Graphic Designer at HIGHLAND COMMUNITY COLLEGE

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer

Company: HIGHLAND COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Location: Highland, Kansas, United States

Job Type: Full Time

Category: Creative & Media / Art & Design / Marketing / Education

Date Posted: 2026-09-10

Experience Level: 0-2 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

Develop and execute visual marketing collateral to enhance the college brand across various platforms, including print, digital, and social media.
Collaborate with internal departments, particularly Athletics and Marketing, to support college events, activities, and strategic initiatives through compelling design.
Manage the production lifecycle of graphic projects, from concept to completion, including coordination with external vendors and printers.
Contribute to social media content creation, ensuring graphics and videos meet platform-specific requirements and align with brand guidelines.
Maintain and uphold the college's brand standards and style guidelines across all visual communications to ensure consistency and brand integrity.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role emphasizes a strong understanding of brand management and the ability to translate college messaging into effective visual content. Given the "0-2 Years" experience level, the focus will be on foundational design skills and a willingness to learn and adapt within established brand parameters, rather than extensive strategic development.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

Design and produce a wide range of graphic art materials, including brochures, posters, signs, social media graphics, and website assets, as directed by the Director of Marketing.
Implement and manage the production workflow for assigned design projects, ensuring adherence to standardized processes and timelines.
Liaise with printers and external vendors to oversee the production of printed materials, managing quotes, proofs, and final delivery.
Partner with the Athletic and academic departments to create promotional materials for college events, campaigns, and activities, ensuring alignment with marketing objectives.
Assist in the creation and scheduling of social media content, optimizing graphics and videos for various platforms while maintaining brand consistency.
Maintain an organized inventory of marketing supplies, including paper, ink, and other consumables, ensuring timely reordering and adherence to college purchasing guidelines.
Provide ongoing communication and updates to the Director of Marketing and other stakeholders regarding project status, challenges, and progress.
Ensure consistent application of the Highland Community College (HCC) brand across all college communications and marketing materials.
Participate actively in team meetings and departmental discussions to contribute design insights and collaborate on marketing strategies.
Assist with the pickup and delivery of finalized printed materials as needed, supporting logistical aspects of marketing campaigns.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a hands-on role involving both creative execution and operational support within the marketing department. The emphasis on "standardized process" and "ordering or purchasing according to College accepted guidelines" suggests a need for organizational skills and adherence to established procedures.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Graphic Arts, Media, Communications, or a closely related field.

Experience: 0-2 years of professional experience in graphic design, with a demonstrated ability to produce marketing collateral.

Required Skills:

High proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite programs, specifically Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop.
Demonstrated knowledge and practical application of Canva for design projects.
Strong graphic design skills with a keen eye for visual aesthetics, layout, and typography.
Excellent computer graphic design skills and proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
Effective written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate design concepts and project updates.
Ability to write and edit content, including press releases and articles, ensuring clarity and accuracy.
Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously.
Familiarity with social media platforms and their graphic/video requirements.
Valid driver's license with a clean driving record (no major infractions in the past five years) for occasional travel. Preferred Skills:
Photography skills for capturing college events and creating visual assets.
Editing or writing experience beyond basic content creation.
Experience in higher education marketing or a similar institutional environment.
Knowledge of pre-press production processes and vendor management.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements emphasize a blend of technical design software proficiency and essential soft skills like communication and organization. The inclusion of "Canva is required" alongside Adobe Creative Suite suggests a need for adaptability across design tools, catering to various project needs and potentially faster turnarounds for certain assets.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

Showcase a minimum of 3-5 diverse design projects demonstrating proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop) and Canva.
Include examples of marketing collateral such as brochures, posters, social media graphics, and event promotions.
Present projects that illustrate an understanding of brand consistency and adherence to style guidelines.
Highlight any projects involving coordination with external vendors or managing production processes.
For applicants with photography experience, include a selection of relevant photographic work. Process Documentation:
Candidates should be prepared to discuss their personal design workflow, from initial concept and client brief to final asset delivery.
Be ready to explain how you manage project timelines, incorporate feedback, and ensure quality control throughout the design process.
Demonstrate an understanding of how design processes integrate with broader marketing objectives and college branding strategies.

