Comms/Editorial Fellow

Note: This is a two-year, term-limited position created to support a major digital transition at IonE, including the launch of a new website and accompanying content strategy.

Are you a soon-to-be or recent graduate with a passion for storytelling, sustainability, and public-interest communications? Join the Institute on the Environment (IonE) for a two-year, full-time fellowship designed to launch your career while helping bring big ideas to life.

As Communications/Editorial Fellow, you'll play a key role on IonE's communications team, with a focus on writing, storytelling, and content creation across multiple platforms. Your work will help amplify our mission and advance environmental and sustainability goals through social media posts, newsletters, website copy, and feature stories that spotlight our people, projects, and partnerships. You'll also contribute to public-interest communications efforts that connect research and ideas with the communities, audiences, and decision-makers who can benefit from them.

This position is ideal for a strong writer who thrives on collaboration and wants to deepen their experience in environmental/science communications and storytelling. You'll work under the general supervision of our Communications & Editorial Manager and contribute significantly to the launch of IonE's redesigned website - helping shape the way we tell our story for years to come.

More details: This is a two-year Civil Service position intended for a graduating student or early-career professional. This role will report to the Communications Manager and work closely with members of IonE's communications team, along with collaborators across IonE. This is a hybrid position on the Twin Cities campus. The role is designated as "Profile 2," within the expectation of working on-site an average of three days per week to support collaboration and culture.
The starting range identified for this position is $45,971 - $49,988 ($22.11-$24.04 per hour). We also provide a full University of Minnesota benefits package; regular opportunities for professional development and mentoring; access to University resources for early-career employees and recent graduates.
The deadline to apply is TKTK-DATE; details are below.

Content Creation & Editorial Support - 50%

• Write and edit content for a range of platforms, including feature stories, news updates, social media posts, e-newsletters, and profiles that spotlight IonE's people, partnerships, and impact.
• Collaborate on or independently produce multimedia storytelling projects that combine text, visuals, audio, or video to create engaging content and enhance the clarity, reach, and impact of IonE's editorial work.
• Support the launch and maintenance of IonE's new website, including writing and updating web content, reviewing drafts for clarity and tone, and helping manage editorial workflows and content migration.
• Help shape and implement IonE's editorial strategy by participating in content planning meetings, pitching story ideas, and drafting pieces aligned with strategic themes and priorities.
• Ensure that all content reflects IonE's brand voice, tone, and messaging, working in close collaboration with the Communications & Editorial Manager and broader team.
• Contribute to public-interest communications projects that extend beyond IonE's institutional priorities - such as helping translate research findings for broader audiences, raising public awareness about sustainability challenges, or sharing practical resources from IonE-supported initiatives.

Digital & Social Media Communications - 30%

• Develop social media content that communicates IonE's mission and work in accessible, engaging ways - tailored for different platforms and target audiences, including students, partners, and the public.
• Support newsletter creation, including writing and editing content, organizing drafts, and coordinating reviews and approvals.
• Assist with content tracking and performance insights, such as monitoring which stories or posts perform well, reviewing website analytics, and noting opportunities to strengthen storytelling impact.

Collaboration & Team Support - 10%

• Collaborate with other members of the communications team to coordinate content efforts across channels and support communications needs for key programs and events.
• Provide general editorial and communications support to the Communications & Editorial Manager and team, including drafting copy, editing documents, maintaining content calendars, and organizing assets.
• Serve as a near-peer mentor to student editorial/communications assistants, offering guidance on writing, content development, and professional workflows as appropriate.

Continuous Learning - 10%

• Engage in learning activities that enhance your capabilities in writing, editing, digital storytelling, and environmental communication; this may include trainings, workshops, university learning networks, or shadowing colleagues in complementary roles.

The application period closes on April 15 at 11:59 p.m. CT.
To apply, submit a brief cover letter, a resume, and one work sample - with a few sentences explaining your role in creating it and why you selected it. The work sample can be anything that you feel best showcases your communications, storytelling, or journalism work.Submit all requested materials as PDFs, and please indicate your pronouns in your materials.

Applications must be submitted online via the University of Minnesota's job portal.

• Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, environmental studies, or a related field, or a combination of related education and work to equal at least four years
• Ability to manage multiple projects, prioritize deadlines, and work collaboratively
• Knowledge of topics and issues related to climate, environment, and sustainability
• Strong writing and editing skills, with demonstrated ability to write for a public audience
• Experience creating content for organizational social media platforms and knowledge of how to tailor content to different audiences
• Experience drafting and preparing organizational newsletters and emails
• Commitment to equity, inclusion, and communication across differences
• A feature portfolio of published stories, articles, or news items

• A dual major in journalism and a science or environmental field
• Direct experience with environmental communication or journalism and translating complex ideas for broad audiences
• Familiarity with content management systems (e.g., WordPress, Druptal), basic analytics and social media management tools, and collaborative editing platforms (e.g., Google Docs)
• Visual or multimedia storytelling experience (e.g., photography, Canva/Adobe, video, etc.)
• Experience working with or mentoring peers or student teams
• Hands-on sustainability or environmental internship experience, ideally within the UMN IonE programming network
  

The University of Minnesota's Institute on the Environment (IonE) is a nationally recognized interdisciplinary institution that works to advance sustainability through collaborative research, leadership and education programming, and public-interest storytelling and communications.

Pay Range: $22.11-$24.04 per hour; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: Civil-Service

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).