2013 Agricultural Communications Reorganization Plan

2013 Reorganization Plan-pdf
Organizational Chart-pdf

In today’s reality of growing demand and shrinking budgets, Agricultural Communications Services has endeavored to continue to provide services it has provided historically while adding to its list of services as new technologies and needs have been identified. This cannot continue and as a result, two surveys and an external review team were called upon to take a look at the unit and where it needs to focus its efforts in the future.

These three products along with discussions within the unit itself and with administration have led to a new organizational plan for the unit. Part of this plan calls for the elimination of some services or products to better utilize existing staff in areas of consistent or increasing demand. Some of these changes will occur immediately while others will be phased-in with the overall plan to be completely implemented by July 1, 2013.

Work will be aligned with key college and extension goals, mission, and strategies. We will work annually with college administration to set these priorities. Jobs will be prioritized based on these. Some jobs will be turned down or placed at the rear of the queue with realization some may not be done. We will work with those requesters to find alternative means to accomplish their projects.

Any web development, photo, graphic design, exhibit, publication (including e-pubs), e-learning, marketing and video projects submitted for consideration to Ag Com must use the appropriate project forms. Faculty or staff submitting grant proposals that will include a communications component should include Ag Com in the initial discussions to allow for more efficient and effective products and use of Ag Com resources.

• Eliminate radio production. Specialists who wish to continue to produce audio pieces on timely issues can do so by contacting Ag Com.
• Discontinue DVD library all videos are now uploaded to web.
• Discontinue uploading old videos to web
• Discontinue making plot signs for field days
• Discontinue making signs for CES offices – Ag Comm will provide the graphics
• Discontinue making road signs for events/field days
• No photographs of departmental awards or individual county level photos
• E-learning module production and other large projects will be limited to a certain number annually to provide efficient and effective outcomes. These numbers will be determined in early 2013.

The organizational structure and key components of each area are listed below. This does not list each and every duty of staff within these sections.

Marketing communications
• provide expertise to COA marketing committee
• graphic design
• magazine
• photography
• video/audio team
• college social media management
• exhibits
• Develop marketing tools
• marketing training
Web development, programming and applications
• Programming
• Drupal team (developer and graphic designer)
• Application development
• Web site manager training
• Content management (work collaborating with pubs unit)
Publications management
• graphic design (will work collaboratively/be cross-trained with those in marketing for more efficient workload/flow.
• editing
• proof reading
• content management (work with web development to design system for COA)
• distribution center
• print shop
• extension mail
Information technology
• DEITCs
• systems
• smart classroom support
• video conferencing/recording with life size
• IT training
• Helpdesk
News
• press releases
• magazine writing/editing (works with marketing group for design and publications for printing)
• agent exclusives
• media training
• Ag news social media
• news conference coordination
• video news production- is also member of marketing video team
• media relations
E-Learning production
Work with Extension subject-matter experts to produce storyboards for courses.
• Design and develop effective modules using Lectora, Articulate Storyline, Flash, HTML5, JavaScript, Captivate and other development applications
• Design graphics for use in eLearning modules
• Assist faculty and Extension educators in developing appropriate content, activities, and assessments for eLearning delivery
• Develop appropriate interactive components (animations, role-play, scenarios, etc.)
Main office
• Director
• Business manager
• staff support