The University of Nebraska at Kearney is seeking applications for a full time Writing Specialist position to begin in June of 2013.
This person writes and edits news releases, features and promotional copy for use in a variety of public relations and marketing channels to advance the institutional goals of the university.
Job Description or Duties:
The writing specialist will seek, identify, and write stories by cultivating sources, identifying news or feature angles, interviewing sources and identifying appropriate channels for dissemination of stories about university faculty, staff, students, programs, events or happenings. Under the oversight of the Director of News and Internal Communications, the writing specialist will respond to faculty and administrator requests for advance coverage and promotion, will enterprise feature stories by establishing specific contacts across campus, and will identify appropriate length, style and placement of stories across both electronic and print channels internal and external to the university. The writing specialist also develops promotional copy and proofreads/edits a variety of written material for print and electronic delivery.
Required and Preferred Qualifications:
Required qualifications:
• Bachelor's degree in communication, journalism or related field.
• Experience in writing news (news style), including knowledge of Associated Press style
• Proven ability to write and communicate effectively in ways appropriate for target audiences
• Proven ability in proper grammar, sentence structure, accuracy and ability to write on breaking events on deadline
• Proven ability to interview, write and edit on a variety of complex topics on any discipline, including science, and explain complex topics to a general audience
• Proven ability to work well with people and manage feedback appropriately, to work in a team and take direction from others
Knowledge of:
• Journalism, writing, public relations
• Word processing programs, the Internet, and social media
• Basic communication principles in digital and print story telling
Skills and abilities to:
• Write news releases, features and copy primarily for news, electronic news and news magazines, and for use on multimedia platforms
• Develop and maintain relationships with college "beats," responsible for finding stories, developing stories and advising colleges and departments on publicity planning
• Write promotional/advertising copy, brochure copy, web briefs, as assigned by news director and in collaboration with creative services/marketing
• Edit and rewrite stories for other uses and audiences (length, framing for audience, style)
• Obtain and edit photos or other multimedia for inclusion with news releases
• Identify proper media channels to post content and carry out the delivery of stories on a variety of media channels including social media (Facebook, Twitter, blog platforms, web content management systems)
Preferred qualifications:
• 2-5 years experience working in a newsroom, for an agency or organization
• Experience taking and editing photos and video
• Layout and visual presentation experience on programs such as InDesign and WordPress
How to Apply:
Applications received by May 15, 2013 will receive full consideration.
To apply select "Apply" at upper right and follow instructions to complete the on-line Staff Application. In addition attach a letter of application, resume including contact information for at least three professional references and a writing sample to the on-line application.
Direct questions about the position to: (308) 865-8455
Direct questions about the on-line application process to: (308) 865-8655 or employment@unk.edu
AA/EO/ADA