Student Affairs Communication Specialist ~ Internal Only Recruitment

California State University, Monterey Bay is a mid-sized university in California’s Central Coast that grants undergraduate and graduate degrees. Powered by an inspiring Founding Vision Statement, CSUMB is part of the nation’s largest four-year public university system, California State University, which educates nearly 460,000 students every year. 

With a vibrant, diverse student body of over 7,000 students, CSU Monterey Bay is both a Minority Serving Institution and a Hispanic Serving Institution. Our staff and faculty transform students’ lives with a focus on student success and engagement through experiential learning, service learning, and a strong emphasis on multicultural and global perspectives. CSUMB’s sustainability goal is to be carbon neutral by 2030. 

The university’s Strategic Plan prioritizes inclusive excellence through recruiting and investing in developing a diverse body of faculty, staff and administrators. Many appreciate living and working close to the shores of beautiful Monterey Bay, with easy access to recreational areas from Big Sur to Santa Cruz. Nearby opportunities for collaborative research include working in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary and Silicon Valley, and with colleagues at local research universities, including UC Santa Cruz and Stanford University.

As one of the 22 campuses in the CSU system, CSUMB offers excellent benefits, including access to below-market-rate rental housing on East Campus, and competitive salaries for faculty and staff. With proximity to the San Francisco Bay Area and San Jose, opportunities for faculty, staff and students are as endless as the shores of the nearby Pacific Ocean.

Under the supervision of the Associate Vice President of Student Affairs & Dean of Students, and general direction of the Director of Communications for Enrollment Management and Student Affairs, the Student Affairs Communications Specialist is responsible for developing, planning, managing, reviewing, and implementing a wide range of communications in support of Student Affairs, Student Life and the departments within, programs and activities through all media platforms and other forms of communication, including Otter Be Involved, social media platforms, web content, annual reports, press releases, scripts, and presentations. Additionally, the Communications Specialist will facilitate collaboration between any department-based communication staff (professional and student staff) to promote Student Affairs, congruent marketing messages, and project a positive, consistent image.

1. →Develops, organizes and edits content for print, digital/social, email and web publications; writes, edits and/or proofs materials in a complete, accurate and timely manner; works with campus partners and vendors on layout and brand consistency of publications; assists in the development of products for use in educating and encouraging involvement of students. Leads long-range editorial planning and strategy for Student Affairs and Student Life needs, providing consistency of messaging across all formats; continually seeking new techniques for communicating information in both print and digital platforms; develops themes and concepts in overseeing creation of content and communication materials. Oversees publications and marketing outreach functions; regulates the Student Life digital signage; establishes operating procedures and provides recommendations on marketing/communications processes for Student Life departments and programs.
2. →Develops strategies to promote the image of Student Affairs, Student Life, and the university; determines effective techniques and approaches for reaching target audiences; identifies the needs and interests of various constituent groups; conceive communication and marketing concepts, ideas and campaigns for departments of Student Affairs and Student Life. Support daily operations and strategic oversight of student success platforms including, but not limited to, MyRaft and NearPeer.
3. →Creates and maintains relationships with individuals and departments on campus. Works closely with campus partners to create strategic marketing to support the division of Student Affairs and Student Life. Construct a network of appropriate vendors to support product purchases for the needs of Student Affairs and Student Life.  Participates in various campus committees and large-scale campus events.
4. →Supervises Student Life student marketing and communications interns. Delivers workshops and other presentations in small and large group settings; trains student leaders, student employees, and staff on various technology and basic marketing concepts. Recommends equipment and technology tools. Records and tracks the current of technology devices or equipment owned by Student Life.
5. →Contributes to departmental program review, annual reports, strategic planning, and goal setting; attends seminars and conferences to maintain program and professional development.

1. Perform other job-related duties and special projects as assigned.

Entry to this classification requires knowledge of the fundamentals of public affairs and/or media relations, and/or some exposure to marketing and marketing research.  This background normally is obtained through a college degree, which includes relevant coursework in the field, and up to two years of related professional or technical experience. In addition, strong written and verbal communication skills with a solid foundation in grammar, spelling, and the composition of various communication vehicles are essential to initial entry to this classification.

Master’s degree and/or two years of progressively responsible experience in developing and deploying communications strategies. General knowledge in management tools such as Photoshop, InDesign, Dreamweaver, Illustrator, and Adobe Creative Suite. Experience with Microsoft Suite and Google Suite. Demonstrated technical literacy. Technical fluency with Oracle/PeopleSoft, CSU Common Management System or equivalent student information systems. Ability to coordinate the efforts of professional staff in the accomplishment of marketing and communications goals.

• All offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of a background check (including a criminal records check).
• The person holding this position will have a duty to report to the Campus Title IX Officer information pertaining to discrimination, harassment, sexual misconduct, sexual exploitation, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, and retaliation and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order EO 1095, EO 1096, and EO 1097 as a condition of employment.
• 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  as a condition of employment. 
• This position has been designated as a sensitive position with responsibility for:
  • the care, safety and security of people (including children and minors), animals and CSU property
  • responsibility or access/possession of building master or sub-master keys for building access; control over campus business processes, either through functional roles or system security access
• This position is required to comply with confidentiality requirements outlined in the Department of Education’s Family Educational Rights and Privacy and California’s Educational Code Chapter 13 regarding sensitive student issues.
• This position is designated as a Campus Security Authority (CSA).  The position is required to participate in training at the direction of the Clery Director and must also promptly report allegations of reportable crimes according to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, its accompanying regulations; the California State Education Code, Chapter 15.5, of the Donahoe Higher Education Act, Section 67380; and the California State University system-wide policy, Code EO 1107.
• May require occasional evenings and/or weekend work.

Office environment with standard equipment and tasks. The position requires working at a computer and desk for extended periods of time.  May require travel between campus offices and off-campus locations. 

The health and safety of our students, faculty, and staff remain our highest priority. While on campus, students, faculty, staff, and the community will be expected to follow all campus safety mandates.  

To receive full consideration, applicants must complete and submit the required online application by the priority screening date listed on the Careers at CSUMB website. Applications received after this date may be reviewed at the University’s discretion. All submitted materials become the property of CSUMB and will not be returned.

Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified applicants with disabilities who self-disclose by contacting Human Resources at (831) 582-3389 or emailinghumanresources@csumb.edu

All employees must be eligible for employment in the U.S.

Education Code 89521 Requirements: Applicants will be required to disclose whether they have received a final administrative decision or final judicial decision determining that they have committed sexual harassment within the last 7 years only after a determination is made that they meet the minimum qualifications for the position, and before an offer of employment is extended. Applicants who reach the final stages of the application process must also sign a release form that authorizes the release of information by the applicant’s current and/or former employers to the CSU concerning any substantiated allegations of misconduct.

CSUMB hires only individuals lawfully authorized to work in the United States and is an E-Verify employer. In compliance with federal crime awareness and campus security legislation, including the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics, you can view the notice of availability and access the Cal State University, Monterey Bay annual security and fire safety reports at https://csumb.edu/clery/asr-and-fsr-notices-availability/.

CSUMB is a smoke and tobacco-free campus.

CSUMB is an Equal Opportunity employer seeking to recruit and support a broadly diverse community of faculty and staff. We value and celebrate diversity in all its forms and strive to foster an inclusive culture built on respect that affirms inter-group relations and builds cohesion. We consider qualified applicants for employment for their anticipated contributions and without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, medical condition, pregnancy, marital status, veteran status, or disability.

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