Campus News Writer (COMM SPEC 3 CM)

About the role

This position oversees a subject-matter portfolio within the News and Media Relations unit of Strategic Communications, handling moderately complex communications requirements. The portfolio includes student and campus life, university initiatives, events and programs—particularly those related to rankings, demographics, admissions, and international students and programs. The role involves staffing campus events, assisting with media relations, and writing stories for Dateline, UC Davis Magazine, and UC Davis News. The position liaises with program and campus leaders to identify compelling stories of unique university services, programs, and students making a positive impact. Responsibilities include pitching media, responding to non-reputationally sensitive media requests, and collaborating with colleagues on reputationally sensitive matters.

Responsibilities

• 70% - Generates News and Feature Stories: Develop and produce news and feature stories for various UC Davis publications and platforms.
• 20% - Provides Media Relations Support to the Campus: Assist with media relations, including pitching stories and responding to media inquiries.
• 10% - Provides Support to Campus Publications: Contribute to campus publications such as Dateline, UC Davis Magazine, and UC Davis News.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant subject.
• At least one year of experience as a news writer, public information officer, or professional communicator.
• Experience using writing, editing, and proofreading skills to ensure accurate, creative, and grammatically correct language, including translating academic and technical terminology into lay terms.
• Knowledge of all aspects of communications, including writing, social media, web publication, and event planning.
• Experience working in a diverse communications environment that includes print and digital media, as well as written and interactive content for diverse audiences.
• Knowledge and experience applying journalistic forms, styles, standards, techniques, and deadlines.
• Excellent skills in creating, developing, and implementing comprehensive long- and short-term strategic communications plans.
• Ability to organize tasks, meet deadlines, and produce clearly written, accurate, and organized materials under stringent time constraints.
• Knowledge and skills to advise and consult with management to ensure effective message delivery to target and general audiences.
• Knowledge of communication protocols and channels for internal and external audiences.
• Writing experience demonstrating storytelling across print, video, and photography media that emotionally engages varied audiences.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in a campus news or communications setting.
• Knowledge of the organization, its achievements, mission, vision, goals, policies, practices, infrastructure, and current affairs in higher education.
• Familiarity and experience promoting campus activities through social media and digitally engaging with audiences in contemporary ways.
• Ability to use metrics to inform communication approaches and incorporate data into decision-making.

About Strategic Communications

Strategic Communications provides comprehensive and coordinated campus leadership in developing, planning, creating, and implementing strategic communications programs aligned with departmental goals and objectives. The department works across all media to foster increased awareness, understanding, and support of UC Davis' mission, vision, accomplishments, impacts, and needs among its internal and external constituencies. It serves as the official voice of UC Davis to regional, state, national, and international news media.

Strategic Communications encompasses six units: Visual Communications, News and Media Relations, Web Communications, Social Media, Marketing, and Undergraduate Admissions Communications. The team includes multimedia storytellers, writers, social media practitioners, designers, web developers, information architects, and search engine experts. Their mission is to communicate university messages through interactive media, coordinating efforts across platforms such as ucdavis.edu, Facebook, LinkedIn, X, Instagram, YouTube, and other channels.

Pay

Annual salary range: $77,100 - $139,900 (subject to department budgeted maximum).

Schedule

• Full-time (100% time).
• Shift: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM.
• Hybrid work arrangement (mix of on-site and remote work).
• Occasional evenings, weekends, and travel to attend meetings, conferences, and events, including overnight travel.

Benefits

• High-quality, low-cost medical plans for you and your family.
• UC-paid dental and vision coverage for you and your family.
• Retirement plans, including pension and other retirement savings options.
• Supplemental insurance options: additional life, short/long-term disability, pet insurance, legal coverage, accident, critical illness, and hospital indemnity.
• Pregnancy and parental leave, family and medical leave, adoption assistance, and pay for family care and bonding for eligible employees.
• Lactation Support Program and family care discounts and resources.
• Employee Well-being resources and programming to support personal and professional thriving.
• On-site Employee Assistance Program with free mental health services.
• Generous paid holidays, vacation, and sick time as outlined in UC policies or collective bargaining agreements.
• Continuing Education allowance and Staff Education Reimbursement Program for eligible employees.
• Access to free professional development courses and learning opportunities.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Qualified Employer and Student Loan Debt Counseling Program for eligible employees.

Physical and Environmental Demands

• Standing: Occasional, up to 3 hours.
• Walking: Occasional, up to 3 hours.
• Sitting: Frequent, 3 to 6 hours.
• Lifting/Carrying (0-25 lbs): Occasional, up to 3 hours.
• Pushing/Pulling (0-25 lbs): Occasional, up to 3 hours.
• Bending/Stooping: Occasional, up to 3 hours.
• Squatting/Kneeling: Occasional, up to 3 hours.
• Twisting: Occasional, up to 3 hours.
• Reaching overhead: Occasional, up to 3 hours.
• Keyboard use/repetitive motion: Frequent, 3 to 6 hours.

Mental Demands

• Sustained attention and concentration: Frequent, 3 to 6 hours.
• Complex problem solving/reasoning: Occasional, up to 3 hours.
• Ability to organize and prioritize: Frequent, 3 to 6 hours.
• Communication skills: Frequent, 3 to 6 hours.
• Numerical skills: Occasional, up to 3 hours.
• Constant interaction: Frequent, 3 to 6 hours.
• Customer/Patient contact: Frequent, 3 to 6 hours.
• Multiple concurrent tasks: Frequent, 3 to 6 hours.

UC Davis is a smoke- and tobacco-free campus. This position may require occasional travel and a flexible work schedule, including evenings and weekends, to meet operational needs.