What are the responsibilities and job description for the Communication Specialist position at Michigan Technological University and Careers?
Communication Specialist
Department: Dean of Students/VP Stu Affairs
Work Type: Staff - Full Time
Location: Main Campus (Houghton, MI)
Full Time / Part Time: Full Time
Categories: Student Affairs, Communication
Applications Close: 02 Jan 2026 Eastern Standard Time
Department: Student Affairs
- Provide communication support to Student Affairs leadership, including preparing talking points, assisting with presentations, and generating thought leadership opportunities.
- Working collaboratively with all Student Affairs departments, develop a comprehensive communication strategy for disseminating timely and appropriate communication to parents of current students.
- Work with all departments across Student Affairs and in collaboration with University Marketing and Communications to maintain current Student Affairs websites.
- Create content to be used by Student Affairs departments on their social media platforms, posters, and other promotional material to promote and increase attendance at events and services.
- Coordinate content for the monthly “Insights from Student Affairs” blog and CampusESP Parent platform.
- Recruit, hire, supervise, and evaluate approved and assigned student employees.
General Responsibilities
- Collaborate with appropriate stakeholders to ensure that services delivered to students are audience-specific, timely, culturally-relevant, needs-based, aligned with leadership’s priorities and student learning outcomes, and can be evaluated.
- Develop and manage approved programming and/or service delivery budgets based on data and event requirements.
- Perform other mission-critical and position-specific duties as requested based on operational needs (e.g., all-hands-on-deck events such as orientation, welcome week, homecoming, commencement, and other university traditions).Participate and actively engage in University continuous improvement initiatives and strategies and apply knowledge to everyday work.
- Actively engage in creating a welcoming and professional work environment for staff, students, and visitors.
- Apply safety-related knowledge, skills, and practices to everyday work.
- 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline
- Experience working in a higher education or agency environment
- Demonstrated experience managing or supporting internal and external communications
- Experience working with college-age students
- Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills.
- Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively across cultural boundaries and work harmoniously with groups of students, faculty, and staff.
- Ability to collaborate on or design brochures, event flyers, and/or newsletters and develop and manage social media accounts.
- Ability to manage time effectively, learn, and contribute to overall departmental tasks and goals.
- Ability to use interpersonal skills to develop and maintain positive professional relationships and resolve conflict in a team environment and with individuals from various backgrounds and experiences.
- Proficiency with word processing and spreadsheet software, preferably Microsoft Office or Google Suite.
- Ability to function effectively and make sound decisions in stressful and crisis situations.
- Ability to handle multiple projects, services, activities, etc. in a timely and professional manner in a fast-paced and results-oriented environment.
- Ability to work independently under limited supervision and in teams.
- Ability to make reasoned administrative and procedural decisions and judgments on sensitive and confidential issues.
- Ability to work evening and weekend hours based on operational need.
- Moving small- to medium-sized boxes of materials in and out office during special events
- Driving personal or university vehicles or golf-cart during special events to transport materials and supplies to events
- The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate
- Fast-paced
- Results-oriented
- Accountability-driven
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Personal Protective Equipment: None Required
Required University Training:
- Employee Safety Overview
- Anti-Harassment, Discrimination, Retaliation Training
- Annual Data Security Training
- Annual Title IX Training
- Ongoing professional development to be determined.
- If applicable, insert required departmental training here…
Background Check:
Offers of employment are contingent upon and not considered finalized until the required background check, including motor vehicle, has been performed and the results received and assessed.
Other Conditions of Employment:
The successful applicant will be responsible for ensuring eligibility for employment in the United States on or before the effective date of the appointment. Visa sponsorship is unavailable at this time. This is not an E-Verified Position.
Michigan Technological University is an Equal Opportunity Educational Institution/Equal Opportunity Employer that provides equal opportunity for all, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities
Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) % (1=100%)
Internal & External
No
Full consideration will be given to applicants who apply by January 2, 2026.
If you require any auxiliary aids, services, or accommodations during Michigan Tech’s hiring process please notify the Human Resources office at 906-487-2280 or hr-help@mtu.edu.
Other Conditions of Employment:
Please note that successful applicants are responsible for ensuring their eligibility to work in the United States (i.e. a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without the need of an employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of your appointment, and maintain eligibility without sponsorship throughout your appointment.
Michigan Technological University is an Equal Opportunity Educational Institution/Equal Opportunity Employer that provides equal opportunity for all, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.
The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report contains current campus safety and disciplinary policies, crime statistics for the previous 3 calendar years, and on-campus student housing fire safety policies and fire statistics for the previous 3 calendar years. Michigan Tech will provide a paper copy upon request; please contact the Michigan Tech Public Safety.
In compliance with the federal Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act (DFSCA) and its implementing regulations (34 CFR Part 86), Michigan Tech is committed to maintaining a drugfree campus environment and actively promoting the health and safety of its community. Find our notice that outlines the University's policies, legal sanctions, health risks, and available support resources related to the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol.
Advertised: 03 Dec 2025 Eastern Standard Time
Applications Close: 02 Jan 2026 Eastern Standard Time
Salary : $60,000 - $65,000