ECOS Contracted Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: ECOS Contracted Graphic Designer

Company: Florida Atlantic University

Location: Boca Raton, Florida, United States

Job Type: PART_TIME

Category: Marketing/Communications Operations

Date Posted: April 23, 2026

Experience Level: Entry-Level to Mid-Level (2-5 years)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is focused on creating compelling visual assets to support the School of Environmental, Coastal, and Ocean Sustainability (ECOS) at Florida Atlantic University, requiring a strong understanding of brand stewardship and visual communication principles for both print and digital mediums.

• The Graphic Designer will be instrumental in translating complex scientific research findings into accessible and engaging infographics, charts, and visual narratives for diverse audiences, including academic peers, students, and the general public.

• Responsibilities include developing creative collateral for recruitment, community engagement, and internal communications, ensuring adherence to university-wide visual guidelines while maintaining ECOS's unique design theme.

• This position requires proficiency in the Adobe Creative Suite and the ability to manage multiple design projects concurrently within a fast-paced academic environment, collaborating closely with the ECOS communications team.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job title is "Graphic Designer," the context of supporting a research-focused academic institution with complex data visualization needs positions this role within the broader "Marketing/Communications Operations" umbrella, emphasizing the operational aspect of delivering consistent, high-quality visual content. The 'contracted' nature suggests a focus on project-based deliverables and potentially flexible hours within a part-time framework.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and design a wide array of graphic materials for ECOS, including platform-specific social media graphics, web headers, reports, presentations, print materials (flyers, brochures, bi-folds), event invitations, posters, signage, banners, newsletters, and email campaigns.

• Translate and apply university design standards and ECOS-specific design themes across all visual collateral, ensuring brand consistency and integrity for both print and digital platforms.

• Create targeted recruitment materials for various programs and opportunities, catering to diverse audiences such as students, community members, and potential postdoctoral fellows.

• Design visual layouts and custom headers for recurring ECOS digital newsletters and email campaigns to effectively communicate "solution-driven" outcomes and achievements to stakeholders.

• Synthesize complex scientific research findings (e.g., water quality data, restoration progress) into clean, professional charts, maps, and infographics suitable for reports, presentations, social media, and newsletters.

• Ensure strict adherence to Florida Atlantic University's brand guidelines, including correct logo placement, color palettes, and typography across all design deliverables.

• Utilize the FAU photo database and approved stock imagery to enhance visual content, maintaining a professional and cohesive aesthetic.

• Design and create reusable templates for flyers and handouts to streamline future design requests and maintain brand consistency.

• Prepare design files for both in-house printing and professional print services, ensuring correct specifications and formats.

• Organize and maintain working and final design files within the School's digital drive, ensuring easy accessibility and efficient asset management for ECOS staff.

• Utilize project management and ticket systems employed by the School and communications team to effectively manage design requests, track progress, and collaborate with team members.

• Continuously learn and apply FAU branding guidelines, identifying and correcting any errors or inconsistencies in visual and brand standards.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a strong operational component in managing design requests, maintaining digital assets, and ensuring brand compliance, which is crucial for consistent communication output from a university school. The emphasis on translating complex scientific data into visuals is a key differentiator for this role.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: High school diploma or equivalent is required.

Experience: A minimum of two (2) years of relevant graphic design experience is required.

Required Skills:

• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud applications, specifically Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator.

• Demonstrated experience in creating high-quality print and digital graphic design assets.

• Proven ability to design social media graphics with an understanding of platform-specific best practices.

• Strong conceptual design skills, from initial sketching and mock-ups to final, high-quality designs.

• Familiarity with visual style guides and brand standards, with a demonstrated ability to design within established corporate identities and thematic campaign frameworks.

• Ability to synthesize complex and technical copy into clear, concise, and visually compelling designs.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate and defend design decisions.

• Strong customer service, organizational, and time management skills, with the ability to prioritize work and manage multiple concurrent projects in a fast-paced environment.

• Proficiency in maintaining a well-organized, shared library of visual assets (e.g., photography of field sites, logos).

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with video and multimedia design, including Adobe Premiere Pro.

• Demonstrated experience in translating complex scientific or technical information into clear visual hierarchies, infographics, charts, and visual narratives.

• Proven client relationship management skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across multiple units on cross-functional projects.

