POSITION TITLE:  Communications Specialist COMPENSATION RANGE: 42,000.00 - 53,000.00 USD per year EMPLOYMENT CLASSIFICATION: Professional Administrative DEPARTMENT: VP for Student Affairs TARGET HIRE DATE: 7/1/2026 BENEFITS: UNC’s Career Hub

Candidates must have valid U.S. work authorization at the time of application; UNC cannot provide H-1B sponsorship at this time.

To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by 11:59pm (MT) on 05/20/2026.

Position Summary:

The Division of Student Affairs (DSA) is a forward-thinking student success operation committed to its role as the leading custodial unit guiding the student experience at the University of Northern Colorado (UNC). Staff members within Student Affairs are expected to positively contribute to our mission of supporting students in the co-curricular environment and provide an experience that inspires students academically, intellectually, personally, and emotionally.
This position is an integral position in the Student Affairs Administrative Service Center. The mission of UNC’s Administrative Service Centers is to provide the Division of Student Affairs with quality, timely, and efficient services. ASCs will achieve this mission by utilizing technology, cultivating the skills of our staff, and building strong relationships with campus partners. ASCs will operate with the understanding that we work in a competitive environment and our goal is to ensure efficient and effective service.
With a consistent voice, the communications specialist supports the goals of the university's central marketing initiatives and development of unit social media. The Communications Specialist develops, writes and edits content that strengthens the unit’s identity and brand. This position coordinates the project administration of a wide spectrum of division marketing initiatives with primary focus on identity building, integrated marketing and serving clients within the unit. project administration may include planning and facilitating special events, coordinating photo and video shoots, and developing timelines.
The Communications Specialist requires exceptional promotional writing and editing skills, knowledge of marketing communications and techniques, a solid understanding of social media, strong organization and project management skills, and the ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with people.
The Communications Specialist will supervise undergraduate interns who are developing skills in marketing, communication, and graphic design. Student internships are an integral part of student learning.

Job Duties:

Campus Communication - 50%

• Develops graphic design, copywriting, and distribution of promotional materials for the Division of Student Affairs.
• Ensures all design requests are well developed and completed by deadline.
• Works with other department professional and student staff to produce unique, innovative designs while upholding the university brand standards.
• Publishes the Student Affairs and units website and social media channels.
• Assists in development of email communications for internal partners.
• Creates content using a wide range of media including video, memes, posters, and email communication as requested. Stays current with communication trends.
• Responds to internal and external partner emails and phone calls.

Delivers student and unit communication and event support - 30%

• Supports unit-level communication plans with design services that adhere to brand standards and promote the mission of Student Affairs.
• Captures event photos and videos at Student Affairs programs for use in marketing and communication projects.
• Writes scripts for videography that effectively reaches the intended audience.
• Provides effective project management of student affairs communication projects.
• Maintains up-to-date information and consistency on all web-based pages and social media platforms
• Attends creative briefs and maintain a relationship with campus communicators.
• Reviews the content for other student affairs communicators to ensure consistency in university voice, messaging, and design.

Supervision - 10%

• May supervise 2-5 student interns.
• Creates student employment experiences that provide students with opportunities to gain experience essential skills for career readiness. Facilitate time for reflection, feedback, and integration of new knowledge and skills. Creates student employment experiences that provide students with opportunities to gain experience essential skills for career readiness. Facilitate time for reflection, feedback, and integration of new knowledge and skills. 
• Creates a work environment that encourages knowledge of, respect for, and development of skills to engage with those of other cultures, backgrounds, and identities in alignment with institutional priorities and Student Affairs Curriculum.

