Develop strategic communications by conducting interviews,
producing unique written content and assisting in production of
video, graphics and photos across all platforms including digital
or broadcast channels, website and social media. Serve as the
university’s lead communicator for the annual research report and
monthly electronic newsletters. Highlight university researchers
and their work through news releases and feature stories and
pitching stories to news outlets. Respond to requests from national
print and broadcast media.
Provide oversight of the university’s experts list on
sdstate.edu and increase awareness and use of university experts in
regional, national and international media. Identify, recruit and
maintain relationships with researchers willing to be included on
the experts list. Monitor breaking news and identify and pitch
those SDSU experts to media to be utilized as expert sources for
comment.
Other writing duties as assigned, contributing as needed to
university magazines, newsletters, news releases, brochures and
other deadline-driven writing projects overseen by UMC’s Strategic
Communications team.
BENEFITS :
SDState offers a wide range of excellent benefits including
medical, dental, and flexible benefits, retirement plans,
compensation packages, paid holidays, and vacation leave. We offer
a generous retirement plan that includes 6% matching, 10 hours of
annual leave each month, 9.34 hours of sick leave each month, and
eleven paid holidays. Employees also have access to internal and
state-sponsored training as well as reduced tuition for
state-supported courses at all State of South Dakota academic
institutions. Relocation benefits are available per university’s
guidelines.
QUALIFICATIONS
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS :
- Bachelor’s degree in journalism, public relations,
communications, English, marketing or related field completed by
start date
- At least three years of relevant strategic/broadcast
communications experience in a fast-paced professional
environment
- Exceptional communication and organizational skills
- Ability to maintain a high level of accuracy and attention to
detail
- Knowledge of Associated Press style
- Ability to present the results of research, type, content and
form of articles required for publication by television stations,
magazines, trade journals and newspapers
- Must be able to handle multiple tasks under tight deadlines and
within established budgets
- Ability to take a project from concept through final
application and execution
- Valid driver’s license or ability to obtain one within 30 days
of hire
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS :
- Earned master’s degree
- Experience working with students and interns
- Web content development and management experience
- Familiarity with Adobe Creative Suite (including Photoshop)
and/or other image-editing and desktop publishing software
- Experience with marketing automation and CRM tools
- Experience in covering research-related topics
APPLICATION PROCESS :
This system will guide you through
the electronic application form. This employment site will also
require the attachment of a cover letter, which should specifically
address how the candidate meets the qualifications as outlined in
the advertisement, curriculum vitae, and a reference page with the
contact information for three professional references. Email
applications will not be accepted. Please contact SDState Human
Resources at 605-688-4128 if you require assistance with this
process.
Any offer of employment is contingent on the university’s
verification of credentials and other information required by law
and/or university policies, including but not limited to,
successful completion of a criminal background check.
SDState is a tobacco free environment. It is the policy of the
University to maintain a drug-free environment and to thereby
establish, promote and maintain a safe and healthy working and
learning environment for employees and students. This position is
subject to South Dakota State University’s Drug and Alcohol Testing
Policy 4:14.
Posting Date
10/15/2026
Closing Date
Open Until Filled
No
First Consideration Date
11/13/2026
Advertised Salary
The salary range for this position is $51,063 - $71,488,
commensurate with qualifications and experience.
Duration of the Term
12 months
If Other, describe duration
Appointment Percent
100
Work Hours
Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Typical Hours Worked Per Week
Appointment Type
Regular
Faculty Status
No
Scope of Search
External (includes Internal)
If internal, define scope of search
This position requires
Valid Drivers License
If other, please indicate
Some irregular hours as needed
Department Description and Cultural Expectations
SDState is
the state’s largest, most comprehensive university with over $94
million annual research expenditures, more than 200 academic
programs and an enrollment of approximately 12,000 students. The
university is part of a
dynamic community for families, students, young
professionals, and retirees, which offers an abundance of
attractions and activities.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
South Dakota State University promotes access to and opportunities
for all to receive the benefit of and participate in education,
research, and service and is especially interested in candidates
that can contribute to this land-grant access mission. SDSU is an
equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive
consideration without regard to, and SDSU prohibits unlawful
discrimination of all legally protected classes in the offering of
all educational programs and employment. Arrangements for
accommodations required by disabilities can be made by emailing
HR@sdstate.edu .
Individuals with concerns regarding discrimination should contact:
Equal Opportunity Officer/Title IX Coordinator, Human Resources,
Morrill Hall 100, SDSU, Brookings, SD 57007. Phone: (605)
688-4128.
Contact Information
For questions on the position, contact search committee chair
Andrea Kieckhefer
Andrea.Kieckhefer@sdstate.edu
or 605-688-4537.
Working Conditions
Cognitive Requirements
Please check the appropriate response that describe the
cognitive requirements for this position.
Analyzing, Comprehend, Logic, Memory, Multiple Priorities, Multiple
Stimuli, Pace-average, Reading, Reasoning, Verbal Communication,
Written Communication
Protective Clothing/Equipment
Please check the appropriate response for this position's use of
the following protective clothing or equipment.
If other protection is used please identify
Physical Requirements
Please designate the physical requirements of this
position
Fine Finger Manipulation (keyboarding, pipefitting, bench work,
etc), Repetitive Motion, Sitting for sustained periods of time, Use
Both Hands, Walking, Wrist Movement (twisting or rotating)
Describe any of the conditions selected
Sensory Requirements
Please check the appropriate response that describe the sensory
requirements for this position.
Color Vision, Depth Perception, Distant Vision, Hearing, Near
Vision, Speaking, Vision (With and without corrective lenses)
Working Conditions & Exposures
Working Conditions or Exposures (or potential exposures) that
this position may encounter during the course of the work
day.
Please describe, in more detail, any of the conditions checked
above
Working Environment
Check the appropriate box(es) that best describes the
environment in which the primary function of the position is
performed.
Office Environment
If you have indicated Other Environment, if work tasks involve
one or more of the above, or if further explanation is necessary,
please use the space provided.
Supplemental Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
- * Where did you hear about this position?
- LinkedIn
- SDBOR Employment Site
- South Dakota Department of Labor
- Employee Referral
- Department Announcement / Inside State
- Handshake
- Job Board (Indeed, Monster, ZipRecruiter) - Please specify
- Industry Conference
- Search Engine - Please specify
- Employment Agency - Please specify
- Newspaper - Please specify
- HigherEdJobs.com
- Chronicle of Higher Education
- Social Media (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn) - Please
specify
- Radio - Please specify
- APLU
- List Servs - Please specify
- Alumni
- Other - Please specify
Documents Needed to Apply
Required Documents
- Resume
- Cover Letter
- Reference List
Optional Documents
