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Pay Grade/Pay Range: $12.00/hour

Department/Organization: 750501 – Alabama Water Institute

Normal Work Schedule: Varies; 10 hours per week

Job Summary: The Education and Outreach Department at the Alabama Water Institute is seeking a motivated undergraduate intern from the College of Communication and Information Sciences to serve as a Content Creator. The intern will play a key role in developing a new educational and outreach-focused social media platform that engages a wide range of audiences. This position will highlight AWI’s research community through a “Day in the Life” video series, showcasing faculty, scientists, and research professionals both on The University of Alabama campus and across the CIROH (Cooperative Institute for Research to Operations in Hydrology) network.

Key Responsibilities:

Collaborates with AWI Education and Outreach staff to design and grow an engaging social media platform. Identifies and connects with faculty, scientists, and researchers on UA’s campus to feature in the “Day in the Life” series. Plans, conducts, and films interviews with research professionals, focusing on their career journeys, motivations, and fieldwork. Captures field footage that documents research activities in action. Edits and produces creative, accessible, and high-quality content for social media platforms, ensuring material is both educational and engaging. Tailors content for a wide range of audiences, from K–12 students to university recruits and community members. Supports educational and recruiting initiatives by producing compelling narratives about water-related careers and research.

Additional Department Summary: Current undergraduate student in the College of Communication and Information Sciences (preferred majors: journalism, creative media, advertising, public relations, or related fields). Strong interest in science communication, education, and storytelling.

Required Minimum Qualifications: Applicants must submit the following materials:

• Resume
• Cover letter highlighting relevant experience and interest in science communication
• Samples of creative or media work (social media content, video, photography, writing, or design pieces)

Additional Required Department Minimum Qualifications: Current undergraduate student in the College of Communication and Information Sciences (preferred majors: journalism, creative media, advertising, public relations, or related fields). Strong interest in science communication, education, and storytelling.

Skills and Knowledge: Proficiency with digital media tools and platforms, including video filming and editing software (e.g., Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, Canva, or similar). Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills. Ability to work independently, meet deadlines, and manage multiple projects. Creative mindset with an eye for visual storytelling and audience engagement.

Preferred Qualifications: Previous experience in social media management, content creation, or multimedia storytelling. Interest in science, the environment, or water-related topics. Comfortable with interviewing and engaging a wide range of audiences. 

Enrollment Requirements: Applicants must meet enrollment requirements to be eligible for on-campus student employment. Applicants must be enrolled in a UA degree program and meet minimum credit hour requirements during the academic year: Undergraduate Students must be registered for at least 6 credit hours during fall/spring semesters; Graduate Students must be registered for at least 4.5 credit hours during fall/spring semesters; International Students must be registered full-time (Undergraduate = 12 credit hours, Graduate = 9 credit hours) during fall/spring semesters. Enrollment requirements must be maintained for the duration of on-campus employment. Individual hiring departments and programs may also have additional eligibility requirements for employment.

Background Investigation Statement: Prior to hiring, the final candidate(s) must successfully pass a pre-employment background investigation and information obtained from social media and other internet sources. A prior conviction reported as a result of the background investigation DOES NOT automatically disqualify a candidate from consideration for this position. A candidate with a prior conviction or negative behavioral red flags will receive an individualized review of the prior conviction or negative behavioral red flags before a hiring decision is made.

Equal Employment Opportunity: The University of Alabama is an Equal Employment/Equal Educational Opportunity Institution. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment or volunteer status without regard to any legally protected basis and will not be discriminated against because of their protected status. Applicants and employees of this institution are protected under Federal law from discrimination on several bases. More information is available in the EEOC’s Know Your Rights: Workplace discrimination is illegal poster.