📝 Enhancement Note: While a formal "process documentation" requirement isn't explicitly stated, portfolio review and interview discussions will likely delve into the candidate's design process. Applicants should curate their portfolios to reflect not just the final output but also the thought process and methodology behind each piece, especially concerning brand adherence and production coordination.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for Graphic Designers with 0-2 years of experience in a mid-sized Midwestern community (Kansas), a competitive salary range would typically fall between $40,000 - $55,000 annually. This estimate considers the cost of living in Highland, KS, and the educational sector.

Benefits:

Full-time employment status.
Health insurance coverage (specifics to be detailed by employer).
Retirement plan options (e.g., 403(b) or state-specific retirement system).
Paid time off, including vacation, sick leave, and holidays.
Professional development opportunities, including potential for training in new design software or marketing techniques.
Access to college facilities and resources.

Working Hours: This is a full-time position, typically requiring 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday, during standard business hours. Occasional evening or weekend work may be required for college events or to meet project deadlines, with flexibility expected.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary is estimated based on typical entry-level graphic designer roles in similar geographic and industry contexts. The exact compensation will depend on the college's specific pay scales and the candidate's qualifications. Benefits are standard for full-time institutional roles and should be confirmed with the employer.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Higher Education (Community College)

Company Size: Mid-sized institution, likely with several hundred employees across multiple campuses and administrative functions.

Founded: Highland Community College was founded in 1939, indicating a long-standing presence and established operational history within its community.

Team Structure:

The Graphic Designer will report directly to the Director of Marketing.
The Marketing Department likely consists of a small, focused team responsible for all aspects of college promotion and communication.
Collaboration will extend to various departments, including Athletics, Academic Divisions, and administrative offices, requiring strong interpersonal and cross-functional communication skills. Methodology:
The Marketing Department operates under established "Brand Standards and Style Guidelines," emphasizing a structured approach to visual identity and communication.
Projects are often initiated by requests from departments and managed through a standardized production process.
Emphasis is placed on sharing the college's story and promoting its impact on students and the community.
Data-driven decision-making might be less prevalent than in corporate environments, with a stronger focus on mission-driven communication and brand consistency.

Company Website: https://www.highlandcc.edu/

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture is likely one of service to students and the community, with a focus on education and institutional mission. The "self-starter and energetic" requirement suggests an environment that values proactivity and enthusiasm, common in smaller, mission-oriented teams.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Entry-level to Junior Graphic Designer. This role is foundational, focusing on executing design tasks under the guidance of the Director of Marketing. It offers a solid introduction to the practical application of design principles within an institutional framework.

Reporting Structure: Direct reporting line to the Director of Marketing. This provides clear oversight and mentorship opportunities. The role also involves significant interaction and collaboration with other department heads and staff across the college.

Operations Impact: The Graphic Designer's work directly influences the college's public image, student recruitment efforts, and internal communications. Effective visual branding and promotional materials are crucial for attracting students, engaging the community, and reinforcing the college's mission and value proposition. The role contributes to the operational efficiency of the marketing department by handling core design production tasks.

Growth Opportunities:

Skill Specialization: Develop advanced proficiency in specific Adobe Creative Suite applications or explore emerging design technologies (e.g., motion graphics, UI/UX design).
Brand Management: Gain deeper expertise in brand strategy and management within the higher education sector, potentially leading to roles with more strategic input.
Project Management: Enhance project management skills by taking on more complex design initiatives and coordinating larger campaigns.
Cross-functional Expertise: Expand knowledge of marketing strategy, social media management, and event promotion through hands-on experience.
Leadership Potential: With significant experience and demonstrated success, potential to advance to a Senior Graphic Designer or Marketing Specialist role, possibly overseeing junior designers or specific marketing functions.

📝 Enhancement Note: Growth in this role will likely involve deepening technical skills, expanding understanding of marketing principles, and demonstrating consistent execution and reliability. Advancement opportunities are tied to expanding responsibilities and taking on more complex or strategic design projects within the college's marketing framework.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: On-site position located within the Marketing Department at the main campus of Highland Community College in Highland, Kansas.

Office Location(s): The primary work location is Highland, KS. Occasional travel may be required to other college campuses (Atchison, KS, and Baileyville, KS) and to external printing vendors.

