University Communication Specialist in Public Affairs
UTHealth Houston is looking for a University Communication Specialist to join our Public Affairs team. This employee will serve as a key contributor to the University Communication team’s efforts to ensure faculty, staff, and students at all six schools have access to timely and accurate campus news that keeps them informed, inspired, safe, and in compliance with university policies and procedures.
The University Communication Specialist will provide a broad range of communications that includes a heavy emphasis on writing, plus editing for AP style and the university’s own editorial and brand standards, project planning, and health education and/or promotional activities. Savvy news judgment and knowing what makes a story compelling to a wide audience are essential. Experience with a content management system and basic graphic design or photo editing skills are preferred.
This position entails creating original content, as well as gathering and repurposing content from our schools for publication on various universitywide communication channels. In addition to daily communications, the University Communication Specialist will play an integral role in emergency communications.
Candidates should have at least two years of experience in journalism, corporate communications, public relations, or related field.
To be considered for the position, all candidates must provide writing samples, which can be attached and uploaded into the system through the “File Attachments” section. This is the same way resumes are uploaded.
Cover letters are recommended — tell us what you would bring to the role and why you want to join the UTHealth Houston team. The easiest way to attach a cover letter is to use the same method as a resume and the writing samples, through the “File Attachments” section of the application
What we do here changes the world. UTHealth Houston is Texas’ resource for healthcare education, innovation, scientific discovery, and excellence in patient care. That’s where you come in.
Once you join us you won't want to leave. It’s because we reward our team for the excellent service they provide. Our total rewards package includes the benefits you’d expect from a top healthcare organization (benefits, insurance, etc.), plus:
- 100% paid medical premiums for our full-time employees
- Generous time off (holidays, preventative leave day, both vacation and sick time – all of which equates to around 37-38 days per year)
- The longer you stay, the more vacation you’ll accrue!
- Longevity Pay (Monthly payments after two years of service)
- Build your future with our awesome retirement/pension plan!
We take care of our employees! As a world-renowned institution, our employees’ wellbeing is important to us. We offer work/life services such as...
- Free financial and legal counseling
- Free mental health counseling services
- Gym membership discounts and access to wellness programs
- Other employee discounts including entertainment, car rentals, cell phones, etc.
- Resources for child and elder care
- Plus many more!
Position Summary:
Provides a broad range of communications support that has an institution-wide impact including writing, editing, project planning, event coverage, curating news brief packages, while also reinforcing editorial and brand standards.
Position Key Accountabilities:
- Writes articles of interest to the university community, including news, features, event coverage, save the dates, calendar entries, and more. May take photos or video to accompany articles.
- Gathers information through research and interviews with faculty, staff, students, and trainees, and other appropriate sources.
- Contributes content to the university's intranet, as well as its internal newsletter. Curates content from a wide array of campus resources, and compiles briefs packages.
- Contributes to maintaining websites, including the university's intranet as well as other internally-focused webpages. Duties include posting stories, videos, photo albums, calendar entries, and more. Contributes to maintaining websites and assists with maintaining web accessibility standards.
- Writes content for targeted/specific audiences within the university, including students, faculty, and staff, as well as area-specific building communications including mass emails and digital signage.
- Collaborates with team members within the department as well as within other key areas of the university including human resources, payroll, wellness teams, health services, the university's schools, and more.
- Contributes to emergency communications, and works with the university's police department to maintain timely posting of safety notifications.
- Supports internal communications campaigns.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Certification/Skills:
- Written and verbal communication skills.
- Skills in writing features and news articles as well as web copy.
- Knowledge and experience in website content management systems.
- Strong knowledge of AP Style.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office products and platforms.
- Experience in Adobe Creative Suite preferred.
- Experience in photography and graphic design for web preferred.
- Experience working within project management platforms.
- Experience with metric and analytic tools.
Minimum Education:
Bachelor's degree in English, Journalism, Communications or a related field required.
Minimum Experience:
Three (3) years in public relations, communications, writing/editing or a related field required.
Physical Requirements:
Exerts up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 10 pounds frequently and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.
Security Sensitive:
This job class may contain positions that are security sensitive and thereby subject to the provisions of Texas Education Code § 51.215
Residency Requirement:
Employees must permanently reside and work in the State of Texas.
If you are looking for a great healthcare career in Houston, visit http://go.uth.edu/careers!
University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth)
Established in 1972 by The University of Texas System Board of Regents, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) is Houston’s Health University and Texas’ resource for health care education, innovation, scientific discovery and excellence in patient care. The most comprehensive academic health center in the UT System and the U.S. Gulf Coast region, UTHealth Houston is home to schools of biomedical informatics, biomedical sciences, dentistry, nursing and public health and the John P. and Kathrine G. McGovern Medical School. UTHealth Houston includes The University of Texas Harris County Psychiatric Center, as well as the growing clinical practices UT Physicians, UT Dentists and UT Health Services. The university’s primary teaching hospitals are Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center, Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital and Harris Health Lyndon B. Johnson Hospital.
UTHealth Benefits
UTHealth Houston offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package. For more information on our benefits programs please refer to the UTHealth Houston Office of Benefits Website.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
UTHealth Houston is committed to providing equal opportunity in all employment-related activities without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, gender identity or expression, veteran status or any other basis prohibited by law or university policy. Reasonable accommodation, based on disability or religious observances, will be considered in accordance with applicable law and UTHealth Houston policy. The University maintains affirmative action programs with respect to women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and eligible veterans in accordance with applicable law.
UTHealth Houston has adopted a policy consistent with CMS regulations to protect our patients and university community from exposure to COVID-19. This policy affects all employees, residents, fellows, students, contractors, new hires, visiting scholars program participants, adjunct faculty, and volunteers who work, train, or collaborate at the John S. Dunn Behavioral Science Center.
In addition, all UTHealth Houston employees who are assigned to work at a location that is subject to the affiliated partner’s hospital, clinical offices, or agency are required to abide by UTHealth’s Houston rules and regulations, as well as the affiliate’s rules and regulations, including COVID-19 vaccination and safety requirements.
Work location is based on the needs of the department and may be adjusted.
