Technical Communications Specialist

Summary

Job Category:
Editorial and Media
Job Title:
Technical Communications Specialist
Job Category Definition:
This specialty covers the strategic and operational management and implementation of activities related to the conception, design, creation, development, and production of media—video, audio, graphics, multimedia, and other forms of digital media—for diverse audiences, including internal and external stakeholders. This specialty also covers the strategic and operational management and implementation of activities related to the conception, design, creation, development, and implementation of media distribution which includes broadcast, online, and any other platforms or events used to support or distribute digital media to diverse audiences, including internal and external stakeholders and the public.  Functions may include conceptualizing, developing, designing, producing, editing, and directing media projects; or the operation, maintenance and/or oversight of media facilities, production, and distribution-related activities.
Job Title Definition:
The Technical Communications Specialist oversees the processes and procedures associated with technical writing and editing, scholarly publishing from development and acquisition through production, and/or the conception, development, creation, editing, production and publishing suitability of educational communications or scholarly publications; partners with full-time faculty, adjunct instructors, managers, scholars and clients to edit, develop, and/or write various online and print outputs including, but not limited to, manuscripts, peer-reviewed writings, training curricula, academic materials (print and electronic), proposals, and reports. Duties are performed at various levels within the defined title.
Working Conditions:
Specific physical requirements and effort are outlined in Job Responsibilities Worksheet (list of essential job duties and responsibilities specific to a particular job at the unit level) in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA).
Other Requirements:
 

Levels

Level 1  

Level Details
Job Code Salary Band FLSA Status
MSEM0401 G Non-Exempt

Level 1 positions typically demonstrate baseline working knowledge of routine work applications; follow standard principles and systems and use appropriate terminology associated with a particular field of specialization; participate as a team member in a collaborative environment within a diverse workforce; actively contribute to completion of team goals and assigned tasks; clearly communicate information, ideas, or instructions verbally and in writing; follow recommended approach to assigned work to facilitate achievement of desired results; ensure safe practices and environmental consciousness are exhibited in decisions; typically work under direct and frequent supervision while performing routine duties using established procedures with detailed instructions.

Typical Education & Experience

0+ years related experience

Bachelor's Degree or higher

Or an equivalent combination of education and experience

Typical Work Duties
  • Assist in the development of various online and print outputs including, but not limited to, manuscripts, peer-reviewed writings, training curricula, academic materials, proposals, and reports
  • Assist with the preparation and inventorying of scholarly manuscripts for scheduling and transmitting to production
  • Convey manuscript information to appropriate sources
  • Maintain contact with manuscript and curriculum authors, readers, and reviewers
  • Assist in monitoring budgets throughout various stages of the editorial process
  • Perform general assigned duties (phones, mail, filing)
  • May communicate with suppliers, vendors and other University offices as necessary

This profile is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty that will be required of positions in this job title and should not be construed as declaring what the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position shall be. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under his/her supervision. The use of a particular expression or illustration describing duties should not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of a similar kind or level of difficulty.

Level 2  

Level Details
Job Code Salary Band FLSA Status
MSEM0402 H Exempt

Level 2 positions typically demonstrate intermediate knowledge of the concepts, practices and procedures of a particular field of specialization; perform intermediate tasks in defined skill areas/applications by continuously building on current job knowledge; maintain effective relationships with peers, vendors, and others in a diverse environment; support team decisions and follow through with team responsibilities; interpret information, ideas and instructions and communicate clearly and accurately both verbally and in writing including materials intended for distribution; determine causes of unusual occurrences and apply standard principles and practices to determine and implement solutions; ensure safe practices and environmental consciousness are exhibited in decisions; typically work under general supervision, while performing assignments that are varied and that may be somewhat difficult in character, but usually involve limited responsibility.

Typical Education & Experience

2+ years related experience

Bachelor's Degree or higher

Or an equivalent combination of education and experience

Typical Work Duties
  • Write and proofread manuscripts for technical, educational and/or scholarly publications
  • Prepare materials that conform to specific editorial style and accommodate target audiences
  • Assist instructors in developing a sound pedagogical practice and assist with establishing a plan of action for the course
  • Collaborate on instructional design and curriculum development processes
  • Provide consultation and writing for special projects and presentations
  • Update and rewrite curriculum style guides on an ongoing basis for clarity and logic
  • Identify prospective content experts, authors and consultants through examination of journals, attendance at academic meetings, etc.
  • Review incoming scholarly manuscript proposals and judge their potential importance for scholarship and capability for selling
  • Prepare budgets for new editorial acquisitions
  • Review materials for copyright compliance
  • Learn and pilot new technologies
  • May communicate with suppliers, vendors and other University offices as necessary
  • May supervise interns and/or other lower level staff

This profile is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty that will be required of positions in this job title and should not be construed as declaring what the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position shall be. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under his/her supervision. The use of a particular expression or illustration describing duties should not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of a similar kind or level of difficulty.

