Communication Specialist for the Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences

About the position
We are looking for a communications specialist to work in an area that supports clinical and translational research at UTHealth Houston. The role encompasses a broad range of support to departmental programs, including writing, editing, branding, messaging, graphic design, and the creation of print/digital deliverables. A strong writing background (samples required) and the ability to communicate complex concepts to a lay audience are a must. Clinical trial experience a plus. You will work directly with the communications director to position our brand as a leading research cohort on the national stage.\n\nThis is a full-time role that is classified as salaried but non-exempt. It is eligible for all UTHealth benefits, including healthcare coverage and participation in a retirement plan run by the State of Texas. Your office will be in the heart of the Texas Medical Center. The location is on both bus and rail lines from Metro.\nThis position will require the employee to work on-site; it is not remote.\nWhat we do here changes the world. UTHealth Houston is Texas’s resource for healthcare education, innovation, scientific discovery, and excellence in patient care. That’s where you come in.\nOnce you join us, you won't want to leave. It’s because we reward our team for the excellent service they provide. Our total rewards package includes the benefits you’d expect from a top healthcare organization (benefits, insurance, etc.), plus:\n100% paid medical premiums for our full-time employees\nGenerous time off (holidays, preventative leave day, both vacation and sick time – all of which equate to around 37-38 days per year)\nThe longer you stay, the more vacation you’ll accrue!\nLongevity Pay (Monthly payments after two years of service)\nBuild your future with our awesome retirement/pension plan!\nWe take care of our employees! As a world-renowned institution, we consider our employees’ wellbeing as important. We offer work/life services such as...\nFree financial and legal counseling\nFree mental health counseling services\nGym membership discounts and access to wellness programs\nOther employee discounts, including entertainment, car rentals, cell phones, etc.\nResources for child and elder care\nPlus many more!\nPosition Summary:\nProvides a broad range of communications support to departmental programs, including writing and editing, project planning, and health education/promotion activities.\nPosition Key Accountabilities:\nGathers information, generates ideas, and develops and influences the development of high-quality, creative materials and programs.\nGathers information through research and interviews with faculty, staff, and other appropriate sources, such as donors and patients.\nGenerates ideas for communication strategies and develops related promotional plans, tactics, and materials.\nWrites news/feature articles for publication.\nCollaborates with team members and/or other faculty/staff.\nPerforms other duties as assigned.\nCertification/Skills:\nMust be able to produce writing samples. You can attach these, as you would a resume, as a document to your application. That is encouraged.\nMinimum Education:\nBachelor's Degree in English, Journalism, Communications, or related field required\nMinimum Experience:\n3 years of experience in public relations, communications, writing/editing or related field required\nPhysical Requirements:\nExerts up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 10 pounds frequently and/or a negligible amount constantly to move objects.\nSecurity Sensitive:\nThis position is a security-sensitive position pursuant to Texas Education Code §51.215 and Texas Government Code §411.094. To the extent that a position requires the holder to research, work on, or have access to critical infrastructure as defined in Texas Business and Commerce Code §117.001(2), the ability to maintain the security or integrity of the infrastructure is a minimum qualification to be hired for and to continue to be employed in that position. Personnel in such positions, and similarly situated state contractors, will be routinely reviewed to determine whether things such as criminal history or continuous connections to the government or political apparatus of a foreign adversary might prevent the applicant, employee, or contractor from being able to maintain the security or integrity of the infrastructure. A foreign adversary is a nation listed in 15 C.F.R. §791.4.\nResidency Requirement:\nEmployees must permanently reside and work in the State of Texas.
Responsibilities
• Provides a broad range of communications support to departmental programs, including writing and editing, project planning, and health education/promotion activities.
• Gathers information, generates ideas, and develops and influences the development of high-quality, creative materials and programs.
• Gathers information through research and interviews with faculty, staff, and other appropriate sources, such as donors and patients.
• Generates ideas for communication strategies and develops related promotional plans, tactics, and materials.
• Writes news/feature articles for publication.
• Collaborates with team members and/or other faculty/staff.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
Requirements
• Strong writing background (samples required)
• Ability to communicate complex concepts to a lay audience
• Bachelor's Degree in English, Journalism, Communications, or related field required
• 3 years of experience in public relations, communications, writing/editing or related field required
• Must be able to produce writing samples.
Nice-to-haves
• Clinical trial experience a plus
Benefits
• Healthcare coverage
• Participation in a retirement plan run by the State of Texas
• 100% paid medical premiums for our full-time employees
• Generous time off (holidays, preventative leave day, both vacation and sick time – all of which equate to around 37-38 days per year)
• Longevity Pay (Monthly payments after two years of service)
• Retirement/pension plan
• Free financial and legal counseling
• Free mental health counseling services
• Gym membership discounts and access to wellness programs
• Other employee discounts, including entertainment, car rentals, cell phones, etc.
• Resources for child and elder care