Description:

COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR, ENERGY EDUCATION COUNCIL - 123698

College of Agricultural Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES)

University of Illinois Extension

The Energy Educational Council is an independently funded 501 (c) 3 national non-profit with a long-time connection to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. The Communications Director for the Energy Education Council (EEC) serves as a full-time academic professional staff member with primary responsibility for the development, delivery, and evaluation of educational programs, public communication, outreach, and member resources supporting the mission of the Energy Education Council.

One full-time position is available.

Location: Energy Education Council (4440 Ash Grove Drive – Suite B, Springfield, IL 62711)

The University of Illinois is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action employer. Minorities, women, veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. For more information, visit http://go.illinois.edu/EEO.

This is a security-sensitive position. Comprehensive background checks, including but not limited to a criminal conviction information check, a CANTS check, and a review of the Registered Sex Offender list, will be conducted.

Specific responsibilities of the Communications Director, Energy Education Council are as follows:

Program Development, Delivery, and Evaluation

• Create and coordinate EEC’s public communication, educational programs, and outreach activities, including researching, writing and scheduling news releases and articles, website content, and so on, based on timely and emerging energy issues (including electrical safety), as well as other electricity- and energy-related topics.
• Evaluate and asses impact of all public communication and outreach activities for EEC
• Independently handle media relations, including coordinating media requests and being interviewed as needed to represent EEC or by coordinating interviews with member-experts.
• Plan, write and execute national news releases.
• Take the lead in creating EEC annual safety education campaign and outreach materials while working closely with the Assistant Director of Visual Communications and other team members to create campaign components.
• Coordinate and closely work with contracted talent, such as videographers and voice-over professionals, to evaluate and ensure finished product conveys the mission and quality standards of the EEC.
• Communicate with contracted talent to keep projects on schedule and otherwise represent EEC in matters of creative work, fees for services, and other related matters.
• Create and develop annual editorial calendar for members in collaboration with the Assistant Director of Visual Communications.
• Create and coordinate stakeholder communication efforts, including quarterly newsletter or other outreach pieces/other methods of communication.
• Meet publication and other deadlines.
• Manage and create content for EEC web sites and social media platforms.
• Complete tasks and collaborate as part of a unified and cohesive team.
• Provide responsive customer service to members and answer public inquiries in a positive, prompt and helpful manner.
• Assist in council marketing communications activities.
• Review member communications to ensure consistency and accuracy.
• Write and edit video scripts.
• Create Power Point presentations and give presentations at utility-related conferences and other events as needed (public speaking).

Organizational Leadership and Development

• Serve as a liaison with EEC members and other related organizations; work with EEC boards, committees and volunteers.
• Serve as a liaison to Advisory Board members so that they may vet materials; then review suggested changes and implement them as necessary.
• Assist with staff supervision and program management including developing outreach materials, scheduling work, and providing/overseeing customer service.
• Possess in-depth knowledge of the energy industry.
• Cooperate fully with the Executive Director to achieve budget goals, fulfill relevant membership initiatives, report impacts, and carry out all other items relevant to the operation.
• Develop professional collaborations with the Executive Director, Board Members, and other EEC core staff members.
• Serve as an effective team member and volunteer for leadership roles as appropriate.
• As requested, supervise civil service personnel under the direction and in consultation with the Executive Director.
• Perform other duties that contribute to the mission of the Energy Education Council programming, as assigned.

Other Information

• Provide personal transportation for moderate travel.
• Comply with all University of Illinois Extension Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity policies and guidelines in all aspects of Extension work; assists Unit staff with data collection for Affirmative Action, Gender, and Targeted reports.
• To perform the functions of this position, the employee will be required to perform work both within an office and outside in the communities that are served, and must have the capability to travel from one location to the other in a timely fashion. Employee is responsible for securing personal transportation. A valid driver’s license is preferred. Some work will be required during evenings and/or weekends. When working, the employee may be exposed to a variety of environmental factors to include, but not limited to, hot or cold weather, exposure to noise and allergens, and uneven ground. In performing the functions of this position, the employee may be subjected to various mental and physical demands as well to include, but not limited to, independently traveling to and performing work at different locations, lifting and moving items that may occasionally weigh up to forty (40) pounds and frequently weigh up to twenty (20) pounds, and twisting, pushing and pulling movements. More detailed information regarding the functions of this position (including the physical, mental and environmental requirements of the position) may be obtained from Human Resources for the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES) by contacting hr@aces.illinois.edu.

Administrative Relationship

The Communications Director, Energy Education Council is administratively responsible to the Director, Energy Education Council.

Qualifications

• Required: B.A. in Communications or related field from an accredited institution of higher education. Candidates with a Bachelor’s degree in progress may be considered for interviews, but degree must be completed by hire date. Five or more years’ experience in editing for both her/his own work as well as the work of others. Vast writing experience, including (but not limited to) feature and article writing, news releases, public service announcements and text for graphics and social media. Experience on how to research topics for articles, videos, feature stories, and other content. Experience with providing quality customer service. Experience working for non-profit organizations (5 years or more). Experience in developing editorial calendars or publication schedules. Understanding and experience with Customer Relationship Management (CRM) databases. Experience with WordPress.

• Preferred: Hands-on experience creating personal-story campaign materials from concept to completion. Experience with public communication campaigns and association organizations. Experience working for a safety-minded organization or in communications for a utility, energy or electricity-related field. Experience as a publication or content editor.

• Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Working and proficient knowledge and implementation of AP Style. Proficiency using Microsoft Office Suite programs. Ability to effectively convey people’s stories and experiences through writing, video and other mediums – to tell their story in a captivating way. Strong proofreading skills. Ability to write and edit web content. Excellent editing/grammatical skills. A basic understanding of the energy industry. Enthusiasm, initiative, self-direction; ability to work independently with minimal supervision and ability to work well in team settings. Excellent verbal and written communication, relationship-building, interpersonal, organizational and time management skills.

Additional Information

The position is a full-time, benefits-eligible, non-tenure, academic professional position appointed on a 12-month service basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after the closing date on the Champaign-Urbana campus, with some travel to county offices across the Illinois Extension network. Salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications. Generous vacation and sick leave. State Universities Retirement System. Group health, dental, vision and life insurance.

Application Procedure

To apply, go to https://go.illinois.edu/123698. Log in to your account and upload a cover letter, resume, and three writing samples, as well the names and contact information of three professional references. Resume dates must be in month/year format and employment history, at a minimum, should include all work dating back to the completion of your undergraduate degree. Positions that were less than full-time/100% must be noted as being part-time. Transcripts may be requested at a later date. To receive full consideration, all requested application materials must be submitted via the online system by the close date of November 12, 2019.

For further information about the position, please contact Erin Hollinshead at ehollins@illinois.edu. For technical assistance with the online application process, please email jobs@illinois.edu.

College Name or Administrative Unit:ACES - Extension Category:9-Off-Campus Title:Communications Director, Energy Education Council - University of Illinois Extension (123698) Open Date:10/15/2019 Close Date:11/12/2019 Organization Name:Illinois Electric Council