D Center Communications Specialist
This position is Work Study eligible. Students receiving Work Study are encouraged to apply.
The D Center (Disability and d/Deaf Cultural Center) is a unit within the Husky Union Building and is committed to the following priorities:
- Fostering a community of disability and d/Deaf pride across the UW.
- Sharing resources and tools for fostering self-advocacy and promoting activism and empowerment.
- Developing and implementing social, cultural, and educational programming focused on relevant issues regarding the varied lived experiences of disabled and/or d/Deaf folks.
- Collaborating with groups, departments, schools, cultural centers, and other entities at the UW in efforts to enhance student and community engagement.
- Serve as a meeting place for students, faculty, staff, and others who seek a safe anti oppressive environment in which all individuals are welcomed, respected, and included.
- Serve as a dynamic resource for information, websites, services, advocacy groups, and local, regional, national, and international organizations that focus on disability and d/Deaf issues.
The D Center seeks a hourly student employee to take the lead on communications for increased collaboration with students, student organizations, departments, and leaders on the UW campus.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Front desk hours (opening and closing space, helping visitors, etc.)
- Maintains the center as needed (cleanliness, stocking supplies, etc.)
- Develops and distributes purposeful communications with the community through e-newsletter, website, blog, Instagram posts, etc.
- Writes content (interviews, blog posts, etc.) for D Center’s newsletter, website, and other platforms
- Coordinates external communications publishing schedule
- Innovates new and effective communication formats and strategies
- Communicates with relevant RSOs and other UW entities for knowledge on events and upcoming content
- Collaborates with Social Media Specialist and Outreach Specialist for distribution of publications
- Sets up, organizes, and runs events with other D Center staff, organizational leaders, and/or volunteers
- Complete other duties at the discretion of management
Minimum Qualifications
- Be an undergraduate enrolled in at least six credits, OR a graduate or professional student enrolled in four credits OR a Ph.D. candidate working on a dissertation (two credits)
- Knowledge/awareness of the Disability and d/Deaf community
- Excellent communication skills
- Leadership skills
- Competency in working with a diverse population
- Critical thinking and problem-solving skills
- Ability to work individually and collaboratively in a team environment
- Ability to meet set deadlines with own initiatives and follow-through
- Previous knowledge of journalistic expectations in writing effective communication and conducting interviews
- Familiar with Canva, Microsoft Office (Word, Teams, etc.)
Desirable Skills
- Demonstrated successful outreach efforts
- Experience working with people with disabilities and/or d/Deaf individuals
- Fluency in American Sign Language
- Knowledge of Disability Justice framework
- Strong interpersonal skills and executive presence to drive opportunities with community members, executives, and leaders
- Experience with photography, videography, and photo editing
- Experience with website builders, such as Wordpress
If you have gotten this far and are thinking you do not qualify, consider again. Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At the D Center, we are dedicated to building a diverse and authentic workplace. If you are excited about this role but your experience does not align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may just be the needed candidate for this or other roles.
Hours and Schedule
Students may work up to 19.5 hours per week, Monday through Friday at the rate of $20.76 per hour on-campus. Schedules are based on workload, the applicant’s class schedule and other academic responsibilities. This position will report to the D Center Manager.