WestEd is a nonpartisan, nonprofit agency that conducts and applies research, develops evidence-based solutions, and provides services and resources in the realms of education, human development, and related fields, with the end goal of improving outcomes and ensuring equity for individuals from infancy through adulthood. WestEd has more than a dozen offices nationwide, from Massachusetts, Georgia, and Washington, DC, to Arizona and California, with headquarters in San Francisco.
Throughout WestEd's over 50-year history we have maintained a strong commitment to staff diversity. Individuals of different ethnicities, races, abilities, gender identities, and sexual orientations, as well as from different cultural, linguistic, and socioeconomic backgrounds, work at all levels of the organization. We value the range of perspectives provided by this diverse workforce and the ways in which those perspectives enrich and inform our agency and the work we do. Read more about WestEd's Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
The Early Childhood Integrated Systems and Policies team in WestEd's Division 2 is seeking a full-time Digital Media Specialist to be responsible for graphic design, illustration, document design, and editorial.
The Digital Media Specialist will support Project Directors, Digital Strategist, Instructional Designers, Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) and project teams to deliver high quality innovative, impactful, and accessible digital learning experiences. The Digital Media Specialist will work as part of a team to lead graphic design, illustration, and document design, while meeting 508 accessibility requirements as part of the overall development process. The Digital Media Specialist will also provide editorial support as part of the quality assurance process. The Digital Media Specialist must have effective communication skills, writing skills, coordination, planning, and leadership abilities.
SPECIAL NOTICE REGARDING THE WORK LOCATION OF THIS POSITION-Currently, all staff at WestEd are working from home until further notice. Although a remote option may have been listed as one location options for this position, the default location for all WestEd positions is in one of WestEd's offices. However, candidates may submit a request to work from home.
Responsibilities
Design
Design and develop custom visuals (graphics and illustrations) that converts text-based content into digital learning experiences based on content from SMEs
Design and develop documents and infographics that are innovative, relevant, and effective in conveying learning experiences based on content from SMEs
Integrate user experience best practices to develop innovative, relevant, and effective digital products that are rooted in research and best practices
Design and publish professional learning materials and presentations for various projects and funders to meet contractual and accessibility requirements
Advanced user of Microsoft Office and Adobe Creative Suite
Incorporate project- and funder-specific style guides and branding guidelines
Editorial
Edit content from SMEs in various digital formats (e.g. document, presentation, online course, website) across diverse subject areas
Participation in edit verification, track-changes editing, and other such tasks involved in the quality assurance process
Incorporate project- and funder-specific style guides and branding guidelines
Seasoned user of Microsoft Office Suite
508 Compliance Requirements and Remediation
Understand California state agencies' interpretation of the WCAG 2.1 accessibility requirements and related implications on project deliverables to meet contractual requirements
Design with knowledge of accessibility requirements to simplify the remediation process, including document structure, tags, content hierarchy, and color contrast.
Seasoned user of software and related features to design and remediate documents to meet WCAG 2.1 requirements, e.g., Microsoft Word, Adobe Acrobat
Overall
Collaborate with project teams, staff and directors, and project managers to meet deadlines across funding streams and timeline
Experience with digital development and quality assurance processes
Self-starter and complete tasks with autonomy, escalate timely and appropriate concerns
Provide level of effort to inform scope of work development and fiscal and project planning
Provide mentorship and training to build internal capacity to develop products and resources with accessibility in mind to minimize product remediation needs
Provide recommendations on how to enhance content from Subject Matter Experts for consistency and clarity
Qualifications
Minimum of 5 years in creating custom visual assets, e.g. graphics, infographics, icons
Minimum of 3 years in working with visuals and documents to meet Section 508 compliance and meeting contractual requirements
Minimum of 5 years in publication and design, working with style guides, publications, and professional learning materials
Minimum of 5 years of demonstrable proofreading and copyediting experience
Ability to work with high levels of concentration and accuracy under tight timelines
Design and publish professional learning materials and presentations for various projects and funders to meet contractual and accessibility requirements
Excellent knowledge of brand identity, typography, and color theory
Excellent, reliable, and consistent proofreading and copyediting skills
Excellent and reliable communications skills
Experience in managing multiple tasks/priorities across projects and directors with tight timelines
Experience working with project directors, SMEs, project managers, and team members collaboratively and effectively
SALARY AND BENEFITS: Salary for this role is competitive, set at a WestEd level G, and commensurate with experience. WestEd offers a very generous benefits package including medical, dental, and vision coverage, as well as Life, AD&D and Disability insurance. We also offer various retirement plan options and Flexible Spending Accounts for medical, childcare, and commuter expenses. WestEd offers generous paid holidays and paid time off (PTO), among other benefits.
Committed to the diversity of race, ethnicities, perspectives, and opportunities, WestEd offers a variety of social and professional learning communities, such as Employee Resources groups, the Data Intelligence, Insights, and Innovation PLC, and the WestEd Parent Community, just to name a few. We hope you'll consider joining us to build better schools, communities, learning pathways, and more!
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)
