Digital Communications Specialist

Digital Communications Specialist

Job no: 516245
Work type: Staff
Location: Monterey Bay
Categories: Unit 9 - CSUEU - Technical Support Services, Probationary, Full Time, Marketing/Communications

Classification: Public Affairs/Communications Specialist II
Anticipated Hiring Salary: Mid to high $4,000's/month
CSU Salary Schedule
Hours: Full-time / 40 hours per week
FLSA: Exempt

Priority Screening Date: July 13, 2022
Recruitment Status: Open Until Filled

ABOUT CSUMB

Powered by an inspiring Founding Vision Statement, California State University, Monterey Bay (CSUMB) is a mid-sized comprehensive baccalaureate and masters granting university whose staff and faculty help transform student lives through a focus on student success and engagement through project-based learning, service learning in its regional community, and the promotion of multicultural and global perspectives on and beyond campus. CSUMB is both a Minority Serving Institution (MSI) and a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) and has a vibrant, diverse student body of over 7,400 students. The university's Strategic Plan prioritizes inclusive excellence through recruiting and investing in the development of a diverse body of faculty, staff, and administrators. CSUMB's sustainability initiative is to be carbon neutral by 2030. The university's faculty and staff, many of whom live in the East Campus housing development, appreciate living and working so close to the shores of the beautiful Monterey Bay. As one of the 23 campuses in the California State University (CSU) system, CSUMB offers excellent benefits, including access to below-market-rate campus housing and competitive salaries for faculty and staff.

PURPOSE:

Under the general direction of the News and Information Manager, the Digital Communications Specialist serves as the first point-of-contact for University Communication's team for digital content authoring. The Specialist writes copy for web and email content, edits/proofreads content submitted by others and manages the publishing of web content by continuators around the university to assure brand style and voice. The Digital Communications Specialist assists in maintaining the university's social media accounts and engages its followers in addition to performing a variety of administrative and technical duties such as assisting the unit with daily workflow project coordination, contact databases, and archive maintenance.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Authors, creates, curates, produces, and posts information that keeps the community informed of current CSUMB news, happenings, and events, and properly markets the message of the University in order to reach goals and objectives.

Manages the department's digital communication and marketing content creation and distribution including web content, news stories, home page, electronic invitations/data collection, and mass email. Collaborates with colleagues and clients, to plan, develop, schedule, and publish university web pages with original or curated content. Create on-brand content including writing copy, editing and sizing photos, web objects, and editing HTML tags to correct display issues and create the desired content presentation. May take photographs or make short videos to accompany written content in digital publications. May edit photos and short videos prior to posting with Adobe Creative Cloud or similar software.

Write news briefs, stories, newsletters, direct response messages, operational announcements, and event invitations, proofreads content for clarity, grammar, spelling, AP and brand style. Creates and implements direct email marketing campaigns including email templates using graphics, personalization, and variable data display features; ensures cross-platform and mobile-friendly email messages. Ensure emails follow industry policies and best practices, including accessibility standards.

2. Troubleshoots and corrects web content display errors manages web navigation structure, reviews web analytics and broken link reports to correct issues and maximize user experience. Implements strategies and tactics to qualitatively enhance engagement with key stakeholder audiences within a context of supporting enrollment, development, fundraising, advocacy, and other specific institutional goals and objectives as well as the university's overall brand positioning. Consults and provides support to other areas of the university for website content, display, and navigation as needed.

3. Assigns, tracks, and coordinates complex projects through production using workflow processing tools and project management strategies. Ensures all stakeholders meet established and agreed upon deadlines. Oversees project schedules, monitors budgets, and anticipates deadlines and approvals. Revises schedules as needed. Conducts regular status meetings. Works with job owners to gather and approve content. Archives finished projects in accordance with records retention schedules and customary practices. Creates and maintains reports.

Other Functions:

Manages email marketing campaigns, updates lists and list segments, creates email databases for lead generation.

