The position includes a full graduate tuition waiver for up to nine credits per semester and will cover all tuition credits for a two-year graduate program. The position also includes a guaranteed stipend of $6,075 per academic year, paid bi-weekly during each semester. The position will also be able to receive up to an additional $8,600 per year for working 37.5 hours per week during summer and winter break at a rate of $11 per hour. The athletic communication office will also provide a full meal plan for the GA each semester, valued at $1,700 per semester. Total compensation with stipend, additional hourly work available and the meal plan comes to just over $18,000 annually, not including the tuition waiver.
Overview: Slippery Rock University invites applicants for the athletic communication graduate assistant position for the upcoming 2023-24 academic year. The candidate will have the option of completing a two-year assistantship that includes the 2024-25 academic year as well. The graduate assistant will assist the director of athletic communication and the assistant director of athletic communication with executing a comprehensive communication plan for the coverage of Slippery Rock's 17 NCAA Division II intercollegiate athletic programs.
Job Functions/Responsibilities: The athletic communication graduate assistant will be expected to provide coverage for at least three of Slippery Rock's intercollegiate athletic teams. This will include compiling in-game statistical data and sharing that data with the NCAA and the PSAC, as well as archiving all data. The athletic communication GA will also write preview stories and postgame recaps for events, handle some photography and video projects related to assigned sports, effectively communicate with the SRU students, alumni and fan bases through social media, produce digital and printed promotional materials and assist with the live video broadcasting of most home sporting events. Evening and weekend work will be required.
What to Expect: The athletic communication graduate assistant can expect to receive hands-on experience in the operation of a successful and professionally run athletic communication office that has earned more than 100 awards for excellence in the field. The graduate assistant will receive experience in dealing with diverse populations that include but are not limited to: coaches, administrators, alumni, faculty, staff, student-athletes, corporate sponsors, benefactors and family and friends of SRU student-athletes. The graduate assistant will build a significant digital and printed professional portfolio. The SRU athletic communication office's content annually receives more than 20 million views across the web and social outlets.
Desired Qualifications: The ideal candidate will have previous experience working in the athletic communication/sports information office of a collegiate or professional sports organization as an undergraduate. The ideal candidate will possess strong written and oral communication skills. Knowledge of StatCrew and NCAA LiveStats software, knowledge of the Adobe Creative Suite including PhotoShop and InDesign and previous experience with the SIDEARM Sports content management system will be preferred. The ideal candidate will also have some experience with photography, video editing and broadcasting of live sporting events. Candidates must be admitted into a graduate degree program at Slippery Rock before a job offer can be made and candidates must stay in good academic standing during their assistantship.
Slippery Rock University is a thriving public institution in western Pennsylvania that is a member of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. Located approximately 45 minutes north of Pittsburgh and one hour south of Erie, Slippery Rock University's beautiful 600+ acre campus is home to an enrollment of more than 8,000 students. The University sponsors 17 NCAA Division II Athletic teams, including a nationally ranked football program. "The Rock" compete in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference, which is the largest conference in Division II with 18 full-time members. To learn more about Slippery Rock University, visit www.SRU.edu. To learn more about Rock Athletics, visit www.RockAthletics.com.