How to Apply
A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address reasons for your interest in this position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position. In addition, please include contact information for three individuals who can serve as references.
Mission Statement
The mission of the University of Michigan is to serve the people of Michigan and the world through preeminence in creating, communicating, preserving and applying knowledge, art, and academic values, and in developing leaders and citizens who will challenge the present and enrich the future.
Who We Are
The Digital Studies Institute (UMDSI) within the University of Michigans College of Literature, Science, and the Arts is seeking an experienced, highly motivated, and organized Communications Specialist to help guide and implement the public-facing outreach of the Mellon Foundation-funded DISCO 2.0 (Digital Inquiry, Speculation, Critique, and Optimism) Network.
The Digital Studies Institute is a center for research and dialogue where faculty, students, and visitors focus their inquiry on technology, digital culture, and social justice, and foregrounds questions about the impacts of technology on race, disability, gender, sexuality, class, power, and identity.
The mission of DISCO is to build a national network to both analyze the ways that the digital perpetuates existing social and racial inequalities and envision a new anti- racist, anti-ableist digital future through a speculative, experimental, nuanced, and critical lens. We are a consortium of faculty-led labs at three universities: U-Michigan, U-Maryland, and Northwestern, coordinated through Michigans Digital Studies Institute. This position provides design and communication support for the network. They will report to the DISCO Network Administrator Ann Smith.
Responsibilities*
- The DISCO Communications Specialist will continue to develop and maintain the DISCO Network public facing website, assist with the development of respective lab websites, and communications platforms for network participants to develop and share resources.
- Work closely with the Principal Investigator, Program Manager, and Program Coordinator to create and implement an inclusive and accessible multi-platform media strategy, digital data management plan, and publishing strategy for grant outputs which includes public-facing programming, articles, and tech wins and fails reports.
- Write compelling press releases, newsletters, and social media posts about the findings and outputs of DISCO Network research initiative.
- Design eye-catching graphics, videos, and multimedia art about the activities and outputs of DISCO Network research initiative.
- Collaborate with network sites and partners to engage in outreach and to distribute findings from the network. The primary goal will be to highlight and expand the reach of the work of network faculty, students, and affiliates, as well as grow the membership of the network.
- Collaborate effectively with other DSI and DISCO faculty, staff, fellows, interns, and graduate and undergraduate students.
- Manage other ad hoc projects as required.
Required Qualifications*
- Bachelor's degree required or equivalent education/work experience.
- 2-4 years related experience in website development, communications, writing, and copyediting.
- Strong expertise with graphic design, video editing, and developing compelling visual campaigns.
- Experience with Mailchimp, Twitter, Squarespace, Canva, Adobe, Google Suite, Dropbox, and YouTube.
- Strong interpersonal, oral, written communications, and conflict resolution skills.
- Strong project management, strategic planning, and peer-influencing skills .
- Experience working with faculty, and nonprofit leaders.
- Comfort working in an unstructured environment.
- Demonstrated ability to show leadership and independent decision making.
- A high level of problem-solving skills, including demonstrated ability to anticipate next steps based on multiple inputs and prioritize decisions.
- Demonstrated organizational skills, including ability to plan, organize, and follow through on a large and diverse workload, while attending to detail and meeting deadlines.
- A high level of self-motivation in developing and executing a personal program of work that enhances the activities, impact, and reputation of the Digital Studies Institute and the DISCO Network.
- Knowledge and commitment to the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Desired Qualifications*
- Advanced training or experience in graphic design, video editing, PR, journalism, or social media.
- A background in accessible and inclusive design is not required, but is highly desirable.
- A background in digital studies is not required, but a connection to the subject matter is desirable.
Modes of Work
Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes .
As per current LSA modality, this is a hybrid position, although current remote work arrangements are still evolving. After the orientation period is complete (6 months), this candidate may shift to a hybrid work schedule, with the knowledge that some flexibility may be needed to accommodate event schedules. The exact schedule will be based on the onsite needs of the lab.
Additional Information
- This position is 20-hours/week, 50% effort.
- This is a three-year term limited position ending in August 2027.
- The salary range for this position is $22,150 to $27,700 for 50% effort ($44,300 to $55,400 full-time rate), please note a higher salary may be offered based on equity and the selected candidates experience.
As one of the worlds great liberal arts colleges, LSA pushes the boundaries of what is understood about the human experience and the natural world, and we foster the next generation of rigorous and empathetic thinkers, creators, and contributors to the state of Michigan, the nation, and the world.
To learn more about diversity, equity, and inclusion in LSA, please visit lsa.umich.edu/lsa/dei .To learn more about LSAs Mission, Vision and Values, please visit lsa.umich.edu/strategicvision .
Background Screening
The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks. Background checks are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
Application Deadline
Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.
U-M EEO/AA Statement
The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.
