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:

– Senior Professional

Base Description:

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

Level Summary:

– Demonstrates advanced knowledge of principles, practices, and procedures of a particular field. Works independently on moderately complex work assignments under limited oversight, reviews progress, and evaluates results. Monitors work and projects ensuring timeliness, quality, and efficiency. Identifies and mobilizes resources to achieve outcomes. Trains others and reviews progress with management. Presents ideas, concepts, and instructions in a clear and persuasive manner. Develops new techniques, concepts, and approaches and applies them to moderately complex and strategic and/or operational issues.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

– Indirect supervisor 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
– Monitors and tracks budgets and funding

Problem Solving:

– Encounters moderately complex problems
– Applies specialized knowledge and skills to resolve problems
– Understands benefits, limitations, and impact of potential solutions

Independence of Action:

– Works independently on moderately complex work assignments, reviews progress, and evaluates results
– May set priorities and organize work within general guidelines established by supervisor
– May review the work of others to verify accuracy and conformance to required procedures and special instructions

Communication and Collaboration:

– Communicates internally within working unit and the University
– Communicates with external audiences for scheduling/coordination
– May communicate with external audiences for business purposes
– Coaches others in using appropriate strategies for resolving conflict; negotiating reasonable compromises; and proposing and evaluating possible solutions
– Give candid and constructive feedback to others to influence and persuade managers and employees to accept and implement findings and recommendations

• Comp Grade – 12
• Minimum – $76,700.00
• MidPoint – $95,900.00
• Maximum – $115,100.00