Communications Specialist

Summary:

The University of Alaska Southeast seeks candidates for its Communications Specialist position. In this role, you will develop and execute comprehensive internal and external communications strategies that inform, engage, and inspire university stakeholders. You will create compelling content across multiple platforms, including press releases, internal newsletters, email communications, and the university website, while ensuring brand consistency and messaging alignment throughout all institutional communications. You will also serve as the university's Public Information Officer and primary liaison for media relations and crisis communications. This position requires extensive collaboration with departments across the university, serving as the expert communications resource while building strong, productive relationships with faculty, staff, and leadership at all levels.

As a Communications Specialist at the University of Alaska Southeast, you will have the opportunity to shape the university's institutional narrative and enhance its reputation through strategic storytelling and proactive media engagement. This dynamic role suits an experienced communications professional who thrives in collaborative environments and can work independently to build meaningful partnerships across academic and administrative units. The ideal candidate will be open, welcoming, and committed to fostering positive working relationships while translating institutional information into accessible content for diverse audiences and providing expert guidance to leadership and departments throughout the university.

To thrive in this role, you will have excellent written and oral communication skills as well as hands-on editing experience. As the Communications Specialist, you will leverage your background with digital media and print communications to write and disseminate stories while working closely with internal and external stakeholders. You will also have the opportunity to pitch and place news stories to local outlets. You should have experience composing and copy editing executive-level communications, feature articles, and other written media.

About the University of Alaska Southeast:

The University of Alaska Southeast (UAS) is located in the traditional territory of the Lingít, Haida, and Tsimshian peoples, a majestic array of islands, channels, fjords, coastal mountains, icefields, and glaciers. On our three campuses, students have opportunities for field study, research, creative production, and internships in the Tongass National Forest, in marine and freshwater environments, with local businesses, and within tribal, federal, and state governmental entities. The university is also proud to be the home of Alaska Native Studies, which includes the languages, culture, and art of the Indigenous Peoples of Southeast Alaska.

The Communications Specialist is dedicated to fostering a safe, supportive, and open environment at the University of Alaska Southeast. We prioritize equal access to resources and opportunities for all individuals to reach their full potential, recognizing the importance of cultural safety and belonging for present and future success.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations, Journalism, Communications (or related field) and two years of relevant experience; OR an equivalent combination of training and experience.

Position Details:

This position is located on the University of Alaska Southeast campus in Juneau. This is a full-time, exempt staff position complete with both a competitive salary and full employee benefits package. UA provides a generous compensation package that includes retirement options, annual leave, 12 paid holidays per year, tuition waivers for employees and family members, and affordable medical, dental and vision care coverage. New hires will be placed on the UA Staff Salary Schedule, Grade 80, based on education and experience.

The search committee will begin reviewing applications on Friday, June 20; however, applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until a sufficient number of qualified candidates is identified.

📃To view the full list of job responsibilities, please click HERE.

☎️ If you have any questions regarding this position, please contact Julia Bovee, UAS HR Coordinator, at jabovee@alaska.edu or (907) 450-8262.

*To be eligible for this position, applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without restriction. Applicants who now or may in the future require visa sponsorship to work in the United States are not eligible.

The University of Alaska (UA) is responsible for providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities throughout the applicant screening process. If you need assistance in completing this application or during any phase of the interview process, please contact UA Human Resources by phone at 907-450-8200.

The University of Alaska (www.alaska.edu) is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access Employer and Educational Institution.  The University is committed to a policy of non-discrimination (www.alaska.edu/nondiscrimination) against individuals on the basis of any legally protected status.

The successful applicant is required to complete a background check. Any offer of employment is contingent on the background check.

Your application for employment with the University of Alaska is subject to public disclosure under the Alaska Public Records Act.

All employees at the University of Alaska are expected to uphold the highest standards of ethics and professionalism when conducting or engaged in university business.

*Each university within the University of Alaska system publishes an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report which contains information regarding campus safety and security including topics such as: campus law enforcement authority; crime reporting policies; campus alerts (Timely Warnings and Emergency Notifications); fire safety policies and procedures; programs to prevent dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking; the procedures the University will follow when one of these crimes is reported; and other matters of importance related to security on campus. The report also contains information about crime statistics for the three most recent calendar years concerning reported crimes that occurred on campus; in On-Campus Student Housing Facilities; in Noncampus buildings or property owned or controlled by the University or a recognized student organization; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus.  The report also contains fire statistics for any fires occurring in an On-Campus Student Housing Facility during the three most recent calendar years.  

Access to the reports is available at:

UAA: (Addresses Anchorage campus, Aviation Technology Complex, JBER - Elmendorf Extension, JBER - Richardson Extension, Kenai Peninsula College - Kachemak Bay campus, Kenai Peninsula College - Kenai River campus, Kodiak College, Kodiak High School Extension, Matanuska-Susitna College, Prince William Sound College, and Prince William Sound College - Cordova Extension) Online: https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/students/safety. Request a paper copy in person: UAA Police Department Office at Room 114 of Eugene Short Hall on the Anchorage campus / UAA Dean of Students Office at Room 122 of Rasmuson Hall on the Anchorage campus. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-786-1120 or police@uaa.alaska.edu / 907-786-1214 or uaa_deanofstudents@alaska.edu. 

UAF: (Addresses Fairbanks Campus, Bristol Bay Campus, Chukchi Campus, Community and Technical College, Kasitsna Bay Campus, Seward Marine Center, Tok Campus, Kuskokwim Campus, and Northwest Campus) Online: https://www.uaf.edu/orca/files/ASFSR.pdf. Request a paper copy in person: UAF Office of Rights, Compliance and Accountability on the 3rd Floor of Constitution Hall. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-474-7300 or uaf-orca@alaska.edu.

UAS: (Addresses the Juneau Auke Bay Campus, Juneau Technical Education Center, Sitka Campus, & Ketchikan Campus) Online: https://uas.alaska.edu/equity-and-compliance/docs/clery/UAS_ASFSR.pdf. Request a paper copy in person: Hendrickson Building, Suite 202 on the Juneau campus. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-796-6371 or emailing uas.clery@alaska.edu.