Penn State Job Catalog

Additional levels that exist for this job profile can be seen below.

The Strategic Communications Specialist - Web Design works within the University's Office of Strategic Communications and is responsible for translating digital strategy into high-quality, user-centered web experiences; focuses on visual design execution, information layout, front-end implementation, and content development across the university's approved digital platforms; ensures that websites are intuitive, accessible, on-brand, and optimized for user engagement.

• Transform strategic direction, requirements, and content models into intuitive, accessible, and responsive website designs
• Develop layouts, visual interfaces, and interaction patterns aligned with the university's design system, brand standards, and component libraries
• Create wireframes, page-level designs, prototypes, and UI specifications to guide implementation and ensure design consistency across sites
• Conceptualize, create, and manipulate individual design elements (e.g., audio, video, still images, animation, text, digital data, interactivity, etc.) using graphic/multi-media design software
• Write, structure, and refine digital content to support clear communication, discoverability, and user intent
• Build or configure pages using available components, templates, and patterns
• Apply content models, metadata standards, and taxonomy frameworks defined by the digital strategy
• Ensure content adheres to accessibility requirements (WCAG), SEO best practices, editorial guidelines, and plain-language standards
• Support content creators by producing templates, style guidelines, page patterns, microcopy, and design-ready assets
• Organize site structures, navigation systems, and page-level hierarchies that support user journeys and strategic goals
• Conduct or support usability testing and iterative design improvements
• Partner with Digital Strategists to apply analytic insights into layout, content, and UX enhancements
• Collaborate in ensuring feasibility and quality of design handoffs and validate implementation through QA testing
• Optimize page performance, responsiveness, accessibility, and visual fidelity after deployment
• Work closely with Digital Strategists, content authors, information technology, and marketing and communications teams to align experience execution with strategy
• Provide design guidance to distributed content creators, ensuring adherence to design system standards and best practices
• Participate in design reviews and cross-unit web initiatives
• May supervise staff members, including hiring, development, and performance management

Level:

– Intermediate Professional

Base Description:

– Completes activities, tasks, and/or projects of a functional nature.

Level Summary:

– Demonstrates ability to perform intermediate tasks in defined skill areas. Demonstrates intermediate knowledge of internal procedures. Works under general supervision, performing assignments that may be varied and sometimes difficult. Supports team decisions and follows through with team responsibilities. Interprets and communicates information clearly and accurately. Demonstrates intermediate problem–solving skills.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

– May serve as direct supervisor for part–time, student, and/or temporary workers or volunteers

Fiscal Responsibilities:

– May validate and pay invoices

Problem Solving:

– Encounters generally routine problems; occasionally faces more complex and/or varied problems
– Typically follows recommended course of action and procedures to resolve problems
– Applies knowledge of larger unit goals, priorities, and related procedures in determining course of action

Independence of Action:

– Work is generally monitored by supervisor
– Detailed instructions and procedures are generally provided
– Uses available guidelines to make appropriate adaptations to routine situations and refers other situations to supervisor

Communication and Collaboration:

– Communicates internally within working unit and/or the University
– May communicate with external audiences
– Collaborates closely with team members
– Interprets and communicates information, ideas and instructions clearly and accurately both verbally and in written materials intended for distribution

• Comp Grade – 10
• Minimum – $61,800.00
• MidPoint – $75,700.00
• Maximum – $89,600.00