Responsibilities

• 50% – Support outreach efforts by writing educational content specifically for general audiences such as the Educational Series and Research Spotlights publications, GeoKansas content, social media, press releases, grant applications, nomination packages for KGS scientists and staff. Solicit ideas for new Public Information Circulars.
• 30% – Support grant funded projects and programs at the KGS by developing promotional and marketing material, writing press releases, museum exhibits, and organizing project specific events.
• 15% – Support the Kansas Field Conference with field conference guidebook layout, formatting, and design. Work with the KGS Website Content Manager and Editor to create a corresponding story map with the Kansas Field Conference Guidebooks.
• 5% – Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Travel up to an accumulated two weeks per year to participate in meetings and other project-related activities.
• Valid driver’s license to drive state vehicle by the time of hire.
• Bachelor’s degree in geology, journalism, public relations, communications, or other related fields.
• Minimum 1 year of relevant experience.
• Strong communication skills as evidenced by application material.
• Proficiency using Microsoft Office Suite applications and Adobe applications, specifically Adobe Illustrator, as evidenced by application material.
• This position requires a formal degree in the cited discipline area(s) to ensure that candidates have advanced knowledge, analytical skills and professional competencies necessary to perform the duties of the position.

Preferred

• Master’s Degree in geology, journalism, public relations, education, communications, or other related fields.
• Experience with organizing and coordinating outreach program events as evidenced by application material.
• Experience with designing and building museum exhibits as evidenced by application material.
• Successful experience in a team environment as evidenced by application material.
• Experience with writing press releases for a state agency as evidenced by application material.
• Experience with graphic design as evidenced by application material.
• Experience with designing promotional and marketing material in a variety of formats, including print, online, and hands-on learning materials as evidenced by application material.

Benefits

• KU offers great benefits to employees with up to 176 hours of paid vacation earned per year, 96 hours of sick leave earned per year, nine paid holidays plus one discretionary day, a retirement program, medical & dental insurance, life and disability insurance, other benefit plan options, and State of Kansas discounts offered by various vendors.
• KU also offers employees educational and professional development opportunities.