Digital Content Specialist, Cooperative Extension

Pay Grade: 29E

Context of the Job:

Cooperative Extension is an outreach unit of the University of Delaware. Cooperative Extension educational and research programs connect the public with university knowledge, research, and resources to address the needs of youth, family, community, and agricultural communities. Cooperative Extension works in the areas of agronomic and vegetable crop production, farm and youth safety, 4-H youth at risk, and health and well-being. These programs aim to improve      the quality of life by transferring      research-based information to the program participants. Extension also works with a large group of diverse volunteers to enhance educational programming and reach.

Under the direction of the Director of Communications for the University of Delaware College of Agriculture and Natural Resources with a dotted reporting line to the Community Health Extension Specialist, the Digital Content Specialist develops and implements a comprehensive digital program in support of the SNAP-Education program, a federally funded, statewide program focused on improving nutrition and physical activity outcomes in communities. The Digital Content Specialist is responsible for the creation of digital assets, which follow branding guidelines defined by the state agency (Delaware Health and Social Services), including but not limited to digital content such as social media posts, e-newsletters, infographics, videos, websites, and web versions of printed materials, to increase the awareness and reputation of the SNAP-Education program.

The Digital Content Specialist works with staff, faculty, and university and community partners to develop creative and innovative content for various communications platforms; repurpose content from various internal and external sources for multi-platform distribution; and monitor digital traffic to ensure online content is reaching target audiences. 

Major Responsibilities:

• Develop, coordinate, and implement digital concepts and content, working closely with the communications team and campus partners to integrate digital assets into strategic communications activities of the program.
• Produce compelling digital content in a style appropriate to the intended audience, leveraging opportunities to share content across platforms at the college, department, and university levels.
• Collaborate with others to create digital content plans, amplification strategies and best practices to present and optimize content.
• Design and support comprehensive online multimedia, websites, and interactive displays, to include articles and written impact statements, interviewing staff at the University of Delaware and organizations that provide contracted services as part of the program, and capturing/editing still images and digital video footage and audio clips.
• Implement a robust, effective social media presence. Track and report analytics, demonstrating the effectiveness of ongoing campaigns. Report these metrics in statewide reporting database.
• Oversee the development of digital communication strategies and create assets to market important events, activities, and initiatives. Maintain a master content calendar for all digital properties.
• Ensure SNAP-Ed brand consistency across all materials so they meet established standards of appearance, content, and style.
• Organize, evaluate, and report analytics summaries to continuously improve cross-platform content strategies for digital assets.
• Supervise digital production interns in the completion of videos, multimedia displays and web work, including updating web content and developing new webpages.
• Responsible for complying with university policies, procedures, and best practices regarding protecting data and following UD data governance rules.
• Perform job-related duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree and three years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience. Degree in interactive media, communications, visual communications, graphic design, journalism, English or other related discipline is preferred.
• Effective web authoring experience and the skills and ability to evaluate and edit content, structure, and format of a range of written and visual materials for digital purposes.
• Experience developing and executing digital content strategies to align with audience behaviors, goals, and key messages to drive engagement.
• Familiarity with user-centered design principles, content creation and engagement, SEO knowledge and optimization and digital best practices in addition to working with a variety of digital communications vehicles, including mobile, e-mail, social media, video, and web communications.
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