Publications Specialist

Publications Specialist (ACPE)(PCN-050422)

Location: Anchorage United States

Salary

$32.16 - $36.34 Hourly

Location 

Juneau or Anchorage, AK

Job Type

Full Time

Remote Employment

Flexible/Hybrid

Job Description:

Position Summary: 

The Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education (ACPE) is seeking a Publications Specialist with expertise in Adobe InDesign to join our collaborative team of professionals with diverse areas of expertise in Program Management. This position serves as ACPE’s lead publication design professional and is responsible for the project management, design, development, and production of major agency publications and other print and digital communications. Working with agency staff, senior leadership, and external partners, the Publications Specialist manages publication projects from initial planning and content development through visual design, review, and final production, ensuring finished products are accurate, accessible, visually compelling, and consistent with agency standards.

This position combines publication design expertise with data analysis and data visualization to communicate complex education and workforce information to a broad range of audiences. The Publication Specialist analyzes and interprets data, develops charts, maps, infographics, and other visualizations, and determines how to present information most effectively through thoughtful layout and design. The position plays a primary role in producing high-profile agency publications used by policymakers, education stakeholders, agency leadership, and the public to better understand postsecondary education access, outcomes, and trends in Alaska.  

Why Join Our Team:

Mission: ACPE provides sustainable solutions for college, career, and technical training. We are a collaborative team that supports one another.  We actively support and model ACPE’s values: Service, Innovation, Empowerment, Quality, and Accountability.  For more information about ACPE, our mission, and our services, visit our website at: http://acpe.alaska.gov

Culture: We value continuous learning and growth. ACPE is the State’s postsecondary education agency, promoting access to, and success in, education and career training after high school.   We are Alaska’s trusted higher education agency; our purpose is to serve Alaskans.  We operate with integrity in everything we do. 

Professional Growth: We support training for employees and have opportunities for upward mobility. ACPE seeks engaged candidates who are eager to expand their knowledge and skills. We are committed to providing the training and support needed for the right candidate to succeed.   

Office Location: This position is located in Juneau or Anchorage. ACPE’s Juneau office is located in the Vintage Business Park area of Mendenhall Valley, and our Anchorage office is located on Bragaw Street near Northern Lights.  Both locations are conveniently close to public transportation and have ample parking available. 

Flexible/Hybrid Work Schedule: This position offers a flexible/hybrid work schedule. However, during the probationary period, employees are required to work full-time, in person, at the Anchorage or Juneau office, Monday through Friday. For more information, please review the State of Alaska Telework Policy. (Download PDF reader)

Upon successfully completing the probationary period, employees become eligible to telework from Juneau or Anchorage, AK. Employees may telework up to four days per week and work in-person at the Juneau or Anchorage office one day per week. Currently, all staff work in-office on Wednesday; this schedule may change based on agency needs, operational needs, special projects, meetings, or other job responsibilities that may require employees to work in the office more frequently. Employees should be prepared to report to the office as needed.

Benefits: As a State of Alaska employee, you may be eligible for a comprehensive benefits package. Actual benefits vary based on bargaining unit, position type, and full – or part-time status.

For complete information about insurance, retirement, and leave benefits, visit the State of Alaska Division of Retirement and Benefits website.

Insurance Benefits:
 • Medical, dental, and vision insurance with employer contributions
 • Employer-paid Basic Life Insurance (additional optional coverage may be available)
 • Optional insurance plans, including long- and short-term disability, accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D), long-term care, and supplemental survivor benefits
 • Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) for eligible health care or dependent care expenses

Retirement Benefits:
 • Membership in the Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS) or Teachers’ Retirement System (TRS), as applicable
 • Employer contributions to defined benefit or defined contribution retirement plans, depending on date of hire
 • Contributions to the Alaska Supplemental Annuity in lieu of Social Security
 • Optional participation in the Alaska Deferred Compensation Program

Paid Leave and Other Benefits:
 • Personal leave that increases with years of service
 • Twelve paid State holidays each year

What You’ll Do:

