Communications Specialist I

Iowa State University; Ames (IA); On-site; USD 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health & dental

Retirement benefits

Vacation & leave

Onsite childcare

Life insurance

Long-term disability

FSA

EAP

Wellbeing program

Job summary

Iowa State University is seeking a Communications Specialist I for Iowa State Online to support marketing and student services across online programs. The role collaborates with the Manager of Communications to promote online education and create content about students, faculty, events, and news on social media, websites, and printed materials.

You will work with academic units across campus to identify opportunities, manage website content, and help execute short and long-term projects

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in marketing, communications, or related field.
• Experience with multiple projects including internal and external stakeholder groups.
• Experience managing and maintaining an inventory of print materials.
• Experience in higher education.

Responsibilities

• Assist with communications and marketing for Iowa State Online, including internal and external audiences
• Work with the design team for photography and video production needs
• Collaborate with unit leadership, faculty, and staff to identify communication opportunities to promote and brand Iowa State Online
• Assist with website content development and management
• Implement short and long-terms projects targeted toward a variety of audiences
• Develop content focused on telling impactful and strategic stories about students, faculty, alumni, news and events
• Maintain inventory of printed materials and forecasts needs for future activities
• Collect data from various marketing and communications tactics to contribute to unit efforts to collect and analyze the customer experience

Skills

Content creation

Social media management

Marketing communications

Website content

Education

Bachelor's degree

Bachelor's degree in marketing/communications or related field

Job description

Position Title:

Communications Specialist I

Job Group:

Professional & Scientific

Required Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree

Job Description:

Iowa State Online is a service unit dedicated to supporting marketing and student service efforts of online programs across the university. The Communications Specialist I position collaborates closely with the Manager of Communications to effectively promote and market Iowa State Online. The Communications Specialist is responsible for assisting with communication, marketing, social media, and websites for online education at Iowa State University. This position creates content about students, faculty, events, and news on social media, websites, and printed materials to promote and support online programs and courses. Additionally, this position will work in collaboration with academic units across campus.

All staff members are expected to interact collegially and maintain the highest standards of integrity and ethical behavior.

Example of Duties

• Assist with communications and marketing for Iowa State Online, including internal and external audiences
• Work with the design team for photography and video production needs
• Collaborate with unit leadership, faculty, and staff to identify communication opportunities to promote and brand Iowa State Online
• Assist with website content development and management
• Implement short and long-terms projects targeted toward a variety of audiences
• Develop content focused on telling impactful and strategic stories about students, faculty, alumni, news and events
• Maintain inventory of printed materials and forecasts needs for future activities
• Collect data from various marketing and communications tactics to contribute to unit efforts to collect and analyze the customer experience

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in marketing, communications, or related field
• Experience working with multiple projects including internal and external stakeholder groups
• Experience managing and maintaining an inventory of print materials
• Experience in higher education

For more information about Iowa State Online, please use the following link: iowastateonline.iastate.edu

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship. Immigration sponsorship is not available for this position.

Application Instructions:

To apply for this position, please click on "Apply" and complete the Employment Application. Please be prepared to enter or attach the following:

• Resume/Curriculum Vitae
• Letter of Application/Cover Letter

Why Choose Iowa State University?

Iowa State Employees enjoy comprehensive health and work‑life benefits, including medical and dental, as well as:

• Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans
• Generous vacation, holiday, and sick time and leave plans
• Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa)
• Life insurance and long‑term disability
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Various voluntary benefits and discounts
• Employee Assistance Program
• Wellbeing program

If you have questions regarding this application process, please email [e-mail], or call 515-294-4800 or Toll Free: 1-877-477-7485.

Appointment Type:

Regular

Number of Months Employed Per Year:

12 Month Work Period

Time Type:

Full time

Pay Grade:

PS806

Original Posting Date:

August 24, 2026

Posting Close Date:

August 30, 2026

Job Requisition Number:

R19735

Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. Veteran. Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies may be directed to Office of Equal Opportunity, 2680 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, Ames, Iowa 50011, Tel. [phone], email [e-mail] .

General ISU compensation information can be found on the University Human Resources website. Please note that this is only a list of ranges and individuals will be paid commensurate with qualifications.