• Ability to quickly learn, interpret, and visually represent diverse scientific themes, including topics such as Ocean and Coastal Health and Wetlands Conservation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for a portfolio demonstrating expertise in both digital and print production, with specific criteria for visual communication, technical translation, brand stewardship, and legibility, strongly suggests that candidates should curate their portfolio to directly address these points. The distinction between required and preferred skills indicates areas where candidates can further differentiate themselves.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A link to an online portfolio must be included in the resume for consideration.

• The portfolio must feature at least five (5) work samples that demonstrate expertise in both digital and print production.

Portfolio Demonstrations Required:

• Visual Communication: A strong, refined eye for color, composition, spatial hierarchy, and typography.

• Technical Translation: The ability to distill dense scientific or technical information into clear, engaging infographics, charts, and visual narratives.

• Brand Stewardship: Proven success applying established corporate or university brand standards consistently across a wide range of deliverables.

• Legibility & Precision: A commitment to clarity and clean design, particularly for informational materials such as handouts, event promotions, and reports.

Process Documentation:

• While not explicitly stated as a deliverable, the role requires utilizing project management and ticket systems, implying a need for process adherence and organized workflow management for design requests.

• The organization of working and final design files within the School's digital drive suggests a need for a systematic approach to file management and version control.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on the portfolio as a critical component for consideration underscores its importance. Candidates should view their portfolio not just as a collection of work, but as a direct demonstration of their ability to meet the core operational and creative demands of the role, especially in translating complex information and adhering to brand standards.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $30.00 - $60.00 per hour.

Benefits:

• This is an Other Personnel Services (OPS) position, indicating it is a temporary role.

• Temporary positions are generally not eligible for benefits and retirement plans.

• However, eligibility for health insurance coverage may be available depending on the average hours worked per week.

• Temporary positions provide full-time or part-time employment and can be exempt or non-exempt based on job duties and salary, in accordance with the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

• Temporary positions do not have layoff rights and may be terminated without prior notice.

• Applicants hired into Temporary positions may apply for regular appointments if a vacancy arises.

Working Hours: Part-time, up to 20 hours per week, Monday - Friday, between 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hourly salary range is competitive for contracted graphic design roles in higher education. Candidates should be aware of the temporary nature of the position and the limited benefits associated with OPS roles, though potential health insurance eligibility based on hours worked is a point to clarify. The flexibility in hours (up to 20/week) offers a degree of autonomy within the defined working days.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Higher Education, Environmental Science & Sustainability Research.

Company Size: Florida Atlantic University is a large public research university with multiple campuses and a significant student and staff population. The School of Environmental, Coastal, and Ocean Sustainability (ECOS) is a newer, interdisciplinary hub established in 2023, indicating a dynamic and potentially rapidly evolving environment focused on solution-based environmental research.

Founded: Florida Atlantic University was founded in 1961. ECOS was established in 2023, signifying a strategic initiative to centralize and expand environmental research capabilities.

Team Structure:

• The Graphic Designer will report to the College of Science: Communications & Special Events team.

• ECOS itself unites hundreds of researchers across six colleges, suggesting a broad network of potential collaborators and stakeholders.

Methodology:

• ECOS focuses on "solution-based environmental research, training, and community engagement," implying a practical, results-oriented approach to science.

• The design work will support this by making research findings accessible and engaging to various audiences, thus facilitating community engagement and informing stakeholders.

• Data-driven insights will be translated visually, requiring an understanding of how to represent scientific data effectively.

Company Website: https://www.fau.edu/jobs (General FAU Jobs), https://www.fau.edu/ecos/ (ECOS Specific)

📝 Enhancement Note: Understanding ECOS's mission – addressing environmental challenges and serving as a model for innovative environmental solutions – is key. The design role is operational in supporting this mission by enhancing communication and outreach efforts. The collaborative nature across colleges and with external stakeholders suggests a need for adaptability and strong interpersonal skills.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a contracted, part-time graphic designer, typically fitting into an entry-level to mid-level operational support function within a marketing and communications department. It offers practical experience in a specialized creative field within a large academic institution.

Reporting Structure: The Graphic Designer will report to the College of Science's Communications & Special Events team. This indicates a structured reporting line within a specialized departmental function.

Operations Impact: The Graphic Designer's work directly impacts the operational efficiency of ECOS's communication efforts. By creating clear, engaging visual materials, they enhance the reach and impact of research findings, support recruitment initiatives, and improve overall brand perception for ECOS and FAU. This role is crucial for translating scientific output into actionable communication assets.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Development: Opportunity to expand a portfolio with diverse projects, including complex data visualization and scientific communication, which are valuable skills in many industries.

• Specialization: Potential to deepen expertise in environmental and sustainability-focused design, a growing field.

