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Job Summary/Basic Function:
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We are seeking an experienced, creative, and driven Communications Specialist to join our team and elevate our initiative’s communication efforts. This role is responsible for developing a range of engaging content for a variety of stakeholders, increasing engagement, strengthening brand awareness, and being an ambassador for upstream prevention for youth mental health and well-being. Communities for Youth communications include both our general initiative needs as well as those related to our five regional initiatives, emerging initiatives and others. This work is fast-paced and requires a high level of organization and coordination with the Communities for Youth leadership team and other staff.
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Department Overview:
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Communities for Youth is an Idaho based organization dedicated to engaging with our communities to create upstream prevention approaches to promote youth well-being. We empower Idaho communities by connecting parents, schools, and kids with the capacity to recognize and address youth health concerns so that all may thrive. We have a particular focus on mental health in Idaho youth at the moment. To learn more check out our website. We are housed in the Boise State University’s School of Public and Population Health (SPPH). The SPPH is a place where respectful, collegial, and authentically connected faculty and staff work together to make a positive difference through our teaching, research, and service. We are committed to advancing the public health mission in Idaho by supporting the health and well-being of all Idahoans wherever they live, work, and play through excellence in teaching, scholarship, and service. We achieve our mission by creating the pathways and conditions necessary for all individuals to achieve health, happiness, and prosperity in Idaho and beyond. The SPPH is guided by the values of dignity and respect, engagement, opportunity, and innovation. Our school is the largest in the College of Health Sciences and is home to more than 1300 undergraduate and graduate students.
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Level Scope:
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Fully competent and productive professional contributor who applies acquired job skills, policies, and procedures to complete substantive assignments/projects/tasks of moderate scope and complexity. Works independently with general supervision; exercises judgment within defined guidelines and practices to determine appropriate action. May provide guidance and assistance to entry level professionals and/or support employees. Typically hold a Bachelor’s Degree and 2 years of professional experience or equivalent relevant experience.
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Essential Functions:
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60% of Time the Communications Specialist must:
- Determines news-worthy stories, website and social media content, and which distribution strategies to implement.
- Develops, organizes and executes public relations events for the specified department.
- Leverage analytics and reports to determine effectiveness and seek continual improvements of marketing and communication initiatives.
- Write, edit and coordinate distribution of information to market, promote and increase the visibility of initiatives and accomplishments of the specific department.
- Responsible for training all web content providers and serving as the main point of contact for problems, questions and concerns regarding the website.
- Manage internal and external communications to project a positive image for the specified department.
- May supervise staff or have leadwork responsibilities.
35% of Time the Communications Specialist must:
Contribute to development and implementation of a cohesive communications strategy that enhances the visibility of our initiative statewide and strengthens engagement.
- Assist with development and execution of strategic communications plans for coordinating content and branding across multiple channels.
- Lead creation of high-quality content for various communication channels, including the website, newsletters, press releases, social media, and marketing materials.
Lead initiative design work
- Develop branding elements to accompany existing logo, fonts, color palette.
- More fully develop Communities for Youth brand guidelines and guidance for other staff.
- Create brand templates in Canva or Adobe to produce print and digital materials including event flyers/signage, one-pagers, issue briefs, and tip sheets.
- Coordinate the development and design of new print and digital publications.
- Implement Brand Guidelines and assist staff with professional preparation of materials to assure style and quality including public and professional presentations, training materials, and others.
Independently manage C4Y website and CRM via WIX
- Thoughtfully integrate branding and design elements into C4Y website and contribute to overall visual design of the website.
- Make edits and updates as needed to the C4Y website and coordinate with the C4Y leadership team and Web Contractor on larger edits.
- Manage WIX contacts database and set up automations framework for increasing event attendance and engagement.
- In coordination with other C4Y staff and regional leaders, solicit and produce original content for the C4Y website/blog and online newsletters, including a monthly newsletter for each C4Y Regional Initiative and a bi-annual newsletter for general partners and other stakeholders.
Develop C4Y Social Media strategy and manage day-to-day social media tasks
- Create and manage a library of high-quality evergreen social media content and templates for social media in Canva and/or Adobe.
- Develop 3-month social media content calendars and set up filing or social media management software for posts at least three times a week.
- Coordinate with C4Y leadership to ensure incorporation of live events, Regional Initiative content, C4Y Blog promotion and other timely content into social media.
- Assist in development of paid social media strategy.
- Attend C4Y events as able to capture video/photos or coordinate with other staff to ensure coverage.
- Track, analyze, and provide quarterly reports on social media analytics.
- Contribute to improving understanding of C4Y audiences and assessment of communication effectiveness through data analytics.
Other duties
- Produce media releases for C4Y and C4Y Regional Initiatives.
- Support leadership team in maintaining media lists.
- Monitor and track mentions of youth mental health in the local (Idaho) and regional media, along with news related to C4Y Regional Initiatives.
5% of Time the Communications Specialist
- Perform other duties as assigned.
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Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
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- Experience creating a variety of visually appealing communication products.
- Experience creating short form video content for social media.
- Experience managing media relations and digital marketing efforts.
- Proficiency with communications and publishing applications/software including Canva, Wix, Hootsuite or other social media management tools.
- Experience developing tracking and reporting processes related to digital metrics/analytics.
- Knowledge of social media and the best ways to utilize each platform.
- Advanced knowledge of design and publishing concepts.
- Working knowledge of style guides and experience managing organizational branding requirements.
- Ability to think strategically while executing communication initiatives effectively.
- Ability to take initiative, solve problems, work with minimal guidance, and meet deadlines.
- Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to exercise patience and understand others’ viewpoints.
- Passion for nonprofit and public service work and commitment to advancing the organization’s mission.
- Excellent writing, editing, and verbal communication skills.
- Excellent organizational skills and superior attention to detail.
Additional Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Experience with professional photography equipment.
- Experience with longer form video production and editing.
- Knowledge of graphic design and software/applications other than Canva (e.g., Adobe Creative).
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Minimum Qualifications:
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Bachelor's degree or equivalent and 2 years experience.
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Preferred Qualifications:
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- 3-5 years of experience in a marketing, public relations, communications, or graphic design role.
- Experience with non-profit or cause marketing/communications or experience/training in health promotion/health communication.
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Salary and Benefits:
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Salary range is $60,008 to $62,587.20 annually and is commensurate with experience. Boise State University provides a best-in-class benefits package, including (but not limited to):
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Required Application Materials:
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- Cover letter
- Resume
- A link to previous work or portfolio, if available.
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About Us:
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Nestled along the Boise River and steps from the state capitol, Boise State University fosters a vibrant and welcoming academic environment that fuels student and employee success. We’re a trailblazing institution, nationally recognized for our innovative spirit and commitment to positive impact on Idaho and beyond.
Boise State is proud to be recognized by Forbes as the only Idaho employer listed in the top 100 of all national midsize and large employers. We’re building a thriving community of faculty and staff whose unique skills, experiences, and perspectives come together to create a rich and rewarding academic experience. Applications from all backgrounds are welcomed.
Learn more about Boise State and living in Idaho’s Treasure Valley at https://www.boisestate.edu/about/
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