Position available: Web / Print Designer
Application deadline: May 21, 2008

Description
The Great Lakes Commission seeks a self-motivated team player to manage and enhance its web site (www.glc.org), assist with the development and maintenance of the Great Lakes Information Network (GLIN, www.great-lakes.net) web portal, design project-related web sites, and lay out and design the Commission's print publications.

The position is a full time, renewable 12-month appointment. The Great Lakes Commission offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package that includes (among others) medical, dental and optical insurance. The Commission also has an outstanding pension program through TIAA-CREF.

Responsibilities
The web / print designer is responsible for developing and maintaining attractive and effective designs for Commission publications, educational/promotional materials and web sites. The individual will work collaboratively with all of the Commission's program areas, supporting online initiatives as well as printed documents and special publications. The web / print designer will act as lead on assigned design tasks while providing maintenance and support to existing web sites.

Specific responsibilities include the following:

• Design, maintain and update www.glc.org, GLIN, conference web sites and online registrations, and other related web sites
• Produce and optimize graphics and designs that are elegant and effective for intended audience(s)
• Hand-code HTML pages, including DHTML, CSS, and basic JavaScript
• Create brochures, newsletters, reports, large-format posters, and other publications based on desired specifications and outcomes
• Manage publications from early concept through pre-press
• Collaborate and multi-task with the Commission's staff on the web/print design for multiple projects
• Revise web and print designs for final production based on in-house review sessions

Visit the Communications and Internet Technology program area online to learn more about the program, its work and accomplishments. To learn more about the Great Lakes Commission, please visit our About the Commission web pages, read our Advisor newsletter, or read one of our annual reports.

This position is based at the Great Lakes Commission office in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Qualifications
The ideal candidate will have strong, demonstrated experience in web and print design, web site creation and management, and the pre-print preparation of files and artwork.

Required skills include the following:

• Proficiency in Adobe CS programs: Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Flash and Acrobat
• Proficiency in Dreamweaver or other hand-coding software
• Proficiency in managing web sites and information architecture
• Demonstrated experience in creating optimized, accessible web graphics and standards-compliant web pages
• Demonstrated experience in creating and revising publication layouts and designs, selecting appropriate color combinations, and optimizing use of color and layout to stay within budget
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate and work as part of an information/graphic design team

Additional, preferred skills include the following:

• Bachelor's degree in graphic design, communications, or related disciplines
• Communications experience, especially writing, editing, knowledge of AP Style
• Experience with audience analysis and usability testing
• Experience with standard Microsoft Office programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Experience in administering MySQL databases using phpMyAdmin software
• Experience in managing email lists
• Experience with photography, illustration
• Experience in program development and grant writing
• Familiarity with the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence region and environmental and economic issues

Applying for this position
The requirements for this application include a cover letter, resume, samples of print and web designs, three references, salary history and desired starting salary. Please note: All of these items must be provided if applicant is to receive consideration.

Application Deadline: Sunday, May 21, 2008
Please submit your application by mail, e-mail, or fax to us at the following address:

Great Lakes Commission
ATTN. Christine Manninen, Program Manager
Eisenhower Corporate Park
2805 S. Industrial Hwy., Suite 100
Ann Arbor, MI 48104-6791
E-mail: manninen@glc.org
Fax: 734-971-9150

No phone calls, please.

Note: The Great Lakes Commission, as an equal opportunity employer, complies with applicable federal and state laws prohibiting discrimination. It is the policy of the Great Lakes Commission that no person shall be discriminated against, as an employee or applicant for employment, because of race, color, national origin, religion, age, sex, height, weight, sexual orientation, marital status, partisan considerations or a disability or genetic information that is unrelated to the person’s ability to perform the duties of a particular job or position.

The Great Lakes Commission, chaired by Lt. Gov. John Cherry (Mich.), is a nonpartisan, binational compact agency established under state and U.S. federal law and dedicated to promoting a strong economy, healthy environment and high quality of life for the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence region and its residents. The Commission consists of governors' appointees, state legislators, and agency officials from its eight member states. Associate membership for Ontario and Québec was established through the signing of a "Declaration of Partnership." The Commission maintains a formal Observer program involving U.S. and Canadian federal agencies, tribal authorities, binational agencies and other regional interests. The Commission offices are located in Ann Arbor, Michigan.