• Networking: Gain exposure to researchers, communication professionals, and academic leadership within a large university setting, potentially leading to future opportunities.

• Portfolio Enhancement: Successful completion of projects and a strong portfolio can pave the way for more senior or full-time design roles within higher education or related fields.

📝 Enhancement Note: While this is a contracted role, the experience gained in translating scientific data and adhering to university brand standards within a large institution is significant. Candidates should leverage this role to build a robust portfolio that demonstrates adaptability and specialized design skills, which are critical for career progression in operations-adjacent creative roles.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: On-site position in Boca Raton, FL. The role is part of the College of Science: Communications & Special Events team.

Office Location(s): Boca Raton campus of Florida Atlantic University.

Workspace Context:

• The role is part-time (up to 20 hours/week), suggesting a flexible work schedule within standard business hours (9 am - 5 pm, Monday-Friday).

• Collaboration with the communications team and potentially researchers is expected, implying a dynamic work environment that requires teamwork and effective communication.

• The need to manage digital files within a shared drive indicates the use of collaborative digital tools and platforms.

• Access to FAU's photo database and approved stock imagery suggests a well-resourced creative environment.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, part-time between the hours of 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., up to 20 hours per week. This provides flexibility while ensuring availability during core business operations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement and part-time nature suggest a role that offers dedicated time for focused design work within a university setting. Candidates should be prepared for an academic work environment that values collaboration and adherence to institutional guidelines.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Application Review: Resumes will be reviewed, with a mandatory link to an online portfolio featuring at least five relevant work samples.

• Portfolio Evaluation: Candidates will be assessed based on visual communication, technical translation (scientific data to visuals), brand stewardship, and legibility/precision in design.

• Potential Interviews: Shortlisted candidates may undergo interviews to discuss their portfolio, design approach, experience, and ability to meet ECOS's specific needs. This might involve discussing how they would approach specific design challenges or translate ECOS's mission visually.

• Skills Assessment: While not explicitly stated, a practical design exercise or a more in-depth portfolio presentation might be part of the later stages to assess hands-on skills and problem-solving abilities.

• Pre-Employment Screenings: Final candidates will undergo background checks, including criminal background checks (Level I and II), motor vehicle checks, credit checks, and reference checks.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select at least five strong pieces that directly align with the job requirements: digital and print production, complex data visualization, and brand adherence.

• Highlight Scientific Translation: Include examples of infographics, charts, or visuals that effectively communicate dense technical information or research findings.

• Showcase Brand Application: Feature projects where you successfully applied established brand guidelines, demonstrating your ability to maintain consistency.

• Emphasize Clarity and Legibility: Ensure your portfolio includes examples of clean, clear design for informational materials like reports, flyers, or handouts.

• Provide Context: For each portfolio piece, briefly describe the objective, your role, the tools used, and the outcome or impact.

• Ensure Accessibility: Use a reliable online portfolio platform (e.g., Behance, personal website) and ensure the link in your resume is active and correct.

Challenge Preparation:

• Research ECOS: Understand the mission of the School of Environmental, Coastal, and Ocean Sustainability, its research areas, and its target audiences. Familiarize yourself with FAU's brand guidelines.

• Prepare to Discuss Design Decisions: Be ready to articulate the rationale behind your design choices, especially concerning typography, color theory, layout, and how they serve the project's goals.

• Anticipate Data Visualization Questions: Think about how you would approach visualizing specific types of environmental data (e.g., water quality trends, ecological impact maps).

• Practice Articulating Your Process: Be prepared to walk through your design process from brief to final delivery, highlighting problem-solving and collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The application process heavily emphasizes the portfolio. Candidates should treat the portfolio as their primary application document and tailor it meticulously to showcase the specific skills and experience ECOS is seeking, particularly in translating complex scientific information into engaging visuals.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Cloud: Essential proficiency required in:

  • Photoshop: For image editing, manipulation, and digital asset creation.
  • InDesign: For layout design of print materials like brochures, reports, newsletters, and flyers.
  • Illustrator: For vector graphics, logos, icons, and complex infographics.

• Adobe Premiere Pro: Preferred skill for video and multimedia design.

Analytics & Reporting: While not directly listed, the nature of translating research findings might involve understanding how data is presented and potentially working with data visualization tools or exporting data for graphic representation.

