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California State University, Monterey Bay seeks a Communications Specialist to support enrollment marketing initiatives and manage content for print, digital, and web channels. The role coordinates online materials, collaborates with staff, and optimizes communication plans to advance admissions goals.
The position emphasizes developing engaging program descriptions, updating the admissions site, and leading campaigns with a focus on cross‑campus collaboration and data-informed messaging.
Classification: Marketing Communications Professional II
Hours: Full-time / 40 hours per week
FLSA: Exempt
Anticipated Hiring Salary: $5,281* month
CSU Salary Schedule
*CSUMB provides pay scales representing its good faith estimate of what the university reasonably expects to pay for this position. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, and CSU systemwide pay for comparable jobs.
Priority Screening Date: October 5, 2026
Recruitment Status: Open Until Filled
California State University, Monterey Bay is a mid-sized university in California’s Central Coast that grants undergraduate and graduate degrees. Powered by an inspiring Founding Vision Statement, CSUMB is part of the nation’s largest four-year public university system, California State University, which educates nearly 460,000 students every year.
With a vibrant, diverse student body of over 7,000 students, CSU Monterey Bay is both a Minority Serving Institution and a Hispanic Serving Institution. Our staff and faculty transform students’ lives with a focus on student success and engagement through experiential learning, service learning, and a strong emphasis on multicultural and global perspectives. CSUMB’s sustainability goal is to be carbon neutral by 2030.
The university’s Strategic Plan prioritizes inclusive excellence through recruiting and investing in developing a diverse body of faculty, staff and administrators. Many appreciate living and working close to the shores of beautiful Monterey Bay, with easy access to recreational areas from Big Sur to Santa Cruz. Nearby opportunities for collaborative research include working in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary and Silicon Valley, and with colleagues at local research universities, including UC Santa Cruz and Stanford University.
As one of the 22 campuses in the CSU system, CSUMB offers excellent benefits, including access to below-market-rate rental housing on East Campus, and competitive salaries for faculty and staff. With proximity to the San Francisco Bay Area and San Jose, opportunities for faculty, staff and students are as endless as the shores of the nearby Pacific Ocean.
Under the direction of the Director of Communications for Enrollment Management, the Communications Specialist supports all enrollment marketing initiatives and communication initiatives in the office of Enrollment Management. The position coordinates online interactive marketing and assists with developing the recruitment and admissions website content, uses a variety of software programs and applications to develop, design and produce print materials and websites, and supports all communication responsibilities for Admissions. The Communications Specialist recommends improvements, enhancements and efficiencies in communication, manages all web tools and prospective applicant and current student data as it relates to the successful development, is responsible for the implementation and production of multiple communications plans and events, and carries out day to day assignments that affect CSUMB enrollment goals.
Perform other job-related duties and special projects as assigned.
Knowledge: Working knowledge of and ability to apply standard theories, practices, principles and techniques related to communications in the public affairs, media, marketing, and/or sports information areas. Thorough knowledge of and ability to use effectively media outlets including planning media coverage and media publicity campaigns for the university and events. Thorough knowledge of web communication techniques, vehicles and formats. Working knowledge of copyright and other applicable laws pertaining to publications and the media. Knowledge of interview techniques and the ability to define and deliver media messages. Working knowledge of marketing and research techniques and methods. Working knowledge of applicable software packages.
Skills: Strong story development and journalistic writing skills, as well as advanced editorial skills. Exceptional interpersonal skills, including strong public speaking, listening and interpretive skills. Strong writing and editing skills to quickly produce clear and concise standard documents for internal and external publication.
Ability to: to build and manage more sophisticated media contacts; effectively use web technology to achieve communication goals; analyze and select pertinent facts and integrate them into communication vehicles; apply market research to identify communication needs and target audiences; provide lead work direction; appropriately handle sensitive and confidential information. Demonstrated ability to keep abreast of campus events and subject matter expertise in relation to current events to identify and capitalize on media opportunities that will promote the university and increase positive media coverage.
Entry to this classification requires knowledge of the fundamentals of public affairs and/or media relations, and/or some exposure to marketing and marketing research. This background normally is obtained through a college degree, which includes relevant coursework in the field, and up to two years of related professional or technical experience. In addition, strong written and verbal communication skills with a solid foundation in grammar, spelling, and the composition of various communication vehicles are essential to initial entry to this classification.
Master’s degree and/or 2 years of experience in developing or deploying communications strategies. Expert knowledge in management tools such as Photoshop, InDesign, Dreamweaver, Illustrator, and Adobe Creative Suite and/or other platforms. Experience with Microsoft Suite and Google Suite. Demonstrated technical literacy. Technical fluency with Oracle/PeopleSoft, Salesforce, CSU Common Management System or equivalent student information system; Microsoft Office Professional; Google Workspace (Gmail, Docs, Sheets, Drive, Calendar, Forms, etc.); 25Live; intranet drives; and internet browsers. Ability to coordinate the efforts of professional staff in the accomplishment of marketing and communications goals.
Technical fluency with Oracle/PeopleSoft, CSU Common Management System or equivalent information system; Microsoft Office Professional; Google Workspace (Gmail, Docs, Sheets, Drive, Calendar, Forms, etc.); 25Live; intranet drives; and internet browsers.
Office environment with standard equipment and tasks. The position requires working at a computer and desk for extended periods of time. May require travel between campus offices and off-campus locations.
The health and safety of our students, faculty, and staff remain our highest priority. While on campus, students, faculty, staff, and the community will be expected to follow all campus safety mandates.
CSUMB offers a premium benefit package that includes outstanding vacation, health, dental and vision plans; membership in the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS); and 15 paid holidays a year. For more information, visit the Employee Benefits Summary. The University Corporation at Monterey Bay also provides access to affordable housing near main campus. The allocation of housing is subject to several factors, including availability, eligibility criteria, and specific program guidelines. For more information, visit: https://csumb.edu/corporation/employee-housing