Position Function:

The successful candidate will report to the Publications Manager in Agricultural Communications and serve as editor of publications and electronic content produced for the MSU Extension Service and the Division of Agriculture, Forestry, and Veterinary Medicine. Candidate will prepare educational and promotional information for dissemination in printed and electronic form.

Salary Grade: 14

Please see Staff Compensation Structure or Skilled Crafts and Service Maintenance Compensation Schedule for salary ranges. For salary grade UC, these positions are "Unclassified" and salary ranges are determined by the hiring department.

Department Profile:

The Office of Agricultural Communications provides communications leadership, products, and services for the MSU Extension Service and the Division of Agriculture, Forestry, and Veterinary Medicine and for selected organizations.

Area of Specialization:

Publications Editor

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Work with a team that includes writers, copy editors, graphic designers, photographers, videographers, and other members of the AgComm staff to produce educational and marketing content for publications, periodicals, videos, podcasts, and web.

Copyedit, proofread, and manage all stages of production for multiple educational products at once, to meet established deadlines, publishing schedules, and standards of quality and correctness and to fulfill product goals and editorial vision.

Adapt written materials, video scripts, and other text to the reading level of the intended audience, purpose of the project, and appropriate style and tone.

Write copy for brochures and other special print, video, and electronic materials, as assigned.

Create and edit files in Adobe InDesign and other software applications.

Create accessible publications, including using appropriate text styling and writing alternative text for images.

Edit and proofread the writing of internal clients and AgComm staff members prior to distribution to the public.

Conduct other duties, as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

A bachelor's degree in English, journalism, public relations, communications, or a related discipline.

Two years' experience as an editor in a university, government agency, or private publishing business.

Excellent grasp of English grammar, sentence structure, organization, spelling, mechanics, and style.

Ability to set and meet deadlines and manage multiple projects.

Demonstrated ability to write effective copy for publications.

Excellent communication skills and ability to work with diverse clientele.

Knowledge of and ability to use Adobe InDesign and other software programs for page layout, basic graphic design, and editing.

Knowledge of and ability to use various style manuals, including the Chicago Manual of Style and the Associated Press Stylebook.

Preferred Qualifications:

A minimum of three years of directly related experience.

A master's degree in English, journalism, public relations, communications, or a related discipline.

Knowledge of the land-grant university system and its research, teaching, and Extension missions.

Knowledge of agriculture, including production systems and current issues in agriculture in the Southeast.

Experience writing or editing research-oriented information for general audiences.

Successful experience using various style manuals.

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

Work is normally performed in a typical interior/office work environment.

No or very limited exposure to physical risk.

No or very limited physical effort required

Instructions for Applying:

Link to apply: http://explore.msujobs.msstate.edu/

All applicants must apply online at www.jobs.msstate.edu by completing a professional application and submitting a cover letter, resume or CV, contact information for five references, and unofficial transcripts from each college they've attended. Official transcripts will be required upon hire. If chosen for an interview, the applicant will need to provide a link to a digital portfolio or bring a physical one.

Any social security numbers included on requested transcripts should be redacted prior to submitting online.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

MSU is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, sex, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, pregnancy, gender identity, status as a U.S. veteran, and/or any other status protected by applicable law. We always welcome nominations and applications from women, members of any minority group, and others who share our passion for building a diverse community that reflects the diversity in our student population.