Office of Communications and Marketing

University of Tennessee, Chattanooga

The Staff Writer provides writing and editing support for University news and feature stories for the UTC website, external news media and other public distribution; supports effective relationships with all UTC entities, academic units and other departments toward effective communication of University achievements, recruitment of students and promotion of events; and serves as a resource and support to the University through contributions to online, print and social media content.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Performs research, interviews information sources, writes, and edits material for publications, promotional and online usage including website news and feature stories, press releases, campus magazines, newsletters, backgrounders/briefing documents, social media and other content for the Division of Communications and Marketing and other UTC departments and entities

• Prepares content to comply with relevant editorial standards, as applicable

• Supports strategic planning of communication and marketing campaigns as directed by supervisor

• Supports online publishing of news, feature stories and press releases

• Supports use of press release email distribution to news outlets

• Supports media relations function as needed and directed by supervisor

• Maintains appropriate user training in platforms used and in use of message templates as a back-up resource for University emergency management communication and distribution of federal Clery Act Timely Warning messages

• Completes required annual employee training to meet University compliance requirements

• Participates in professional development and training toward continuous improvement and best practices

The ideal candidate will possess the following:

• 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 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 work nights, weekends and on an on-call basis as part of emergency response communication team as needed

• Ability to contribute to a collegial, collaborative, respectful work environment

• Knowledge of UTC and its campus community and traditions

• Knowledge of higher ed institutional communication practices and platforms

• Knowledge of HTML and simple coding for web content creation and management

• Ability to edit copy to adhere to an editorial (AP) style and/or objectively improve quality of content; and to write effective, engaging headlines

Review of applications will begin November 13, 2023, and will continue until the position is filled. Applications received by this date will receive priority consideration.

In addition to the online application, applicants are required to submit a resume, cover letter, and three writing samples. These must be submitted as attachments and marked relevant to the submission, please do not email these items.

Minimum Qualifications: Typically requires a bachelor's degree in a relevant field; experience writing directly for higher ed as part of an institutional communication team, or writing about higher ed for a professional media organization, news service, online or print magazine, corporate/PR communication environment, advertising/creative agency or similar; demonstrable experience writing on a range of higher ed-related topics, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

Preferred Qualifications: Master's degree, and experience writing directly for or about UTC on a range of topics as a member of a UTC communication unit are preferred.

The University of Tennessee Chattanooga is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/Section 504/ADA/ADEA institution. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, or protected veteran status.