Career Center

Assistant Communications Specialist

Job No: 514150
Work Type: Staff
Location: Pomona
Categories: Unit 9 - CSUEU - Technical Support Services, Administrative, Temporary, Full Time

Type of Appointment: Full-Time, Temporary

Collective Bargaining Unit: California State University Employees Union - Unit 9

Job Classification: Public Affairs/Communication Specialist

Classification Salary Range: $3,120 - $5,283 per month

Anticipated Hiring Range: $3,120 - $4,463 per month

Work Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Recruitment Closing Date: July 5, 2022



THE DEPARTMENT

The Office of Student Success provides leadership for multiple units focused on meeting the needs of Cal Poly Pomona's diverse student body. The Office of Student Success oversees the coordination of academic advising initiatives to achieve shared goals, and the development and implementation of academic intervention programs to help students make timely progress toward degree completion. Student Success provides oversight for academic and student success as related to academic policies, university advising, academic-related initiatives, and strategic planning. The office handles student petitions related to academic issues, including general academic petitions, retroactive withdrawals, grade appeals, academic renewal, and records the completion of culminating experiences. Student Success provides oversight for University Advising, the Bronco Advising Center, Student Communication, Advising Technology, Undeclared Advising, Early Alerts Programs, Graduation Pledge Programs, the Early Start Program, the Learning Resource Center; Bronco Tutoring; First Year Experience (FYE); Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Students United to Create a Community for Engineering and Science Success (STEM SUCCESS); Reading, Advising, and Mentoring Program (RAMP); and the University Writing Center. The office of Student Success collaborates with Academic Program, Enrollment Management Services, and College leaders to support students in meeting their academic goals.



DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Digital Student Communication Needs

• Assistance in supporting communication needs for Student Success units/initiatives, which includes reaching out to target student populations in the Academic Support & Learning Services portfolio (I.e. students involved in Bronco Navigators, Early Start/Bronco Scholars, First Year Experience, I AM FIRST, Learning Resource Center, Reading, Advising & Mentoring Program, and PolyTransfer)
• Support in deploying Student Success marketing campaigns such as writing, editing, and proofreading communications for targeted groups such as first-time freshman and transfer students to support their transition to the university
• Consulting on Student Success website expansion and enhancements; participating in ongoing management of website while creating liaisons with campus offices/organizations such as Strategic Communications, Information Technology, Enrollment Services and Provost's Office
• Provide assistance with bi-weekly Bronco Bytes student newsletter. Work to identify story opportunities, develop an angle for written or other communication pieces, and assist in developing campaigns.

Billy Chat Support

• Brainstorming and drafting text message campaigns on advising and academic support; keeping students informed on important dates/deadlines and support programs/services that could facilitate timely graduation and prevent roadblocks along the path towards graduation
• Support in organizing text campaign calendar
• Support in measuring campaign effectiveness using data analytics from Billy Chat platform and institutional reports
• Answering escalated student messages about campus services with the appropriate ability to handle sensitive and confidential information
• Assistance in maintaining Ask Billy question-and-answer database accurately and efficiently

Social Media

• Brainstorming and drafting social media campaigns on advising and academic support; keeping students informed on important dates/deadlines and support programs/services that could facilitate timely graduation and prevent roadblocks along the path towards graduation
• Working with campus partners on content for social media partnerships and takeovers; promoting and publicizing institutional activities and programs to the media; capitalizing on media opportunities by identifying potentially newsworthy topics; determining strategic placement of information in the media; preparing and disseminating information and news stories to the media
• Support in organizing social media calendar
• Support in measuring campaign effectiveness
• Basic knowledge of applicable copyright and other laws pertaining to written materials, news media and confidentiality.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree OR 4 years of related experience
• The equivalent of up to two (2) years of related professional or technical experience; training and administrative work experience involving public relations and community outreach programs

Foundation knowledge of general practices, methods and procedures related to public affairs, media relations, marketing; 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; basic knowledge of market research and related techniques; working knowledge of summary statistics as they relate to research 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. The candidate must have strong writing and editing skills to quickly produce clear and concise standard documents for internal and external publication; ability to handle sensitive and confidential information; and strong interpersonal skills to develop and maintain relationships within the university and community and with the media..

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in communications, marketing or related field.1-2 years of experience working in a communications or education setting.
• A graduate degree in a related field may replace one year of work experience.
• Strong writing and verbal communication skills with a solid foundation in spelling and grammar
• Attention to detail
• Ability to handle multiple assignments
• Ability to learn and develop a general knowledge of university academic policies, practices and activities
• Flexibility to calmly handle changing project priorities
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and handle sensitive information
• The ideal candidate must-be self-driven; detail oriented; have a broad curiosity about the university and its community members; and a positive attitude.

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 and community and with the media.



COVID-19 Vaccination

CSU requires faculty, staff, and students who physically access campus facilities or programs to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, which includes obtaining a COVID-19 booster dose, or declare a medical or religious exemption from doing so. Any candidates advanced in a currently open search process should be prepared to comply with this requirement. See policy at https://calstate.policystat.com/policy/11030468/latest.

Out of State Work

The California State University (CSU) system is a network of twenty-three public universities providing access to a quality education through the support of California taxpayers. Part of CSU's mission is to prepare educated, responsible individuals to contribute to California's schools, economy, culture, and future. As an agency of the State of California, the CSU's business operations almost exclusively reside within California. The CSU Out-of-State Employment Policy prohibits hiring employees to perform CSU-related work outside California. See policy at https://calstate.policystat.com/v2/policy/10899725/latest/.

Background Check

Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check) is required for employment. Cal Poly Pomona will make a conditional offer of employment, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current Cal Poly Pomona employee who was conditionally offered the position. See policy at https://www.cpp.edu/eoda/employee-labor//documents/employment-policies/hr2017-17.pdf.

I-9: Employment Verification

Cal Poly Pomona 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 form upon hire. See Form I-9 Acceptable Documents at https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents.

Child Abuse/Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA)

The person holding this position is considered a 'mandated reporter