Department Contact: Julie Hughes, 575-646-2874, juhughes@nmsu.edu
Internal or External Search: External - Open to all applicants
Advertising Summary: The Social Media Specialist is responsible for planning, creating, and executing a comprehensive social media strategy for outreach for the New Mexico State University Cooperative Extension Service (CES) and Agricultural Experiment Station (AES). This position strengthens public awareness of Extension and research programs, amplifies research-based information, and supports outreach, engagement, and reputation-building efforts across diverse audiences including producers, families, communities, youth, students, policymakers, and partners.
The Social Media Specialist works closely with educational media designers, Extension specialists, county offices, researchers, Ag Science Center faculty and staff, communicators, and leadership to translate complex information into engaging, accessible, and audience-centered social media content.
Position Details
Position Title: Multi Media Specialist II
College/Division: Cooperative Extension Service
Department: 310000-COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE
Location: Las Cruces
Offsite Location (if applicable):
Target Hourly/Salary Rate: Commensurate on education and experience
Appointment Full-time Equivalency: 1.0
FLSA Status: Exempt
Bargaining Unit Announcement: This is NOT a bargaining unit position with American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME).
Contingent Upon Funding: Not Applicable
Standard Work Schedule: Standard (M-F, 8-5)
If Not a Standard Work Schedule:
Job Duties and Responsibilities: • Articulate social media strategies and part of communications and education outreach initiatives. This can include single, short running campaigns or larger unified social media campaigns for CES and AES that include multiple projects and impacts.
• Plan editorial calendars that integrate research, programming, seasonal topics, campaigns, events, and impact stories.
• Identify opportunities to communicate research discoveries, Extension expertise, community impact, and public value.
• Create, schedule, and publish original social media content across multiple platforms (e.g., Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, YouTube, emerging platforms as appropriate).
• Translate research findings and Extension programming into clear, engaging, and audience-appropriate social media posts.
• Ensure content is accessible, inclusive, and compliant with university and federal accessibility standards.
• Partner with Extension and research faculty on and off campus, county offices, and program staff to identify content ideas and elevate local and statewide efforts.
• Provide guidance and best practices to Extension and AES staff contributing to social media or managing local accounts.
• Coordinate social media efforts with central university communications and marketing teams as needed.
• Work with team members to connect messaging across web and other outreach platforms.
• Provide training and oversight of social media production.
• Monitor social media channels and engage with audiences in a professional, timely, and mission-aligned manner.
• Respond to comments and messages or route inquiries to appropriate subject-matter experts.
• Support crisis communication or time-sensitive messaging when needed.
• Track, analyze, and report on social media performance using platform analytics and other tools.
• Use data and insights to refine strategy, improve engagement, and demonstrate impact.
• Prepare regular performance summaries for leadership and stakeholders.
Qualifications
Required Education and Experience:
Associate's Degree + 4 years of relevant experience or a Bachelor's degree + 2 years of relevant experience.
Equivalent Qualifications:
Preferred Qualifications:
• Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, journalism, public relations, agriculture, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience managing organizational social media accounts.
• Strong writing and editing skills, with the ability to adapt tone and style for varied audiences.
• Experience creating content for multiple social media platforms.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, deadlines, and stakeholders simultaneously.
• Familiarity with social media analytics, scheduling tools, and content management systems.
• Experience with basic graphic design, photography, or video editing for social media.
• Knowledge of branding, accessibility standards, and best practices for public institutions.
• Experience working with Extension, research, higher education, agriculture, or public-sector organizations.
• Strategic thinking and planning
• Clear and engaging storytelling
• Collaboration and relationship-building
• Attention to detail and consistency
• Commitment to public service and community engagement
Special Certification/Licensure:
Working Conditions and Physical Effort
Environment: Work is normally performed in a typical interior/office work environment.
Physical Effort: No or very limited physical effort required.
Lifting Requirements: Requires handling of average-weight objects up to 10 pounds or some standing or walking.
Risk: No or very limited exposure to physical risk.