Education Program Specialist (Hybrid)

University of California Merced; California; Hybrid; USD 32,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

The Education Specialist supports education policy and advocacy initiatives in partnership with the California County Superintendents, the Merced County Office of Education, and UC Merced. This role provides research, administrative, and logistical assistance for legislative and policy-related activities, including tracking legislation, preparing briefing materials, and coordinating events.

The Education Specialist contributes to policy evaluation, supports internal systems for monitoring

Qualifications

• Good reading, verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills (Preferred).
• Working knowledge of departmental and organization policies and procedures; knowledge of educational program content and objectives (Preferred).
• Skill in using business software systems in the completion of work assignments; i.e., Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint (Preferred).

Responsibilities

• Supports education policy and advocacy initiatives led by the California County Superintendents and the Merced County Office of Education through a partnership with UC Merced.
• Provides administrative and logistical support for meetings, site visits, legislative hearings, and statewide events.
• Assists in tracking legislation, preparing policy research, and supporting the development of public comments, briefing materials, and legislative communications.
• Participates in the review and evaluation of policy activities and engagement strategies, offering recommendations to improve processes and impact.
• Supports internal systems used to monitor policy developments, track deliverables, and align advocacy efforts with association priorities.
• Contributes to planning and reconciling budgets and travel for advocacy events, conferences, and professional development activities.
• Engages in structured onboarding, mentorship, and professional learning opportunities designed to build experience in public policy and educational leadership.
• Completes a supervised research project focused on the development and implementation of a past legislative initiative.

Skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Policy understanding

Presentation skills

Education

Associate degree

Bachelor's degree (Preferred)

Tools

Word

Excel

Access

PowerPoint

Job description

Hiring Range

The University of California, Merced is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience. The hourly range the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $22.99/hr - $28.01/hr.

Job Closing Date

Remote/Hybrid eligibility: This position Hybrid and it requires travel and some days in person in Merced and Sacramento.

Initial applicant review will take place on or around October 14th, 2026. Posting will close after the review date.

CANRA (U13): Mandated Child Abuse Reporter.

Travel to state-wide meetings or other business.

About UC Merced

With approximately 9,100 undergraduate and graduate students, UC Merced is a smaller, more intimate campus compared to its sister campuses, while equipped and staffed as a cutting edge, 21st century research institution. With bachelor's, master's and doctoral degree programs, strong research and academic partnerships and a growing community in the heart of the San Joaquin Valley, the UC Merced campus is continually evolving and requires talented, knowledgeable and dynamic educators, researchers, management and staff.

Ranked in the top 30 among the best public universities in the nation by U.S. News and World Report and #1 for social mobility by the Wall Street Journal, UC Merced is uniquely equipped to provide world class educational opportunities to dynamic and enterprising students in the Valley and throughout the state.

In partnership with UC San Francisco, UC Merced has launched a rigorous medical education program that will supply the Valley with culturally competent providers dedicated to improving local access to quality care.

The campus enjoys a special connection with nearby Yosemite National Park, is on the cutting edge of sustainability in construction and design and is accelerating the continued economic development of the region.

About The Job

The Education Specialist supports education policy and advocacy initiatives in partnership with the California County Superintendents, the Merced County Office of Education, and UC Merced. This role provides research, administrative, and logistical assistance for legislative and policy-related activities, including tracking legislation, preparing briefing materials, and coordinating events. The Education Specialist contributes to policy evaluation, supports internal systems for monitoring developments, and assists with budget and travel planning for advocacy efforts. Through structured onboarding, mentorship, and a supervised research project, the position offers hands-on experience in public policy, educational leadership, and statewide education initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

• Supports education policy and advocacy initiatives led by the California County Superintendents and the Merced County Office of Education through a partnership with UC Merced.
• Provides administrative and logistical support for meetings, site visits, legislative hearings, and statewide events.
• Assists in tracking legislation, preparing policy research, and supporting the development of public comments, briefing materials, and legislative communications.
• Participates in the review and evaluation of policy activities and engagement strategies, offering recommendations to improve processes and impact.
• Supports internal systems used to monitor policy developments, track deliverables, and align advocacy efforts with association priorities.
• Contributes to planning and reconciling budgets and travel for advocacy events, conferences, and professional development activities.
• Engages in structured onboarding, mentorship, and professional learning opportunities designed to build experience in public policy and educational leadership.
• Completes a supervised research project focused on the development and implementation of a past legislative initiative.

Qualifications

EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE

• Associate degree in a related area or equivalent experience/training.
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited university. (Preferred)

AND

• 1 year of directly related, progressively responsible experience, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

CRITICAL KNOWLEDGE And SKILLS

• Good reading, verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills, and good presentation skills. (Preferred)
• Working knowledge of departmental and organization policies and procedures; knowledge of educational program content and objectives. (Preferred)
• Skill in using business software systems in the completion of work assignments; i.e., Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint. (Preferred)

Background check required.

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 categories covered by the UC Anti-Discrimination Policy.

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/