Communications Associate - ESAREC​/HRAREC

Pay Competitive

Employment type

Other

• Req#: 525797

Job Description

The Communications Associate is responsible for telling the story of the Eastern Shore (ESAREC) and Hampton Roads AREC (HRAREC) to a local, state, and international audience by assisting with in-person Extension events, writing articles, and contributing to the VT news, social media, websites, CALS and VT publications, and other outlets.

Working collaboratively with ESAREC and HRAREC faculty, staff, and graduate students in conjunction with the Virginia Tech communications and marketing team, this person will produce and supply content to be used on the web and social media channels to promote achievements of AREC researchers and actively pitch those stories to the media.

This person will be responsible for updating and managing content for ESAREC and HRAREC websites, with assistance from station faculty and staff.

Similarly, the Communications Associate will find and report on stories that show the breadth and impact of AREC programs that will be used on the web, in magazines, and on social media.

The position will assist with monthly Extension publications by collaborating with local VCE unit offices (i.e. The Stalk) that are emailed and mailed to clientele along with being posted on websites and social media. A quarterly publication with a focus on research will also be produced for each AREC with a larger target audience (i.e. around the Mid-Atlantic and internationally).

The Communications Associate will collaborate with the Virginia Tech communications and marketing team to ensure a steady stream of content is being provided for web and social media updates. This person will also collaborate with AREC partners and project sponsors, such as the USDA-Specialty Crop Research Initiative, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Services, etc. to support outreach and dissemination of project deliverables and outputs.

The successful candidate will spend approximately half their time on ESAREC activities and half of their time on HRAREC activities and will report directly to the Eastern Shore and Hampton Roads AREC Directors. The position will be housed at the closest AREC after the person is hired (Eastern Shore or Virginia Beach, VA).

Duties:
• Assist with promotion, organization, and implementation of in-person Extension events
• Maintain an updated database of high quality images and video suitable for publication and outreach activities
• Create and implement ESAREC and HRAREC social media communication plans
• Produce digital content (pictures, video) of AREC research and Extension activities
• Write stories on research and grant awards at the ESAREC and HRAREC
• Write stories on impacts of ESAREC and HRAREC research to post to VT news, CALS website, VSAREC site and develop AREC impact statements for reporting purposes
• Work with CALS and VT news to pitch ESAREC and HRAREC stories to the media
• Maintain and update ESAREC and HRAREC website content
• Edit ESAREC and HRAREC communicator materials as needed
• Collaborate with University Relations (VT news, VT mag, others) to lift up the story of the ESAREC and HRAREC
• Collaborate with ESAREC and HRAREC partners and project sponsors to support outreach and dissemination of results and deliverables

Required Qualifications

• Experience working in communications, public relations, journalism or related field
• Experience writing about scientific issues for non-scientific audiences
• Experience writing and producing public-facing content
• Video editing and production experience

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, journalism, or equivalent experience
• Experience working with the media to promote stories to a wider audience
• Experience collaborating with a larger communications team to ensure messages are reiterated and carried across various channels
• Experience in higher education
• Working knowledge of vegetable, fruit, grain, and ornamental horticulture crop production
• Working knowledge of Virginia Cooperative Extension

Pay Band

4

Appointment Type

Restricted

Salary Information

Commensurate with experience

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