Athletic Communications Coordinator

HOW TO APPLY

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INITIAL REVIEW DATE (IRD)

UC Santa Cruz jobs are posted until filled. All application materials submitted by 11:59 pm on the IRD will be routed to the hiring team for consideration. NOTE: Applicants who miss the IRD are still encouraged to apply; their materials will still be forwarded for consideration if requested by the hiring team. Application materials cannot be accepted outside of the jobs portal. Applications cannot be edited on an applicant's behalf. For more information about the IRD and the applicant review process, view this link.

The IRD for this job is: 07-30-2026

ABOUT UC SANTA CRUZ

UC Santa Cruz is a public university like no other in California, combining the experience of a small, liberal arts college with the depth and rigor of a major research university. It's known as an unconventional place where innovation and experimentation is part of the campus's DNA. That playful, bold spirit still thrives today, all on a campus renowned as among the most beautiful in the world.

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

At UC Santa Cruz, we strive to enrich the total educational experience by promoting physical activity, encouraging health and wellness, creating and shaping community, and cultivating direction. Through our diverse offerings in athletics, classes, workshops, outdoor trips, intramural sports leagues, tournaments, clubs, drop-in activities, and recreational facilities, we strive to provide opportunities for UCSC students, staff and faculty, retirees, alumni, and local community members to participate.

As one of the largest student employers on campus, we also have many work-study and non-work student jobs in our facilities and programs. Our goal is to provide a wide variety of professional programs and physical activities that promote and enhance community, learning, motivational skills, lifelong wellness, and academic achievement. Situated on 2,000 acres among the redwoods and overlooking the Monterey Bay, UC Santa Cruz serves nearly 18,000 undergraduate and graduate students. The Athletics and Recreation Department is comprised of 15 varsity sports programs, competitive and recreational club sports, and recreational programming for the campus as well as the community.

More information can be found at: https://goslugs.com

JOB SUMMARY

The Athletic Communications Coordinator assists in all facets of athletic communications by promoting and publicizing the UC Santa Cruz Athletics and Recreation Department. This position reports directly to the Director of Athletic Communications and will serve as a key media and athletic communications contact for assigned UC Santa Cruz NCAA programs. This position will also assist in planning and implementing a communication strategy for the entire UCSC Department of Athletics and Recreation.

This position may be responsible for hiring, processing personnel paperwork for, and in some cases directly supervising one or more student employees in the department. This position will work collaboratively with the Director of Athletic Communications and student assistants.

APPOINTMENT INFORMATION

Budgeted Salary: By Agreement Appointment - $37,500/annually
Under California law, the University of California, Santa Cruz is required to post a reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role. The salary shown above is the budgeted amount the University reasonably expects to pay and the salary extended should not exceed this posted amount.

Benefits Level Eligibility: This position is NOT eligible for benefits

Schedule Information:

• By Agreement Full-time, Variable
• By Agreement: 40 Hours per Week
• Days of the Week: Mon-Fri, weekends as needed
• Shift Includes: Day, evening, weekend

Employee Classification: Contract appointment

Job End Date: 06/30/2027, with the possibility of extension

Work Location: UC Santa Cruz Main Campus

Union Representation: Non-Represented

Job Code Classification: ATH PROFL 2 BYA (005172)

Travel: Up to 25% of the time

JOB DUTIES

80% - Athletic Communications

• Assists the Director of Athletic Communications with the coverage of all 15 varsity sports.
• Serves as the primary contact for assigned sports producing online team record books, preparing pre-game information, game programs, game stories, news releases, statistics, generating feature stories, video highlights, social media coverage, including graphic design, and other unique coverage for GoSlugs.com.
• Maintains close daily working relationships with UC Santa Cruz student-athletes and coaches in the department in order to develop story ideas and stay informed of information and developments in college sports while also collaborating with the Director of Athletic Communications.
• Assists in the planning and management of home, post season events, and select away events.
• Assists in developing strategies to build campus spirit, attendance, and visibility around athletic events.
• Establishes and maintains positive relations with media.
• Coordinates special projects/tasks and provides assistance on projects as assigned.
• Photographs assigned department-wide events, including recreational content collection when necessary.
• Oversees and manages or executes live stats for various sports.