• Research, write, edit, design, and produce content for a broad range of routine to complex print and digital publication projects, including brochures, newsletters, direct mail materials, handbooks, reports, briefings, forms, cover designs, posters, illustrations, logos, exhibits, signage, promotional materials, and online communications.
• Serve as project manager for major agency publications projects, coordinating content development, data, design, review, and production from concept through final delivery. Key annual projects include the Higher Education Almanac (Almanac) and the Alaska Performance Scholarship (APS) Outcomes Reports.
• Analyze, interpret, and communicate complex data and information for internal and external audiences. Understand the source, context, and intended use of data and how it supports the findings being presented. Develop charts, maps, infographics, and other data visualizations that accurately reflect the underlying information and clearly communicate findings to stakeholders and the public.
• Serve as a member of the agency’s marketing team, contributing publication design and communications expertise to outreach, promotional, and public-information initiatives.
• Develop content and recommend enhancements to the agency’s public web presence, ensuring information is current, accessible, accurate, and audience-focused.
• Assist with data collection, review, reporting, and compliance activities by gathering, organizing, analyzing, and evaluating information to support agency programs and regulatory requirements. Ensure information is accurate, consistent, and aligned with applicable policies, procedures, laws, and reporting standards.
• Maintain an organized library of production-ready files and source materials for print and electronic collateral, and ensure final publications are available in appropriate, accessible electronic formats for the agency’s internal SharePoint sites and external website.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

What We’re Looking For – Desired Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

Knowledge:

• Adobe InDesign and professional publication design principles.
• Graphic design principles, including typography, layout, visual hierarchy, color, composition, and branding.
• Print and digital publication production, including file preparation, resolution, color modes, prepress, and accessible PDF output.
• Data visualization principles, including appropriate use of charts, maps, tables, infographics, and other visual formats.
• Data sources, definitions, methodology, and context, including how underlying data supports reported findings and visual presentations.
• Basic principles of data analysis and interpretation, including trends, comparisons, rates, percentages, and longitudinal data.
• Accessibility standards and best practices for digital publications, web content, and electronic documents.
• Web content principles, including audience-focused writing, readability, usability, and content maintenance.
• Project management principles as they relate to publication planning, review cycles, deadlines, and coordination with multiple contributors.
• Postsecondary education, student financial aid, education and workforce outcomes, and related public-policy issues; familiarity with ACPE programs and services is preferred.

Skills:

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to clearly explain complex information to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Strong presentation skills, including the ability to present data, findings, publication concepts, and recommendations to staff, senior leadership, stakeholders, and public audiences.
• Advanced skills in Adobe InDesign, including complex page layout, styles, linked assets, tables, master pages, and preparation of production-ready files.
• Strong graphic design and visual communication skills, with the ability to create polished, professional publications for print and digital audiences.
• Skill in developing charts, maps, infographics, and other data visualizations that accurately represent underlying data and communicate findings clearly.
• Strong attention to detail and quality assurance, particularly in reviewing data, graphics, citations, formatting, accessibility, and final production files.
• Strong project management and organizational skills, including the ability to manage multiple publication projects, competing priorities, review cycles, and firm deadlines.

Abilities:

• Ability to analyze and interpret quantitative and qualitative data and understand how data resources, definitions, methodology, and context support reported findings and visualizations.
• Ability to translate complex data into accurate, meaningful, and visually effective charts, maps, infographics, and other forms of information visualization.
• Ability to explain and defend the information presented in agency publications, including responding to questions regarding data sources, methodology, trends, and the relationship between the underlying data and published findings.
• Strong attention to accuracy and the ability to identify inconsistencies, gaps, or potential misinterpretations in data before information is published.
• Ability to work independently and exercise sound professional judgment while also collaborating effectively with staff, leadership, subject-matter experts, data partners, and vendors.
• Ability to manage source files and publication assets in an organized and sustainable manner so materials can be updated, reused, and maintained over time.
• Ability to receive and incorporate feedback constructively while maintaining consistency, accuracy, and design integrity throughout the publication process.

Minimum Qualifications

• A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. A degree in graphic design, communications, journalism, marketing, visual communications, publication design, or a related field is preferred.

• Relevant professional experience in writing, editing, graphic design, publication layout, or production may be substituted for the required education on a year-by-year basis
• Preference will be given to candidates who meet the degree requirement.

Additional Required Information

Other Information:

This is a fully exempt job class under AS 39.25.110(11).