Communications Specialist 3

Position Number: 41147352

Payroll Title: Communications Specialist 3

Job Code: 007477

Job Open Date: 1/8/25

Application Review Begins: 1/24/25; open until filled

Department Code (Name): SOSC (SOCIAL SCIENCES)

Percentage of Time: 100%

Union Code (Name): 99 (Non-Represented)

Employee Class (Appointment Type): Staff (Career)

FLSA Status: Exempt

Classified Indicator Description (Personnel Program): PSS

Salary Grade: Grade 22

Pay Rate/Range: The budgeted salary range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $77,000 to $80,000/year. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience; the budget for the position; and the application of fair, equitable, and consistent pay practices at the University. The full salary range for this position is $77,000 to $139,200/year.

Work Location: 2217 Cheadle Hall

Working Days and Hours: M-F; 8.00am - 5.00pm

Benefits Eligibility: Full Benefits

Type of Remote or Hybrid Work Arrangement, if applicable: Hybrid (Both UC & Non-UC locations)

Special Instructions:

For full consideration, please include a resume and a cover letter as part of your application.

Department Marketing Statement:

The Division of Social Sciences at UC Santa Barbara has four guiding principles: -to generate new knowledge about society, both locally and globally, with an emphasis on issues of pressing contemporary importance: -To make this knowledge accessible to diverse publics, with practical contributions to social justice and the common good; -To provide undergraduates with first rate Social Science education, which consolidates their critical analytical skills, provides experience-based learning opportunities, and leaves them well-prepared for the job market; -To train the next generation of Social Science scholars, to serve as researchers, professors, and purveyors of specialized knowledge in diverse settings. The Division of Social Sciences consists of twelve departments and numerous thematic clusters, programs and centers, with a mandate for world-class research from a wide range of disciplinary and interdisciplinary perspectives. Interdisciplinary study is characterized by a crossing of academic borders and boundaries. Social Sciences is a vibrant academic community that embraces and promotes intellectual, socioeconomic and ethnic diversity.

Benefits of Belonging:

Working at UC means being part of this vibrant institution that shines a light on what is possible. People make UC great, and UC recognizes your contributions by making this a great place to work. Excellent retirement and health are just one of the rewards. Learn more about the benefits of working at UC

Brief Summary of Job Duties:

Under the direction of the Dean of Social Sciences, the Communications Specialist provides strategic communications leadership for the Division of Social Sciences, in telling the story of our accomplishments and amplifying their impact among diverse publics locally, nationally and globally. The Specialist will oversee and create content for media, official publications, web and social media communications, brand identity and outreach materials to raise the visibility of the Division of Social Sciences. Content includes stories about the Division's programs and initiatives, features about faculty and students and most important, translation of our cutting-edge research into forms accessible to diverse audiences. Counsels the Dean on internal and external communications issues and develop strategies to effectively draw departments and centers into communications activities and networks. Promotes an integrated, multi-platform approach to leverage media relations, in support of research and development initiatives, to build the Division's reputation, promote key goals, and support professional and donor cultivation efforts. This may also include activities focused on Alums of the Division of Social Sciences. Displays strong independent judgment to ensure that all materials and coverage of Social Sciences adhere to university communications policies and best practices.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training.
• 4-6 years relevant work experience in communications, including internal communications.
• 4-6 years demonstrated work experience regarding the creation, development, and implementation of long and short-term strategic communication plans.
• 4-6 years experience in higher education and/or the public sector, and/or in a highly decentralized organization.
• Solid written, verbal, interpersonal communications, active listening and political acumen skills.
• Solid skills to create, develop, and implement comprehensive long and short term strategic communications plans.
• Knowledge and skills to advise and consult with management to ensure delivery of the desired message to the target and / or broad general audiences.
• Knowledge and understanding of technical applications to effectively direct technical staff, or personally perform technical work, including design concepts, various media, and applications.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of the organization, its achievements, mission, vision, goals, policies, practices, infrastructure, and a strong knowledge of current affairs, and issues in higher education and / or social sciences.
• Knowledge of all aspects of communications, including strategic planning for various media venues, technical aspects and requirements of various venues, and most appropriate and effective applications.