20% - Departmental and Event Oversight

• Hires, processes personnel paperwork for, and in some cases directly supervises one or more student employees in the department.
• Hires and oversees Sammy the Slug student staff.
• Assists with home contest student staffing with management of WhenToWork scheduling.
• Serves as onsite supervisor of student staff on game days with assigned events.
• Works alongside Head Coaches to understand home event needs and preferences.
• Assists with development of Championship hosting experience.
• Assists with marquee event planning and presentation.
• Drives a personal or university vehicle to on and off campus event site locations to perform essential functions of the position.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training preferably in sports journalism, communications or related field.
• Demonstrated experience in sports reporting, writing, editorial, website management, photography, and video production, with specific experience in the areas of college sports information management and sports journalism strongly preferred.
• Effective skills in working with colleagues to best promote the University's strategic interests through sports reporting, writing, editorial, website management, photography, video production, graphic design and social media.
• Strong understanding and enthusiasm for sports as well as a familiarity with NCAA and Conference rules and regulations and NCAA statistics rules for various sports.
• Demonstrated effectiveness and clarity of written and verbal communication.
• Strong interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to handle activities and highly confidential information with patience, discretion, and tact.
• Able to operate computers with basic Microsoft Office software (i.e., Word, Excel, Outlook), associated professional software (i.e., Adobe InDesign, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Premier or Final Cut Pro, PrestoStats, NCAA Live Stats, and social media platforms).
• Demonstrated understanding of the use of technology to achieve annual goals and maintain confidentiality.
• Able to operate cameras, video equipment, and other digital media.
• Strong organizational skills, with the ability to handle multiple tasks and meet deadlines with accuracy.
• Ability to work both independently and as a collaborative member of the department and College in support of the College's strategic vision and the department annual goals with a high standard of integrity and ethics.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Ability to follow all written and verbal instructions, asking questions as needed for clarification of projects/tasks/duties/assignments.
• Sufficient leadership skills to supervise, facilitate, motivate and inspire a highly diverse group of student employees.
  

SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Selected candidate will be required to pass a pre-employment criminal history background check.
• Selected candidate must pass the employment misconduct disclosure process.
• Must possess a valid license to drive in the state of California and participate in the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) pull notice program.
• Ability to work long periods of time at a computer with or without accommodation.
• Ability to work in conditions of variable temperature/weather with possible exposure to strong, unpleasant odors, high levels of noise and vibrations, and exposure to dust and allergens.
• Ability to sustain exposure to dusty, noisy environments and inclement weather as necessary to carry out assigned duties and responsibilities.
• Ability to safely perform the physical requirements necessary to move light to moderate objects up to 60 lbs., with or without accommodation.
• The selected candidate will be required to work all scheduled hours on-site.
• Ability to work a variable schedule including evenings and weekends.
• Ability to travel to multiple work locations on and off campus.
• Ability to travel within a defined regional or service area.
• Ability to travel nationally.
• Ability to travel internationally.
• Ability to maintain appearance and conduct suitable for working in a professional setting.
• Selected candidate will be required to complete training within established time frames as directed including UC compliance training.
• The University of California has implemented a Vaccination Policy covering all employees. Employees, including new hires, are required to comply with any applicable policies relating to the University of California vaccine program.
• Per the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA), this position has been identified as a Mandated Reporter. The selected candidate will be required to report known or suspected child abuse or neglect as defined by CANRA and will be required to sign a Statement Acknowledging Requirement to Report Child Abuse prior to commencing employment. CANRA Penal Codes, and related definitions, requirements, and responsibilities may be obtained here.
• Exercise the utmost discretion in managing sensitive information learned in the course of performing their duties. Sensitive information includes but is not limited to employee and student records, health and patient records, financial data, strategic plans, proprietary information and any other sensitive or non-public information learned during the course and scope of employment. Understands that sensitive information should be shared on a limited basis and actively takes steps to limit access to sensitive information to individuals who have legitimate business need to know. Ensure that sensitive information is properly safeguarded. Follow all organizational policies and laws on data protection and privacy. This includes secure handling of physical and digital records and proper usage of IT systems to prevent data leaks. The unauthorized or improper disclosure of confidential work-related information obtained from any source on any work-related matter is a violation of these expectations.

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 allegations 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

SAFETY STATEMENT

All UCSC employees must understand and follow job safety procedures, attend required health and safety training, proactively promote safety at work, and promptly report actual and potential accidents and injuries.

NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY

EEO/AA

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 categories covered by the UC Anti-Discrimination Policy.

It is the policy of the University of California to undertake affirmative action and anti-discrimination efforts, consistent with its obligations as a Federal and State contractor.