Workspace Context:

The workspace is expected to be an office setting conducive to computer-based design work, likely equipped with standard office furniture and technology.
Collaboration with the Director of Marketing and other college staff will occur regularly, fostering a communicative and team-oriented environment.
Access to necessary design software and hardware will be provided.
The environment is generally moderate in noise level, typical of an institutional setting.

Work Schedule: Standard full-time hours (40 hours/week), Monday-Friday. While the core schedule is during business hours, flexibility may be required to accommodate college events or critical project deadlines, which could involve occasional evening or weekend work.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site nature of the role emphasizes the importance of in-person collaboration and direct contribution to the college's physical presence and operations. The requirement for occasional travel highlights the need for reliable transportation and adaptability.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

Initial Screening: Review of resume and portfolio to assess qualifications and design aesthetic.
First Interview: Typically with the Director of Marketing. This will likely cover your background, design philosophy, experience with required software, and understanding of brand guidelines. Be prepared to discuss your portfolio and how you approach design challenges.
Skills Assessment/Portfolio Review: A practical exercise or in-depth discussion about your portfolio pieces. You may be asked to walk through specific projects, explaining your creative process, design choices, and how you managed the project lifecycle.
Final Interview: Potentially with other key stakeholders (e.g., a department head, HR representative) to assess cultural fit and overall suitability for the college environment.

Portfolio Review Tips:

Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest, most relevant projects. Prioritize pieces that demonstrate proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and Canva, and showcase your ability to create effective marketing collateral for events or institutional promotion.
Showcase Brand Adherence: Include examples where you successfully applied or adapted brand guidelines. If you have experience creating materials for an educational institution or similar organization, highlight those.
Explain Your Process: For each portfolio piece, be ready to articulate your design thinking: the problem you were solving, your creative approach, challenges encountered, and how you collaborated with stakeholders or managed production.
Quantify Impact (If Possible): While difficult for entry-level roles, if any project had a measurable outcome (e.g., increased event attendance, positive feedback), mention it.
Professional Presentation: Ensure your portfolio is well-organized, visually appealing, and easy to navigate, whether it's a digital PDF or a website.

Challenge Preparation:

Be prepared for a potential design challenge, which might involve creating a social media graphic or a small promotional flyer based on a given brief.
Focus on quickly understanding the requirements, applying brand standards, and producing a clean, effective design within a time limit.
Practice articulating your design choices concisely and justifying them based on the brief and brand guidelines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily emphasize practical design skills and the ability to work within established frameworks. Candidates should prepare to demonstrate not only their creative talent but also their professionalism, communication skills, and understanding of how design serves institutional goals.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

Adobe Creative Suite: Essential proficiency required in Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop for creating a wide range of graphics, layouts, and image manipulations.
Canva: Required for quick creation of social media graphics, presentations, and other digital assets, especially for non-designers or rapid deployment.

Analytics & Reporting:

While not a primary focus for this role, familiarity with how design impacts engagement metrics on social media and websites would be beneficial. The Director of Marketing will likely handle formal reporting. CRM & Automation:
No direct CRM or automation tools are specified for this role. The focus is on content creation rather than campaign management or lead nurturing.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack is heavily design-centric. Candidates must be comfortable with industry-standard design software and adaptable to using a more accessible tool like Canva for specific needs. Understanding how these tools integrate into a broader marketing workflow, even if not directly managed by the designer, is a plus.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

Service-Oriented: A strong commitment to serving students, staff, faculty, and the public in a positive and helpful manner, reflecting the core mission of an educational institution.
Brand Integrity: Upholding and consistently applying the college's brand standards to ensure a unified and professional institutional image.
Collaboration: Working effectively with various departments and individuals, fostering a team environment where ideas are shared and projects are completed collectively.
Efficiency & Resourcefulness: Managing projects and resources effectively, including supplies and vendor relationships, to maximize impact within budget constraints.
Enthusiasm & Energy: Bringing a proactive and positive attitude to daily tasks, contributing to a dynamic and engaging work environment.

