Technical Communications Specialist

University of Waterloo•Waterloo, ON

10d•CA$67,689 - CA$84,611•Onsite

About The Position

The Technical Communications Specialist provides support to the Communications Officer for researching, writing, editing, and coordinating communications materials written specially for internal and external audiences to enhance the David R. Cheriton School of Computer Science’s reputation as a world-class leader in computer science. The overall objective is to advance the School of Computer Science (SCS) image and reputation through the production of professional, compelling, and effective communications materials.

Requirements

University degree in journalism, communications or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
2+ years of experience writing and developing science-based content for marketing and communication purposes.
Experience in a communications role, ideally in a post-secondary educational setting.
Experience translating research findings and explaining technical concepts in plain language for media and other external audiences.
Experience interviewing people for media profiles.
Experience in news and media researching skills.
Experience writing effectively, authentically, and consistent with the quality and standard expected of university-level communications and aligned with brand strategies.
Demonstrated written and verbal communication skills; excellent proofreading and editing skills.
Strong understanding of computer science and a curious mind.
Proven ability to take difficult concepts and make them understandable and engaging to a general audience.
Proven ability in managing multiple deadlines that require attention to accuracy, detail, consistency, and the ability to work with different people with competing priorities.
Ability to build consensus, foster teamwork among a variety of stakeholders, and lead integrated project teams.
Effective time management skills, ability to multitask, and confidence in decision making under pressure.
Strong organizational skills coupled with proven ability to effectively document work, handle multiple tasks, and excel in a fast-paced environment characterized by changing priorities and short deadlines.
Ability to quickly produce and distribute quality, thoughtful and engaging content.
Demonstrated ability to thrive in and contribute to an integrated and collaborative team environment and to apply a positive team approach to working with colleagues.
Flexibility to adapt to unexpected and time-sensitive demands.
Strong photographic skills.
Intermediate experience with photo editing software (e.g., Photoshop).
Intermediate experience with illustration, design, and layout software (e.g., Illustrator and QuarkXPress).
Extensive experience using web-based user interfaces (i.e., Waterloo’s content management system) to manage and maintain web content.

Nice To Haves

Diploma or education in a STEM discipline would be an asset.

Responsibilities

Develop rapport with faculty members and undergrad and graduate students to ensure they are willing and eager to have their research findings and achievements disseminated.
Create and expand Wikipedia profiles for faculty members.
Write research features, researcher and student profiles, news articles, award and recognition announcements for SCS website, ensuing content is topical and timely.
Conduct background research (seek out and read journal and conference papers), conduct faculty member and student interviews, write, edit and fact check articles for content accuracy across a variety of story content types for SCS website and Faculty of Mathematics news section and social media accounts.
Integrate and leverage SCS content across the range of Faculty of Mathematics online channels.
Disseminate research features, findings, and news to internal audiences (Faculty of Mathematics, Daily Bulletin, Waterloo home page) and to external audiences (e.g., ACM TechNews, eTies Newsletter, The Record, etc.).
Ensure accuracy, consistency and excellence in quality and content of messaging in all written communications materials.
Maintain and update list of faculty member and student awardees for annual SCS Achievement Awards Ceremony.
Take high-quality photographs of SCS faculty and students and SCS events for features and news articles across a variety of internal and external media, including web banners, web pages, TV screens, brochures, pamphlets, posters, and news sites.
Digitally edit photographs for accuracy and aesthetics (correct colour balance, adjust brightness, contrast and shadow and highlight detail, selectively lighten and darken images, etc.).
Design visually compelling content for digital display screens.
Create brochures, recruitment advertisements, banners, and posters to advertise SCS events and to promote the School, CS groups and events (e.g., annual submission to CRA member directory, School events, Women in Computer Science (WiCS) events, Technovation Girls Waterloo, etc.).
Drafting technical reference and recommendation letters on behalf of the Director and key faculty members as identified by the Director.
Drafting supporting letters for research applications and funding requests on behalf of the Director.
Creation of new web pages, expand existing pages, and maintain and update content on SCS website.
Ensure written material is of high quality, both informationally and grammatically.
Work with IST to assist individuals and research groups create new WCMS-based websites.
Identify news and items for dissemination through social media.
Stay current on evolving social media, mobile devices, and other digital communications.
Prepare pieces for dissemination for both within the University and external markets.
Post upcoming SCS seminars, master’s presentations and PhD defences, symposia and the like on the SCS weekly events page, as individual items on the website’s events section, on the Faculty-wide WebNotice system, and disseminate weekly via the SCS newsletter and digital screens.
Create print posters and banners for TVs screens for high-level events (Cheriton Research Symposium, DLS talks, SE Capstone project, etc.).
Work with colleagues across campus (e.g., Faculty of Mathematics, other faculties at Waterloo, Daily Bulletin) to ensure high-level CS events are disseminated widely and well attended.
Attend events to compose notes capturing key messages, take photographs and video; network with attendees to generate content for research features and news articles.
Assist with development and updating of administrative web informational pages.