 Event planning - 5%

• Assists with Student Affairs large event planning and supports university-wide event planning as needed.
• Collaborate with units in the Division of Student Affairs to ensure programs are marketed in a way that connects with a diverse student body.
• Serves on the Division of Student Affairs event planning committee.
• Coordinates with Creative Services to ensure that large events are captured in video and photographs.
• Prioritizes the development of marketing materials for events that are critical to the student experience, including New Student Orientation, Residence Hall Move-In, New Student Days, Homecoming, Residence Hall return sign-up.
• Updates the UNC Calendar and Bear Connect so all programs & events are calendared in a consistent way.
• Acts as a liaison between units and the university’s PIO when there are media requests to publicize events.

General Administration - 5%

• Participates in departmental meetings and serves on committees when requested.
• Participates in training and professional development opportunities.
• Support the development of a welcoming environment for all community members.
• Completes administrative tasks such as phone calls, note taking, reporting in a manner that is consistent with division expectations.
• Create student internship experiences that have clear student learning outcomes and opportunities for students to receive feedback.

**PLEASE UPLOAD RESUME, COVER LETTER, AND PORTFOLIO OF WORK.**

Minimum Qualifications:

Education:

Required educational qualifications include Bachelor’s Degree in Graphic Design, Public Relations, Mass Communication or related field.

Experience:

Required: Minimum of one year of related work experience, whether as full-time or internship, in the field of graphic design, mass communication, or related field, or a combination thereof.

Certification/Registration/Licensing:

Not required.

Ability:

• Position requires demonstrated ability in the areas of Web design and graphic design using Adobe Creative Suite.
• Demonstrated ability to develop web pages using the Omni CMS system or similar.
• Demonstrated understanding of web usability best practices.
• Demonstrated knowledge and familiarity of Social Media channels.
• Demonstrated strong written and verbal communication skills.

Special Considerations:

None.

Benefits:
Benefits available include health, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance, as well as a selection of several defined contribution retirement plans for all full-time positions. Employees at UNC receive sick leave, and other leave options may be available based on position. Full-time employees are eligible to receive tuition waiver benefits, as well as dependents and spouses of UNC Employees who are employed at 0.5 FTE or above are eligible for undergraduate dependent tuition grants of up to 50%. These tuition grants will cover in-state tuition charges. Further requirements may exist. Other benefits may be available based on position.

About UNC
The University of Northern Colorado is a public doctoral/research institution located in Greeley, Colorado. UNC’s commitment to education began in 1889 and continues to be a transformational force for our students. Recognized as a top university for social mobility, UNC is proud to be a Hispanic Serving Institution and to serve more than 44%  of our undergraduates who are the first in their family to attend college.  UNC is also committed to providing our faculty and staff with the support they need to succeed as professionals, educators, and in life. Please visit UNC’s Career Hub, to learn more about UNC’s strategic plan, school programs, and employee benefits. Go Bears!
EEO Statement The University of Northern Colorado offers an educational and working environment that provides equal opportunity to all members of the UNC community. In accordance with federal and state law, UNC prohibits unlawful discrimination, including harassment, based on race, color, national origin, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, disability, genetic information, and/or veteran status. UNC also prohibits discrimination based on gender identity, and gender expression. Retaliation against persons who oppose a discriminatory practice, file a charge of discrimination, or testify for, assist in, or participate in an investigative proceeding relating to discrimination is prohibited. Constitutionally protected expression will not be considered discrimination or harassment under this policy. It is the responsibility of all departments, employees, and students to ensure UNC’s compliance with this policy.

ADA AccommodationsThe University of Northern Colorado is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to 970-351-2718 or human.resources@unco.edu. 

Background Check
Satisfactory completion of a background check, educational check, and authorization to work in the United States is required after a conditional offer of employment has been made. The successful candidate must submit original transcripts within one (1) month of hire.
This position is contingent on funding from the Colorado State Legislature, approval by the Board of Trustees, and subject to the policies and regulations of the University of Northern Colorado.
Clery Act
In compliance with the Clery Act, the most recent University of Northern Colorado Annual Campus Security and Fire Safety Report is available online. A paper copy can be requested at the UNC Police Department. This report contains crime statistics and policy statements related to safety, conduct processes and Title IX investigations.