📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Communications Assistant
🔹 Company: University of Texas at Austin
🔹 Location: Austin, TX
🔹 Job Type: Full-Time
🔹 Category: Education
🔹 Date Posted: April 8, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: Entry-Level (0-2 years)
🔹 Remote Status: On-site
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Supporting media and outreach efforts for the Civitas Institute
- Managing newsletters, podcasts, and audience engagement
- Coordinating social media presence and tracking performance
- Collaborating with a team to enhance communications strategy
ASSUMPTION: This role is part of the School of Civic Leadership's efforts to expand its reach and engage with a wider audience.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Managing and distributing newsletters, including content creation, formatting, scheduling, and subscriber list management
✅ Editing and uploading podcast episodes, ensuring high-quality audio and smooth delivery
✅ Organizing and updating contact lists, tracking audience growth, and implementing strategies to increase engagement
✅ Creating, scheduling, and monitoring social media posts across multiple platforms, engaging with the audience, and tracking performance metrics
✅ Other related functions as assigned
ASSUMPTION: The role may involve occasional evening or weekend work to ensure timely distribution of newsletters and podcasts.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in communications, marketing, liberal arts, or a related field
Experience: 0 to 2 years of experience in communications, social media, or a related field
Required Skills:
- Strong organizational and interpersonal skills, including written and verbal communications
- Excellent writing, proofreading, and communication skills
- Strong attention to detail and ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment
Preferred Skills:
- Experience with email marketing platforms
- Familiarity with audio editing software
- Strong understanding of social media platforms
- Familiarity with SEO, website analytics, or digital advertising
- Photography skills
ASSUMPTION: Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $55,000+ depending on qualifications
Benefits:
- Competitive health benefits (Employee premiums covered at 100%; family premiums at 50%)
- Vision, dental, life, and disability insurance options
- Paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
- Teachers Retirement System of Texas (a defined benefit retirement plan)
- Additional voluntary retirement programs: tax sheltered annuity 403(b) and a deferred compensation program 457(b)
- Flexible spending account options for medical and childcare expenses
- Training and conference opportunities
- Tuition assistance
- Athletic ticket discounts
- Access to UT Austin's libraries and museums
- Free rides on all UT Shuttle and Capital Metro buses with staff ID card
Working Hours: 40 hours per week
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for entry-level communications roles in Austin, TX.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Higher Education
Company Size: Large (201-500 employees)
Founded: 2017
Company Description:
- UT Health Austin is the clinical practice of the Dell Medical School at The University of Texas at Austin
- Collaborates with colleagues at the Dell Medical School and UT Austin to provide unparalleled quality of care
- Offers personalized, whole-person care with an elevated level of excellence in value-based health care
- Supports physician leaders in modeling new ways of delivering care to build a better, more equitable health system
Company Specialties:
- Orthopedics
- Women's Health
- Bipolar Disorders
- Gastroenterology
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Disease
- Endocrinology
- Oncology
- Primary Care
- Ophthalmology
- Rheumatology
- Neurology
- Surgery
- Cardiology
- Transplant
- Fetal Care
- Walk-In Care
Company Website: uthealthaustin.org
ASSUMPTION: UT Health Austin is part of the University of Texas System, which is one of the largest public university systems in the United States.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Entry-Level (0-2 years)
Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the Communications Manager at the Civitas Institute
Work Arrangement: On-site, full-time
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential advancement to Communications Coordinator or similar role with experience
- Possibility of working on special projects or events to gain additional skills and visibility
- Opportunities to learn from and collaborate with experienced communications professionals
ASSUMPTION: This role may lead to long-term career growth within the University of Texas System or related organizations.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: On-site, university campus
Office Location(s): 1601 Trinity Street, Levels 7-9, Austin, TX 78712
Geographic Context:
- Austin, TX is the state capital and the fourth-most populous city in Texas
- Known for its vibrant music and cultural scenes, as well as its outdoor activities and parks
- Offers a diverse range of neighborhoods and housing options
Work Schedule: Standard office hours, Monday through Friday, with occasional evening or weekend work as needed
ASSUMPTION: The work environment is dynamic and fast-paced, with a strong focus on collaboration and teamwork.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application review
