Position Summary

(Classified as: Public Affairs/Communications Specialist I)

Full-time temporary position available on or after February 6, 2023 and ending on or before February 5, 2024 in Student Affairs. (Appointment will be made for one year from date of hire with the possibility of reappointment and/or becoming permanent based on budget, department needs, and job performance.)

Under the general supervision of the Assistant Vice President for Operations, Planning and Assessment the Communications Assistant and the day-to-day direction of the Student Affairs Communications Specialist. The Communications Assistant works with a team providing communication and messaging across the Division of Student Affairs, with an emphasis on Student Engagement and Well-being.

The Communications Assistant works collaboratively with internal and external groups in the areas of website, email, social media, video and other multi-media.

The Communications Assistant works in conjunction with the Communications Specialist to execute a variety of creative projects focused, but not limited to the Student Engagement and Well-being unit within Student Affairs. They will be responsible for website, social media, email, video and other content. The Communications Assistant works under the daily direction of the Student Affairs Communications Specialist to complete assigned projects, ensuring the completion of assignments from concept to completion.

Duties include but are not limited to:

• Assist in the creation of communication and messaging plans for various Student Engagement and Well-being events, campaigns, and activities. Examples include: New Student Orientation and Transitions, Student Leadership, Health Services and Education, Counseling and Psychological Services, Basic Needs, Campus Recreation, Student Housing, etc.
• Assist in the completion of approved project requests for departments within Student Engagement and Well-being seeking central support for their projects. Assist in the evaluation of requests providing concept and implementation recommendations.
• Establish project timelines and assist in maintaining the production schedule.
• Use graphic design skills to create visual elements, which can include the creation of flyers, posters, and graphics for use on social media, websites, video production and tangible promotional materials, etc.
• Serve as a tertiary communications representative to the University’s Communications and Public Affairs office. Attend meetings, disseminate information and provide support for university, as well as Student Engagement and Well-being initiatives.
• Ensure assigned projects adhere to university branding and design standards, accessibility requirements and reflect a high standard on inclusivity in terminology and visual layout (e.g., diversity and inclusion).
• Assist in ensuring the university, Student Affairs and other social media and visual branding standards are reinforced, recommending changes where appropriate.
• Assist with maintenance and support of Student Engagement and Well-being multi-media.
• Update to websites, webpages, web content, including visual layouts.
• Update department, program and other select university websites and webpages, as assigned.
• Assist in communications planning and identifying the schedule, audience, messaging, visuals, etc.
• Provide assistance with video production, including drafting and editing video scripts, storyboarding, voiceovers, video-editing, captioning and delivery of content. Provide support to departments as requested.
• Assist in the planning, execution and logistics of planned initiatives including social media and email campaigns.
• Create content for broad projects that have institutional impact. Provide consultation and edit content for Student Engagement and Well-being social media accounts, including publications on platforms.
• Maintain the calendar of social media postings (e.g. Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and Snapchat.)
• Serve as a tertiary Student Affairs representative on the University Communications Advisory Group.
• Assist in the preparation, distribution and drafting of emergency communications as needed.
• Collaborate with colleagues, working with vendors to purchase marketing and promotional materials.
• Provide assistance in coordinating logistical support for Student Engagement and Well-being meetings, events and activities.
• Utilize event or meeting software (Campus Groups, Zoom, Teams, 25Live, Almabase) to reserve space, create events, event registration and upload communication templates in support of events.
• Work with colleagues in the creation of surveys and questionnaires. Utilize survey software (Qualtrics, MS Forms) to create and format surveys, adding visual formatting as appropriate. Oversee survey distribution, providing final report to survey sponsor.
• Assist with the collection of data analytics from various multi-media including websites and social media to capture, open, and read data and inform effectiveness of communication campaigns. Integrate response database in planning of future campaigns to improve communication effectiveness.
• Respond to inquiries from campus constituents regarding policies, processes, or procedures.
• Research inquiries as needed to provide an informed response. Create standardized answers to commonly asked questions and distribute “script” answers to relevant departments. Update these documents as necessary to ensure timely and accurate information dissemination.
• Support advertising and marketing activities for various special events, completing assignments and tasks based on the event production schedule.
• Other duties as assigned.

Education: A college degree, which includes relevant coursework in the field.

Experience: 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.

• Experience working in a higher education setting.
• Understanding of student engagement and well-being programs and services.
• Experience in Drupal website editing and/or knowledge and experience of web design software.
• Ability to use social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, LinkedIn.
• Bilingual in English-Spanish.
• Creative self‐starter who is comfortable with taking initiative and working in collaboration with others.
• Detail oriented with strong written, verbal and group communication skills.
• Experience with Microsoft applications, basic photo‐editing and video‐editing software, and internet browsers. Experience with Photoshop and InDesign a plus.
• Ability to use professional audio and visual equipment during virtual and live events.

• Foundation knowledge of general practices, methods and procedures related to public affairs, media relations, marketing, and/or sports information. Ability to keep abreast of public policy and public affairs issues.
• Working knowledge of protocols and institutional etiquette related to public and media relations.
• Basic knowledge and understanding of media outlets including print, television, and radio. Ability to work with the media for the coverage of events.
• Basic knowledge of market research and related techniques. Working knowledge of summary statistics as they relate to research or sports information.
• Basic knowledge of applicable copyright and other laws pertaining to written materials, news media and confidentiality.
• Working knowledge of applicable software packages.
• Knowledge of basic web communication techniques, vehicles and formats.
• Strong writing and editing skills to quickly produce clear and concise standard documents for internal and external publication.
• Ability to appropriately handle sensitive and confidential information.
• Strong interpersonal skills to develop and maintain relationships within the University, with the community and with the media.

The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Extended periods of sitting, keyboarding, and manipulating a computer mouse or similar device.

To be considered, qualified candidates must submit a completed Stanislaus State online employment application, cover letter, and resumé. Applications are accepted electronically only. Please note that failure to completely fill out each section of the online application may result in your application not receiving consideration. To apply online, please click the “Apply Now” button on this page.

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.

Campus & Area

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), . 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:

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 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