Public Comm Specialist

Inside Higher Ed; Chapel Hill (NC); Hybrid; USD 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent educational institution in Chapel Hill is seeking a temporary Public Communications Specialist to enhance internal and external communications. The role encompasses managing website content, drafting news, and engaging in social media management, all aimed at promoting various programs and initiatives. Candidates should possess a relevant degree, excellent writing skills, and familiarity with graphic design tools. This full-time position offers an opportunity to work in a vibrant team environment, assisting with diverse communications projects.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a discipline related to the area of assignment.
• Excellent writing, editing, and proofreading skills.
• Experience using WordPress or another content management system.
• Basic proficiency with graphic design tools or willingness to learn.
• Experience managing social media platforms professionally.
• Strong time-management skills with ability to balance multiple projects.
• Proficiency with MS Office Suite.
• Strong time-management, able to balance multiple projects and meet deadlines.
• Strong organizational and interpersonal skills; able to work independently and collaboratively.
• Proficiency with MS Office Suite.

Responsibilities

• Support internal and external communications of the School.
• Help manage and update the SILS website.
• Draft and publish news stories.
• Create content for social media platforms.
• Design graphics for web, print, and digital signage.
• Assist with photography, videography, and multimedia creation.
• Monitor web and social media analytics.
• Collaborate with student workers, faculty, staff, and stakeholders across SILS.

Skills

Excellent writing, editing, and proofreading skills

Experience using WordPress

Basic proficiency with graphic design tools

Experience managing social media platforms

Strong time‑management skills

Strong organizational and interpersonal skills

Proficiency with MS Office Suite

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a related discipline

Tools

Canva

Adobe Creative Cloud

MailChimp

Buffer

Hootsuite

Asana

Confluence

Job description

Position Summary

The School of Information and Library Science (SILS) is seeking a temporary Public Communications Specialist to support the School’s daily internal and external communications. This position plays a key role in executing routine communications activities that promote SILS programs, events, research, and initiatives, and support internal information sharing for students, faculty, and staff.

Working under the direction of the Director of Communications, the Specialist will help manage and update the SILS website; draft and publish news stories; create content for the School’s social media platforms; design graphics for web, print, and digital signage; and contribute to the production of newsletters and the annual magazine. The position will also assist with photography, videography, and short‑form multimedia creation to support marketing and storytelling needs.

The Specialist will help monitor web and social media analytics and support content needs for affiliated units, including the Carolina Health Informatics Program (CHIP) and the Center for Information, Technology, and Public Life (CITAP). This is a hybrid position. The Specialist will work closely with student workers on the communications team and collaborate with faculty, staff, and other stakeholders across SILS.

Minimum Education And Experience Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a discipline related to the area of assignment; or equivalent combination of training and experience. All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.

Required Qualifications, Competencies, And Experience

• Excellent writing, editing, and proofreading skills with the ability to create clear, compelling content for diverse audiences.
• Experience using WordPress or another content management system (CMS).
• Basic proficiency with graphic design tools (e.g., Canva, Adobe Creative Cloud) or willingness to learn.
• Experience managing social media platforms in a professional setting, including but not limited to Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, Bluesky, and YouTube.
• Strong time‑management skills with the ability to balance multiple projects, meet deadlines, and adapt to shifting priorities.
• Strong organizational and interpersonal skills, including the ability to work both independently and collaboratively.
• Proficiency with MS Office Suite.

Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, And Experience

• Experience supporting communications activities in a non‑profit, research, or academic setting.
• Experience with email listserv or newsletter tools such as MailChimp.
• Experience using social media management platforms such as Buffer or Hootsuite.
• Knowledge of branding best practices and APA style.
• Skills in digital accessibility and accessible content creation.
• Experience with Asana, Confluence, or similar workflow/knowledge‑management tools.

Campus Security Authority Responsibilities

This position is designated as a Campus Security Authority in accordance with the Clery Act. This position will be required to report Clery crimes to the Clery Compliance Manager and complete annual training about reporting responsibilities.

Seniority level

Entry level

Employment type

Full‑time

Job function

Other

Industries

Online Audio and Video Media