- Phone or video screening
- On-site or virtual interview with the hiring manager and team members
- Background check and reference check
- Job offer
Key Assessment Areas:
- Communication skills, both written and verbal
- Organizational skills and attention to detail
- Technical proficiency with relevant software and tools
- Cultural fit and alignment with the University of Texas at Austin's mission and values
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant skills and experiences
- Demonstrate your understanding of the role and the University of Texas at Austin's mission and values
- Prepare examples of your work, such as newsletter articles, podcast episodes, or social media campaigns, to showcase your skills
- Follow up with the hiring manager after your interview to express your interest in the role
ATS Keywords: Communications, Social Media, Newsletter Management, Podcast Editing, Audience Engagement, Content Creation, Organizational Skills, Interpersonal Skills, Writing Skills, Proofreading, Attention to Detail, Multi-tasking, Email Marketing, Audio Editing Software, SEO, Website Analytics, Photography
ASSUMPTION: The University of Texas at Austin uses an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) to manage job applications, and including relevant keywords in your resume can improve your chances of being selected for an interview.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Email marketing platforms (e.g., Mailchimp, Constant Contact)
- Audio editing software (e.g., Audacity, GarageBand)
- Social media management tools (e.g., Hootsuite, Buffer)
- SEO and website analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics, SEMrush)
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
ASSUMPTION: The specific tools and technologies used may vary depending on the team's preferences and the University's standards.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Patient-centered care
- Collaboration and teamwork
- Innovation and continuous improvement
- Diversity, equity, and inclusion
- Excellence in all aspects of care
Work Style:
- Fast-paced and dynamic
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Focused on continuous learning and improvement
- Adaptable to change and open to new ideas
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you ensure that your communication strategies align with the University of Texas at Austin's mission and values?
- How do you handle working on multiple projects simultaneously, and how do you prioritize your tasks?
- How do you approach learning new tools and technologies to improve your work efficiency?
ASSUMPTION: The University of Texas at Austin values candidates who are passionate about its mission and committed to its core values.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously
- Working in a fast-paced and dynamic environment
- Occasional evening or weekend work to ensure timely distribution of newsletters and podcasts
- Adapting to changes in priorities or workflows
ASSUMPTION: These challenges can be mitigated by strong organizational skills, effective time management, and a willingness to adapt to change.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Communications Coordinator: Responsible for developing and implementing communication strategies, managing campaigns, and coordinating with various departments
- Social Media Manager: Focuses on creating, scheduling, and analyzing social media content to engage audiences and grow online presence
- Content Creator/Editor: Specializes in creating and editing content for various platforms, ensuring consistency in brand voice and messaging
ASSUMPTION: These roles may require more experience and offer different responsibilities, but they share similar core functions and require similar skills.
📝 Sample Projects
- Managing a newsletter campaign, including content creation, formatting, scheduling, and distribution
- Editing and uploading a podcast episode, ensuring high-quality audio and smooth delivery
- Creating and scheduling social media posts across multiple platforms, engaging with the audience, and tracking performance metrics
ASSUMPTION: These projects demonstrate the core responsibilities of the Communications Assistant role and provide insight into the day-to-day tasks involved.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- What are the most significant challenges facing the communications team currently, and how can this role help address them?
- How does this role fit into the broader communications strategy for the Civitas Institute and the University of Texas at Austin?
- What opportunities are there for professional growth and development within the team and the University?
- How does the University support work-life balance for its employees?
- What are the team's priorities for the first 30, 60, and 90 days in this role?
ASSUMPTION: These questions can help you better understand the role, the team, and the University's culture, allowing you to make an informed decision about your fit for the position.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant skills and experiences
- Prepare examples of your work, such as newsletter articles, podcast episodes, or social media campaigns, to showcase your skills
- Follow up with the hiring manager after your interview to express your interest in the role
- If selected for the position, complete the required background check and reference check
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
