Sports Information Specialist

General Purpose
Under direction, publicizes and promotes college athletic teams and student athletes; develops and distributes a wide variety of media guides, programs, press releases and other materials; attends home team and designated away events to perform a variety of functions in support of the athletic program; and performs related duties as assigned.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Develop ideas for, write and distribute press releases, game stories, feature stories and athlete and coaching staff biographies to promote college sports.

Write, design, edit, lay out and coordinate production and distribution, both in hard copy and electronically, of college sports team rosters, schedules and media guides/programs ranging from simple to elaborate in scale.

Conduct media relations activities; create and maintain effective working relationships with members of the sports media; provide media outlets with detailed sports results, stories, background information, statistics, records, and photos for publication proactively and as requested.

Attend and provide radio coverage of sports events; may manage the press box for football games.

Assist other Communications staff in writing, editing and coordinating publication of a variety of print materials as assigned.

Demonstrate sensitivity to and understanding of historically minoritized groups and participate in professional development activities to increase cultural competency to enhance equity‑minded practices within the District.

Other Duties

Collaborate with photography staff on photography assignments for sports events; maintain copies of photos of student athletes and coaches.

May update the Athletics website by utilizing web applications to maintain and post a wide range of athletic information, including press releases, game stories, feature stories, scores, photos and statistics; ensure website and web pages meet Americans with Disabilities accessibility requirements.

Perform related duties as assigned.

Employment Standards / Minimum Qualifications
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications or a related field, and at least three years of progressively responsible experience working for a media outlet, public relations or marketing organization with a demonstrated knowledge of college‑level sports; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.

Licenses, Certificates and Other Requirements
Certain assignments may require a California driver’s license and the ability to maintain insurability under the District’s vehicle insurance program.

Physical and Mental Demands
Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this class, employees are regularly required to sit; talk or hear, in person and by telephone; use hands repetitively to finger, handle, feel or operate standard office equipment; and reach with hands and arms. Employees frequently need to walk and stand; and lift up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

Mental Demands

While performing the duties of this class, employees are regularly required to use written and oral communication skills; read and interpret data, information and documents; analyze and solve problems; observe and interpret situations; learn and apply new information or skills; perform highly detailed work; work on multiple, concurrent tasks; work with frequent interruptions; work under intensive deadlines; and interact with District managers, staff, the public, the media and others encountered in the course of work.

Working Environment
Employees generally work under typical office conditions, and the noise level is usually quiet. Employees also work in sports facilities, indoors and outdoors, where the noise level can be loud and where they may be exposed to outdoor weather conditions. The employee may be required to travel to locations other than the assigned work site and to adjust to work schedule changes and requirements to work overtime.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Knowledge Of:

Principles, practices and applications of marketing, public relations, public affairs and media relations.

Associated Press (AP) and other journalistic standards, methods, procedures and techniques used to write press releases and stories and develop publicity materials.

Principles and practices of sound journalistic and business communication; correct English usage, including spelling, grammar and punctuation.

Sports rules, NCAA scorekeeping, and statistical guidelines for a variety of sports at a level necessary to carry out assigned responsibilities.

Digital camera use and operation and lighting and setting conditions that affect photo quality, particularly in a sports environment.

Research methods and data analysis techniques.

Provisions of the California Public Records Request Act.

Standard web applications applicable to areas of assigned responsibility.

Skills And Abilities To:

Market, promote, publicize and generate media interest in sports and student athletes.

Utilize AP and other journalistic standards to draft and distribute press releases and feature and game articles.

Write, design, lay out and coordinate production, both in electronic and hard copy versions, of sports promotion publications, such as media guides, game programs, brochures and flyers.

Represent the college effectively to game officials, coaches, administrators and athletes from other colleges and conferences.

Develop and maintain contacts with sports media personnel.

Operate a computer and other standard office equipment and use web publication, spreadsheet, word processing and enterprise software.

Maintain confidentiality of student files and records.

Effectively engage and support historically minoritized groups by addressing issues of equity and improving culturally responsive service‑oriented practices.

Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

Understand and follow written and oral instructions.

Operate a computer and use standard business software.

Establish and maintain effective working relationships with all those encountered in the course of work.

Equal Employment Opportunity
SCCCD is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering innovation and inclusivity. We respond proactively to the diverse needs of the community and welcome individuals excited to join our District’s purpose to support student success both locally and globally. United, we the faculty, classified professionals and administrators pledge to treat all applicants and employees fairly and equitably.

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