Career Center

The Department of Mechanical Engineering is seeking a Communications Specialist to conduct interviews and collect information to develop content for communication materials. The Communications Specialist is responsible for communicating with and disseminating information to industry, sponsors, faculty, students, and the public. The Communications Specialist is responsible for supporting programs to foster positive positioning and proactive brand visibility of the Department of Mechanical Engineering in the US and the world, by working with internal partners, media contacts (when applicable) and central and WSE marketing and communications.

The Communications Specialist will also collect, write, and upload/transmit news items and status updates from key research groups to associated and applicable websites and social networking sites. This position uses backend software to update the related websites. The Communications Specialist will write content and edit a newsletter in conjunction with WSE marketing and communications department editorial schedule and will work with the admissions office and academic program coordinators to develop communications for prospective students. The Communications Specialist is expected to stay current with technology and media trends and suggest new related activities to the institute/departments.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

Promotional Material Preparation

• Assists in writing, editing and placing promotional materials for print, broadcast and digital media, including feature stories, columns, pitches and news releases, in coordination with WSE Communications staff.
  

• Assists on various newsletters including developing story ideas, editing and working with WSE Communications staff. Selects artwork, graphics pictures, and illustrations and designs layout.

Website Management/social media

• Assesses, reviews, and posts all materials for news and publications on the related websites.
  
• Researches and assesses productivity of web- based activities.
  
• Posts strategic news and information through all social sites and appropriate platforms.
  

Digital Material Preparation

• Prepares postings of digital promotional materials (photos, stories, etc.)
  
• Assists in the coordination of in-house digital photography.
  

Events

• Develops and design marketing materials (brochures, signage, promotional merchandise) for conferences, special events, lecture series for department and institute as well as school-wide efforts and recruiting events.
• Coordinates and executes all logistics for special events in accordance with WSE event guidelines.
  

Miscellaneous

• Helps execute media and/or marketing campaigns in line with WSE marketing and communications office.
• Ensures all communications projects and marketing efforts comply with University Branding Guidelines and JHU Use of Name Guidelines.
• Other duties as assigned.

Special Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Ability to translate complex concepts into engaging messaging for key audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to write engaging content clearly and concisely.
  
• Proficiency in Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook.
  
• Knowledge of regional and national print, broadcast and electronic media outlets, and social networking, including web-based and online media/information sites.
  
• Demonstrated ability to build collaborative working relationships and identify, assess, and meet diverse client needs.
  
• Ability to organize workflow, prioritize and manage multiple projects with minimal direction, meet deadlines, think critically and creatively, and exercise sound judgment.
  

*Writing samples are encouraged, and a writing test will be part of interview process.

• Bachelor's Degree in related field.
• Two years related experience.
• Additional education may substitute for required experience, to the extent permitted by the JHU equivalency formula.

• Bachelor's Degree in Journalism, Marketing, Writing, Media Relations, Public Relations preferred.
• Three or more years related experience in science journalism and digital communications.
• Experience with web content management
• Experience with social media and communications platforms
• Experience with Word Press, Adobe Creative Suite and Google Analytics

Classified Title: Communications Specialist 
Role/Level/Range: ATP/03/PB  
Starting Salary Range: Min $45,700 - Max $80,000 Annually ($65,000 targeted; Commensurate with experience) 
Employee group: Full Time 
Schedule: M-F/8.30-5.00 
Exempt Status: Exempt 
Location: Hybrid/Homewood Campus 
Department name: ​​​​​​​Department of Mechanical Engineering  
Personnel area: Whiting School of Engineering 

Total Rewards
The referenced salary range is based on Johns Hopkins University's good faith belief at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as geographic location, work experience, market conditions, education/training and skill level. Johns Hopkins offers a total rewards package that supports our employees' health, life, career and retirement. More information can be found here: https://hr.jhu.edu/benefits-worklife/

Please refer to the job description above to see which forms of equivalency are permitted for this position. If permitted, equivalencies will follow these guidelines:
JHU Equivalency Formula: 30 undergraduate degree credits (semester hours) or 18 graduate degree credits may substitute for one year of experience. Additional related experience may substitute for required education on the same basis. For jobs where equivalency is permitted, up to two years of non-related college course work may be applied towards the total minimum education/experience required for the respective job.