CRM & Automation: Not directly applicable to this design role, but project management and ticket systems are mentioned for managing design requests.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud is paramount. While Premiere Pro is a plus, the core requirement lies in Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator for print and digital collateral development. Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate their mastery of these tools through their portfolio.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Excellence in Research Support: A commitment to high-quality design that effectively supports the academic and outreach goals of ECOS.

• Data-Driven Communication: Valuing the accurate and engaging visual representation of scientific data and research outcomes.

• Brand Integrity: Upholding the visual standards and reputation of both ECOS and Florida Atlantic University.

• Efficiency and Organization: Maintaining organized digital assets and workflows to manage design requests effectively.

• Collaboration and Feedback: Openness to constructive critique and teamwork to achieve the best design solutions.

Collaboration Style:

• The role requires collaboration with the ECOS communications team and potentially researchers across various colleges.

• This suggests a style that is communicative, responsive, and capable of translating diverse needs into visual solutions.

• The use of project management and ticket systems indicates a structured approach to collaboration and task management.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture likely emphasizes academic rigor, scientific communication, and institutional pride. Designers are expected to be team players who can integrate their creative output into the broader operational and communication strategies of ECOS and FAU.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Translating Complex Science: The primary challenge is distilling dense, technical scientific information into clear, accessible, and visually appealing graphics for non-expert audiences.

• Balancing Brand Consistency and Creativity: Adhering to strict university branding guidelines while producing fresh, engaging designs for ECOS's unique mission.

• Managing Multiple Projects: Juggling various design requests with different deadlines and stakeholders in a part-time capacity.

• Rapidly Evolving Field: Keeping up with design trends and best practices, especially in digital and social media, while working within institutional constraints.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Portfolio Expansion: Gaining significant experience in scientific data visualization and academic communication design.

• Skill Specialization: Deepening expertise in specific design areas relevant to environmental sciences and sustainability outreach.

• Institutional Knowledge: Learning how large university systems operate, including their communication and branding structures.

• Networking: Building connections within the academic and research community at FAU.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should be prepared to discuss how they would approach these challenges, demonstrating problem-solving skills and a proactive attitude towards learning and adaptation. The growth opportunities are significant for building a specialized portfolio and gaining experience in a reputable academic institution.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you approach designing an infographic to explain complex water quality data to a community audience?" (Focus on process, simplification, visual hierarchy)

• "Describe a time you had to balance a client's creative vision with strict brand guidelines. How did you achieve a successful outcome?" (Focus on collaboration, negotiation, brand stewardship)

• "Walk us through your process for creating social media graphics for a scientific research initiative." (Focus on platform understanding, engagement strategies, visual storytelling)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about ECOS and Florida Atlantic University's mission in environmental sustainability?" (Demonstrate research and alignment)

• "How do you typically collaborate with subject matter experts or researchers who may not have a design background?" (Focus on communication, translation, relationship management)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling: For each piece, tell a brief story: the challenge, your solution, the tools used, and the impact.

• Highlight Key Skills: Explicitly point out how each sample demonstrates visual communication, technical translation, brand stewardship, and clarity.

• Showcase Process: Be ready to discuss your workflow, from initial concept to final delivery, including any challenges and how you overcame them.

• Quantify Impact (if possible): If you have metrics on engagement, reach, or effectiveness of your designs, be prepared to share them.

• Tailor to ECOS: Frame your examples in the context of ECOS's mission and the types of projects they undertake.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should heavily focus on translating scientific concepts visually and demonstrating an understanding of academic branding. The portfolio review is critical, so candidates should be prepared to discuss each piece in detail, highlighting their problem-solving process and their ability to meet specific project objectives.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided Workday link: https://fau.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/FAU/job/Boca-Raton/ECOS-Contracted-Graphic-Designer_REQ21924-1

• Customize Your Resume: Ensure your resume includes a prominent link to your online portfolio. Tailor your resume's summary and experience sections to highlight keywords and responsibilities mentioned in the job description, such as "graphic design," "Adobe Creative Cloud," "data visualization," "brand stewardship," and "scientific communication."

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select at least five diverse work samples that showcase your ability in both digital and print production, specifically highlighting examples of infographic design, translating complex information, and adhering to brand standards.

• Prepare for Portfolio Presentation: Be ready to discuss your design process, rationale, and outcomes for each piece in your portfolio during potential interviews. Practice articulating how your work aligns with ECOS's mission.

• Research ECOS and FAU: Familiarize yourself with the School of Environmental, Coastal, and Ocean Sustainability's mission, research areas, and Florida Atlantic University's brand guidelines to demonstrate your understanding and alignment during the interview process.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.