Special Conditions of Employment:

• Satisfactory conviction history background check
• UCSB is a Tobacco-Free environment

Misconduct Disclosure Requirement:

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegation or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

"Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:

UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

Job Functions and Percentages of Time:

• 60% Communication and Media Relations: - Drafts, edits, and distributes content, including articles, press releases, newsletters and social media posts, web content and marketing copy. Coordinates with faculty, staff and students in 12 Social Science departments, five major Research Centers and multiple Programs and Initiatives to gather information and stories that highlight the Division's achievements and objectives. Writes articles about Divisional events. Collects data on Divisional achievements (faculty, students, staff, admin); organizes this information for easy access, and reports on the achievements in a variety of media venues. Monitors media coverage, social media engagement, and website activity, compiling analytics to gauge the effectiveness of communication strategies. Responds to media inquiries by organizing and documenting information. Prepares faculty, students, and staff for media opportunities. Ensures that all communications are DEI-informed and ADA compliant. Collaborates with other UCSB academic units and external partners to support interdisciplinary projects, initiatives and education. Acts as main liaison to Office of Public Affairs & Communications, disseminating information appropriately and in a timely manner to ensure that the Division is represented in official publications and materials, in support of overall university communication goals. Helps gather performance metrics for social media and stories that get placed in the media.

• 20% Events Management - Independently plans, develops, and implements strategies for high-profile academic events (e.g. UC Social Sciences Deans Meeting, Center Director, Departmental and Student activities), and works in conjunction with our development team to support development-oriented activities (e.g. Dean's Cabinet)-all in coordination with Dean's Development office staff. Secures dates, invites and preps speakers and guests, works with vendors, and handles all logistics for campus and community events. Follows up with vendors to ensure bills are paid in a timely manner and sends Attends rehearsals and sound checks, schedule site visits and troubleshoots as needed to ensure smooth and seamless execution. Executes events management with a high level of autonomy, but in consultation with the Divisional Assistant Dean on all budgetary matters. Takes and maintains a library of photographs of all events in the Division.

• 10% Grant Administration and Communication - Acts as liaison for the administration of Divisional sponsored grants to faculty members and students, with specific focus on preparing and updating submission materials, sending out call for nominations to faculty members and tracking submissions. Drafts memos relating to award administration on behalf of the Division.

• 5% Special Projects - Seeks out stories that lend themselves to multimedia or digital presentation. Acts as producer/coordinator for videos and photos produced on behalf of Social Sciences, including consultation with appropriate staff, identifying video/photo subjects, scheduling shoots, writing scripts or questions, attending video/photo shoots and consulting on editing. Consults and coordinates website design and development for the Division and its departments. Uses knowledge of social media best practices to maximize impact and presence of the division/departments/centers. Executes multimedia projects independently and in keeping with the best interests of the Division and University.

• 5% Content Management - Is responsible for maintaining and updating the Divisional website with new visual and written content on a weekly basis. Updates website on behalf of other divisional staff members as needed (uploading and editing).

UC Vaccination Programs Policy:

As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California Policy on Vaccinations Programs.
As a condition of Physical Presence at a Location or in a University Program, all Covered Individuals* must participate in any applicable Vaccination Program by providing proof that they are Up-to-Date with any required Vaccines or submitting a request for Exception in a Mandate Program or properly declining vaccination in an Opt-Out Program no later than the Compliance Date (Capitalized terms in this paragraph are defined in the policy.). Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.

For more information, please visit:

* UC Santa Barbara COVID-19 Information - https://www.ucsb.edu/COVID-19-information
* University of California Policy on Vaccinations - https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/5000695/VaccinationProgramsPolicy

*Covered Individuals: A Covered Individual includes anyone designated as Personnel or Students under this Policy who physically access a University Facility or Program in connection with their employment, appointment, or education/training. A person accessing a Healthcare Location as a patient, or an art, athletics, entertainment, or other publicly accessible venue at a Location as a member of the public, is not a Covered Individual.

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Statement:

UC Santa Barbara is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status.
For the University of California's Affirmative Action Policy, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4010393/PPSM-20.
For the University of California's Anti-Discrimination Policy, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination.

Reasonable Accommodations:

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