CLASSIFICATION TITLE: Public Affairs/Communication Specialist I

UNION CODE: R09

FT/PT: Full-time

PAY PLAN: 12-month

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CLASSIFICATION TITLE: Public Affairs/Communication Specialist I

UNION CODE: R09

FT/PT: Full-time

PAY PLAN: 12-month

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WORKPLACE TYPE: On-site (work in-person at business location)

ANTICIPATED HIRING RANGE: $3,338 - $4,200

• However, offer amount will be commensurate with candidate’s experience, education, skills, and training.

CSU CLASSIFICATION SALARY RANGE: $3,338 - $5,653

PAY BASIS: Monthly

BENEFITS: CSUB offers a best-in-class benefit package for eligible employees that includes an array of medical plans, choice of dental plans, vision coverage, retirement participation in CalPERS, CSU tuition waiver, up to 24 vacation days per year, sick leave with unlimited accrual, 14 paid holidays per year and more! See our benefits website for additional information.

CANDIDATES ELIGIBLE TO APPLY: Open to all qualified applicants

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLICANT:

FOR PRIORITY CONSIDERATION , applications must be received by February 15, 2024; however, the position will remain open until filled.

POSITION PURPOSE:

The Division of University Advancement engages CSUB alumni, donors, and friends to connect the university with the community through communications, events, programs, and philanthropic opportunities. The division aims to advance the resources available to the university and strengthen higher education in our region.

Within the Division of University Advancement, the Athletics Annual Fund Coordinator, under general supervision of the Associate Athletics Director of Development, performs moderately complex duties in coordinating and supporting the Roadrunner Club through the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of donors and prospects for CSUB Athletics.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Stewardship

• Assist with managing an assigned portfolio of annual fund-level donors and prospects. Keep continued contact (in person, electronically, and telephonically) to provide the highest level of stewardship and donor service exercising some judgement and discretion.
• In concert with the Associate Athletics Director of Development, and appropriate event staff, assist with coordinating donor events that provide stewardship opportunities through reserving space, performing outreach, sending reminders to attendees, assisting with marketing/promotion of the event, and setting up and taking down the event.
• Order gifts and promotional items and benefit delivery at the direction of the Director.
• Set-up, monitor event success, communicate any needs to the appropriate individual, and teardown basketball/baseball hospitality and chalk talks following standard policies and procedures.
• With direction from the Associate Athletic Director of Development, assist with the coordination of the Roadrunner Club Board and its volunteers by setting up and sending calendar invites for meetings, creating agendas, prepare materials, etc.

Solicitation

• In conjunction with Annual Giving and Stewardship department, coordinate phone-a-thon program by pulling phone lists, setting up times and phones for student athletes or board members to make calls, creation of emails, and putting together quarterly newsletter and annual informational brochure following pre-established template.
• Maintain contact (in-person, electronically, and telephonically) with donors about renewing annual gifts, and maintain contact with prospective donors about making contributions, to support CSUB athletics.
• With approval from the Athletics Director, the Associate Athletics Director of Development, and assigned athletics staff, work with coaching staff and student-athletes on assisting with fundraising efforts for scholarships and excellence funds.
• Assist with the drafting of proposals for donors and prospective donors using pre-made templates.

Identification

• Work with Data Analyst and Prospect Researcher to assist with prospect research to identify potential donors.
• Attend community and sporting events to network and develop relationships.
• Regularly enter data into the university’s donor database and help maintain data integrity. This includes updating contact information, reviewing giving history, managing relationships, running lists and reports.

Cultivation

• Participate in the development and execution of cultivation events with prospective donors and current donors (i.e. AD’s Dinner, influencer dinners, and other meetings).
• Attend campus and community events to network with prospective donors.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE – Equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, marketing or other related field and some related professional experience in marketing, social media management, communications, public relations or related field.

LICENSES – Possession of a valid driver’s license or the ability to obtain by date of hire.