Collaboration Style:

Cross-functional Integration: Regular interaction with departments across the college to understand their design needs and translate them into visual communications.
Feedback-Driven: Openness to receiving and incorporating feedback from the Director of Marketing and other stakeholders to refine designs and meet project objectives.
Proactive Communication: Maintaining consistent dialogue with the Director of Marketing and relevant departments to ensure alignment and timely project completion.
Team Support: Willingness to assist colleagues and contribute to the overall success of the marketing department and the college.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture is rooted in the educational mission of the college, prioritizing service, collaboration, and brand consistency. The ideal candidate will be a team player who is enthusiastic about contributing to the college's success and comfortable working within established guidelines.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

Balancing Multiple Demands: Juggling design requests from various departments with competing priorities and deadlines.
Adhering to Brand Standards: Consistently applying established brand guidelines while also being creative and innovative.
Working with Diverse Stakeholders: Effectively communicating with individuals across different departments who may have varying levels of design understanding or expectations.
Resource Management: Managing inventory of design supplies and coordinating with external vendors efficiently.
Adapting to New Technologies: Staying current with design software updates and emerging trends in graphic design and digital media.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

Advanced Design Software Training: Opportunities to deepen expertise in Adobe Creative Suite or explore new design tools and techniques.
Higher Education Marketing Insights: Gaining a comprehensive understanding of marketing strategies specific to educational institutions.
Project Management Skills: Developing capabilities in managing project lifecycles, from brief to execution, with increasing autonomy.
Photography Skills Development: Potential to enhance photography skills through practical application at college events.
Exposure to Marketing Strategy: Learning from the Director of Marketing about broader marketing campaigns, communication planning, and brand strategy.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical for an entry-level role in a multi-faceted organization. Growth opportunities are substantial for someone eager to learn and expand their skillset within the higher education marketing domain, moving beyond basic execution to more strategic contributions.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

"Describe your process for taking a design project from initial concept to final delivery." (Focus on workflow, feedback integration, and quality checks.)
"How do you ensure consistency with brand guidelines when creating different types of marketing materials?" (Highlight your understanding of brand books and systematic application.)
"Walk us through a project in your portfolio that you are particularly proud of. What was the objective, your role, and the outcome?" (Prepare a concise case study focusing on problem-solving and creative execution.)
"How would you approach designing promotional materials for a college event that needs to appeal to both prospective students and the local community?" (Demonstrate your ability to tailor messaging and visuals to different audiences.) Company & Culture Questions:
"What attracts you to working in higher education, specifically at Highland Community College?" (Research the college's mission, programs, and recent news.)
"How do you handle constructive criticism or feedback on your designs?" (Emphasize a willingness to learn and iterate.)
"Describe a time you had to work with multiple stakeholders on a single project. How did you manage their input and expectations?" (Showcase your collaboration and communication skills.)
"What are your thoughts on the importance of brand consistency for an institution like ours?" (Reinforce your understanding of brand value.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:
Tell a Story: For each project, explain the "why" behind your design choices. What problem were you solving? Who was the audience? What was the desired impact?
Highlight Technical Skills: Briefly mention the software and techniques you used, especially Adobe Creative Suite and Canva.
Emphasize Process: Discuss your workflow, how you incorporated feedback, and any challenges you overcame.
Quantify Results (If Possible): If you have any metrics or positive feedback related to your designs, share them.
Keep it Concise: Focus on the most impactful projects and be ready to answer questions rather than presenting a lengthy, uninterrupted monologue.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating both creative talent and an understanding of the operational context of an educational institution. Be ready to articulate your design process, showcase your portfolio effectively, and align your skills with the college's mission and brand.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Graphic Designer position:

Submit your application through the provided Paycom link.
Customize Your Resume: Tailor your resume to highlight skills and experiences directly relevant to graphic design, marketing collateral creation, Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, and any experience in educational or institutional settings. Use keywords from the job description.
Prepare Your Portfolio: Ensure your portfolio is up-to-date, showcases your best work relevant to the role (brochures, social media graphics, event promotions), and clearly demonstrates your proficiency with required software. Be ready to discuss your process for each piece.
Research the College: Familiarize yourself with Highland Community College's mission, programs, current marketing efforts, and brand guidelines (if accessible online). This will help you tailor your application and responses during interviews.
Practice Your Presentation: Rehearse presenting your portfolio and answering common interview questions related to design process, brand adherence, and collaboration.

⚠️ 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.

Graphic Designer