GRADUATE STAFF ASSISTANT 2011-12

GRADUATE STAFF ASSISTANT

Req #: 73968
Department: CENTER FOR HUMANITIES
Job Location: Seattle Campus
Job Location Detail: Communications
Posting Date: 05/10/2011
Closing Info: Closes On 05/31/2011
Salary: Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience.
Union Position: Yes

This classification is governed by a negotiated labor contract and is subject to union shop provisions. For more information about union shop provisions, visit Union Information

Availability: This is 50% GSA appointment for AY11-12 (September 16, 2011-June 15, 2012) with option of a ten-month appointment (start date negotiable) or additional hourly employment during Summer 2011.


Graduate Staff Assistant/Associate: Web Tech and Communications Assistant, 50%

Hiring Unit: SIMPSON Center for the Humanities
Location: Communications 206, UW Seattle Campus
Supervisor/Contact: Miriam Bartha, Associate Director

UWHIRES post date: Friday, May 10, 2011
Application deadline: Friday, May 31, 2011
Final notification date: Friday, June 7, 2011

The SIMPSON Center for the Humanities seeks a 50% GSA to fill its Web Tech and Communications Assistant position for AY11-12. Primary responsibilities of the appointment include maintaining and developing the SIMPSON Center’s online presence via its website, events calendar, weekly and monthly e-mails, Facebook and Twitter accounts, and other new and/or emerging digital technologies as they become applicable; administering the Center’s UWCH email account and other shared accounts; and developing and maintaining SIMPSON Center listservs for regular web- and email-based contact with faculty, graduate students, and friends. Additional responsibilities include providing technical support for SIMPSON Center activities, conducting research that supports the development of the SIMPSON Center’s technical infrastructure, conducting research that supports the SIMPSON Center’s digital humanities initiatives, and providing assistance and support in generating, tracking, and disseminating public information and documentation of SIMPSON Center activities. This position reports to the Communications and External Affairs Specialist, currently open; until this position is filled, the position reports to the Associate Director.

One of the largest and most comprehensive humanities centers in the United States, the Walter Chapin SIMPSON Center for the Humanities is dedicated to fostering innovative crossdisciplinary research and teaching in the humanities and to stimulating exchange and debate on cultural and intellectual issues. The SIMPSON Center works with a wide range of academic departments and units as well as cultural organizations in the greater Seattle area, across the country, and around the globe.

The SIMPSON Center website is currently transitioning to a content management system, built on a Drupal platform.

Duties:
SIMPSON Center website (45%)
• In general: Ensure that the web hardware and software under SCH control are operating accurately, generate and revise web pages, place content, reply to user comment, and examine traffic through the site.
• Assist Communications Specialist with docket development.
• Develop, manage, and maintain content for the SIMPSON Center website; this includes maintaining and ensuring the quality of meta-data; locating, pursuing, and writing content for online dissemination (in consultation with management team), as well as encoding audio and video content of lectures and other events.
• Enhance and ensure quality and consistency of site usability and navigation.
• Create and maintain Web pages for SIMPSON Center sponsored projects.
• Adapt print materials to formats applicable on the web.
• Locate or create original images and graphics.
• Ensure that electronic content is archived and accessible.
• Track web usage/web analytics(report monthly to Communications Specialist).

Other electronic communications and social networking (35%)
• Web Calendar: Add, review, and edit submissions daily.
o Ensure conformity with Center style and edit at the time of approval with an eye for inclusion in weekly email.
o Ensure all SCH-sponsored events and programs are represented and current.
• Mass Emails: Compile, edit, design, and disseminate electronic-based media and communications to academic and community audiences including, but not limited to the following:
o Weekly email (sent Fridays by noon).
o Monthly email to friends and donors (sent on or around the 20th of the month).
• Administer uwch@u.washington.edu email account.
• Administer Mailman mail list manager accounts.
• Social Networking:
o Administer the Center’s Facebook page and Twitter accounts, updating daily to broadcast upcoming events and other Center news.
o Assist with the creation of Facebook and other online advertising.
• SharePoint: Assist Associate Director in the regulation and management of access rights for different users to the UWCH and UWCHStaff SharePoint sites containing the staff intranet and SCH Administrative Gateway.
• Provide technical advice to project groups on Web issues, electronic disseminations of readings, etc.
• Research and recommend emerging networking technologies or other online tools that may be of use to Center staff or programs.

