Digital Communications Specialist Davis, CA, Job ID 76122

Company: University of California Agriculture and Natural R
Location: Davis
Posted on: April 17, 2025

Job Description:

Digital Communications Specialist Davis, CA, Job ID 76122

University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources

Job Description

The Digital Communications Specialist informs the public about the impacts of UC ANR research, extension and education through news writing, media outreach and development of digital and multimedia communication products. Along with writing and promoting search-friendly stories about the important work UC ANR does to improve the lives of Californians, this key member of the Strategic Communications team brings skills as a seasoned, experienced digital communications professional to support UC ANR websites and social media platforms.

This position is a career appointment that is 100% fixed.

The home department for this position is Strategic Communications. While this position normally is based in Irvine, CA, this position is eligible for hybrid flexible work arrangements, for applicants living in the State of California, at this time. Please note that hybrid flexible work arrangements are subject to change by the University.

This position has the option to work in Irvine, CA, Riverside, CA or San Diego, CA.

Pay Scale: $73,600/year to $103,400/year

Job Posting Close Date:
This job is open until filled. The first application review date will be 2/19/2025.

Key Responsibilities:
65%Works with academics and other UC ANR personnel, including student interns, to produce a variety of communications products - news stories, social media posts, videos, podcasts, etc. Writes news releases, responds to media inquiries, identifies and pitches stories to publicize the benefits of UC ANR research and education to Californians. Provides media relations training for UC ANR academics.
25%Supports Social Media Strategist in developing and implementing UC ANR's social media strategy and in training academics and staff to leverage social media.
10%Produces content, layout and information architecture for web pages managed by Strategic Communications. Ensures technical accuracy, accessibility and readability of web content. Contributes to development of division-wide website strategy. Uses analytical tools to measure and report on web traffic. Supports the Strat Comm team in maintaining editorial calendars, managing projects and maintaining image and video libraries.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training.
• Experience as a professional communicator.
• Knowledge of all aspects of communications, including strategic planning for various media venues, technical aspects and requirements of various venues, and most appropriate and effective applications.
• Knowledge and understanding of technical applications to effectively direct technical staff, or personally perform technical work, including design concepts, various media, and applications.
• Maintains currency with emerging and state-of-the-art technical and other web-related equipment, requirements and developments as well as general communications trends and best practices.
• Comprehensive knowledge of and skill in media relations and writing public relations/news content.
• Thorough skills to create clear, easy-to-navigate, informative, accurate, well designed, and functional websites that provide web content consistent with the organization's mission and strategic objectives.
• Solid written, verbal, interpersonal communications, active listening and political acumen skills.
• Thorough skills to develop and implement original ideas and correctly identify and effectively solve problems.
• Understanding of methods and best practices to reach target audiences in California with UC ANR information.
• Solid writing and proofreading/editing skills.
• Demonstrates a full understanding of industry practices and organization policies and procedures.
• Maintains solid networking and interpersonal skills including strong consultative and persuasive skills to work with internal and external constituents; ability to develop and maintain positive working relationships within and across organizational units.
• Photography and videography skills.
  
  Preferred Skills:
  
  
  • Bilingual in Spanish, Tagalog, Cantonese, Mandarin and/or Vietnamese.
    
    Special Conditions of Employment:
    
    • Must possess valid California Driver's License to drive a County or University vehicle. Ability and means to travel on a flexible schedule as needed, proof of liability damage insurance on vehicle used is required. Reimbursement of job-related travel will be reimbursed according to University policies.
    • The University reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check. This is a designated position requiring a background check and may require fingerprinting due to the nature of the job responsibilities. UC ANR does hire people with conviction histories and reviews information received in the context of the job responsibilities.
    • As of January 1, 2014, ANR is a smoke- and tobacco-free environment in which smoking, the use of smokeless tobacco products, and the use of unregulated nicotine products (e-cigarettes), is strictly prohibited.
    • 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.
      a. "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:
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
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Keywords: University of California Agriculture and Natural R, Oakland , Digital Communications Specialist Davis, CA, Job ID 76122, Other , Davis, California