(Hybrid) Events and Communications Coordinator - Department of Physics and Astronomy

(Hybrid) Events and Communications Coordinator - Department of Physics and Astronomy

Company:
West Virginia University

Job Location:

Category:
Conference and Events Administration

Type:
Full-Time

Description

The Department of Physics and Astronomy in the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences at West Virginia University is currently accepting applications for a (Hybrid) Events and Communications Coordinator.

About the Opportunity

The Center for Gravitational Waves and Cosmology (GWAC) is one of the premiere research centers at West Virginia University (WVU). Consisting of 10 faculty, eight postdocs, and roughly 15 graduate students, GWAC is actively engaged in a number of high-profile astrophysics experiments at the state, national and international level. The purpose of this position is to assist with the planning and coordination of GWAC events and to manage Center communications. The incumbent will liaise with Center faculty and report directly to the Director but is expected to manage some independent tasks. Responsibilities require judgment, resourcefulness and originality, but diverse guides and precedents are usually available to apply or adapt to the circumstances. Work effort has considerable impact on client services, program and project image, with potential legal liabilities.

We strongly believe in work-life balance and keeping time for things we love outside our work. WVU offers generous benefits, including:

• 37.5-hour work week
• 13 paid holidays (staff holiday calendar)
• 15 annual leave (vacation) days per year or more based on years of service (employee leave)
• 18 sick days per year (for when you're ill, for when you need time to care for sick family, for your own, or your family's, regularly scheduled medical appointments. Who is family for the purpose of this leave? A lot of people in your life including immediate relatives and in-laws as well as others considered to be members of your household living under the same roof)
  WVU offers a range of health insurance and other benefits
• 401(a) retirement savings with 6% employee contribution match, eligibility to continue health insurance, and other retiree perks. Looking for more retirement benefits information? Check out retirement health insurance benefits, retirement income, and FAQ's.
• Wellness programs

What You'll Do

• Coordinate and advertise events, for example research workings, education and outreach projects with teachers and youth, and summer programs. Some coordination will involve working and communication with other institutions.
• Be able to learn basic astronomy concepts and communicate those as an assistant through hands-on activities at outreach events.
• Arrange both domestic and international travel for Center members and visitors.
• Maintain and enhance the Center website and social media accounts, including event announcements and news articles and updates about our programs.
• Develop posters, flyers, etc. to advertise Center programs.
• Thoughtfully contribute to the writing of documents and Center-related proposals, ex: budget justifications, policies for mentoring students, and coordination of outreach and communication elements.
• Work in coordination with WVU's Office of Communications and Marketing and University Relations to ensure that WVU guidelines are being followed in the following areas: web (WVU best practices, accessibility, technical issues); design (accessibility, use of approved vendors, branding); and communications (event promotion on- and off-campus, branding, social media guidelines, media relations). Undergo training in these areas.

Pay Grade: 16

Qualifications

• Master's degree from an accredited college or university.
• A minimum of six (6) months of experience in event planning and communications.
• Any equivalent combination of related education and/or experience will be considered.
• All qualifications must be met by the time of employment.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills applicable to broad audiences (students, teachers, faculty, etc.)
• Skilled at creating correspondence, reports, proposals, mailings, charts, graphs, forms, presentations, and memorandum.
• Strong organization and multi-tasking skills and high attention to detail.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work as part of a team.
• Strong graphic design skills.
• Knowledge of office methods, procedures, practices, and protocol.
• Use of Gmail, Google docs, Macintosh computers in daily operations.
• Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Demonstrated ability to operate a personal computer utilizing various word processing packages such as Word, Excel, Power Point, etc. for reports, graphs, mailings and presentation development.
• Ability to learn administrative and organizational policies and procedures.
• Ability to simultaneously coordinate many different tasks, determine relative importance of each, set deadlines, and complete projects in a timely manner.
• Demonstrated ability to apply initiative in performing work on a variety of subjects, programs, or projects.
• Preferred: Understanding of educational best practices and school systems.
• Preferred: Visual/Digital content development experience.
• Preferred: Understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion issues.

Requirements

• Applicants are encouraged to submit a resume and cover letter with their submission.

About WVU

West Virginia University is a place of purpose and community. We take pride in our profound impact on the state of West Virginia and are committed to the personal and professional growth of our employees.

From the groundbreaking R1 research at our flagship campus in Morgantown to the career-oriented programs at WVU Potomac State in Keyser, and the technology-intensive programs at WVU Tech in Beckley, the contributions of WVU employees resonate across the state, touching lives and shaping futures.

At WVU, you will discover a supportive community that champions work-life balance and fosters a collaborative atmosphere. Our core values - service, curiosity, respect, accountability and appreciation - unite us as Mountaineers.

Join us at West Virginia University, where your work will make a lasting impact. To learn more about WVU, visit wvu.edu.

West Virginia University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We invite all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or Veteran status.

Job Posting: Mar 17, 2026

Posting Classification: Classified

Exemption Status: Non-Exempt

Benefits Eligible: Yes

Schedule: Full-time