The Social Media Specialist (Multimedia Specialist I) creates innovative and visual content for the institution’s main channels, primarily aimed at current and prospective students. Reporting to the digital strategy leadership team, the specialist plays an integral role in content strategy, creation, and execution. The Social Media Specialist is part of the Digital Strategy & Analytics team under University Marketing and Communications (UMAC). As part of UMAC, this position works to uphold the reputation and overall brand of Utah State University. This classification may train and guide student employees.

The Social Media Specialist will assist in day-to-day monitoring of USU’s primary social channels, including responding to audience comments, questions and concerns, and providing support during communications crises. The specialist will produce polished photo, video and design content, have strong storytelling skills, and a comprehensive knowledge of social media best practices. They will also keep a thorough content calendar and maintain analytics tracking documents to measure engagement and platform growth. The specialist will be charged with showcasing the student and other stakeholder experiences by attending events, monitoring hashtags, creating social media campaigns, and interacting with various stakeholders through social media. The social media specialist will be responsible for building out and executing paid social campaigns as needed and working with campus partners to execute on various organic and paid collaborations as needed.

Minimum Qualifications:

• A bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, marketing or a related field OR an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Minimum of 1-2 years of relevant professional social media experience, including monitoring social platforms and producing/posting photos, videos and graphics
• Proven experience in producing quality digital content, including Instagram stories and Reels, and TikTok posts
• Basic knowledge of photography, video and Adobe Creative Suite (or comparable photo and video editing software)

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in higher education
• Experience using social media monitoring and analytics tools (Hootsuite, Tweetdeck, Sprout Social, etc.)
• Experience collaborating with and mentoring part-time student employees/interns
• Understanding of FERPA, HIPPA, accessibility and other governing laws that impact social media content strategy

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to create material for student and prospective-student audiences while maintaining a professional and unified brand voice
• Attention to detail with excellent proofreading skills
• Ability to work during occasional evening and weekend hours to cover campus events, as assigned by the Director of Social Media
• Ability to work independently (self-starter who actively pursues new ideas and projects) and collaboratively with various stakeholders across the institution
• Proven track record of creative and forward thinking, always looking for emerging social media trends and platforms

Along with the online application, please attach:

1. Resume/CV to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Resume/CV”
2. Cover Letter to be typed/pasted at the end of your application
3. Link to your online portfolio -or- links to examples of previous work that include "best examples" of your social media posts or campaigns that you've oversaw for your organization to be typed/pasted at the end of your application.

**Document size may not exceed 10 MB.**

Employees work indoors and are protected from weather and/or contaminants, but not, necessarily, occasional temperature changes.  The employee is regularly required to sit and often uses repetitive hand motions.

Founded in 1888, Utah State University is Utah’s premier land-grant and space-grant university, with a strong commitment to excellence, access, and inclusion. USU serves approximately 27,500 students throughout the state at three residential campuses, eight statewide campuses, and 23 education centers. USU Online has served students from all 50 states and 55 countries for over 25 years, and USU Extension provides outreach and service to all counties in Utah.  

As a land-grant university, USU engages communities and empowers people to lead successful lives of involvement, innovation, and impact. As an R1 research institution, USU provides a high-quality undergraduate and graduate education at an affordable price. Washington Monthly has consistently ranked USU in the top 10 among public universities for contribution to social mobility, research, and public service.  

Utah State is committed to cultivating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community where different perspectives, values, cultures, and identities are acknowledged, welcomed, and valued. We seek to recruit, hire, and retain people from all walks of life who will champion excellence in education, research, discovery, outreach, and service. We believe that promoting a strong sense of community and belonging empowers and engages all members of USU to thrive and be successful. Learn more about USU. 

The university provides a Dual Career Assistance Program to support careers for partners who are also seeking employment. Additionally, USU is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability, contact the university’s ADA Coordinator in the Office of Human Resources at (435) 797-0122 or hr@usu.edu. 

About the Region

U.S. News and World Report ranked Utah first for its strong economy, fiscal stability, education, and health care. Outstanding outdoor recreational opportunities abound throughout the state, including five national parks, 43 state parks and recreation areas, and 15 alpine ski resorts. The home of USU’s main campus, Logan, is a city of 54,000-plus people in a picturesque mountain valley 80 miles north of Salt Lake City. The Logan metro area claimed the top spot in the Milken Institute’s 2022 ranking for best-performing small cities in the nation. 

*updated 7/2023

In its programs and activities, including in admissions and employment, Utah State University does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination, including harassment, based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy, Title IX, or any other federal, state, or local law.

The following individuals have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the application of Title IX and its implementing regulations and/or USU’s non-discrimination policies:

Executive Director of the Office of Equity Matthew Pinner, discrimination@usu.edu, Distance Education Rm. 401, 435-797-1266

Title IX Coordinator Cody Carmichael, titleix@usu.edu, Distance Education Rm. 404, 435-797-1266

Mailing address: 5100 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322

For further information regarding non-discrimination, please visit https://equity.usu.edu/, or contact:

U.S. Department of Education, Office of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 800-421-3481, OCR@ed.gov