📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Ag Creative Communications Specialist
🔹 Company: Oklahoma State University, Stillwater (OSU)
🔹 Location: Stillwater, OK
🔹 Job Type: Staff Full-Time
🔹 Date Posted: May 7, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: Entry-level (0-2 years)
🔹 Remote Status: On-site
🔹 Working Hours: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Monday - Friday, with one hour lunch break
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
1. Creative Design: Developing high-impact, consistent designs across various platforms.
2. Project Management: Overseeing complex projects from concept to completion, ensuring alignment with marketing strategies and division goals.
3. Collaboration: Working closely with cross-functional teams to promote and elevate the Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources.
4. Brand Consistency: Ensuring materials adhere to OSU Agriculture brand guidelines.
5. Accessibility: Implementing accessibility best practices to make materials welcoming and accessible.
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong portfolio showcasing diverse, compelling design projects, proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, and a keen eye for visual composition, aesthetics, and typography.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Design and Branding:
- Create outstanding print and digital designs.
- Ensure materials align with OSU Agriculture brand guidelines.
- Deliver high-quality work within tight deadlines.
✅ Project Management:
- Oversee complex projects, including educational resources and promotional materials, from concept to completion.
- Work with cross-functional teams to align creative work with organizational goals and design objectives.
- Ensure all designs meet accessibility best practices.
✅ Collaboration and Communication:
- Collaborate with an experienced creative and graphic design team.
- Work closely with other staff to effectively promote and elevate the Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources.
- Present design concepts and strategies effectively to stakeholders at all levels of the organization.
ASSUMPTION: This role requires exceptional organizational skills to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously, advanced problem-solving skills, and the ability to quickly adapt to changing priorities and business needs while maintaining a high standard of creativity and design integrity.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education:
- Bachelor’s in Graphic design, communications, public relations, agricultural communications, or related field.
Experience:
- At least 1 year of experience as a graphic designer or communicator in a creative/communications role or professional agency.
Required Skills:
- Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite programs, including Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop.
- Basic understanding of Canva.
- Ability to ensure consistency and quality across all visual materials created.
- Proven track record in executing design projects from concept to completion.
- Superior written and verbal communication skills.
- Solid understanding of Associated Press Style.
- Ability to be a collaborative team member.
- Exceptional organizational skills.
- Advanced problem-solving skills.
Preferred Qualifications:
- One to five years’ experience in graphic design, layout, and typography.
- Understanding of accessibility principles and best practices.
- Proficiency in illustrations.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $18.29 - $26.44 per hour (contingent upon available funding)
Benefits:
- Comprehensive benefits package for eligible employees (visit for details).
Working Hours: 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM, with one hour lunch break.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Higher Education
Company Size: Large (over 10,000 employees)
Founded: 1890
Company Description: Oklahoma State University (OSU) is a land-grant, sea-grant, and space-grant university located in Stillwater, Oklahoma. It is one of the largest universities in the United States, with a student body of over 35,000 and an alumni network of over 250,000.
Company Specialties: Agriculture, Engineering, Natural Sciences, Education, Business, Arts and Sciences, Health Sciences, and more.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Entry-level to mid-career (depending on experience)
Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the Hiring Manager, Hayley Eberle.
Work Arrangement: On-site, full-time, with a standard workweek of Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM, and one hour lunch break.
Growth Opportunities: Potential for career advancement within the Office of Communications and Marketing or other departments within OSU.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: On-site, with a physical office location in Stillwater, Oklahoma.
Office Location(s): 448 Legacy Hall, Stillwater, OK 74078
Geographic Context: Stillwater is a mid-sized city located in north-central Oklahoma, with a population of approximately 50,000. It is home to Oklahoma State University and offers a mix of urban and rural environments.
Work Schedule: Standard workweek, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM, with one hour lunch break.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
1. Online application submission.
2. Phone or video screening.
3. In-person or virtual interview with the hiring manager.
4. Final interview with the hiring team or additional stakeholders.
5. Background check and offer of employment.
Key Assessment Areas:
- Design portfolio and samples.
- Communication skills and presentation of design concepts.
- Problem-solving skills and adaptability.
- Cultural fit and team dynamics.
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant skills and experiences.
- Include a link to your online portfolio or attach samples of your work.
- Prepare for behavioral interview questions focusing on your design process, problem-solving skills, and teamwork experiences.
ATS Keywords: Graphic Design, Communications, Adobe Creative Suite, Brand Guidelines, Project Management, Accessibility, Marketing Strategy, Collaboration, Problem Solving, Typography, Visual Composition, Event Marketing
🛠 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values: People Before Projects, self-care, professional development, educational attainment, creativity, collaboration, and a welcoming environment.
Work Style: Creative, collaborative, and fast-paced, with a focus on meeting production goals while prioritizing self-care and professional development.
Self-Assessment Questions:
1. How do you ensure your designs align with brand guidelines while maintaining creativity and impact?
2. Can you describe a time when you had to adapt your design process to meet changing priorities or business needs?
3. How do you balance multiple complex projects and prioritize tasks to meet deadlines?
🛠 Potential Challenges
1. Workload: Managing multiple complex projects simultaneously may require exceptional organizational skills and time management.
2. Adaptability: The role may require quick adaptation to changing priorities and business needs.
3. Location: Living and working in a mid-sized city with a mix of urban and rural environments may not appeal to everyone.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
1. Ag Creative Communications Specialist vs. Graphic Designer (General): The Ag Creative Communications Specialist role is more specialized, focusing on agricultural communications and requiring a strong understanding of the industry. The Graphic Designer role may be more general, with a broader range of projects and industries.
2. Industry-specific context: The agricultural communications industry has unique challenges and opportunities compared to other industries, such as working with specific regulations, target audiences, and marketing strategies.
3. Career path comparison: This role can serve as a stepping stone to more specialized or management positions within agricultural communications or a transition to other industries with similar communications needs.
📝 Sample Projects
1. Agricultural Communications Campaign: Develop a comprehensive communications campaign for a new agricultural research initiative, including print materials, digital advertisements, and social media content.
2. Event Marketing: Design promotional materials for an upcoming agricultural conference, ensuring consistency across various platforms and adherence to brand guidelines.
3. Educational Resource: Create an engaging and accessible educational resource for farmers and ranchers, such as a guide on sustainable farming practices or a reference manual for agricultural equipment.
💡 Key Questions to Ask During Interview
1. Role Responsibilities: What are the most pressing design projects or campaigns currently underway, and how would my role contribute to their success?
2. Team Dynamics: How does the creative and graphic design team collaborate, and what is the overall work environment like?
3. Growth Opportunities: What opportunities are there for professional development and career advancement within the Office of Communications and Marketing or other departments within OSU?
4. Work-Life Balance: How does the team support work-life balance, and what resources are available to employees?
5. Company Culture: What aspects of the company culture make it a welcoming and inclusive environment for employees?
📝 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
1. Submit your application through [this link](https://okstate.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/8/home/requisition/19609?c=okstate).
2. Tailor your resume to highlight relevant skills and experiences, such as graphic design projects, marketing campaigns, and problem-solving examples.
3. Write a compelling cover letter addressing your qualifications and enthusiasm for the role.
4. Prepare samples of your work or a link to your online portfolio, showcasing your design skills and versatility.
5. Follow up with the hiring manager, Hayley Eberle, one week after submitting your application to inquire about the status of your application.
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
