Communications Specialist

Payroll Title: Writer

Job Code: 007704

Job Open Date: 5/9/25

Application Review Begins: 5/27/25; open until filled

Department Code (Name): ENGR (DEAN COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING)

Percentage of Time: 100%

Union Code (Name): TX (Technical Professionals)

Employee Class (Appointment Type): Staff (Career)

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Classified Indicator Description (Personnel Program): PSS

Salary Grade: STEPS

Pay Rate/Range: The budgeted hourly range the University reasonable expects to pay is $28.58 to $32.07/hr. 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 hourly range is $28.28 to $34.34/hr.

Work Location: 1024 Harold Frank Hall

Working Days and Hours: M-F; 8am-5pm

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 College of Engineering at UCSB is noted for its excellence in teaching, research, and service to the community, infused by a spirit of entrepreneurship in education, scholarly activity and participation in engineering practice. Our mission is to provide our students with a firm grounding in scientific and mathematical fundamentals; experience in analysis, synthesis, and design of engineering systems; and exposure to current engineering practice and cutting edge engineering research and technology. The College has an enrollment of approximately 1,500 undergraduate students and 700 graduate students with a full-time, permanent faculty of 165, and offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs in seven departments including Biological Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Materials, Mechanical Engineering and Technology Management.

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:

Reporting to College of Engineering's (COE's) Director of Marketing and Communications, is responsible for researching, creating and posting compelling content to increase awareness of the pioneering interdisciplinary research taking place within the college by faculty, students, and staff. Ultimately, this position will play an essential role in strengthening and improving the college and university's reputation and standing in the academic community. Must also be able to take complex processes and translate them into exciting, small and easy-to- understand stories, breaking down the science into terms that the general public can follow. In collaboration with COE's Marketing Department team members, the individual will develop content for the college and COE-affiliated webpages and marketing materials, including writeups on research performed and recognitions received by current and former members of the COE community; student/faculty profiles; recruitment brochures; social media platforms; and development efforts. Managed content creation and oversee the college's social media platforms, i.e. LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Facebook; developing campaigns to increase visibility and engagement; engaging and responding to comments and inquiries on various platforms in a timely manner; researching new opportunities for growth and brand recognition in and through social media; and generates and evaluates analytic reports.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in communications or related field or equivalent experience and/or training.
• 4-6 years of experience researching and writing creative content for printed or digital publications.
• 4-6 years of experience managing or contributing to social media platforms to develop and strengthen brand recognition reputation.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 1-3 years of experience with Drupal or other content management systems.
• 1-3 years of experience writing about complex scientific work.
• 1-3 years of experience taking photographs and video to supplement a published article.
• Thorough skills in understanding and effectively utilizing all news / media mediums including broadcast news, the internet, social media and other emerging technologies.
• Thorough written, verbal and interpersonal communications skills, including a strong sense of a good story and understanding of the topics that may be of interest to various publics and will incorporate key location messages.
• Good judgment, political acumen, and thorough organizational skills.
• Thorough knowledge of the location, its achievements, mission, vision, goals, objectives, programs and infrastructure.
• Thorough knowledge of the concepts and principles of news, media communications and media relations.

Special Conditions of Employment:

• Availability to work nights, weekends, and holidays based on sporting event schedules.
• Mandated reporting requirements of Child Abuse
• 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% Writing/Public Information Rep - Researches, writes, and publishes creative content for a variety of internal and external communications for the COE and COE community. Ensures the clarity, organization, accuracy, style, and quality of all written work. Regularly checks in with COE faculty and staff to develop and identify "newsworthy" content to share.
• 35% Media Manager - Manages content creation and oversees the college's social media platforms, i.e. LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Facebook. Develops campaigns to increase visibility and engagement. Engages and responds to comments and inquiries on various platforms in a timely manner. Researches new opportunities for growth and brand recognition in and through social media.
• 5% Marketing Team Member - Participates in weekly marketing and communications team meetings to discuss prioritization and opportunities for collaboration.

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 Employment Opportunity:

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.

Reasonable Accommodations:

The University of California endeavors to make https://jobs.ucsb.edu accessible to any and all users. If you would like to contact us regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please contact Katherine Abad in Human Resources at 805-893-4664 or email katherine.abad@hr.ucsb.edu. This contact information is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.

Privacy Notification Statement:

Privacy Notification Statement and Notice of Availability of the UCSB Annual Security and Fire Safety Report Disclosures

Application Status: If you would like to check the status of your application, please log into the Candidate Gateway where you applied and click on 'my activities'.