Level 3  

Level Details
Job Code Salary Band FLSA Status
MSEM0403 I Exempt

Level 3 positions typically demonstrate proficient and comprehensive knowledge of defined skill areas/applications to integrate fundamental elements from other specialties into work assignments; apply knowledge of principles, practices, and procedures of a particular field of specialization to complete difficult assignments; promote a culture that is conducive to effective relationships among diverse team members; ensure safe practices and environmental consciousness are exhibited in decisions; may lead a project team involved in completion of difficult assignments, requiring proficient knowledge of field of specialization; interpret and communicate information, ideas and instructions clearly, accurately and persuasively both verbally and in writing including materials intended for distribution; incorporate new facts and ideas into group processes and apply creative thinking to develop new solutions; typically work with minimal supervision on difficult assignments, conferring with manager on unusual matters.

Typical Education & Experience

4+ years related experience

Bachelor's Degree or higher

Or an equivalent combination of education and experience

Typical Work Duties
  • Provide writing and editing oversight for the development of manuscripts for technical, educational and/or scholarly publications
  • Participate in discussions related to the curriculum design process and provide pedagogical and language expertise for instructors to ensure clarity and soundness of instruction
  • Establish a plan of action for the translation of complex content into learner-centric print and electronic materials
  • Oversee the writing and editing of curriculum materials that conform to specific editorial style and accommodate target audiences
  • Provide participant-centered advice on the appropriate use of text and graphic materials in a variety of media, including print-based, web-based and electronic communication systems
  • Provide editorial oversight for special projects and presentations
  • Identify prospective book authors and consultants through examination of journals, attendance at academic meetings, etc.
  • Review incoming scholarly manuscript proposals and judge their potential importance for scholarship and capability for selling
  • Prepare budgets for new editorial acquisitions
  • Ensure that materials meet copyright compliance
  • Learn and pilot new technologies
  • May supervise interns, editorial assistants, writers and/or other lower level staff
  • May communicate with suppliers, vendors and other University offices as necessary

This profile is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty that will be required of positions in this job title and should not be construed as declaring what the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position shall be. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under his/her supervision. The use of a particular expression or illustration describing duties should not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of a similar kind or level of difficulty.

Level 4  

Level Details
Job Code Salary Band FLSA Status
MSEM0404 K Exempt

Level 4 positions typically demonstrate advanced knowledge of principles, practices, and procedures of a particular field of specialization and complete complex assignments; integrate complex elements from other specialties into work assignments; demonstrate a strong commitment to inclusionary practices which support diversity throughout the University; establish a shared vision and take responsibility for the achievement of team goals, and provide direction for appropriate implementation of plans; present ideas, concepts and instructions in a clear manner, and use persuasion and negotiation to build consensus and cooperation; ensure safe practices and environmental consciousness are exhibited in decisions; develop new techniques, concepts, theories, programs or solutions and apply them to complex strategic operating issues; typically work independently on complex work assignments, review progress and evaluate results and update management as appropriate; may direct and delegate work to lower-level staff.

Typical Education & Experience

6+ years related experience

Bachelor's Degree or higher

Or an equivalent combination of education and experience

Typical Work Duties
  • Oversee all aspects of planning, developing, writing and editing manuscripts for technical, educational and/or scholarly publications
  • Develop and oversee the management of sound pedagogical practice and establish a plan of action for the translation of complex content into learner-centric materials
  • Lead discussions related to the curriculum design process and provide coaching to writers/editors on how to provide pedagogical and language expertise for instructors to ensure clarity and soundness of instruction
  • Collaborate on instructional design and curriculum development processes
  • Manage the production of technical, educational and/or scholarly publications
  • Provide participant-centered advice to writers on the appropriate use of text and graphic materials in a variety of media, including print-based, web-based and electronic communication systems
  • Set editorial style standards and Identify style inconsistencies in prevailing editorial practice and advise on such matters, especially in relation to style guide revision
  • Manage special projects and presentations
  • Identify prospective book authors and consultants through examination of journals, attendance at academic meetings, etc.
  • Review incoming scholarly manuscript proposals and judge their potential importance for scholarship and capability for selling
  • Prepare budgets for new editorial acquisitions and negotiate distribution deals
  • Ensure that materials meet copyright compliance
  • Learn and pilot new technologies
  • Communicate with suppliers, vendors and other University offices as necessary
  • Supervise interns, editorial assistants, writers and/or other lower level staff

This profile is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty that will be required of positions in this job title and should not be construed as declaring what the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position shall be. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under his/her supervision. The use of a particular expression or illustration describing duties should not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of a similar kind or level of difficulty.

Level 5  

There is currently no level 5.