Edtech.com's Summary

Ohio State University is hiring a Project Communications Specialist to develop content and lead marketing and communications for two USDA-funded projects based on the OSU CFAES Wooster campus. The role produces print, digital, video, and social media content that represents the projects to internal and external audiences, and supports outreach at Extension meetings, trade shows, and events.

Highlights

Develop a communications plan and products for the From the Ground Up (80%) and Northeast Ohio Agriculture Innovation Center (20%) projects.
Produce content across print and graphic media, video, web, and digital and social channels.
Collaborate across the university to align content with the institution’s brand and editorial strategies.
Support outreach and promotion at Extension meetings, producer trade shows, and events.
Participate in weekly in-person project team meetings on the OSU Wooster Campus.
Report to Lead PI Dr. Douglas Jackson-Smith and work alongside Project Manager Alex Jefferies.
Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, or media plus 2+ years of relevant experience required.
Experience with storytelling, print and digital media, and online tracking/documentation systems needed.
Position is 100% FTE and 100% grant funded for 3 years, with potential extension based on funding.
Final candidates must pass a background check, with a drug screen or physical possibly required.

Project Communications Specialist Full Description

Department:

FAES | School of Environment and Natural Resources

The Ohio State University seeks a Marketing and Communications Specialist to develop content and lead marketing and communications efforts related to two USDA funded projects based on the OSU CFAES Wooster campus: From the Ground Up (80%) and the Northeast Ohio Agriculture Innovation Center (NEO AIC) (20%).

This position uses a combination of creative ideation and audience-centric, strategic thinking to produce informative, engaging and strategy-based content that will be used to disseminate and communicate messaging and generate project exposure. This person develops communication products that will represent the projects and organizations to internal and external constituencies using a variety of channels which may include print and graphic media, video and web communications, and digital and social media in order to enhance relationships and advance the long- and short-term goals and strategies.

This 100% FTE position is 100% grant funded for 3-years, with potential for extension based on funding availability.

About Projects

From the Ground Up: The FTGUp project is a USDA-funded Sustainable Agricultural Systems grant that involves five institutions (OSU, Central State University, the University of Missouri, Lincoln University and Solutions from the Land). Started in July 2024, this 5-year project is centered on farmer-led research and innovation to improve the agronomic and economic performance of climate-smart agricultural practices (CSAPs) and accelerate the adoption of CSAPs in Missouri and Ohio. Leadership for project design and decisions is jointly shared between a Farmer Leadership Team and Project Management Team. The Project Communications Specialist (this position) would work alongside the Project Manager (Alex Jefferies) and report to Lead PI (Dr. Douglas Jackson-Smith), both of whom work out of the OSU CFAES Wooster campus, an interdisciplinary research station 90 minutes north of Columbus in the heart of a vibrant rural and agricultural landscape.

NEO-AIC: The Northeast Ohio Agriculture Innovation Center (NEO-AIC) is a new venture funded by the USDA Rural Development and is a ‘one stop shop’ for Northeast Ohio farmers seeking assistance with their value-added agriculture (VAA) business including: financial, legal, technical, regulatory, and value chain/marketing support. The NEO-AIC holistically approaches each client and tailors its approach based on each client’s business needs and includes a focus on quality of life. The NEO-AIC project is directed by Dr. Shoshanah Inwood, a rural sociologist and faculty member in the School of Environment and Natural Resources. The office is located on the OSU-CFAES, Wooster campus.

Duties and Responsibilities:

70% Communications Planning and Product Development

Develop communication plan and products that will represent the projects to a range of internal and external constituencies.
Use a variety of channels which may include print and graphic media, video and web communications, and digital and social media in order to enhance relationships and advance the long- and short-term goals and strategies of the projects.
Collaborate across the enterprise to ensure alignment with the university’s brand, content, and editorial strategies where possible and necessary.

20% Engagement with Public and Stakeholders

Assist with FTGUp and NEO-AIC outreach and promotion at appropriate Extension meetings, producer trade shows, and events.

10% Team Collaboration and Coordination

Participate in weekly in-person FTGUp and NEO-AIC team meetings on the OSU Wooster Campus to better understand the projects, identify opportunities for communication project content, and leverage existing communications expertise on our project teams.

Minimum Required Qualifications:

Education:

A bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, media, along with a minimum of 2 years of relevant experience.

Experience:

The individual must have ability to work on projects of moderate scope and complexity, strong communication skills in a similar organizational context, proven ability to work effectively on a team and build consensus.

The candidate must have experience with storytelling, print and digital media, computer/online tracking systems, documentation of work, and design and implementation of communications strategies.

Preferred Qualifications:

Familiarity with Midwestern farming systems and value-added agriculture and food systems.
Experience with agricultural communications, outreach, and extension.
Masters degree and/or 2-4 years of relevant experience.

Additional Information:

This job profile is a Content and Editorial Strategy Specialist 2 (S2 level) on the career roadmap.

The offer for this position will fall within the position’s pay range based on internal equity, unit’s available budget, and the candidate’s qualifications.

Location:

Williams Hall (0414)

Position Type:

Regular

Scheduled Hours:

Shift:

First Shift

Final candidates are subject to successful completion of a background check. A drug screen or physical may be required during the post offer process.

The university is an equal opportunity employer, including veterans and disability.

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Project Communications Specialist

Edtech.com's Summary

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