Social Media Specialist

JOB SUMMARY

The Smathers Libraries Social Media Specialist develops and implements the George A. Smathers Libraries’ social media presence, including working in partnership with lead representatives of all other authorized accounts representing the Libraries. The Social Media Specialist serves as the primary content creator for the overall Libraries accounts, actively posts to these accounts, interacts with members of the public via social media platforms and analyzes engagement. The Social Media Specialist also designs and delivers training to the Libraries social media account leads.

To support all students, staff and faculty, and foster excellence in a diverse and collaborative society, the Libraries are actively seeking candidates who bring culturally-rich lived experiences to work with individuals of diverse backgrounds, experiences, races, ethnicities, genders, sexual orientation, and perspectives.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Manages Libraries’ Overall Social Media Initiatives

• Actively posts to the Libraries’ primary social media accounts – Facebook, Twitter, Instagram (@uflib) and any future accounts chosen to be a component to the Libraries’ social media network
• Implements social media best practices and strategies, builds brand loyalty throughout multiple social networks and ensures that strategies are in-line with appropriate targets, timelines, and techniques
• Designs accessible graphics and creative assets for social media
• Prepares reports to track social media metrics, including measures of engagement and reach
• Coordinates activities/deadlines for marketing and development initiatives and communication programs into social media content/events as suggested by the Director of Communications, library faculty and staff
• Researches marketplace competitiveness, anticipates trends within social media platforms, and identifies opportunities through systematic analysis
• Establishes and maintains cooperative relationships with representatives of University and community groups for cross promotion opportunities
• Coordinates efforts to conceptualize, develop, design, produce, and disseminate short videos for targeted platforms and campaigns
• Directs and edits social media campaigns for the Libraries’ primary accounts
• Monitors and ensures account accessibility, security, and best practices are followed

Coordinates Library Social Media Initiatives

• Collaborates with the Director of Communications and the Libraries social media representatives to develop and integrate promotion plans and schedules for content appropriate to programs and initiatives of the Libraries
• Coordinates and develops cross-departmental and unit social media efforts to engage members of the UF campus community and beyond
• Communicates regularly with department, unit, and University social media staff to engage the UF and external communities with coordinated messages
• Manages communication with and between the Libraries’ social media representatives

Organizes Social Media Events and Campaigns

• Organizes and implements community and social media engagement projects, events and campaigns for the overall Libraries with the Director of Communications
• Collaborates with and supports department and unit social media staff to organize events and campaigns to engage wider audiences

Implements social media campaigns for specific collections, projects, units and/or services as requested by Library faculty and staff

Professional Development and Training Delivery

• Stays current in best practices as established by the University of Florida, academic library community, and communications professionals
• Builds expertise in social media platforms, tools, analytics and best practices Consults with library department and unit social media representatives to ensure effective and efficient uses of social media in promoting library services and collections; develops and delivers trainings as well as templates and graphics to share with department and unit social media representatives
  • Provides training on policies, procedures, and best practices for inclusive and accessible social media
• Discovers and pilots new technologies in social media
• Serves as a liaison to University media relations with respect to use of social media

Other Duties as Assigned

Serves on library committees and participates in special projects as requested.

COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT

The Communications Department coordinates written, graphic and social media communications from the George A. Smathers Libraries for internal and external audiences. The Department includes the Director of Communications and the Social Media Specialist. Each works collaboratively with library administration, faculty and staff to offer and coordinate services to enhance the visibility and accurately project the key messages and image of the George A. Smathers Libraries.

The Social Media Specialist is available to help promote projects, collections, events, and more in our George A. Smathers social media spaces. The Social Media Specialist works with the Director of Communications to ensure our social media presence complements our other digital and printed communications. Services the Social Media Specialist offers include design, production, and posting content as it pertains to our events and collections. The Social Media Specialist can also works to offer training on best practices related to the platforms we use.

UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA LIBRARIES

The libraries at the University of Florida form the largest academic information resource system in the state of Florida with seven libraries and two off-campus facilities. The George A. Smathers Libraries are comprised of six of the campus libraries, and the off-site facilities. In addition to this system, the Lawton Chiles Legal Information Center is part of the Levin College of Law. The Libraries hold over 6.27 million print volumes, 1.5 million e-books, 145,000 full-text electronic journals, over 1000 electronic databases, 1.3 million documents, over 15 million digitized pages from the Libraries’ collections and 1.4 million maps and images. Distinctive holdings include the Isser and Rae Price Library of Judaica, Latin American and Caribbean Collection, Baldwin Library of Historical Children’s Literature and the P.K. Yonge Library of Florida History. The Libraries maintain partnerships and engages in a variety of collaborative, international projects while engaging with the UF community. We are a member of the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) and other regional library consortia.

The library staff consists of more than 300 FTE librarians, technical/clerical staff and student assistants. The George A. Smathers Libraries are strong advocates for inclusion and intellectual freedom. The Libraries’ commitment to both is articulated in the Inclusion and Intellectual Freedom Statements. The Smathers Libraries will foster and maintain a culture that supports DEI, as values are foundational and permeates all aspects of our organization per Strategic Directions 4: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Support for professional development is central to the Smathers Libraries. Supports include a formal mentoring program, a robust training program, release time for research and professional service, a comprehensive grants program, and funding for professional development travel.

The UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA

The University of Florida (UF) is the state of Florida’s preeminent university. The state's oldest and most comprehensive university, UF is among the nation's most academically diverse public universities and won the 2018 Senator Paul Simon Award for Comprehensive Internationalization. UF is currently fifth among “Top Public Universities” in the U.S. News and World Report and second among Forbes “Best Value Public Colleges (2016). UF has a long history of established programs in international education, research, and service. It is one of only 17 public, land-grant universities that belong to the Association of American Universities. At UF we have some of the top faculty in the country. In addition to attracting over $900 million in research each year, they foster the uniquely collaborative environment that transforms potential into actual results. UF traces its beginnings to a small seminary in 1853 and is now one of the largest universities in the nation, with more than 50,000 students. The University of Florida seeks to address key challenges of our time, from COVID-19 to racism. Stronger Together: Promoting Racial Justice through Awareness and Action provides UF faculty and staff with a series of educational offerings to help them better understand and address racism and bias and help promote racial justice at the individual, institutional, and systemic levels. For more information, please consult the UF homepage and the Office of the Chief Diversity Officer website.

BENEFITS

University benefits for this position include retirement plan options, insurance benefits, paid family leave (parental and medical), tuition fee waiver program, and employee assistance program, as well as paid time off and holidays. Gainesville, Florida, has no state or local income tax. The University of Florida provides ongoing guidelines and resources related to COVID-19, including free testing on campus.

AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

The University of Florida is committed to non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations, genetic information, and veteran status in all aspects of employment including recruitment, hiring, promotions, transfers, discipline, terminations, wage and salary administration, benefits, and training. We are dedicated to the goal of building a broadly diverse and inclusive faculty and staff within a culturally diverse and pluralistic environment; we invite all qualified applicants including women, members of underrepresented groups, individuals with disabilities, and veterans. The University of Florida is a public institution and subject to all requirement under the Florida Sunshine and Public Records laws.

If an accommodation due to a hearing or speech disability is needed to apply for this position, please call 352-392-2477 University of Florida Human Resources or the Florida Relay System at 800-955-8771 (TDD).

GAINESVILLE COMMUNITY

Gainesville and the surrounding community are home to approximately 257,000 people and both the University of Florida and Santa Fe College. The city is surrounded by more than 40 nature parks, including many spring-fed lakes and rivers, with many paved and unpaved trails for recreation. The city is just over an hour from the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean. Gainesville is an award winning and innovative city, friendly to both professionals and families. The Guide to Greater Gainesville combines award winning photography and compelling articles that capture all the reasons for calling Gainesville your next home. The City of Gainesville is a progressive municipality that seeks to promote racial equity. The area has numerous cultural institutions and is a haven for sports fans. Jacksonville, Orlando, Tampa, Tallahassee, and St. Augustine are all within a two-hour drive.

$49,053 minimum salary; The Smathers Libraries offer a salary commensurate with experience and credentials

QUALIFICATIONS

We value a range of experience and perspectives. Applicants are encouraged to communicate in their application materials and subsequent interview conversations about how their work and other experiences satisfy the following qualifications in ways that may not be obvious.

Required:

Bachelor’s degree and two years of relevant experience or an equivalent combination of education and appropriate experience.

• Commitment to contributing to a respectful and caring community for all, including individuals of diverse backgrounds, experiences, races, ethnicities, gender identities, sexual orientation, and perspectives
• Demonstrated experience with social media strategy, planning, posting, engagement, and analytics
• Experience with Adobe Creative Cloud and/or graphic design
• Ability to design targeted social media posts and campaigns for specific stakeholders
• Experience working in a gallery, library, archive, or museum
• Demonstrated experience presenting and/or interpreting diverse subjects for public consumption
• Experience in planning projects and setting priorities
• Knowledge of copyright practices and procedures
• Ability to represent the George A. Smathers Libraries in a professional manner, and interact well with varied constituencies in person and online
• Demonstrated ability to remain conversant with newly evolving technologies
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Experience working collaboratively to effectively accomplish goals
• Initiative, flexibility, and ability to adapt and work in a rapidly changing academic environment

Application Process

To apply, submit

• a cover letter detailing your interest in, and qualifications for this position
• your current resume or CV
• a list of three professional references including their contact information (telephone number and email address)
• please submit 5-7 samples of work (as pdfs of posts or via links to public accounts) that demonstrate your social media and/or communications experience. Samples should include, but are not limited to:
  • Multiple platforms
  • Assets (graphics, videos, etc.) you have designed
  • Diverse subject matter
  • Targeted posts and campaigns for specific stakeholders
  • Text and image based posts

Applications will be reviewed as received. Submit all application materials through the Jobs at UF online application system. Failure to submit the required documents may result in the application not being considered. If you have any questions or concerns about this process, please contact Tina Marie Litchfield, George A. Smathers Libraries Human Resources Office, at tlitchfield@uflib.ufl.edu

Application must be submitted by 11:55 p.m. (ET) of the posting end date.