Works with print and broadcast media, and pay-by-click companies to book advertising and follow media schedules.

Performs other job-related duties and special projects as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge: Working knowledge of and ability to apply standard theories, practices, principles and techniques related to communications in the public affairs, media, marketing, and/or sports information areas. Thorough knowledge of and ability to use effectively media outlets including planning media coverage and media publicity campaigns for the university and events. Thorough knowledge of web communication techniques, vehicles and formats. Working knowledge of copyright and other applicable laws pertaining to publications and the media. Knowledge of interview techniques and the ability to define and deliver media messages. Working knowledge of marketing and research techniques and methods. Working knowledge of applicable software packages.

Skills: Strong story development and journalistic writing skills, as well as advanced editorial skills. Exceptional interpersonal skills, including strong public speaking, listening and interpretive skills. Strong writing and editing skills to quickly produce clear and concise standard documents for internal and external publication.

Ability to: to build and manage more sophisticated media contacts; effectively use web technology to achieve communication goals; analyze and select pertinent facts and integrate them into communication vehicles; apply market research to identify communication needs and target audiences; provide lead work direction; appropriately handle sensitive and confidential information. Demonstrated ability to keep abreast of campus events and subject matter expertise in relation to current events to identify and capitalize on media opportunities that will promote the university and increase positive media coverage.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

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.

SPECIALIZED SKILLS:

Experience as a social media contributor in a fast-paced environment. Ability to create and manage marketing campaigns using standard social media tools, tactics, and principles. Experience analyzing analytics and making both quantitative and qualitative assessments. Able to manage a team of student assistants for content acquisition and creation.

Working knowledge of social media management systems (e.g. Hootsuite). Working knowledge of image processing (e.g. Lightroom), graphic design (e.g. Photoshop, Illustrator), and video post-production (e.g. Premier). Working knowledge of HTML, able to correct display issues and load/edit content in a CMS web editor (e.g. Drupal) using templates and WYSIWYG editors. Working knowledge of email marketing systems (e.g. Salesforce Marketing Cloud).

Strong proofreading skills with a thorough knowledge of leading style guide manuals. Outstanding time management skills; ability to coordinate logistics and execute all project details with an awareness of deadlines and attention to detail. Skills and flexibility to work cooperatively as a team member in a busy office.

Proven ability to learn new systems in a fast-paced environment. Ability to work under the pressure of tight deadlines. Advanced proficiency with cloud computing, productivity, and collaboration tools (e.g. Google Apps).

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS/DESIRABLE EXPERIENCE:

Working knowledge of agency project management software (e.g. Wrike). Use of content management systems and email marketing systems (e.g. Salesforce Marketing Cloud).

Technical fluency with Microsoft Office Professional Suite; Google G-Suite; Oracle-PeopleSoft/ Common Management System or equivalent information systems; drives; and internet browsers. Highly desirable: Demonstrated understanding of and commitment to CSUMB's Founding Vision Statement.

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 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 will have a duty to report to the Campus Title IX Officer information pertaining to victims of sex discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, dating/domestic violence, and stalking as required by CSU Executive Order 1095.
• 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.

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.

Per the CSU COVID-19 Vaccination Interim Policy, all students and employees are required to submit their vaccination status to the Otter Vaccination Registry and are encouraged to be vaccinated.

BENEFITS/PERKS:

CSUMB offers a premium benefit package that includes outstanding vacation, health, dental and vision plans; membership in the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS); and 14-paid holidays a year. For more information, visit CSU System Benefits. Additionally, as a perk, the University Corporation at CSU Monterey Bay provides access to affordable campus housing based on availability; visit Schoonover Employee Housing for more information.

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 University Personnel at (831) 582-3389 or email universitypersonnel@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.

AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:

CSUMB is an Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action 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.



To apply, visit https://careers.csumb.edu/en-us/job/516245/digital-communications-specialist

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