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Communications Director, Energy Education Council

University of Illinois Extension

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The Communications Director, Energy Education Council serves as a regular, full-time, 12-month, academic professional with primary responsibility for the development, delivery, management and evaluation of educational programs, public communication, outreach, and member resources supporting the mission of the Safe Electricity (SE)/Energy Education Council (EEC).

One full-time position is available.
Location: Energy Education Council (4440 Ash Grove Drive Suite B, Springfield, IL 62711)

This is a security-sensitive position. Comprehensive background checks, including but not limited to a criminal conviction information check, a CANTS check, and a review of the Registered Sex Offender list, will be conducted.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Program Development, Delivery, Management and Evaluation

• Create and coordinate SE/EECs public communication, educational programs, and outreach activities, including researching, writing and scheduling news releases and articles, website content, and so on, based on timely and emerging energy issues (including electrical safety), as well as other electricity and energy related topics.
• Evaluate and assess the impact of all public communication and outreach activities for SE/EEC.
• Collaborate with staff to safeguard the brand to ensure consistency and accuracy of brand, message and language through all communications.
• Serve as primary editor/proofreader for key communications to any of the core target audiences to ensure consistency of message as well as overall accuracy.
• Take the lead in creating annual safety education campaign and outreach materials while working closely with the Assistant Director of Visual Communications and other team members to create campaign components.
• Coordinate and closely work with contracted talent, such as videographers and voice-over professionals, to evaluate and ensure finished product conveys the mission and quality standards of SE/EEC.
• Communicate with contracted talent to keep projects on schedule and otherwise represent SE/EEC in matters of creative work, fees for services, and other related matters.
• Create and develop annual resource calendar for members in collaboration with the Assistant Director of Visual Communications.
• Complete tasks and collaborate as part of a unified and cohesive team.
• Ensure program resources follow and meet copyright and commercial rights protecting the liability of the organization and its membership.
• Annually evaluate web and social media sites for content, design, and impact.
• In tandem with the Assistant Director of Visual Communications, help oversee all social media communications, ensuring appropriate flow of information and consistency of message and branding across all electronic mediums.

Public Relations/Education

• Serve as the point person and coordinator for all media requests. Independently handle media relations, including coordinating media requests and being interviewed as needed to represent the organization or by coordinating interviews with member-experts.
• Provide responsive customer service to members and answer public inquiries in a positive, prompt, and helpful manner.
• Collaborates with team members to develop, write, and edit website and social media content.

Marketing

• Create and coordinate stakeholder communication efforts, including outreach pieces/other methods of communication.
• Assist in marketing communications activities.
• Review member communications to ensure consistency and accuracy.
• Create Power Point presentations and give presentations at utility-related conferences and other events as needed (public speaking & member training).

Organizational Leadership and Development

• Serve as a liaison with SE/EEC members and other related organizations; work with SE/EEC boards, committees and volunteers.
• Serve as the point person to Advisory Board members so that they may vet materials; then review suggested changes and implement them as necessary.
• Assist with staff supervision and program management including developing outreach materials, scheduling work, and providing/overseeing customer service.
• Possess in-depth knowledge of the energy industry.
• Cooperate fully with the Executive Director to achieve budget goals, fulfill relevant membership initiatives, report impacts, and carry out all other items relevant to the operation.
• Develop professional collaborations with the Executive Director, Board Members, and other team members.
• Serve as an effective team member and volunteer for leadership roles as appropriate.
• As requested, supervise civil service personnel under the direction and in consultation with the Executive Director.
• Perform other duties that contribute to the mission of the SE/EEC programming, as assigned.

Other Information

• Comply with all University of Illinois Extension Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity policies and guidelines in all aspects of Extension work; assists Unit staff with data collection for Affirmative Action, gender, and targeted reports.

Additional Physical Demands
To perform the functions of this position, the employee will be required to perform work both within an office and outside in the communities that are served, and must have the capability to travel from one location to the other in a timely fashion. Employee is responsible for securing personal transportation. A valid drivers license is preferred. Some work will be required during evenings and/or weekends. When working, the employee may be exposed to a variety of environmental factors to include, but not limited to, hot or cold weather, exposure to noise and allergens, and uneven ground. In performing the functions of this position, the employee may be subjected to various mental and physical demands as well to include, but not limited to, independently traveling to and performing work at different locations, lifting and moving items that may occasionally weigh up to forty (40) pounds and frequently weigh up to twenty (20) pounds, and twisting, pushing and pulling movements. More detailed information regarding the functions of this position (including the physical, mental and environmental requirements of the position) may be obtained from Human Resources for the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES) by contacting hr@aces.illinois.edu.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

• B.S. required in communications or related field. Bachelors degrees in other fields will be considered with work experience that demonstrates similar competencies. Candidates with a bachelors degree in progress may be considered for interviews, but degree must be completed by hire date.

Experience:

• Five or more years experience in the communications field.
• Vast writing and editing skills in print, web and graphic design.
• Public speaking experience.
• Experience in how to properly research relevant topics.
• Experience with providing quality customer service.

Preferred:

• M.S. preferred in communications or related field.
• Experience working for non-profit organizations (5 years or more).
• Experience in project management, developing storyboards and outlines, developing communications, media and engagement strategies and measuring results.
• Hands-on experience creating personal-story campaign materials from concept to completion.
• Experience with public communication campaigns and association organizations.
• Experience working for a safety-minded organization or in communications for a utility, energy or electricity-related field.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to work independently, manage multiple projects, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment with a high degree of attention to detail. Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal with the ability to distill complex ideas into clear, compelling messages. Strong initiative; able to self-manage and lead others. Working and proficient knowledge and implementation of AP Style. Proficiency in using Microsoft Office Suite programs. Knowledge of copyright laws and commercial rights. Excellent relationship-building, interpersonal, organizational and time-management skills. Strong editing, grammatical and proofreading skills. Ability to write and edit web, marketing and education resources. Enthusiasm, initiative, self-direction; ability to work independently with minimal supervision and ability to work well in team settings. Strong knowledge of social media platforms, trends, and best practices. Familiarity with communication best practices for social media platforms, e-communications, publications, and generational preferences in communications.

Appointment Information
Immigration sponsorship is not available for the position. This position is a full-time, benefits-eligible, non-tenure academic professional position appointed on a 12-month service basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after the closing date. The expected start date is as soon as possible after the closing date. Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience, while also considering internal equity. The salary range for this position starts at $65,000. Generous vacation and sick leave. State Universities Retirement System. Group health, dental, vision and life insurance.

Application Procedures & Deadline Information
Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (CST) on March 27, 2024. Apply for this position using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting. Please upload a resume, cover letter, the names and contact information for three professional references, and a writing sample. Resume dates submitted must be in month/year format and employment history, at a minimum, should include all work dating back to the completion of your undergraduate degree. The writing sample should focus on energy safety and be no more than 500 words. The goal is to see the use of credible sources for fact, science based information but written in a format that could be digested and clearly understood for the general public. Positions that were less than full-time/100% must be noted as being part-time. Transcripts may be requested at a later date. Applications not submitted through https://jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered.

For further information about this specific position, please contact Christina Edgington at chrisedg@illinois.edu. For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.