HERL Communications Specialist IV

University of Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh (Allegheny County)

On-site

USD 63,000 - 67,000

Full time

6 days ago

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Job summary

The University of Pittsburgh’s HERL seeks a Communications Specialist IV to advance rehabilitation technology communications. This full-time on-campus role combines media relations, multimedia production and content management to support HERL research and outreach.

With a bachelor’s degree and at least three years' experience, you’ll maintain HERL’s brand, manage social media and newsletters, and coordinate events while ensuring compliance with VA and Pitt policies.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Marketing, Digital Media, English, or a related field strongly preferred.
Ideal candidate will have at least three years of experience in one or more of these fields.

Responsibilities

Serves as HERL’s primary contact for and liaison with all media and public relations entities.
Designs, produces and publishes multimedia products, to include videos, still photography, podcasts and related materials.
Identifies, tracks and fulfills all sponsored project communications requirements.
Maintains the HERL website.
Manages HERL social media accounts.
Designs, edits and publishes HERL’s quarterly newsletter and annual calendar.
Assists with coordination of HERL special events.
Promotes opportunities for human subject trial participation in HERL research.
Catalogs and curates the online publication of HERL academic research.
Adheres to legal, regulatory and policy requirements required of the VA and University of Pittsburgh.

Skills

Media relations

Photography & videography

Newsletters & print

Social media management

Website maintenance

Event coordination

MS Office

Adobe Creative Cloud

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

MS Office

Adobe Creative Cloud

Job description

Develops complex web and print content and marketing. Acts as strategic contributor for communications team and creates marketing materials for marketing team. Participates in meetings designed for content planning and development. Ensures consistent messaging and maintains University brand and style.

Med-Human Engineering Research Laboratories

The University of Pittsburgh / U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Human Engineering Research Laboratories (HERL) is a collaborative venture advancing rehabilitation technology. HERL merges academic and VA expertise to enhance independence and quality of life for individuals with disabilities. Our mission is to innovate, design, and implement cutting‑edge technologies, promoting mobility, accessibility, and improved healthcare for those with disabilities. Through interdisciplinary research, HERL strives to empower individuals and shape the future of assistive technology.

As a University Institute with a broad portfolio of projects, HERL communicates to and with a diverse range of internal and external stakeholders through multiple mediums. These multi‑modal efforts include conducting outreach on assistive technology advances, providing ongoing project updates, publicizing the work of our academics and engineers, promoting participation in human subject research trials, and advocating for inclusionary design for people with disabilities.

HERL is seeking to hire a full‑time staff Communications Specialist IV. A bachelor’s degree is required, with a degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Marketing, Digital Media, English, or a related field strongly preferred. The ideal candidate will have at least three years of experience in one or more of these fields.

Skills and Experience (Strongly Desired)

Media relations, to include responding to inquiries, arranging interviews and site visits, and providing informational background materials.
Professional photography and videography.
Digital and physical production of newsletters, flyers, posters and related materials.
Management of organizational social media accounts, including LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.
Experience maintaining and updating an organizational website.
Special event coordination.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications including Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
Proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud applications such as Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Bridge, Premiere Pro, Audition and Acrobat.

Submission of writing and/or media samples is not required but encouraged. Incumbent must successfully complete a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs background check.

Essential Functions

Serves as HERL’s primary contact for and liaison with all media and public relations entities.
Designs, produces and publishes multimedia products, to include videos, still photography, podcasts and related materials.
Identifies, tracks and fulfills all sponsored project communications requirements.
Maintains the HERL website.
Manages HERL social media accounts.
Designs, edits and publishes HERL’s quarterly newsletter and annual calendar.
Assists with coordination of HERL special events.
Promotes opportunities for human subject trial participation in HERL research.
Catalogs and curates the online publication of HERL academic research.
Adheres to legal, regulatory and policy requirements required of the VA and University of Pittsburgh.

Physical Effort

Light. May be required to move objects up to 25 pounds occasionally. Work is largely performed in an office environment and requires the ability to operate standard office equipment and keyboards.

The University of Pittsburgh is an equal opportunity employer / disability / veteran.

Assignment Category

Full‑time regular

Job Classification

Staff.Communications Specialist IV

Job Family

Communications & Marketing

Job Sub-Family

Communications

Campus

Pittsburgh

Minimum Education Level Required