Classification: Public Affairs/Communications Specialist III
Hours: Hourly/Intermittent - Temporary
FLSA: Non-exempt
(This is an hourly intermittent temporary position until May 1, 2026, which may be extended and/or become regular based on budget or operational needs.)
Anticipated Hiring Salary Range: $34.63 per hour
CSU Salary Schedule
*CSUMB provides pay scales representing its good faith estimate of what the university reasonably expects to pay for this position. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, and CSU systemwide pay for comparable jobs.
Priority Screening Date: February 23, 2025
Recruitment Status: Open Until Filled
ABOUT CSUMB
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 23 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.
PURPOSE:
Under the general direction of the News and Information Manager, the Feature Writer/Editor reports to the Public Affairs/Media Relations Manager and writes content bringing the voices, stories, resources and mission of CSUMB to life. In addition to crafting written content for dissemination on all official university platforms. The content writer/editor is a talented writer/editor who can pivot effectively between different projects, voices and channels with a knack for adapting copy based on the audience and platform.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Takes a lead role to conceptualize research, write and publish a wide variety of written content. Prepares and publishes content engaging to the campus internal and external audiences. Writes effectively under tight deadlines. Works collaboratively with individual departments, subject matter experts and content producers across campus. Ensures the overall consistency of message, tone, and style.
Other Functions:
Perform other job-related duties and special projects as assigned.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
Comprehensive and in-depth knowledge of communication, public affairs, media and/or marketing theories and concepts in order to develop and execute communication strategies and plans to promote and position the university. Expert knowledge of university communication objectives and ability to translate them into effective communication and media campaigns.
Knowledge of: practices, principles and techniques related to public affairs, media relations, and marketing; protocols and institutional etiquette related to public and media relations; media outlets including print, television, and radio; interview techniques and the ability to define and deliver media messages; market research, summary statistics as they relate to research, and related techniques; applicable software packages; basic web communication techniques, vehicles and formats. Thorough knowledge of applicable copyright and other laws pertaining to publications and the news media.
Skills: Strong story development and journalistic writing skills, as well as advanced editorial skills. Expert networking and interpersonal skills including strong consultative and persuasive skills to work with internal and external constituents and the media. Demonstrated organizational skills.
Ability to: Ability to keep abreast of public policy and public affairs issues; appropriately handle sensitive and confidential information; provide lead work direction; create and maintain relationships with key stakeholders across campus and advise them on university identity and style standards. Ability to understand issues from a broad, strategic perspective; effectively manage media relations and apply effective media strategies and techniques. Demonstrated ability to market story concepts to university officials and media outlets. Ability to use market research to enhance the impact of communication strategies and campaigns. Working knowledge of appropriate use of statistical techniques
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Entry to the third level within 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.
SPECIALIZED SKILLS REQUIRED:
Experience as a writer in a fast-paced environment. Ability to create and manage writing campaigns around using standard journalistic tools, tactics, and principles. Able to manage a team of student assistants for content acquisition and creation.
Proven ability to learn new systems in a fast-paced environment. Ability to work under the pressure of tight deadlines. Advanced proficiency with of cloud computing, productivity and collaboration tools (e.g. Google Apps).
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS/DESIRABLE EXPERIENCE:
Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, English, or another relevant field and 5 years experience in communications, media relations, or other relevant field.
SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT & POSITION DESIGNATIONS:
- 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 access to and responsibility for detailed personally identifiable Level 1 confidential information about students, faculty, staff or alumni that is protected, personal or sensitive as defined in the CSU Information Security Data Classification Standards.
- Must possess and maintain a valid license to drive in the State of California, pass the Defensive Training Class, and be insurable under the University’s liability coverage.
- May require occasional evenings and/or weekend work.
PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT:
Office environment with standard equipment and tasks. Position requires working at a computer and desk for extended periods of time. May require travel between campus offices and off-campus locations.
BENEFITS/PERKS:
Employees who are not initially eligible upon hire date for CalPERS retirement membership are required to participate in the CSU Part-time/Seasonal/Temporary (PST) Retirement Plan in lieu of Social Security. Employees enrolled in this program contribute 7.5% of their gross wages, on a pre-tax basis, to a retirement account that is available after separation of employment.
CSUMB offers health or FlexCash benefits to employees in eligible positions under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). There may be other benefits available dependent on appointment type. Please refer to the CSU Voluntary Benefits Plans.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE:
For full consideration, applicants must complete the required online application prior to the priority screen date found at Careers at CSUMB. Application submissions received after the application screening date will be reviewed at the discretion of the University. Materials submitted become the property of CSUMB and will not be returned.
CSUMB is not a sponsoring agency for staff or management positions.
Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified applicants with disabilities who self-disclose by contacting Human Resources at (831) 582-3389 or emailing humanresources@csumb.edu. All employees must be eligible for employment in the U.S.
GENERAL INFORMATION:
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.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:
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.
