Public Information Officer

University of California Merced

Job ID
48752

Location
Merced

Full/Part Time
Full Time

Hiring Range

Approved Hiring Range $68,000 - $76,000


Job Closing Date

Initial applicant review will take place on February 15th and will continue through selection.

This position may be hybrid with offices in Downtown Merced


About UC Merced

The University of California, Merced, is the newest of the University of California system's 10 campuses and the first American research university built in the 21st century. With more than 9,000 undergraduate and graduate students, UC Merced offers an environment that combines a commitment to diversity, inclusion, collaboration, and professional development. With bachelor's, master's and doctoral degree programs, strong research and academic partnerships, and community involvement, the UC Merced campus is continually evolving and requires talented, knowledgeable, and dynamic educators, researchers, management and staff.

Ranked among the best public universities in the nation by U.S. News and World Report, UC Merced is uniquely equipped to provide educational opportunities for highly qualified students from the San Joaquin Valley and throughout California. The campus enjoys a special connection with nearby Yosemite National Park, is on the cutting edge of sustainability in construction and design and supports the economic development of Merced and the region.

In Fall 2016, UC Merced broke ground on a $1.3 billion public-private partnership that is unprecedented in higher education. The Merced 2020 Project nearly doubled the physical capacity of the campus, enhancing academic distinction, student success and research excellence. In 2018, UC Merced opened the Downtown Campus Center, a $33 million, three-story administrative building located in the heart of Merced.

To set the course of UC Merced's evolution, in 2021 UC Merced will enact its first-ever 10-year strategic plan. This plan will guide how the values of equity and justice influence our pathway toward earning Carnegie R1 research status, growing enrollment, upholding our identity as a minority-serving institution, and operationalizing how commitments to equity, diversity and inclusion are enacted within each campus unit. UC Merced is expected to engage in sophisticated thinking, planning, and implementation of actions that effectively diversify the professoriate and staff, improve campus climate for all campus constituency groups, and strengthen our equity, diversity, and inclusion infrastructure and capacity.


About the Job

Provides analysis and information on complex results or activities, searches out and writes stories, conducts interviews, sets up press conferences, and arranges for photography, video, or graphics to accompany news releases. Work is of moderate complexity / difficulty and may include planning and implementing limited media campaigns.



Key Responsibilities:



MEDIA OUTREACH: Cultivates relationships with key journalists, develops story ideas and pitches, and writes news releases and advisories for various media outlets. Works proactively with campus contacts to identify potential story angles and subjects.

MEDIA COORDINATION: Responds to inquiries from a variety of media outlets. Develops and proposes strategies for response, drafts media statements, coordinates interviews, provides messaging points and organizes press conferences.

WRITING AND EDITING: Responsible for various writing projects, including but not limited to news and feature articles, magazine articles, and print or web content. Responsible for promoting and covering various events for internal and external publication. Proofreads and edits articles, print and web materials, and other items as assigned.

CRISIS COMMUNICATIONS: Serves as a key member of the crisis communications team. Assists with maintaining the PR team's crisis communications plan, and developing and conducting crisis communications tabletop exercises.

REPUTATION MANAGEMENT: Proactively works to identify potential reputational issues and helps to develop strategies to address them. Works with colleagues in Public Relations and External Relations to develop talking points and drawer statements for issues that arise.


Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism or a related field required.

3 years of experience working communications, journalism, or related field.

Exceptional written, verbal and interpersonal communications skills, including a strong sense of a good story and understanding of the topics that may be of interest to various publics and will incorporate key messages. Familiarity and demonstrated skill with Associated Press style. Proven experience in editing and proofreading.

Thorough knowledge of the concepts and principles of news, media communications and media relations.

Thorough skills in understanding of print, radio and broadcast news, the internet, social media and other emerging technologies.

Thorough knowledge of UC Merced's location, achievements, mission, vision, goals, objectives, programs and infrastructure.

Exceptional judgment, political acumen and organizational skills.

Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality.

Substantive experience in successfully producing effective promotional materials, including news releases and publications; have a solid understanding of the techniques of public relations; and experience in successfully employing them.

Strong office and computer skills including proficiency in word processing and web-based communications.

Demonstrated ability to prioritize and coordinate several projects simultaneously. Detail-oriented and able to work rapidly and accurately under deadline pressure and in a high-pressure, fast-paced environment.

Demonstrated ability to work effectively with others and adapt quickly to shifting priorities.

Availability for evening and weekend activities as needed. Travel to locations on and off campus, and occasionally stay overnight.

Experience translating and working with Spanish-speaking media bilingual outlets (TV, radio, publication, etc.) (Preferred)

Fluent bilingual SPANISH (read, write, speak). (Preferred)

Background Check

Background check and fingerprinting will be required.


Policy Statement

How to Apply:
An online application is required for each position to apply.The University of California, Merced is aware that some web-based application processes may be cumbersome for differently abled applicants. Where appropriate, alternative accommodations will be provided. For applicants with disabilities who need additional assistance using TAM, or reasonable accommodations during the interview or search process, please contact ucmjobs@ucmerced.edu.

Equal Employment Opportunity:
The University of California, Merced is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer advancing inclusive excellence. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, pregnancy, or status as a disabled veteran or Vietnam-era veteran, or other protected categories covered by the UC Nondiscrimination and Affirmative Action Policy. UC Merced intentionally promotes and maintains a discrimination- and harassment-free workplace by demonstrating it neither condones nor tolerates employment practices that discriminate against or harass any person or specific group of persons on the basis listed above. We seek candidates who will support our vision to cultivate a vibrant, equity-minded, inclusive excellence university community. When applying to UC Merced, we strongly encourage you to reflect on our Principles of Community and our 2021 strategic plan.

Vaccination Program Policy:

As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Vaccination Program Policy. All Covered Individuals under the policy must provide proof of Full Vaccination or, if applicable, submit a request for Exception (based on Medical Exemption, Disability, and/or Religious Objection) or Deferral (based on pregnancy) no later than the applicable deadline. For new University of California employees, the applicable deadline is 14 days after their first date of employment.

Smoke and Tobacco Free Policy:
The University of California, Merced is a smoke and tobacco free workplace. Information and the Smoke and Tobacco Free policy is available at http://smokefree.ucmerced.edu.

E-Verify:
All employers who receive Federal contracts and grants are required to comply with E-Verify, an Internet-based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA). E-Verify electronically verifies employment eligibility by comparing information provided on the I-9 form to records in the DHS and SSA databases. Certain positions funded by federal contracts/subcontracts requires UC Merced to notify job applicants that an E-Verify check will be conducted and the successful candidate must pass the E-Verify check.

Pay, Benefits & Work Schedule:
For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University of California visit: http://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/

To apply, please visit: https://careerspub.universityofcalifornia.edu/psp/ucm/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM.HRS_APP_SCHJOB.GBL?Page=HRS_APP_SCHJOB&Action=U&FOCUS=Applicant&SiteId=25







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About University of California Merced

UC Merced is the first new American research university built in the 21st century, with a mission of research, teaching and service. The campus opened Sept. 5, 2005, in the San Joaquin Valley. The university is about an hour north of Fresno, two hours south of Sacramento, two hours southeast of San Francisco and the Silicon Valley, and 90 minutes west of Yosemite National Park.

Connections working at University of California Merced

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