"Publications Specialist"

Position Summary

The Department of Transnational Asian Studies (TAS) and the Chao Center for Asian Studies (CCAS) seek a versatile and technically proficient Publications Specialist to lead the end-to-end management of the Transnational Asia journal and oversee the digital presence of the Center's various programs, including TAS, Houston Asian American Archive (HAAA), and CCAS. The Publications Specialist will also drive the communications strategy by designing high-impact promotional materials, managing social media communities, and overseeing the technical execution of hybrid and online events. By blending editorial rigor with technical operational support, this position ensures that the Center's research, events, and brand remain accessible and engaging to a global audience.

Ideal Candidate Statement

The ideal candidate is a proactive "digital generalist" who is equally comfortable navigating the nuances of scholarly publishing and the technical back end of website management. The ideal candidate should possess a unique blend of editorial precision--necessary for managing journal peer reviews and copy-editing--and creative flair for designing social media graphics and promotional content. We are looking for someone with the technical agility to work with HTML/CSS and digital archiving (DOIs), as well as the interpersonal poise to host high-visibility webinars and collaborate with international authors and student content creators. A successful candidate will be highly organized, capable of balancing the steady rhythm of an annual newsletter and journal cycle with the fast-paced demands of live event production and real-time social media engagement. If you enjoy a role where your work shifts from technical site migrations to creative brand strategy in a single day--and you possess the flexibility to adapt your schedule to the journal's peak periods, including occasional "crunch time" work on evenings or weekends--you will thrive in this position.

Workplace Requirements

On-campus position: This position is exclusively on-site, necessitating all duties to be performed in person on campus in Herring Hall (Monday-Friday from 8-5). Per Rice policy 440, work arrangements may be subject to change.

Hiring Range

$55,000 - $61,000, depending on skills and qualifications
*Exempt (salaried) positions under FLSA are not eligible for overtime.*

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's degree
  • In lieu of the education requirement, additional related experience, above and beyond what is required, on an equivalent year-for-year basis may be substituted
• 1+ years of related professional experience (not as a student or volunteer)
  • In lieu of the experience requirement, additional related education, above and beyond what is required, on an equivalent year-for-year basis may be substituted

Skills

• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Familiar with technology, social platforms, current and future trends
• Organized and creative
• Analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to take direction and work to meet expected deadlines and schedules
• Demonstrated team player

Essential Functions

Manages the Transnational Asia journal

• Coordinates the solicitation, review, and copy-editing of articles for the journal
• Communicates with authors and reviewers to ensure that quality standards are met
• Formats journal articles for publication in both PDF and HTML
• Publishes journal articles, which may contain text, visuals, and video
• Archives journal articles with a DOI for each article

Maintains and improves the CCAS, TAS, HAAA, and Transnational Asia websites

• Implements technical upgrades
• Creates pages and content types using HTML and CSS
• Migrates websites to new platforms as they're adopted
• Ensures information is up to date
• Curates news and events

Creates and manages distribution of promotional materials for CCAS, TAS, HAAA, and Transnational Asia programs and events

• Designs flyers, social media graphics, YouTube thumbnails, Zoom welcome screens, etc.
• Creates LiveWhale listings for events
• Maintains external and internal email lists
• Writes and sends promotional emails
• Writes and posts social media posts
• Creates annual TAS newsletter

Manages social media communities for CCAS and TAS

• Writes content used to engage constituents and grow channels
• Curates digital content
• Provides customer service to constituents across digital channels
• Participates in the development of the digital communication and brand strategy
• Manages new student content creator pilot program

Hosts Zoom component of all hybrid or online events

• Creates and manages Zoom registration
• Performs technical run-throughs prior to the event
• Records and edits recordings for Zoom webinars
• Manages editing of subtitles for recorded lectures
• Uploads lecture recordings to CCAS YouTube channel

Performs all other duties as assigned

Special Instructions to Applicants

All interested applicants should attach a resume and cover letter in the Supporting Documents section of the application, preferably in PDF format to avoid any formatting issues.

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