Statement of the job: The University of Maine at Augusta is looking for an AI and Academic Initiatives Coordinator to join our Augusta or Bangor Campus. The AI and Academic Initiatives Coordinator is an integral member of the Academic Services Unit (ASU), a dynamic team dedicated to enhancing UMA’s academic and operational excellence. This position partners with stakeholders and coordinates efforts to advance artificial intelligence (AI) literacy and ensures the seamless integration of AI and other academic initiatives as assigned, across teaching, learning, and administrative functions at UMA. By fostering a strong foundation in AI concepts and ethics, the AI Coordinator equips students, faculty, and staff with critical knowledge and skills to thrive in an increasingly AI-driven world. Through collaboration within ASU’s cross-functional, matrixed team structure, the AI Coordinator motivates innovation and strategic follow through to ensure ASU services align with institutional priorities, advancing UMA’s mission of equitable and impactful education. This is a fixed-length two-year appointment with the option to renew based on need and funding.
Complete job description (linked information).
About the University (linked information).
UMA transforms the lives of students of every age and background across the State of Maine and beyond through access to high-quality distance and on-site education, excellence in student support, civic engagement, and professional and liberal arts programs.
UMA is the third-largest public university in Maine. In addition to its main campus in the state’s capital, UMA also serves students at its campus in Bangor (UMA Bangor) and through UMA Centers around the state. With its multiple locations and long-term expertise in online and distance learning, UMA is generally considered the university of choice for Mainers of all ages who want to attend college without uprooting their lives.
Qualifications:
Required:
- Master’s degree in Communications, Education, Journalism, Theater Arts, Performing Arts, or a closely related field, and at least five (5) years of professional experience that demonstrates expertise in communications work involving technology-related topics or issues (e.g., digital strategy, educational technology, AI tools, or technology-focused information in for-profit or nonprofit industries) and two or more of the following areas:
- Public relations and communications
- Journalism involving multimedia storytelling/reporting
- Audience engagement in person and through digital media
- Digital communications content creation
OR
- Bachelor’s degree in one of the above fields, and at least seven (7) years of professional experience with demonstrated expertise in two or more of the same areas listed above.
- Experience with communications/journalism in educational organizations or public for-profit/nonprofit settings
- Prior use of AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Copilot, DALL·E, Gemini) in educational, research, or public/private professional contexts
- Experience with organizing event logistics
- Experience managing digital content platforms and social media
- Experience in facilitating and supporting public events online or face-to-face
Preferred:
- Experience with multimedia storytelling and production
- Experience developing inclusive communication practices
- Knowledge of learning platforms and educational technology used in higher education
- Background in creative project management and investigative research and reporting
- Experience with data visualization and presentation
- Experience developing and implementing strategic communication or engagement plans
- Demonstrated ability to create compelling narratives around complex cultural topics
- Demonstrated success in engaging diverse audiences through various communication methods such as forum facilitation, public speaking, journalistic article writing, etc.
Salary: The normal hiring salary for this position is $58,000 - $65,000 and is commensurate with training, education, and experience and will take into consideration the salary of current UMS employees for transfer/promotion.
We are not able to consider applicants who require Visa sponsorship support.
Incomplete application materials cannot be considered.
Applications will be reviewed on May 1, 2025. Materials received after April 30, 2025, will be reviewed at the discretion of the University.
The successful applicant is subject to appropriate background screening.
Equal Opportunity Statement:
In complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and pursuing its own goals of diversity, the University of Maine System does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability physical or mental, genetic information or veterans or military status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity, 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5713, 207-581-1226. TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).
Clery Act:
The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, or Clery Act, mandates that all Title IV institutions, such as the University, prepare, publish and distribute an Annual Security Report, (ASR) and provide notice of the availability of the ASR to all prospective employees. This report consists of two basic parts: disclosure of the University’s crime statistics for the past three calendar years; and disclosures regarding the University’s current campus security policies. You may view the University’s Annual Security Report.