Publications Specialist (ACPE)(PCN-050422)

State of Alaska•Juneau or Anchorage, AK

10d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education (ACPE) is seeking a Publications Specialist with expertise in Adobe InDesign to join our collaborative team of professionals with diverse areas of expertise in Program Management. This position serves as ACPE’s lead publication design professional and is responsible for the project management, design, development, and production of major agency publications and other print and digital communications. Working with agency staff, senior leadership, and external partners, the Publications Specialist manages publication projects from initial planning and content development through visual design, review, and final production, ensuring finished products are accurate, accessible, visually compelling, and consistent with agency standards. This position combines publication design expertise with data analysis and data visualization to communicate complex education and workforce information to a broad range of audiences. The Publication Specialist analyzes and interprets data, develops charts, maps, infographics, and other visualizations, and determines how to present information most effectively through thoughtful layout and design. The position plays a primary role in producing high-profile agency publications used by policymakers, education stakeholders, agency leadership, and the public to better understand postsecondary education access, outcomes, and trends in Alaska.

Requirements

A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
Adobe InDesign and professional publication design principles.
Graphic design principles, including typography, layout, visual hierarchy, color, composition, and branding.
Print and digital publication production, including file preparation, resolution, color modes, prepress, and accessible PDF output.
Data visualization principles, including appropriate use of charts, maps, tables, infographics, and other visual formats.
Data sources, definitions, methodology, and context, including how underlying data supports reported findings and visual presentations.
Basic principles of data analysis and interpretation, including trends, comparisons, rates, percentages, and longitudinal data.
Accessibility standards and best practices for digital publications, web content, and electronic documents.
Web content principles, including audience-focused writing, readability, usability, and content maintenance.
Project management principles as they relate to publication planning, review cycles, deadlines, and coordination with multiple contributors.
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to clearly explain complex information to technical and non-technical audiences.
Strong presentation skills, including the ability to present data, findings, publication concepts, and recommendations to staff, senior leadership, stakeholders, and public audiences.
Advanced skills in Adobe InDesign, including complex page layout, styles, linked assets, tables, master pages, and preparation of production-ready files.
Strong graphic design and visual communication skills, with the ability to create polished, professional publications for print and digital audiences.
Skill in developing charts, maps, infographics, and other data visualizations that accurately represent underlying data and communicate findings clearly.
Strong attention to detail and quality assurance, particularly in reviewing data, graphics, citations, formatting, accessibility, and final production files.
Strong project management and organizational skills, including the ability to manage multiple publication projects, competing priorities, review cycles, and firm deadlines.
Ability to analyze and interpret quantitative and qualitative data and understand how data resources, definitions, methodology, and context support reported findings and visualizations.
Ability to translate complex data into accurate, meaningful, and visually effective charts, maps, infographics, and other forms of information visualization.
Ability to explain and defend the information presented in agency publications, including responding to questions regarding data sources, methodology, trends, and the relationship between the underlying data and published findings.
Strong attention to accuracy and the ability to identify inconsistencies, gaps, or potential misinterpretations in data before information is published.
Ability to work independently and exercise sound professional judgment while also collaborating effectively with staff, leadership, subject-matter experts, data partners, and vendors.
Ability to manage source files and publication assets in an organized and sustainable manner so materials can be updated, reused, and maintained over time.
Ability to receive and incorporate feedback constructively while maintaining consistency, accuracy, and design integrity throughout the publication process.

Nice To Haves

A degree in graphic design, communications, journalism, marketing, visual communications, publication design, or a related field is preferred.
Familiarity with ACPE programs and services is preferred.
Relevant professional experience in writing, editing, graphic design, publication layout, or production may be substituted for the required education on a year-by-year basis.

Responsibilities

Research, write, edit, design, and produce content for a broad range of routine to complex print and digital publication projects, including brochures, newsletters, direct mail materials, handbooks, reports, briefings, forms, cover designs, posters, illustrations, logos, exhibits, signage, promotional materials, and online communications.
Serve as project manager for major agency publications projects, coordinating content development, data, design, review, and production from concept through final delivery. Key annual projects include the Higher Education Almanac (Almanac) and the Alaska Performance Scholarship (APS) Outcomes Reports.
Analyze, interpret, and communicate complex data and information for internal and external audiences. Understand the source, context, and intended use of data and how it supports the findings being presented.
Develop charts, maps, infographics, and other data visualizations that accurately reflect the underlying information and clearly communicate findings to stakeholders and the public.
Serve as a member of the agency’s marketing team, contributing publication design and communications expertise to outreach, promotional, and public-information initiatives.
Develop content and recommend enhancements to the agency’s public web presence, ensuring information is current, accessible, accurate, and audience-focused.
Assist with data collection, review, reporting, and compliance activities by gathering, organizing, analyzing, and evaluating information to support agency programs and regulatory requirements.
Ensure information is accurate, consistent, and aligned with applicable policies, procedures, laws, and reporting standards.
Maintain an organized library of production-ready files and source materials for print and electronic collateral, and ensure final publications are available in appropriate, accessible electronic formats for the agency’s internal SharePoint sites and external website.
Perform other related duties as assigned.

Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision insurance with employer contributions
Employer-paid Basic Life Insurance (additional optional coverage may be available)
Optional insurance plans, including long- and short-term disability, accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D), long-term care, and supplemental survivor benefits
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) for eligible health care or dependent care expenses
Membership in the Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS) or Teachers’ Retirement System (TRS), as applicable
Employer contributions to defined benefit or defined contribution retirement plans, depending on date of hire
Contributions to the Alaska Supplemental Annuity in lieu of Social Security
Optional participation in the Alaska Deferred Compensation Program
Personal leave that increases with years of service
Twelve paid State holidays each year