[Hidden-tech] JOB: Online Strategic Communications and Web Designer

Tue Feb 26 14:55:28 UTC 2019

About UMass Amherst

UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.
Job Summary

Advance the mission of the University of Massachusetts Amherst by conceptualizing, planning, and creating online communication and learning systems for the Center for Agriculture, Food and the Environment (CAFE), its units and associated faculty. Create educational and informational tools to support the research and educational outreach programs of faculty and staff, develop mechanisms to build public awareness of the University's academic outreach mission through the work of CAFE and its component units (UMass Extension, UMass Cranberry Station, Mass. Agricultural Experiment Station, Mass. Water Resources Research Center, four UMass research and education farms). Maintain knowledge of new and emerging resources, techniques, and trends for online communication and web presence and work with other senior CAFE leaders and other university staff and faculty to create effective online resources and communication tools that reinforce the positive reputation and public perception of UMass Amherst and provide robust educational resources and tools for the unit's public participants. Provide oversight for content management, strategic web development, and technical maintenance of cluster of web sites that have recently garnered over 2M hits per year.

Essential Functions

Examples of duties:
*	Plan and execute web sites to support robust functionality, maximize search engine recognition and optimize user experience. Design and build all aspects of new or redesigned websites including designing/theming, site structure, permissions and roles, module configuration, content types, blocks and views. Utilize appropriate web technologies including Drupal CMS, CSS, GIT version control, and Sass. Monitor CAFE websites for timely and appropriate content and functionality.
*	Direct and conduct search engine optimization, competitive analysis and user testing in order to measure and analyze site performance and user experience and behavior.
*	Research the most effective online channels through which to interact with our target audiences and recommend opportunities for growth in existing and new channels and to maximize impact of unit assets. Develop communications strategies for faculty- and staff-led outreach and research programs to promote effective relationships, through partnerships and collaborations with professional audiences and other programmatic stakeholders. Oversee the development of a successful content strategy, user experience and design for websites.  Plan for future web development with associated priorities and needs.
*	Direct and manage effective development teams for online communication solutions, utilizing faculty and staff resources, on- and off-campus consultant services and information technology vendors to meet targeted educational goals of faculty and staff. Manage all projects to develop new and revised web sites and other online products. Write RFPs as needed. Analyze bids and project proposals and develop contracts. Develop budgets, timelines, creative briefs and milestone reports. Direct work of vendors and contractors to provide supplemental web design and production services as needed.
Other Functions
*	Educate Extension and CAFE faculty and staff in Drupal website maintenance and troubleshoot and resolve unexpected issues related to site performance.
*	Maintain current working knowledge of compliance with federal accessibility standards and best practices, disseminate to faculty and staff and ensure websites remain in compliance.
*	Maintain University web and brand standards for all sites within CAFE and its units. Work with faculty and staff to mitigate violations of standards and educate faculty and staff on university-level best practices.
*	Work collaboratively and effectively to promote teamwork, diversity, equality and inclusiveness.  In the performance of work, take initiative, be creative, and operate with self-direction. Work in partnership with colleagues within the College of Natural Sciences community and across the campus to support the Dean's strategic priorities.
*	Perform other duties as assigned in support of the mission and goals of the College of Natural Sciences.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)
*	Bachelor's degree in web design, communications, computer science, information technology or related field.
*	2-3 years' experience designing and implementing websites. Ability to design, produce, test and launch complex, multi-faceted, and multi-featured new and redesigned websites using the Drupal Content Management System.
*	Demonstrated expertise with CSS, JavaScript, Sass and other client-side scripting tools (with fluency in hand coding).
*	Excellent design skills, including skills and experience in graphic design, with specific experience with design and illustration software including the Adobe Creative Suite and other graphic design tools, and strong skills in information architecture and usability.
*	Experience working in cross-platform environments including Mac, PC and Unix and familiarity with typography and cross platform website style standards.
*	Demonstrated ability to work with others to formulate plans and objectives in accordance with overall Center goals.

Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)
*	Master's degree in web design, communications, computer science, information technology or related field.
*	Five or more years' experience designing and implementing websites.
*	Experience in coordinating vendor and contractor web services.
*	Experience in or familiarity with higher education environment.
*	Strong analytical and strategic skills and ability to solve complex digital problems; exceptional attention to detail.
*	Ability to work independently to organize multiple simultaneous projects and set priorities for action, take initiative, be creative, and operate with self-direction in a fast-paced office environment while maintaining high standards of accuracy and quality.
*	Excellent interpersonal and communications skills and ability to interact effectively and productively in establishing and maintaining harmonious working relationships with a diverse population of faculty, staff and students who possess varying levels of technical proficiency.
*	Ability to organize and prioritize goals; ability to collaborate well to formulate plans and objectives in accordance with overall Center and college goals; ability to identify and implement process improvements.

Physical Demands/Working Conditions
Typical office environment.

Work Schedule
Monday - Friday 8:30am - 5:00pm

Salary Information
Level 28
PSU Salary Schedule

Special Instructions to Applicants

Submit a letter of application, resume, Statement of Diversity (see below) and contact information for three professional references.  Apply by March 13, 2019 in order to ensure priority consideration.  Search may remain open until a suitable candidate pool has been identified.  Please apply on-line at: https://secure.dc4.pageuppeople.com/apply/822/gateway/Default.aspx?c=apply&sJobIDs=498004&SourceTypeID=801&sLanguage=en-us

As part of a commitment to their own multicultural community, CNS seeks an individual with a demonstrated commitment to diversity and one who will understand and embrace university initiatives and aspirations. In addition to application materials above, candidates will need to submit a Statement of Contribution to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. The Diversity Statement should identify past experiences and future goals. These contributions may result from lived experiences, scholarships, and/or mentoring, teaching, and outreach activities. http://www.cns.umass.edu/diversity-equity-inclusion.

UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, age, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, military status, or genetic information in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University.  To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans.  It is the policy of the UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.

Laura Hall
lhall at cns.umass.edu
Assistant to the Director
Center for Agriculture, Food and the Environment
319 Stockbridge Hall 
University of Massachusetts
80 Campus Center Way
Amherst MA 01003-9246
Ph 413-545-4371
Fx 413-545-6555
www.ag.umass.edu