Communications, Website, and Graphic Design Specialist

This position works remotely, requiring a telecommuting agreement and adherence to the UCSC Telecommuting/Remote Work Guidelines. The employee shall be available in a full-time capacity during assigned telecommuting work hours (specific hours to be discussed with supervisor). While telecommuting/remote working, the employee is responsible for ensuring a worksite environment suitable for accomplishing their regular job duties during scheduled hours of work and, if applicable, arranging for dependent care just as they would if they were working at the regular UCSC worksite.

NO VISA SPONSORSHIP IS AVAILABLE FOR THIS POSITION.

HOW TO APPLY

For full consideration, applicants should attach their resume and cover letter when applying for a job opening. For guidance related to the application process or if you are experiencing difficulties when applying, please review the Applicant Resources on our website.

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INITIAL REVIEW DATE (IRD)

UC Santa Cruz jobs are posted until filled. All application materials submitted by 11:59 pm on the IRD will be routed to the hiring team for consideration. NOTE: Applicants who miss the IRD are still encouraged to apply; their materials will still be forwarded for consideration if requested by the hiring team. Application materials cannot be accepted outside of the jobs portal. Applications cannot be edited on an applicant's behalf. For more information about the IRD and the applicant review process, view this link.

The IRD for this job is: 11-24-2025

ABOUT UC SANTA CRUZ

UC Santa Cruz is a public university like no other in California, combining the experience of a small, liberal arts college with the depth and rigor of a major research university. It's known as an unconventional place where innovation and experimentation is part of the campus's DNA. That playful, bold spirit still thrives today, all on a campus renowned as among the most beautiful in the world.

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

The Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) is a public agency supported by 12 (states and territories). Through the work of thousands of educators, Smarter Balanced created an online assessment system aligned to the Common Core State Standards (CCSS), as well as tools for educators to improve teaching and learning. Smarter Balanced is housed at the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC) Silicon Valley Extension.

Our work is guided by the belief that a high-quality assessment system can provide information and tools for teachers and schools to improve instruction and help students succeed, regardless of disability, language, or subgroup. We involve experienced educators, researchers, state and local policymakers, and community groups working together in a transparent and consensus-driven process.

UCSC Extension provides professional training that reflects the academic rigor of the University of California and the hands-on, roll-up-your-shirtsleeves practicality of Silicon Valley culture. Developed with guidance from key industry leaders and academic experts, our certificate programs match the economic demand of your industry, from engineering to business, education to bioscience. The University of California reviews and approves UCSC Extension courses and programs for academic content, merit, and instructor qualifications. Many of our courses may be applied toward degree programs or may be eligible for professional certificates and licenses.

More information can be found at https://smarterbalanced.org

JOB SUMMARY

The Communications Specialist serves as a collaborative member of the external affairs team in a remote context to support external communication projects and to facilitate business development and member-related events, and correspondence. The incumbent utilizes a sound understanding of communications tools and platforms, website design, organizational skills, and attention to detail to manage and track multiple communication and marketing-related tasks with limited supervision.

The Communications Specialist independently oversees a comprehensive communications program with moderately complex communications requirements and typically includes written, visual, electronic, and produced communications assets. The incumbent designs and implements information campaigns and works with management to develop and execute organizational communication and market branding strategy.

APPOINTMENT INFORMATION

Budgeted Salary: $88,830 - $95,250/year. Salary commensurate with skills, qualifications and experience.
Under California law, the University of California, Santa Cruz is required to post a reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role. The salary shown above is the budgeted amount the University reasonably expects to pay and the salary extended should not exceed this posted amount.

Benefits Level Eligibility: Full benefits

Schedule Information:

• Full-time, Fixed
• Percentage of Time: 100%, 40 Hours per Week
• Days of the Week: Mon-Fri
• Shift Includes: Day

Employee Classification: Career appointment

Job End Date: None

Work Location: Remote

Union Representation: Non-Represented

Job Code Classification: 007477 (COMM SPEC 3) - Grade 22

Travel: Up to 25% of the time

JOB DUTIES

30% - Communications and Design

• Leverages communication and design best practices to create compelling collateral that meets the communications, marketing, business development, and member needs.
• Coordinates with the Smarter Balanced staff to translate communication objectives and concepts into appealing, on-brand designs that effectively convey the intended messaging for the specific audience(s).
• Authors, designs, and delivers multi-format digital communications, including emails, technical documents, and both short- and long-form assets to support key programs according to style, content, and design specifications.

