Job Posting Details (External)
Position Number: 41229783
Payroll Title: COMM SPEC 3 (007477)
Working Title: Communications Specialist 3
Job Code: 007477
Job Open Date: 03/20/26
Application Review Begins: 04/6/26
Department Code (Name): MSII (MARINE SCIENCE INSTITUTE)
Percentage of Time: 100
Union Code (Name): 99 – Non-Represented
Employee Class (Appointment Type): Staff: Career
FLSA Status: Exempt
Classified Indicator Description (Personnel Program): PSS
Salary Grade: Grade 22
Pay Rate/Range: The budgeted salary range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $79,200 to $85,000/year. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience; the budget for the position; and the application of fair, equitable, and consistent pay practices at the University. The full salary range for this position is $79,200 to $143,400/year.
Work Location: Marine Science Research Building, 4009
Working Days and Hours: M-F, 9-5
Benefits Eligibility: Full Benefits
Type of Remote or Hybrid Work Arrangement, if applicable: Hybrid (Both UC & Non-UC locations)
Special Instructions
For full consideration, please include a resume and a cover letter as part of your application.
Department Marketing Statement
The Marine Science Institute ranks internationally as a leader in marine and environmental research. Its researchers stand at the forefront of their fields, regularly redefining our current knowledge of marine science and policy. Over 300 research projects funded by more than 80 awarding agencies with a value over $100 million in extramural and intramural funding are administered by MSI each year. Research at MSI spans 14 disciplines supporting research projects involving faculty, professional researchers, technical staff, graduate and undergraduate students. MSI provides educational outreach activities through the REEF (Research Experience and Education Facility) with 20,000 visitors annually.
Benefits Of Belonging
Working at UC means being part of this vibrant institution that shines a light on what is possible. People make UC great, and UC recognizes your contributions by making this a great place to work. Excellent retirement and health are just one of the rewards. Learn more about the benefits of working at UC
Brief Summary Of Job Duties
The Communications Specialist for the Benioff Ocean Science Laboratory will play a critical role in planning and executing the center's external communications, with the goal of advancing meaningful improvements in ocean health through raising awareness and influencing policy. The Communications Specialist will work with the research center's leadership and researchers to develop a unified communications vision and strategy across the center's portfolio of projects, and will oversee and/or advise on all external communications channels, including news media, press releases, social media, website, and reporting.
Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in communications, journalism, environmental science, or related field
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills
• 1-3 years relevant professional experience
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's Degree in communications, journalism, environmental science, or related field
• 4-6 years relevant professional experience
• Experience distilling and translating complex scientific topics into compelling stories for a non-science audience
• Experience producing fresh, creative communications solutions that break from convention
• Experience working on a diversity of topics, particularly those related to the environment, oceans, conservation, and sustainability
• Experience collaborating with a diverse set of journalists or reporters
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to manage multiple stakeholders with different communication styles
• Demonstrated success delivering high quality products within budget and time constraints
• Graphic design, particularly of professional-quality deliverables, using tools such as Adobe Creative Suite and/or Canva
  

Special Conditions Of Employment

• Satisfactory criminal history background check
• Position is dependent on soft funding. Funding for the position has been secured through December 31, 2031.
• UCSB is a Tobacco-Free environment
  

Misconduct Disclosure Requirement
As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts an offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of substantiated misconduct with a previous employer.
“Misconduct” Means Any Violation Of The Policies Governing Employee Conduct At The Applicant’s Previous Place Of Employment, Including, But Not Limited To, Violations Of Policies Prohibiting Sexual Harassment, Sexual Assault, Or Other Forms Of Harassment, Or Discrimination, As Defined By The Employer. For Reference, Below Are UC’s Policies Addressing Some Forms Of Misconduct
UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
Abusive Conduct in the Workplace
Job Functions And Percentages Of Time

• 30% Project-specific communications - Providing advice to and collaborating with the center’s leadership and researchers on developing comprehensive short- and long-term project-specific communications plans.
• 25% Center-wide external communications - Leads the development, implementation, and management of the Benioff Ocean Science Laboratory's comprehensive external communications strategy. Monitors and evaluates the effectiveness of communications strategies and campaigns using media analytics, digital engagement metrics, and stakeholder feedback, and adjust communications approaches accordingly.
• 15% Reporting - Drafting press releases, grant reports, and newsletters in collaboration with project researchers and assisting with other general professional writing needs.
• 15% Public relations - Leads media relations strategy for the center, cultivating relationships with national and international reporters and coordinating media outreach in collaboration with campus communications partners.
• 10% Event coordination - Coordinating events such as panels, workshops, seminars, and donor visits.
• 5% Intern supervision - Supervising undergraduate student interns that support the center’s social media, website, and newsletters.
  

UC Vaccination Programs Policy
As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California Policy on Vaccinations Programs.
As a condition of Physical Presence at a Location or in a University Program, all Covered Individuals* must participate in any applicable Vaccination Program by providing proof that they are Up-to-Date with any required Vaccines or submitting a request for Exception in a Mandate Program or properly declining vaccination in an Opt-Out Program no later than the Compliance Date (Capitalized terms in this paragraph are defined in the policy.). Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.
For more information, please visit University of California Policy on Vaccinations – https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/5000695/VaccinationProgramsPolicy

• Covered Individuals: A Covered Individual includes anyone designated as Personnel or Students under this Policy who physically access a University Facility or Program in connection with their employment, appointment, or education/training. A person accessing a Healthcare Location as a patient, or an art, athletics, entertainment, or other publicly accessible venue at a Location as a member of the public, is not a Covered Individual.
  

Equal Employment Opportunity
The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.
Reasonable Accommodations
The University of California endeavors to make https://jobs.ucsb.edu accessible to any and all users. If you would like to contact us regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please contact Katherine Abad in Human Resources at 805-893-4664 or email katherine.abad@hr.ucsb.edu. This contact information is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.
Privacy Notification Statement
Privacy Notification Statement and Notice of Availability of the UCSB Annual Security and Fire Safety Report Disclosures
Application Status: If you would like to check the status of your application, please log into the Candidate Gateway where you applied and click on 'my activities'.