Position Title:Communications Specialist III
Job Group:Professional & Scientific
Required Minimum Qualifications:Bachelor's degree and 5 years of related experience
Preferred Qualifications:Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, marketing, public relations, graphic design, or a related field.
Experience developing and implementing strategic communication plans for a complex organization or multi-stakeholder environment.
Experience contributing to communication policy development, branding guidelines, or institutional messaging, including compliance with digital accessibility requirements.
Advanced proficiency with graphic design and visual communication tools, including Adobe Creative Cloud applications.
Experience managing websites, digital content, and communication workflows to support organizational goals.
Experience supporting professional education, outreach programming, or public-facing training materials.
Job Description:
The Center for Agricultural Law and Taxation (CALT) is seeking a Communication Specialist III to lead and support a variety of communication initiatives across the organization. CALT provides timely, research-based information to producers, agricultural professionals, and agribusinesses on emerging issues in agricultural law and taxation. The center also serves as a leading provider of professional educational programming, including courses, workbooks, webinars, and other resources used by stakeholders nationwide.
The ideal candidate is a highly skilled designer with a strong eye for visual communication and branding. This role requires expertise in creating visually engaging graphics, layouts, and materials that effectively represent complex topics to various audiences. Individuals who enjoy translating information into compelling visual designs, supporting professional education initiatives, and strengthening organizational branding will thrive in this position. Attention to detail, creativity, and the ability to manage multiple design projects independently are essential for success.
Key Responsibilities
Lead and support internal and external communications projects, including managing website and intranet content, coordinating media relations, and drafting press releases.
Conduct research and analysis to develop clear, accurate, and engaging presentations, scripts, and speeches for leadership.
Assist in the design and development of educational course materials, including workbooks, webinars, and related resources.
Contribute to the development and refinement of institutional communication policies and practices.
Support the implementation of CALT's strategic communications program by developing and maintaining policies and practices that strengthen the center's brand and ensure positive, consistent representation to the media, public, and key stakeholders.
Design original graphics for use in educational materials, outreach publications, presentations, and digital platforms.
Why Join Us
This role offers the opportunity to be a key player in shaping CALT's communications and outreach efforts. You will have autonomy and creative freedom to design materials, develop messaging, and contribute to strategic projects that impact agricultural tax practitioners and producers across the country. In this position, you will help launch a brand-new program over a two-year intensive project, designing promotional materials, logos, branding, and educational materials that will directly support tax planning and training for agricultural producers. If you enjoy combining strategic communications with hands-on design and outreach, this role offers both the challenge and the opportunity to make a meaningful, visible impact.
Although this is a term position, it is expected to offer long-term opportunity, with the option for renewal.
Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship. Immigration sponsorship is not available for this position.
Level Guidelines- Senior-level position possessing high-level professional and/or technical skills working independently under minimal supervision to support ISU's mission and department or work unit goals- Applies senior-level professional knowledge and expertise to work requiring greater latitude- Solves moderately complex problems and regularly exercises judgment to determine appropriate action- Regularly exercises judgment to resolve problems and determine appropriate action on a broad set of issue and problems. May provide recommendations regarding problems/issues outside the bounds of defined procedures and practices- Responds to complicated inquiries, provides training, and provides direction to lower-level staff- May provide supervision for one to two other staff (i.e., leads a small work team)- May lead projects for which well-defined practices and procedures may not exist- Provides guidance to students
Appointment Type:Regular with Term Appointment (Fixed Term)
Proposed End Date or Length of Term:December 21, 2027
Number of Months Employed Per Year:12 Month Work Period
Time Type:Full time
Pay Grade:PS809
Application Instructions:To apply for this position, please click on "Apply" and complete the Employment Application. Please be prepared to enter or attach the following: 1) Resume/Curriculum Vitae 2) Letter of Application/Cover Letter If you have questions regarding this application process, please email employment@iastate.edu or call 515-294-4800 or Toll Free: 1-877-477-7485. Why Choose ISU? Iowa State Employees enjoy comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental; as well as: - Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans - Generous vacation, holiday and sick time and leave plans - Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa) - Life insurance and long-term disability - Flexible Spending Accounts - Various voluntary benefits and discounts - Employee Assistance Program - Wellbeing program - Iowa State offers WorkFlex options for some positions. WorkFlex offers flexibility on when, where, and how you do your work. For more information, please speak with the Hiring Manager.
Original Posting Date: December 8, 2025
Posting Close Date:December 15, 2025
Job Requisition Number:R18162
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If you have questions about the application process please email employment@iastate.edu or call 515-294-4800 or Toll-Free at 1-877-477-7485. Iowa State University provides reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should email employment@iastate.edu or call (515) 294-4800 or Toll-Free: (877) 477-7485. TTY users are welcome to use the Iowa Relay Service number by dialing 7-1-1 or (800) 735-2942.
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