Content Specialist

The Content Specialist is an entry-level position which works under direct supervision to create, publish, and edit content to serve internal and external stakeholders using institutional websites and mass email. This position ensures all content is high quality, accessible, up-to-date, and consistent with brand and style guidelines. The Content Specialist conducts research to identify web and email content that is most useful for target audiences. They then organize content in a way that is most useful for optimal user experience and is responsible for the design and development of engaging user experiences for a variety of interactions.

This is a temporary position up to one (1) year.

To be successful, the Content Specialist:

• Has a desire to learn new technologies and improve processes
• Is creative, flexible, team-oriented, and professional
• Is organized, detail-oriented, and relied upon to meet deadlines

Academic Support Resources supports hybrid and flexible working arrangements. Work arrangements are determined in coordination with supervisors depending on the nature of the unit and position. The arrangement for this position includes at least twice-monthly work on the Twin Cities campus and the expectation that the person in the position lives within a commutable distance.

Essential Job Functions

Write and Edit Website Content: (50%)

• Write and edit content for ASR-managed websites including onestop.umn.edu, classroom.umn.edu, and asr.umn.edu using content management systems.
• Align content with style guides to maintain consistent voice and tone across various channels.
• Write and edit for specific audiences.
• Express complex ideas in easy-to-read ways.
• Participate in redesign/maintenance of department websites.
• Collaborate with subject matter experts, project team members, and key stakeholders to produce content.

User Experience Research: (20%)

• Conduct user research and gather insights (terminology review, usability, focus groups, journey mapping, user persona crafting, etc.).
• Research and write content audit reports, conduct user needs analysis.
• Ensure content and communications meet user needs.
• Track and measure the usage of web content using tools such as Google analytics

Edit and Proofread Other Published Material: (20%)

• Research, write, and edit newsletter and email content.
• Format and send newsletters and mass emails.
• Ensure that all published materials conform to style guides and readability best practices.
• Proofread catalog descriptions for University courses and programs.

Perform Other Duties as Assigned: (10%)

*The employer reserves the right to change or add duties to this position as long as the changes and/or additions are consistent with the job classification.

Required Qualifications

• BA/BS degree or a combination of related education and work experience to equal at least four years.
• Excellent judgment with writing and editing including style, syntax, and readability.
• Web writing experience.
• Experience with copyediting.
• Experience with web content management system(s).

Preferred Qualifications

• Degree in English, communications, technical writing, or related field.
• Higher education experience.
• Experience researching and presenting recommendations on website content and structure improvements.
• Experience with Drupal, Drupal Lite, and Google sites.
• Experience with Google apps.
• Experience with user experience techniques (e.g., heuristic evaluation, usability study, terminology review).
• Experience with mass email sending (e.g., Salesforce Marketing Cloud)
• Experience with maintaining brand standards

The mission of Academic Support Resources (ASR) is to make a positive difference in students' lives. This mission includes the entire UMN system, of which ASR provides significant support to each campus and values their collaboration to improve the student experience. ASR is committed to cultivating and sustaining an environment that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive. We are better able to serve and represent our University community by ensuring we value differences and individuality.

The knowledge, skills, and abilities of all ASR employees include job knowledge, communication, problem solving/analysis, development, leadership, teamwork, and customer service.

Unit Description

ASR Operations and Strategic Initiatives provides student records communication, compliance, policy, and training services for the University. These services support the student experience by providing students with quality information about our processes, maintaining academic policies, and protecting private student data. Through our services, faculty and staff have the tools and information they need to support students during their academic careers.

Pay Range: $55,275 - $59,217 per year; 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

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 be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and 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.

Please provide a cover letter and resume that highlights how you meet the required qualifications for the position (and preferred qualifications, when applicable) and why you are interested in the role. Applicants selected to be interviewed will be asked to provide a work sample.

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.