Job Requisition:
JR101191 Digital Storyteller (Open)
Job Posting Title:
Digital Storyteller
Department:
CC00459 VIMS1 | DEAN | VA Sea Grant Office
Job Family:
Staff - Communications
Worker Sub-Type:
Regular (benefited)
Job Requisition Primary Location:
Davis Hall
Primary Job Posting Location:
Davis Hall
Job Description Summary:
Mission Statement:
Virginia Sea Grant (VASG) is a seven-university coalition, headquartered at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) at William & Mary (W&M), and composed of the University of Virginia, Virginia Tech, George Mason University, Old Dominion University, Virginia Commonwealth University, and Norfolk State University. Together we work to improve coastal ecosystems, coastal communities, and working waterfronts by financially supporting researchers, graduate fellows, extension members, and interns.
VASG's mission is to provide transformative, integrated education, research, communication, extension, and legal and policy programs, to create a coastal, estuarine, and marine innovation workforce and novel solutions to challenges in coastal communities. VASG aims to nurture sustainable, resilient communities through knowledge-informed personnel, business, policy, and management decisions.
Job Description:
The Digital Storyteller utilizes a variety of storytelling tools, including video, photography, social media, text, public speaking, story maps, graphic illustrations, and/or audio/podcasts—storytellers are able to share their narratives through the Virginia Sea Grant (VASG) website, related project partner websites, social media, and both local and national media outlets. Stories deemed by VASG to be of interest or merit may also be promoted through national partner universities, the National Sea Grant Office, and NOAA outlets. Audience responses to the stories are also periodically researched.
The Digital Storyteller supports VASG's brand journalism communications strategy, including coordinating marketing, brand management and message strategies. The position also coordinates and collaborates with other VASG staff, interns, student hourly positions, and VASG sub-awardees, fellows and extension partners, and by virtue of this position, is a representative of VASG at multiple academic institutions. Additionally, the Digital Storyteller collaborates with content experts to design training and videos; including recording and production.
Reporting to the Communication Program Manager, the Digital Storyteller is responsible for the production of up to 5 stories per month.
Specific responsibilities include (but not limited to):
* Identifies and proposes potential stories, and conducts research on featured topics.
* Produces self-initiated, original, and interpretive, visual (photo and video), graphical, and written content for the VASG website, social media accounts and other marketing materials – delivering strategic and creative designs in both print and digital formats.
* Designs and produces multi-media stories for publication.
* Independently manages VASG social media accounts utilizing experience with popular online publishing platforms, including WordPress, Flickr, and all social media platforms. Assists in managing and maintaining content for the VASG website.
* Assists the Communication Program Manager in coaching and training fellows, faculty, and staff in media relations and science communications best practices.
* Develops integrated communications plans to identify strategic components, audience development and content.
* Presents material about and created by the VASG Communications Center to NOAA and state officials.
* Participates in the full range of VASG professional development and mentoring opportunities.
Required Qualifications:
EDUCATION:
Bachelor' s degree in journalism, science communication, public relations, visual journalism, marketing, photography, environmental communications, English, or closely related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
COMPETENCIES:
* Knowledge of multimedia approach with the ability to shoot and edit photos and video for use in a variety of web-based and printed communications products.
* Demonstrated knowledge of social media platforms, with the ability to use website design platforms like WordPress or similar type of Content Management System.
* Working knowledge of AP style, with strong interpretative writing skills.
* Self-starter, creative approach with analytical skills and the ability to produce a variety of digital communications products.
* Excellent software skills to include word processing, spreadsheets, and Adobe Creative Cloud. Demonstrated ability to quickly learn software and technology on Mac platforms.
* Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to interact with a diverse constituency in a collaborative style as well as work effectively as part of the VASG team. Strong organization skills with the demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities concurrently while meeting deadlines.
EXPERIENCE:
* Experience in environmental art, multimedia production, videography and photography.
* Experience managing multiple social media accounts for a company or organization.
* Experience in creative and or interpretative writings.
Preferred Qualifications:
EDUCATION:
Master' s degree in journalism, science communication, public relations, visual journalism, marketing, photography, environmental communications, English, or closely related field.
COMPETENCIES:
* Demonstrated interest in marine/coastal sciences and policy.
* Demonstrated skills in Adobe Creative Cloud software and/or Final Cut Pro.
* Demonstrated skills in creative designs in both print and digital formats.
EXPERIENCE:
* Interest in marine/coastal sciences and policy.
* Demonstrated experience in writing and/or producing both printed and digital communications products.
* Experience with designing and producing digital media stories for online publication.
* Experience with popular online publishing platforms, including WordPress, Flickr, and all social media platforms is highly preferred.
* Familiarity with Virginia's institutions of higher education.
Salary- up to $55,000.00 commensurate with experience
Conditions of Employment:
* This is a grant-funded position and continued employment is dependent on funding availability.
* This is a non-exempt position, eligible to receive overtime in accordance with the Fair Labor Standards Act and university policy.
* We will not sponsor applicants for work visas for this position,
* This position may be subject to overtime during high peak times, etc. as directed and approved by the supervisor.
* Occasional evening and weekend work.
* Travel in the state, regionally, and nationally.
Core Duties and Responsibilities:
Interpretative Stories & Social Media: (50%)
* Identify and propose potential stories and conducts research on featured topics.
* Produce self-initiated, original, and interpretive, graphical, and written content for the VASG website, social media accounts and other marketing materials.
* Deliver strategic and creative designs in both print and digital formats.
* Design and produce multi-media stories for publication and produces media for various VA Sea Grant outlets.
* Independently manage VASG social media accounts utilizing experience with popular online publishing platforms, including WordPress, Flickr, and all social media platforms.
* Assist in managing and maintaining content for the VASG website.
Media Layouts/Production: (30%)
* Collaborate with content experts to design training and videos; including recording and production.
* Perform layout production of final stories for the VASG website and various social media platforms.
VASG Brand Journalism and Marketing: (10%)
* Support VASG's brand journalism communications strategy, including coordinating marketing, brand management, and message strategies
* Develop integrated communications plans to identify strategic components, audience development and content. Assist the Communication Program Manager in coaching fellows and faculty in media relations.
Other Duties: (10%)
* Present material about and created by the VASG Communications Center to NOAA and state officials.
* Other assigned projects as needed.
* Participate in VASG professional development and mentoring opportunities.
Additional Job Description:
Job Profile:
JP0170 - Public Relations & Marketing Specialist III - Nonexempt - Salary - S07
Qualifications:
Compensation Grade:
S07
Recruiting Start Date:
Review Date:
Position Restrictions:
EEO is the Law. Applicants can learn more about William & Mary's status as an equal opportunity employer by viewing the "Know Your Rights" poster published by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. https://
Background Check: William & Mary is committed to providing a safe campus community. W&M conducts background investigations for applicants being considered for employment. Background investigations include reference checks, a criminal history record check, and when appropriate, a financial (credit) report or driving history check.
Remote Work Disclaimer: Remote work eligibility is not guaranteed and is subject to approval. Employee eligibility depends on the likelihood of the employee succeeding in a remote work arrangement and the supervisor's ability to manage remote workers. Departments and/or Human Resources may amend, alter, change, delete, or modify eligibility.