UMass Amherst
Animation Specialist (Hybrid Opportunity)
UMass Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts, us, 01002
About UMass AmherstUMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.Job SummaryThe Animation Specialist collaborates with the instructional design team to create engaging and effective online courses. The Specialist designs, produces, and enhances existing multimedia content, including video with animated content, to support course delivery. The Animation Specialist collaborates closely with faculty, instructional designers, and other campus resources to develop high-quality animations and similar state-of-the-art media content that is visually appealing and pedagogically sound to support various academic disciplines and enhance student learning outcomes.Essential FunctionsDevelops animations, videos, and interactive media elements for online courses and other departmental projects/needs using state-of-the-art technology.Communicates directly with faculty, instructional designers, students, and other stakeholders to understand their needs, provide updates, and incorporate feedback into multimedia projects to support continuous improvement; provide ongoing guidance to the instructional design team and faculty prior to, during, and after instruction periods.Supports all elements of multimedia production on specific projects for educational materials, including pre- and post-production work.Provides best practices to faculty and staff in the use of multimedia content to produce high-quality courses and other educational programs for a variety of disciplines integrating multimedia assets ensuring that multimedia content aligns with instructional goals and enhances learning outcomes.Develops strategies and concepts to transfer existing and future training materials into multimedia (audio, video, animations, etc.) enriched and data-driven web-based applications as means of making training and educational content more accessible to faculty and students.Develops animated and other digital graphics and content for digital communications, marketing, and faculty/student outreach efforts.Provides quality assurance by editing and enhancing existing multimedia content to improve accessibility, improve clarity, engagement, and instructional effectiveness.Manages multiple animation and multimedia projects simultaneously, coordinating with instructional designers, faculty, and team members to ensure timely delivery of high-quality content and establish project timelines, milestones, and deliverables.Develops innovative and creative multimedia solutions that enhance student engagement and learning experiences, including new techniques and approaches to produce visually appealing and pedagogically sound animations and interactive media. Maintains and develops new technical skills related to state-of-the-art media production in educational contexts, while finding, evaluating, and recommending media production software and hardware.
Other FunctionsPerforms related duties as assigned or required to meet IDEAS and University goals and objectives.
Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)Bachelor's degree and three (3) years professional experience.Proficiency in motion graphics design, video production, video editing, and audio recording.Knowledge of utilizing video for online channels and social media platforms.Proficiency in animation and media production software and tools (e.g., Adobe Premiere and Aftereffects, Camtasia, etc.) with a strong understanding of animation principles, storytelling and visual communication techniques.Excellent interpersonal, organizational, and public relations skills. Must possess a customer-service and team-oriented approach.Demonstrated ability to communicate technical concepts to a non-technical audience, work independently and/or with multiple constituencies, speak or make presentations before groups.Must be a self-starter and be able to manage time and multiple projects simultaneously, set priorities, accomplish goals, and meet deadlines.
Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)Experience working with instructors in a higher education environment.Knowledge of online Learning Management systems used in higher education (e.g., Canvas, Moodle, Blackboard, Desire2Learn) or similar systems.
Work ScheduleMonday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.Some night and weekend work may be required.This position has the opportunity for a hybrid work schedule, which is defined by the University as an arrangement where an employee's work is regularly performed at a location other than the campus workspace for a portion of the week. As this position falls within the Professional Staff Union, it is subject to the terms and conditions of the Professional Staff Union collective bargaining agreement.
Physical Demands/Working ConditionsTypical office environment.
Salary InformationLevel 28PSU Hiring RangesSpecial Instructions to ApplicantsAlong with the application, please submit a resume and cover letter. References will be checked at the finalist stage. Please be prepared to provide contact information for three (3) professional references. Applications will be reviewed on a continuous basis until the position is filled. Early submissions are encouraged.UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, caste, creed, sex, age, marital status, national origin, disability, political belief or affiliation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related condition(s), veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, natural and protective hairstyle and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University. To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans. It is the policy of UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.
Other FunctionsPerforms related duties as assigned or required to meet IDEAS and University goals and objectives.
Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)Bachelor's degree and three (3) years professional experience.Proficiency in motion graphics design, video production, video editing, and audio recording.Knowledge of utilizing video for online channels and social media platforms.Proficiency in animation and media production software and tools (e.g., Adobe Premiere and Aftereffects, Camtasia, etc.) with a strong understanding of animation principles, storytelling and visual communication techniques.Excellent interpersonal, organizational, and public relations skills. Must possess a customer-service and team-oriented approach.Demonstrated ability to communicate technical concepts to a non-technical audience, work independently and/or with multiple constituencies, speak or make presentations before groups.Must be a self-starter and be able to manage time and multiple projects simultaneously, set priorities, accomplish goals, and meet deadlines.
Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)Experience working with instructors in a higher education environment.Knowledge of online Learning Management systems used in higher education (e.g., Canvas, Moodle, Blackboard, Desire2Learn) or similar systems.
Work ScheduleMonday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.Some night and weekend work may be required.This position has the opportunity for a hybrid work schedule, which is defined by the University as an arrangement where an employee's work is regularly performed at a location other than the campus workspace for a portion of the week. As this position falls within the Professional Staff Union, it is subject to the terms and conditions of the Professional Staff Union collective bargaining agreement.
Physical Demands/Working ConditionsTypical office environment.
Salary InformationLevel 28PSU Hiring RangesSpecial Instructions to ApplicantsAlong with the application, please submit a resume and cover letter. References will be checked at the finalist stage. Please be prepared to provide contact information for three (3) professional references. Applications will be reviewed on a continuous basis until the position is filled. Early submissions are encouraged.UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, caste, creed, sex, age, marital status, national origin, disability, political belief or affiliation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related condition(s), veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, natural and protective hairstyle and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University. To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans. It is the policy of UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.