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:

– Advanced Professional

Base Description:

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

Level Summary:

– Demonstrates proficient and comprehensive knowledge of defined skill areas/applications. Applies knowledge of principles, practices, and procedures of a particular field to decision-making and problem–solving. Works under minimum supervision on varied and sometimes difficult work assignments, conferring with supervisor or subject matter experts on unusual matters. May lead others or a team in completion of complex assignments. Interprets and communicates information clearly, accurately, and persuasively. Researches and tries new approaches when solving difficult or novel problems.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

– Indirect supervisor or mentor for other full–time employees
– May serve as direct supervisor for part–time, student, and/or temporary workers, volunteers, or a full–time employee

Fiscal Responsibilities:

– May validate and pay invoices
– May monitor/track budgets and funding

Problem Solving:

– Encounters generally routine problems with progressively more complex and/or varied problems
– Typically follows recommended course of action and procedures to resolve problems
– May apply specialized knowledge and skills to resolve complex and/or varied problems, with supervisor oversight
– Researches and tries new approaches when solving problems

Independence of Action:

– Works with minimal supervision on more difficult work assignments, conferring with supervisor on unusual matters
– Follows precedents and procedures
– May set priorities and organize work within general guidelines established by supervisor

Communication and Collaboration:

– Communicates internally and externally within working unit and the University
– May communicate with external audiences for business purposes
– Promotes open communication in a manner that builds relationships among team members
– Applies appropriate strategies for managing conflict; negotiate reasonable compromises; propose and evaluate possible solutions
– Interprets and communicates information, ideas and instructions clearly, accurately and persuasively both verbally and in written materials intended for distribution

• Comp Grade – 11
• Minimum – $68,200.00
• MidPoint – $85,200.00
• Maximum – $102,300.00