Founded in 1856, University of Maryland, College Park is the state’s flagship institution. Our 1,250-acre College Park campus is just minutes away from Washington, D.C., and the nexus of the nation’s legislative, executive, and judicial centers of power. This unique proximity to business and technology leaders, federal departments and agencies, and a myriad of research entities, embassies, think tanks, cultural centers, and non-profit organizations is simply unparalleled. Synergistic opportunities for our faculty and students abound and are virtually limitless in the nation’s capital and surrounding areas. The University is committed to attracting and retaining outstanding and diverse faculty and staff that will enhance our stature of preeminence in our three missions of teaching, scholarship, and full engagement in our community, the state of Maryland, and in the world.

Offers of employment are contingent on completion of a background check. Information reported by the background check will not automatically disqualify you from employment.

The University of Maryland has made the safety of our students, faculty and staff, and our surrounding communities a top priority. As part of that commitment, the University System of Maryland (USM) recently announced that students, faculty, and staff on USM campuses this fall, including UMD, are required to be vaccinated against COVID. As a prospective and/or a new employee at UMD, you will be required to comply with the University’s vaccination protocol. Proof of full vaccination will be required before the start of employment in order to work at any University of Maryland location. Prospective or new employees may seek a medical or religious exemption to the vaccination requirement at return.umd.edu and must have an approved exemption prior to the start of their employment. Failure to provide proof of vaccination or to obtain approval for a medical or religious exemption will result in the offer of employment being rescinded.

The UME Home & Garden Information Center and Maryland Master Gardener programs are highly visible and successful. Maintaining and improving high quality digital resources for Master Gardener Volunteers, field faculty, schools, public agencies, non-profits, businesses, and the public is a core function.

Position Summary/Purpose of Position:
This position will help ensure that the new merged website is welcoming and updated regularly with information sought by our clients. This position will also create and revise subject matter content and work with other staff in the the unit to learn and meet the information and service needs of underserved audiences (young, BIPOC, LGBTQ+) as part of AGNR’s overall DEIR plan. The position will play a strong role in social media work and coordinating with field faculty and master Gardener programs so that all audiences can learn about new classes, events, articles, videos, blog posts, etc.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. Except for qualifications established by law, additional related experience and formal education in which one has grained the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for the full performance of the work of the job class may be substituted for the education or experience requirement on a year-for-year basis with 30 college credit being equivalent to one year of experience.
• Minimum 3 years of experience developing and managing digital education resources including web pages, social media, graphics, newsletters, etc.
• Master Gardener certification or experience working with the program

Preferences:

• Degree in plant sciences, entomology, environmental sciences, or related fields
• Experience working in a public education environment; working in horticulture and/or IPM areas
• Ability to work independently and to function as part of a team.
• Demonstrated project management skills, including evaluation
• Strong oral, written, and electronic communication skills.
• Strong computer software skills, including Microsoft Office and Adobe Creative Suite

Additional Certifications:

Valid driver’s license. Must provide personal transportation for meetings and conferences.

This position is subject to a Criminal History Record Check. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of the Criminal History Record Check.

• Edit, and revise web content; create content in at least one horticulture/IPM subject area)
• Format and post content; keep the website current and fresh
• Troubleshoot, plan, and strategize as part of the website team
• Create and incorporate graphics to improve website appearance and engagement
• Monitor and report website analytics to assess performance
• Work as part of a social media team for UME home/community horticulture and the State MG program
• Create reports and website/social media guidelines as needed
• Create informational and promotional graphics for HGIC / MG initiatives, events, and programs.
• Work closely with county/city field faculty and Master Gardener Coordinators to coordinate, schedule and post relevant events, news, articles, and page content on both website and social media.
• Use software to ensure that digital content is accessible and broken links are located and fixed.