Communications Specialist

Under general supervision, creates engaging content and develops and implements communication plans, and initiatives. Applies professional level knowledge of the marketing and/or communications fields, including working knowledge of a specialty area. This position plays a critical role in supporting the University’s strategic message by engaging key audiences on new and established channels, increasing brand awareness and providing continuity in message strategy among University-wide communications. This position is a key tactician on the strategic communications and marketing staff, serving as the primary writer for StanNews and Merit stories; writing stories for the web and magazine; and developing content.

• Researches, writes and edits communications content for a variety of channels, including web, digital, print and internal communications, ensuring clarity, accuracy and alignment with established messaging.
• Identifies and contributes to the development of brand stories that highlight student, faculty and alumni success, research and University accomplishments.
• Serves as a primary writer for University publications, including but not limited to StanNews, STAN Magazine and Merit stories.
• Creates content for regular campus communications and internal messaging.
• Creates and edits communication materials, including stories, announcements and promotional content for internal and external audiences.
• Assists with the development of writing and messaging related to the comprehensive campaign.
• Assists with scriptwriting and supports video production for use on social media and web platforms.
• Assists with content creation as needed to support communication initiatives.
• Collaborates with departments and stakeholders to identify communication needs and contribute to the development of targeted messaging and materials.
• Contributes to the implementation of marketing and communication plans and campaigns using established strategies and guidelines.
• Ensures internal communication messages are consistent and aligned with brand standards and strategic goals.
• Reviews and edits materials to ensure consistency across communication channels in alignment with brand and editorial standards.
• Maintains and updates communication platforms and content to ensure accuracy, relevance and effectiveness.
• Collaborates with the social media manager to coordinate stories and content for social media platforms.
• Assists in the development, implementation and evaluation of communications, public affairs, and media programs to engage key audiences and support the University’s visibility and reputation.
• Analyzes media trends, audience engagement and communication outcomes to support identification of opportunities for improvement.
• Assists with research and data collection activities to inform communication planning and evaluation.
• Provides input and recommendations for enhancing communication approaches, materials and processes.
• Supports issue management and crisis communication efforts by assisting with content development and message coordination as directed
• Supports media relations activities by assisting with story pitching, responding to reporter requests, routing inquiries and preparing materials.
• Assists with coordinating media inquiries and tracking media coverage. 
• Assists in identifying appropriate spokespersons for media opportunities and situations.
• Supports the development of media-related communications efforts in alignment with established strategies, guidelines and protocols.
• May be required to obtain additional training and/or certification as part of professional development, based on department and/or campus needs, to stay current with industry standards.
• At the direction of appropriate administrator, may provide support to other areas as needed.
• The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, a logical assignment to this classification

Experience: Demonstrates acquired and successfully applied knowledge and abilities shown above may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis. An advanced degree in a related field may be substituted for the required experience on a year-for-year basis.

• Master’s degree in communications, journalism, public relations, marketing, or a related field.
• Three years of progressively responsible professional experience in communications, public relations, media relations, or a related field.
• Prior experience in a CSU or higher education setting.
• Experience supporting communication plans and campaigns using research and audience insights.
• Experience creating and editing content for web, digital, and print channels.
• Experience producing basic multimedia content and coordinating across web and social platforms.
• Experience collaborating with stakeholders to develop clear, audience-focused messaging.
• Experience supporting media relations and related communication activities.

• Working skills and knowledge of marketing, communications, public relations, branding, and/or related disciplines.
• Working knowledge of protocols and institutional etiquette related to public and media relations.
• Working knowledge of copyright and other applicable laws pertaining to publications and the media.
• Skilled in developing and implementing marketing and/or communications strategies and campaigns.
• Strong project planning and organizational skills to plan, organize, and manage multiple marketing projects.
• Strong composition and editing skills to quickly produce clear and concise standard documents for internal and external publication.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to create and deliver marketing initiatives and campaigns.
• Ability to provide lead work direction and training to others.
• Proficiency in using communication and marketing software and tools.
• A background check (which may include fingerprinting, checks of employment records, education records, criminal records, civil records, motor vehicle records, professional licenses, and sex offender registries, as position requires) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate can begin employment with the CSU.

Applications will be processed in accordance with Article 9.3 of the CSU/CSUEU Memorandum of Understanding.  Preference will be given to qualified individuals currently employed at CSU Stanislaus in bargaining units 2, 5, 7, and 9 except when it is determined that it is necessary to appoint outside applicants to meet the best interest of the campus by obtaining specialized skills and abilities not available from current employees.

California State University, Stanislaus serves the San Joaquin Valley and is a critical educational resource for a six-county region of approximately 1.5 million people. The University is fully committed to creating a culture of diversity and inclusion – one in which every person in the University community feels safe to express their views without fear of reprisal. Widely recognized for its quality academic programs, the University has 10 nationally accredited programs and 662 faculty members. 94 percent of full-time faculty holds doctorates or terminal degrees in their fields. The University offers 43 undergraduate majors, 16 master's programs, 7 post-graduate credentials, a doctorate in education and serves more than 10,000 students. New instructional facilities have been built for the unique pedagogy of professional programs, laboratory sciences and performing arts.

Stanislaus State continues to receive national recognition with its ranking as one of the best 384 colleges in the nation by The Princeton Review. The University was one of 12 public universities in the nation to be recognized by the American Association of State Colleges and Universities for demonstrating exceptional performance in retention and graduation rates. In addition, U.S. News and World Report ranks Stanislaus State in its top 10 among public universities in the West, while Washington Monthly honored Stanislaus State as the West’s No. 1 university for the money. Stanislaus State also is recognized as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) by the U.S. Department of Education.

Clery Act Disclosure

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, the annual security report (ASR), is now available for viewing at https://www.csustan.edu/annual-campus-security-report. The ASR contains the current security and safety-related policy statements, emergency preparedness and evacuation information, crime prevention and sexual assault prevention information, and drug and alcohol prevention programming. The ASR also contains statistics of Clery Act crimes for Stanislaus State for the previous three years. A paper copy of the ASR is available upon request by contacting the office of the Clery Director located at One University Circle, Turlock, CA 95382.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The university is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against persons on the basis of race, religion, color, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, medical condition, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, covered veteran status, or any other protected status. All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply.  The person holding this position is considered a ‘mandated reporter’ under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083, revised 7/21/17, as a condition of employment.

Applicants requiring necessary accommodations to the application process may contact the Human Resources Department at (209) 667-3351.  California Relay Service is available at (800) 735-2922 voice and (800) 735-2929 TDD.  As a federal contractor, we are committed to attracting a diverse applicant pool.  Please consider completing the Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability form (your response will not be shared with the search committee) at:  Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability PDF Form.

CSU Stanislaus hires only individuals lawfully authorized to work in the United States.  In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.

The CSU is a state entity whose business operations reside within the State of California. The CSU prohibits hiring employees to perform CSU-related work outside California.

The individuals who appear to be the best qualified for this position will be contacted by telephone or email for an interview.

INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS ANNOUNCEMENT MAY BE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE

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