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE & ABILITIES (SKA’s) –

• Regular and reliable attendance is required.
• Foundation knowledge of general practices, methods and procedures related to public affairs, media relations, marketing, and/or sports information.
• Ability to keep abreast of public policy and public affairs issues.
• Working knowledge of protocols and institutional etiquette related to public and media relations.
• Basic knowledge and understanding of media outlets including print, television, and radio.
• Ability to work with the media for the coverage of events.
• Basic knowledge of market research and related techniques.
• Working knowledge of summary statistics as they relate to research or sports information.
• Basic knowledge of applicable copyright and other laws pertaining to written materials, news media and confidentiality.
• Working knowledge of applicable software packages.
• Knowledge of basic web communication techniques, vehicles, and formats.
• Strong writing and editing skills to quickly produce clear and concise standard documents for internal and external publication.
• Ability to appropriately handle sensitive and confidential information.
• Strong interpersonal skills to develop and maintain relationships within the university and community and with the media.
• Demonstrated customer service experience requiring a very high level of diplomacy and professionalism.
• Ability to use tact and diplomacy to effectively handle a broad range of high level and sensitive interpersonal situations with diverse personalities, and to respond appropriately to conflicts and problems.
• Ability to initiate, establish, and foster communication and teamwork by maintaining a positive, cooperative, productive work atmosphere in the University with the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships within a diverse population and with those from various cultural backgrounds.
• Excellent communication skills: ability to effectively communicate information in a clear and understandable manner, both verbally and in writing.
• Thorough knowledge of English grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
• Ability to interpret, communicate and apply policies and procedures.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain a high degree of confidentiality.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills with the ability to set own priorities to coordinate multiple assignments with fluctuating and time-sensitive deadlines.
• Excellent computer skills and competence with a variety of computer applications including word-processing, spreadsheets, databases, on-line systems, Internet as well as online calendaring and email.
• Working knowledge of or ability to quickly learn University infrastructure, policies and procedures.
• Must be willing to travel and attend training programs off-site for occasional professional development.
• Must be able to work overtime, occasional holidays, and adjust working hours to meet special jobs. May be called back periodically to perform work as needed on an emergency basis.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience working in fundraising for a collegiate athletics department.
• Specific experience assisting a successful annual fund.
• Experience with Raiser’s Edge donor records database system.
• Demonstrated skills in an institutional/educational environment utilizing a customer-oriented and service-centered attitude.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

MEDIUM WORK – up to 40% of the activities involve sitting, standing, squatting, kneeling or walking; lifting heavy weight objects limited to 50 pounds; may involve pushing and pulling objects within the weight limits.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS:

SCREENING: Only those applicants possessing experience most directly related to the immediate needs of the office will be invited to appear before a Qualifications Appraisal Board for the purpose of appraising training, experience, and interest in the position .

CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY EMPLOYEES UNION: It shall be the policy of the CSU in filling vacant CSUEU bargaining Units 2, 5, 7 & 9 positions to fill such vacancies from among qualified individuals currently employed on-campus except when it is determined that it is necessary to appoint outside applicants to meet campus workforce diversity goals or to provide specialized skills and abilities that are not available from current employees.

BACKGROUND CHECK: Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check) is required for employment. CSU will make a conditional offer of employment, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current CSU employee who was conditionally offered the position.

SENSITIVE POSITION: Sensitive positions are designated by the CSU as requiring heightened scrutiny of individuals holding the position, based on potential for harm to children, concerns for the safety and security of the people, animals, or property, or heightened risk of financial loss to the CSU or individuals in the university community.

MANDATED REPORTER: Not mandated.

GENERAL INFORMATION: It is the policy of California State University, Bakersfield to hire only United States citizens and aliens lawfully authorized to work in the United States. All new employees will be required to present documentation verifying their right to accept employment. You will also be requested to present a social security card at the time of initial appointment in compliance with state payroll regulations. State regulations require that every state employee sign the Oath of Allegiance prior to commencing the duties of his/her State employment, except legally employed non-citizens. These individuals are required to sign the Declaration of Permission to Work.

EEO STATEMENT: California State University, Bakersfield is committed to Equal Employment Opportunity. Applicants will be considered without regard to gender, race, age, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, genetic information, marital status, disability or covered veteran status.

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