Staff Writer (Communications and Marketing Professional 1 - MR09)

UTC Communications and Marketing

University of Tennessee, Chattanooga

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga is looking for a Staff Writer to join the team of professionals within the Division of Communications and Marketing. This position involves writing and providing copy editing support for all forms of written content: UTC website stories, news releases, features and other stories for University magazines, annual reports and other publications, promotional material, newsletters and more. The position requires a commitment to accuracy, meeting deadlines and support for effective relationships with campus and external constituencies. In addition to good writing skills, the Staff Writer position calls for adaptability, flexibility and sound judgment in the handling of sensitive material. The Staff Writer is a member of a highly collaborative team that includes other writers, graphic designers, videographers and the University photographer, podcasting and social media professionals and Chattanooga's NPR radio station, WUTC-FM.

The Staff Writer is a member of and works in close collaboration with the editorial team of the Division of Communications and Marketing. This position's particular responsibility for maintaining a public-facing, web-based calendar of University events serves a key function in promoting campus activities as well as identifying content assignments.

Essential Job Functions

• Research and write material for publications, promotional and online usage including website news and feature stories, press releases, campus magazines, newsletters, posters, brochures, fliers, social media and other initiatives of the Division of Communications and Marketing or UTC departments and entities.
• Support for proofreading and copy editing all content as needed.
• Create and maintain a public-facing calendar of events.
• Support for strategic planning of communication and marketing campaigns.
• Support effective, productive relationships with campus colleagues served by the Division
• Contribute to creative brainstorming and content planning.

Minimum Qualifications and Job Requirements

Education

• Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, public relations or related field

Experience

• 3 years' experience in writing professionally for a media organization, news service, online or print magazine, corporate/PR communication environment, advertising/creative agency or similar.
• Demonstrable experience (work samples, other) writing on a range of varied topics

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of AP editorial style and its usage to ensure consistency and professionalism.
• Knowledge of journalistic writing practices, ethics and necessity of commitment to accuracy.
• Knowledge of audiences and communication needs in higher education.
• Knowledge of what makes content newsworthy and necessary elements for a well-written story.
• Skilled in writing for various applications: such as PR/press releases, corporate/internal communications, promotional/marketing material, website content, news/feature stories and the like.
• Skilled in conducting simple research, interviews, writing and copy editing involved in producing well-written content.
• Skilled in applying attention to detail, being organized and working effectively with minimal supervision.
• Ability to successfully manage multiple, simultaneous writing assignments; to write to fit specified length/word count; and produce work with accuracy on deadline.
• Ability to incorporate editorial direction toward improvement of written content and as a writer.
• Ability to learn and become proficient in the use of software applications involved in website content management systems, online event calendar platforms, social media management, emergency/alert communications and creative/written project tracking.
• Ability to contribute to a collegial, collaborative, respectful work environment.

Application Requirements

To be considered, applicant must submit a single PDF attachment that includes a cover letter, resume and a clearly identified link to an online portfolio OR copies as pages within the PDF that include at least five writing samples of work produced in the past 24 months.

Final candidates may be asked to visit campus and participate in a skills assessment exercise as part of the finalist interview process.

EEO Statement

All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment and admissions without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability or covered veteran status. Eligibility and other terms and conditions of employment benefits at the University of Tennessee Chattanooga are governed by laws and regulations of the state of Tennessee, and this non-discrimination statement is intended to be consistent with those laws and regulations. In accordance with the requirements of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the University of Tennessee affirmatively states that it does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex or disability in its education programs and activities, and this policy extends to employment by the University. Inquiries and charges of violation of Title VI (race, color, national origin), Title VII (sex, race, color, national origin, and religion), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (disability), ADA (disability), Age Discrimination in Employment Act (age), sexual orientation, or veteran status should be directed to the Director of the Office of Equity and Inclusion . The Director of the Office of Equity and Inclusion is also the ADA Coordinator and is located at 201 Human Resources Center, Dept. 5455, 615 McCallie Ave, Chattanooga, Tennessee 37403-2598; telephone 423-425-5468 or oed@utc.edu. Requests for accommodation of a disability should be directed to the Director of Disability Resource Center, Michelle Rigler, 423-425-4006 (V/TTY). Questions about Title IX and complaints of violations should be directed to the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Title IX Coordinator Stephanie Rowland, at 423-425-4255 or via email at stephanie-rowland@utc.edu. If the student or employee does not wish to contact UTC's Title IX Coordinator, he or she may contact the Department of Education Office for Civil Rights at 61 Forsyth Street S.W., Suite 19T10, Atlanta, Georgia 30303-8927, telephone: 404-974-9406, Email: OCR.Atlanta@ed.gov