Communications Associate - Virginia Seafood AREC
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Job no: 533508
Work type: Staff
Senior management: Agriculture & Life Sciences
Department: Virginia Seafood AREC
Location: Hampton, Virginia
Categories: Communications / Public Relations / Marketing, Agriculture / Life Science
Virginia Tech’s Virginia Seafood Agricultural Research and Extension Center (VSAREC) seeks a Communications Associate to support science communication and stakeholder engagement efforts. This position plays a key role in promoting the center’s research and Extension activities to a wide range of audiences. The Communications Associate is responsible for telling the story of research and Extension activities at the Virginia Seafood AREC (VSAREC) to a local, state, and international audience by assisting with in-person Extension events, writing articles, and contributing to social media, websites, digital storytelling, CALS and VT publications, and other outlets. Working collaboratively with VSAREC faculty, staff, and in conjunction with the Virginia Tech communications and marketing team, this person will produce content to promote the achievements and activities of VSAREC researchers.
Responsibilities include planning, producing, and publishing multi-platform content—such as photography, videography, storytelling, and digital communications—to highlight the center’s programs, people, and impact. This position supports VSAREC’s outreach and engagement efforts by coordinating educational exhibits and displays at stakeholder-facing events such as conferences and trade shows. The associate will collaborate with internal and external partners—including project sponsors—to help share research outcomes and promote the center’s work. Responsibilities include tracking and reporting outreach impacts and contributing to grant-funded projects by helping plan and deliver related communication and engagement activities. This is a full-time position based in Hampton, Virginia.
Virginia Tech is unable to sponsor applicants for work visas for this position.
• Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, journalism, or a related field or equivalent years of training and experience
• Demonstrated experience in science communication, journalism, or public outreach
• Experience producing content for public or stakeholder-facing platforms
• Proficiency in photography and videography
• Experience developing digital content (web, social media, etc.)
• Experience translating scientific research for non-specialist audiences
• Familiarity with media relations and story placement
• Experience working collaboratively as part of a communications or marketing team
• Experience organizing or supporting outreach events
• Knowledge of Virginia Cooperative Extension and/or 4-H
• Familiarity with aquaculture, fisheries, or related fields
• Experience working in higher education or research environments
Non-Exempt: Eligible for overtime
$45,000 - $55,000; commensurate with experience.
July 7, 2025; open until filled.
Please provide an example of a previous communications project you have completed (written story, photography, videography, etc.)
The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.
About Virginia Tech
Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including the Innovation Campus in Northern Virginia; the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke; sites in Newport News and Richmond; and numerous Extension offices and research centers. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $500 million in research annually.
Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance. These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective, along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.
Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.
If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Jonathan van Senten at jonat86@vt.edu during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.
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