Student Associate - Communications

University of Texas at Austin; United States; On-site; USD 20,000 - 29,000; Part time

Job summary

The University of Texas at Austin invites applications for a Student Associate - Communications in the Department of Ophthalmology. Primary focus is departmental communications, including social media management, the quarterly newsletter, and content development for the department website.

The role supports the Manager of Operations and involves storytelling, audience engagement, and coordinating with faculty, staff, and students.

Qualifications

• Proven written communication and storytelling abilities.
• Experience creating content for social media, websites or newsletters.
• Ability to gather and translate information into clear content.

Responsibilities

• Content Development and Storytelling: identify opportunities, draft stories and captions.
• Quarterly Newsletter Support: assist with planning, editing, and distribution via Mailchimp.
• Social Media: develop and schedule content and maintain brand voice.
• Event and Multimedia Communications: support lectures and department events with photos/video.

Skills

Strong writing

Storytelling

Social media management

Organization

Education

Communications coursework

Tools

Mailchimp

Canva

CMS

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job Posting Title:

Student Associate - Communications

Hiring Department:

Department of Ophthalmology

Position Open To:

All Applicants

Weekly Scheduled Hours:

8

FLSA Status:

Non-Exempt from FLSA

Earliest Start Date:

Nov 09, 2026

Position Duration:

Expected to Continue Until May 31, 2027

Location:

UT MAIN CAMPUS

Job Details

General Notes

Primary focus is departmental communications, including social media management, production of the quarterly newsletter in Mailchimp, website content development and updates, and identifying and developing stories that highlight faculty, trainees, staff, research, education, clinical programs, and community engagement. The position may also support additional digital communications and website-related projects as needed.

Purpose

The Student Communications Assistant supports the Manager of Operations with the Department’s internal and external communications initiatives. Responsibilities include identifying and developing stories that highlight faculty, trainees, staff, research, education, clinical programs, and community engagement; creating content for social media, the department website, and the quarterly Mailchimp newsletter; and assisting with other digital communications and website-related projects as needed.

Responsibilities

Content Development and Storytelling

• Identify story opportunities and gather information by communicating with faculty, residents, fellows, staff, students, and departmental partners. Draft concise, engaging stories, profiles, announcements, and captions that reflect the department’s mission and accomplishments.

Quarterly Newsletter Support

• Support planning, content collection, editing, layout, testing, and distribution of the department’s quarterly newsletter using Mailchimp. Maintain an editorial calendar and track submissions, approvals, and deadlines.

Social Media

• Develop and schedule social media content; adapt stories for different channels; collect appropriate photos and content; and help maintain a consistent, professional voice and visual identity. Demonstrated understanding of social media platforms, audience engagement strategies, and best practices for growing reach, visibility, and follower engagement.

Event and Multimedia Communications

• Assist with communications for lectures, educational programs, research activities, recruitment, recognition, and departmental events. Capture or organize photos and short-form multimedia content when appropriate.

Communications Administration

• Maintain organized communication files, image libraries, content calendars, and basic engagement records. Proofread materials, verify names and details, and perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Professional Expectations

Current enrollment as a University of Texas at Austin student and eligibility for student employment. Strong written and verbal communication skills. Demonstrated attention to detail, sound judgment, and ability to manage multiple assignments and deadlines. Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a professional environment. Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications. Ability to handle information appropriately and follow departmental review and approval processes before content is published.

Required Qualifications

Candidates should have coursework or experience in communications, journalism, public relations, marketing, English, digital media, graphic design, or a related field. They should possess strong written communication and storytelling skills, with experience creating content for social media, websites, newsletters, student organizations, or other digital platforms. The ideal candidate will have a demonstrated ability to create engaging content that increases audience engagement, expands reach, and helps grow an organization’s online presence. Experience identifying and developing stories, interviewing individuals, and translating complex information into clear and accessible content is preferred. Familiarity with Mailchimp, Canva, website content management systems, or similar content creation and digital marketing tools is desired. Photography, videography, and basic video editing experience are a plus, along with an interest in health care, academic medicine, education, research, and community engagement.

Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Preferred Qualifications

Preferred qualifications include experience managing social media accounts for a student organization, academic program, nonprofit, or business; success growing audience engagement or expanding the reach of digital content; and experience maintaining website content through a content management system. Familiarity with social media analytics, graphic design, photography, videography, and video editing is desirable. Experience promoting events and initiatives through digital communication channels, along with an interest in health care, higher education, research, or community engagement, is preferred. The ideal candidate will be highly organized, creative, self-motivated, and able to manage multiple projects while meeting established deadlines.

Salary Range

$18.00 Hourly

Working Conditions

ENVIRONMENTAL DEMANDS

• May work around standard office conditions

Physical Tasks

• Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation
• Use of manual dexterity

Additional Working Condition s

• Occasional evening or event work may be requested with advance notice
• Other: Hybrid work may be available based on departmental needs; attendance at selected on-campus events may be required.

Employment Eligibility:

Please make sure you meet all the required qualifications and you can perform all of the essential functions with or without a reasonable accommodation.

Retirement Plan Eligibility:

Students in this position may choose to enroll in the UTSaver voluntary retirement programs.

Background Checks:

A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

Pay Transparency:

The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.

Employment Eligibility Verification:

If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form. You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.

E-Verify:

• E-Verify Poster (English and Spanish) [PDF]
• Right to Work Poster (English) [PDF]
• Right to Work Poster (Spanish) [PDF]

Compliance:

Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). If this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031.

The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.