Engagement and Communications Assistant

The assistant supports the administrative hub of the Language Center and the Institute of Linguistics by promoting the programs, spaces, curricula, events, and initiatives of both units, as well as representing all university languages through centralized communication and outreach services. This is a highly collaborative position, which reports to the administrator but engages with multiple teams. Some work will be assigned by the directors and team leaders. The specialist will also work closely with faculty and staff in the two units, as well as units served by the Language Center, to interpret academic content and adapt it for a range of audiences.

Bargaining unit consideration begins on August 3, 2026 and ends on August 10, 2026.

Pay rate: $25.31 - $27.32

Schedule: 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday. No overtime or Sunday work. This position is mostly in person with some opportunity for remote work to be discussed.

Responsibilities:

Public Presentation Communication & Outreach 40%

• Assist with the outreach, recruitment, and orientation events, which represent all language and linguistics programs to current, incoming and prospective students and families
• Search for opportunities to present language and linguistic programs to audiences, and help maintain schedule of events during the academic year
• Update and maintain the shared presentations used for events
• Recruit language program representatives to speak at events, and provide them with guidance on their presentations
• Present to students and families about language programs at the university, both in person and remotely
• Organize materials for information fairs, creating the staff and volunteer schedule, and staff information fair tables
• Assist with the creation and maintenance of printed documents for the information fairs, and restock prints as required
• Other duties as assigned

Digital and Print Communication and Outreach 45%

• Serve on communication teams: website, listserv, outreach, podcast and social media
• Collaborate with faculty and staff to develop and implement communication and marketing strategies for programs, courses, spaces and more
• Assist with the regular review, writing, and scheduling/posting of social media announcements
• Design print fliers and images for social media posts
• Design and participate in social media campaigns to promote initiatives, and manage an engaging social media presence
• Organize, record, edit and upload audio and video recordings
• Contribute to the writing of the Language Center weekly newsletter, focusing on social media and outreach content, and external events and news
• Collaborate with the Linguistics event team to publish a biweekly newsletter promoting events
• Prep and send departmental newsletters, manage templates and listserv records, and provide readership data
• Add newsletter events and other content to departmental websites
• Update departmental websites, intranets, and Canvas pages
• Provide support and promotion for academic and community events
• Create door and directional signs, and other printed materials
• Organize files for printed and digital materials, so they can be updated and used in the future
• Train team members to do content creation using social media tools and troubleshoot problems
• Other duties as assigned

Administrative and CourseShare Support 15%

• Assist with the onsite administration of Language Center and Linguistics spaces by monitoring supplies, and responding to building needs
• Set up and maintain course and student spreadsheets for the CourseShare program
• Reserve rooms for instructors and students participating in the CourseShare program
• Serve as a backup manager of departmental email accounts
• Respond to walk in and phone inquiries for both units
• Provide backup support to the office manager and administrator as needed
• Other duties as assigned

Required Qualifications:

• High School Diploma/GED and four years or related office experience
• Experience learning a second language
• Experience working in a university setting
• Public speaking experience
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Excellent visual design skills
• Experience marketing a program or idea and/or leading social media campaigns
• Experience managing a social media account
• Experience with standard university tools like Google Suite and Zoom

Preferred Qualifications:

• BA/BS in a field related to language, linguistics, or education
• Experience using Drupal, Google Sites, Salesforce Marketing Cloud, Asana, Canva and Canvas
• Experience recording and editing short-form and long-form audio and video
• Experience managing a website
• Experience managing a social media account that is not your own
• Experience managing a calendar that is not your own
• Experience with conferencing equipment
• Experience proofreading documents
• Experience with social media post scheduling in Metricool or equivalent
• Project management experience

The Language Center is guided by its mission to support, elevate and celebrate diversity in language, linguistics and culture. The commitment to value inclusion, belonging, and equity for all - instructors, students and the broader community - drives the Center, which offers signature programs, like TandemPlus, Language Testing & CourseShare, as well as inclusive technology and welcoming spaces for everyone.

About the College of Liberal Arts:

Home to the arts, social sciences and humanities disciplines and programs, the College of Liberal Arts is the largest college in the University of Minnesota and comprises 31 academic departments, and over 20 interdisciplinary research centers and administrative/support units. CLA has over 1,300 faculty and staff spanning research, teaching, advising, outreach, and administrative functions. CLA units reside in over twenty buildings on the East Bank and West Bank of the Twin Cities campus. CLA enrolls nearly 13,000 undergraduate students, over 40% of the undergraduate enrollment on the Twin Cities campus, 1,400 graduate students, and has an annual all-funds budget of $290 million.

CLA is a destination for curious, compassionate individuals who are committed to making our increasingly interdependent and diverse global community work for everyone. That foundational commitment begins in our CLA Constitution. CLA is committed to increasing enrollment of underrepresented and under-resourced students, diversifying our faculty across all disciplines, recruiting, and retaining a diverse staff, and promoting the expression and exploration of diverse perspectives and viewpoints-so that we all gain the background knowledge and analytical skills we need to understand and respect differences.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in CLA

Working in CLA

Pay Range: $25.31 - $27.32; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: Civil-Service & Non-Faculty Labor Represented Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

While our salary ranges provide a framework, it is important to note that most of the
time, the initial pay may not reach the maximum of the range. This approach ensures
that compensation reflects the value and unique contributions of each candidate while
maintaining equity within our organization. As part of our commitment to fair and
equitable compensation, please be aware that the salary offered to incoming candidates
will be based on their individual credentials and experience.

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will have the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

Applications require a resume and cover letter. Candidates who are invited to interview will be asked to provide a small portfolio of their work (4-6 examples).

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by Forbes as a Best Employer for Company Culture (2026), Best Employer for Women (2023), and Best Employer by State (2022-2026). In 2026, we also received Culture Excellence & Industry Awards recognition for employee appreciation and work-life flexibility.