innovate: We lead by developing dynamic, sustainable, forward-thinking programs and services.
We Include: We demonstrate how to effectively work toward inclusive communities in our planning, programs, and services. We celebrate diversity in ability, race, ethnicity, culture, language, gender, sexual orientation, politics, and religion.
We Collaborate: We forge partnerships. Working together makes us more effective and responsive to the current needs of our clients and communities.
We Care: We do what we do because we care. We are making the world a better place for people with disabilities and their families.
Funding Statement
The Institute for Disability Research, Policy, & Practice is one of the largest research and outreach centers at USU, and we are largely funded through grants, contracts, and fee-for-service programs. All staff positions at the IDRPP are contingent upon funding, and all senior staff at the IDRPP with graduate degrees are responsible for helping to generate funding to support our operations and growth.
College Highlights
The Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services is home to eight departments and is committed to providing the best learning opportunities and educational research in the state of Utah. Our programs are strengthened by an on-campus elementary laboratory school and five stand-alone centers, including the Sorenson Legacy Foundation Center for Clinical Excellence. The college offers clinical services to the community across the human lifespan and provides students with real-world service and research opportunities.
University Highlights
Utah State University (USU) was founded in 1888 and is Utah’s land-grant and space-grant university. USU is one of only 146 research institutions in the U.S. classified as R1 “very high research activity” by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. As one of the two premier research institutions in Utah, USU provides a high-quality education at an affordable price. With its main campus in Logan, the university serves approximately 27,500 students, including 24,255 undergraduates and 3,171 graduate students. USU Online has served students from all 50 states and 55 countries for 25 years.
USU’s statewide system features three residential campuses, 30 total campus locations, and 23 Extension education centers. The university employs 903 full-time faculty members, 124 executive administrators, and 1,649 full-time support staff. USU offers 115 undergraduate majors, as well as 91 master’s and 42 doctoral degrees. Learn more about USU.
A core characteristic of USU is engagement with communities and people in economic development, improvements to quality of life, and human capital. Through the practical application of knowledge, the University and its faculty engage and share expertise with the state, nation, and world, preserving the historical land-grant tradition of partnering with communities to address critical societal issues in the interest of the public good.
The USU main campus is located in beautiful Logan, Utah, a city of about 50,000 situated in a picturesque mountain valley about 80 miles north of Salt Lake City. Outstanding recreational opportunities abound in the nearby mountains and proximate region.
USU is sensitive to the needs of dual career couples and provides a Dual Career Assistance program to support careers for partners who are also seeking employment.
USU endeavors to provide reasonable accommodations to ensure equal access in all aspects of employment to qualified persons with disabilities. To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability, please contact the university’s ADA Coordinator in the Human Resource office at 435-797-0122 or submit a request at hr@usu.edu.
USU Land Acknowledgment
Please visit our website to learn about Utah State’s land acknowledgment of the eight tribes of Utah.
*updated 05/2022
Notice of Non-discrimination
In its programs and activities, including in admissions and employment, Utah State University does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination, including harassment, based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy, Title IX, or any other federal, state, or local law.
The following individuals have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the application of Title IX and its implementing regulations and/or USU’s non-discrimination policies:
Executive Director of the Office of Equity Matthew Pinner, discrimination@usu.edu, Distance Education Rm. 401, 435-797-1266
Title IX Coordinator Matthew Pinner, titleix@usu.edu, Distance Education Rm. 404, 435-797-1266
Mailing address: 5100 Old Main Hill, Logan, Ut 84322
For further information regarding non-discrimination, please visit https://equity.usu.edu/, or contact:
U.S. Department of Education, Office of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 800-421-3481, OCR@ed.gov
U.S. Department of Education, Denver Regional Office, 303-844-5695, OCR.Denver@ed.gov