25% - Multimedia Asset Development and Maintenance

• Maintains and updates web-based content (Smarter Balanced website, Social Media pages).
• Liaisons with technical staff as necessary to make back-end changes to web-based materials that meet design, communications, and branding goals.
• Designs, develops, implements, and manages front-end website changes to support ongoing development of the member portal, Smarter Balanced website, and Starting Smarter network sites.
• Ensures brand consistency and compliance with style guidelines across all web content.
• Optimizes content for usability, search engine optimization (SEO), and mobile responsiveness.
• Monitors web analytics and provide reports to inform content strategy.
• Designs small to medium websites and/or architectures and contributes to moderately complex to complex designs.
• Support Content Management System development and design for websites designed in HubSpot and WordPress.

20% - Communications Implementation and Strategy

• Supports the implementation of effective systems for managing information, projects, and communications to ensure accurate and timely responses. Identifies specific communications needs and develops the content and process for organizational improvements.
• Works with management and Consortium members to develop and implement long- and short-term strategic communications plans and projects.

20% - Program Coordination and Administration

• Coordinates and tracks information from other teams to ensure completion and sufficient time for leadership review in advance of project due dates.

5% - Special Projects

• Performs specific projects or assignments.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training.
• Demonstrated experience utilizing email marketing platforms.
• Experience with common productivity tools (Adobe, Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Sharepoint, OneDrive) and video conferencing software.
• Experience in the design and development of websites built in WordPress and HubL.
• Experience using common graphic design tools (Canva and Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, and Dreamweaver) to produce branded materials.
• Experience in monitoring and tracking activities of a project to complete the project on schedule and within budget constraints.
• Familiarity with content management systems, project management software, and other technical applications to effectively support staff, and develop, produce, and deliver communication-related assets for various media, including video and applications.
• Experience ensuring that organizational practices, services, and behaviors support and promote collaboration among staff.
• Strong skill in writing effective, persuasive and professional communication messages.
• Strong verbal, interpersonal communications, active listening, and political acumen skills for reaching a wide variety of audiences for various purposes.
• Skill in scheduling across teams and time zones, and with external partners.
• Basic copyedit skills and proofreading skills.
• Ability to streamline processes and workflows, tools, and resources.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Degree in Communication, Public Relations or Journalism.
• Basic knowledge of event coordination and planning, with a focus on communications, promotion, engagement strategies, and other event-related supports.
• Experience ensuring that organizational practices, services, and behaviors support and promote collaboration among staff.
• Knowledge of, or experience in marketing in the education space, and/or for companies with an online focus, including companies that engage with end-users in an online environment.
• Experience working with and supporting the policies and practices, and the mission, vision, and goals of value-driven organizations.
• Knowledge of location protocols and channels for communication internally and externally.
• Experience with creating accessible print and web-based materials.
• Experience planning and providing deliverables that meet the terms of a contract.
• Communications, Computer Systems and Technology, Office Management certification.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Selected candidate will be required to pass a pre-employment criminal history background check.
• Selected candidate must pass the employment misconduct disclosure process.
• Ability to work long periods of time at a computer with or without accommodation.
• This is a fully remote position, and the selected candidate must be able to work successfully from a home/remote office and be able to fulfill the requirements of the UCSC telecommuting agreement.
• Ability to work a variable schedule including occasional evenings and weekends.
• Ability to travel nationally.
• Ability to maintain appearance and conduct suitable for working in a professional setting.
• Selected candidate will be required to complete training within established time frames as directed including UC compliance training.
• The University of California has implemented a Vaccination Policy covering all employees. To be compliant with the policy, covered employees must submit proof of vaccination or have an approved exception or deferral, eight (8) weeks from date of hire.
• 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 rec