**Applicants who do not meet the posted requirements but are completing their final academic semester/quarter will be considered eligible for employment and may be asked to provide additional information confirming their academic completion date.

The successful candidate(s) for this position will be subject to a pre-employment background check. Johns Hopkins is committed to hiring individuals with a justice-involved background, consistent with applicable policies and current practice. A prior criminal history does not automatically preclude candidates from employment at Johns Hopkins University. In accordance with applicable law, the university will review, on an individual basis, the date of a candidate's conviction, the nature of the conviction and how the conviction relates to an essential job-related qualification or function.

The Johns Hopkins University values diversity, equity and inclusion and advances these through our key strategic framework, the JHU Roadmap on Diversity and Inclusion.

Equal Opportunity Employer

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

EEO is the Law
Learn more:
https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/migrated_files/employers/poster_screen_reader_optimized.pdf

Accommodation Information

If you are interested in applying for employment with The Johns Hopkins University and require special assistance or accommodation during any part of the pre-employment process, please contact the Talent Acquisition Office at jhurecruitment@jhu.edu. For TTY users, call via Maryland Relay or dial 711. For more information about workplace accommodations or accessibility at Johns Hopkins University, please visit accessibility.jhu.edu.

Johns Hopkins has mandated COVID-19 and influenza vaccines, as applicable. The COVID-19 vaccine does not apply to positions located in the State of Florida. Exceptions to the COVID and flu vaccine requirements may be provided to individuals for religious beliefs or medical reasons. Requests for an exception must be submitted to the JHU vaccination registry. For additional information, applicants for SOM positions should visit https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/coronavirus/covid-19-vaccine/ and all other JHU applicants should visit https://covidinfo.jhu.edu/health-safety/covid-vaccination-information/.

The following additional provisions may apply, depending on campus. Your recruiter will advise accordingly.

The pre-employment physical for positions in clinical areas, laboratories, working with research subjects, or involving community contact requires documentation of immune status against Rubella (German measles), Rubeola (Measles), Mumps, Varicella (chickenpox), Hepatitis B and documentation of having received the Tdap (Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) vaccination. This may include documentation of having two (2) MMR vaccines; two (2) Varicella vaccines; or antibody status to these diseases from laboratory testing. Blood tests for immunities to these diseases are ordinarily included in the pre-employment physical exam except for those employees who provide results of blood tests or immunization documentation from their own health care providers. Any vaccinations required for these diseases will be given at no cost in our Occupational Health office.

Note: Job Postings are updated daily and remain online until filled.

About Johns Hopkins University

Johns Hopkins University remains committed to its founding principle, that education for all students should be grounded in exploration and discovery. Hopkins students are challenged not just to learn but also to advance learning itself. Critical thinking, problem solving, creativity, and entrepreneurship are all encouraged and nourished in this unique educational environment. After more than 130 years, Johns Hopkins remains a world leader in both teaching and research. Faculty members and their research colleagues at the university's Applied Physics Laboratory have each year since 1979 won Johns Hopkins more federal research and development funding than any other university. The university has nine academic divisions and campuses throughout the Baltimore-Washington area. The Krieger School of Arts and Sciences, the Whiting School of Engineering, the School of Education and the Carey Business School are based at the Homewood campus in northern Baltimore. The schools of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing share a campus in east Baltimore with The Johns Hopkins Hospital. The Peabody Institute, a leading professional school of music, is located on Mount Vernon Place in downtown Bal...timore. The Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies is located in Washington's Dupont Circle area.

Show more

Show less

Connections working at Johns Hopkins University