Internal technology responsibilities (5%)
• Troubleshoot hardware and software problems for internal staff and Center programs. Notify the Associate Director of problems requiring assistance by the College’s tech support team and she will arrange for assistance.
• Assist with the development of SCH “Normal” doc templates.
• Recommend technology upgrades or tools.

Event documentation (5%)
• Attend and assist staff at quarterly Katz lectures. Activities may include set-up, working the front door, video or other recording, and communicating with CSS event tech staff in the absence of the Communications Specialist.
• Create audio, video, or photographic record of events as instructed by the Communications Specialist.
• Encode audio and video content of lectures and other events and post multimedia content to SCH webpage and/or other sites.

Communications and PR support (5%)
• Provide web-related content for annual report and newsletter.
• Assist with other report writing as needed.
• Assist with the preparation, tracking, and distribution duties related to event flyers and other Center communications.

Other Duties (5%)
• Work with Communications Specialist to develop and write standards of procedure for tech and web-related duties.
• Participate in setting central communications goals for the Center’s website and electronic communications.
• Oversee the web-related work of the Student Assistant(s).
• Assist with research and development of digital humanities initiatives.
• Assume other responsibilities as delegated by the Communications Specialist.
• Provide general front desk, phone, or administrative coverage under special circumstances.


Requirements:
Job qualifications/hiring criteria:
UW Graduate Student currently enrolled in the Academic quarter.

Qualified candidates will have demonstrated Web design, content/copy production, editing, and coding ability; expertise with HTML, CSS, and Web editing software (Dreamweaver preferred); experience with managed content websites (Drupal preferred); familiarity with current Web content-publishing standards, systems, tools, and software; proficiency with image editing software (Adobe Photoshop preferred); excellent written communication skills and editorial expertise; experience producing electronic and/or print publicity; understanding of search engine optimization and Web analytics; knowledge of current computer hardware and software products and trends; experience with computer troubleshooting; resourcefulness and problem-solving skills; and comfort working as part of a collaborative team.



Desired:
Proficiency with audio and video editing software, post-graduate work in relevant humanities and/or professional field (media studies, information science, communication, technical communications), familiarity with Web-publishing environment at the University of Washington, proficiency with University of Washington Catalyst Tools, proficiency with MySQL, PHP, and JavaScript, proficiency using listserv software (Mailman preferred), and records and files management experience are highly desired.


Condition of Employment:
The Web Tech/Communications Assistant will be expected to establish a regular weekly schedule of office hours in order to facilitate teamwork with Center staff, with a total of no more than 220 hours per quarter; document major tasks; and maintain detailed position analysis, as matter of record.

To apply, please send the following materials in single, compiled Word or pdf document to mbartha@uw.edu, no later than the posted close date: (1) a cover letter that outlines your relevant qualifications and experience; (2) a resume or c.v.; (3) three references and their contact information.

Compensation is based upon the negotiated salary schedules of the negotiated labor contract (http://www.grad.washington.edu/students/fa/salaries/salary-schedules.shtml).

The University of Washington is a leader in environmental stewardship & sustainability, and committed to becoming climate neutral.
The University of Washington is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206.543.6450 / 206.543.6452 (tty) or dso@u.washington.edu.


Matthew F. Nichols
Administrative Coordinator
Simpson Center for the Humanities

Communications 206
Box 353710
Seattle WA 98195-3710
P: 206.221.3192
www.simpsoncenter.org