Job Summary

Reporting directly to the Dean of the College, the Communication Specialist is responsible for initiatives for college-wide communications to deliver timely information, provide services and build relationships with key audiences. The Communications Specialist will develop, implement and maintain a strategic communications plan for the College of Architecture & Environmental Design. This position also has a dotted reporting line into Cal Poly’s central University Communications and Marketing (UCM) division, working in partnership with the UCM team to ensure strategic communications and marketing plans are aligned with the university’s goals.

Department Summary

With approximately 2,000 students and 145 faculty and staff, Cal Poly's College of Architecture and Environmental Design (CAED) offers eight degree programs in five closely related departments: Architectural Engineering, Architecture, City and Regional Planning, Construction Management, and Landscape Architecture. For decades the CAED's nationally ranked, accredited programs and over 16,000 alumni have been a positive influence on forces that shape the planning, design and construction worlds. The common educational goal shared by all academic programs within the CAED is excellence in preparing tomorrow's built environment leaders. The CAED's programs are distinguished by their selective admissions, active incorporation of hands-on-learning experiences and their close instructional relationship to professions and industries, as well as public agencies and community constituents.

Key Qualifications

• Working knowledge of and ability to apply standard theories, principles, practices, and techniques related to marketing communications, public affairs, media relations, and branding to develop and implement campaigns and initiatives aligned with university goals.

• Demonstrated skill in developing strategic communications, targeted messaging, and marketing campaigns across multiple channels, including press releases, newsletters, websites, social media, and internal communications.

• Working knowledge of marketing and research techniques and methods, including the ability to conduct and coordinate market research — such as surveys, focus groups, and interviews — to identify communication needs and target audiences.

• Thorough knowledge of web communication techniques, best practices, and platforms, with the ability to maintain and update university websites ensuring content accuracy, relevance, and compliance with brand guidelines. 

• Demonstrated ability in story development, journalistic writing, and advanced editorial skills, including knowledge of interview techniques, AP Style, English grammar, spelling, and punctuation, to produce clear and compelling content for web and print publication. 

Education and Experience

• Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in a related field and two years of relevant experience. Additional relevant experience which demonstrates acquired and successfully applied knowledge and abilities shown below may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis. An advanced degree in a related field may be substituted for the required experience on a year-for-year basis. 

Salary and Benefits

Anticipated Hiring Range: $65,940 - $69,972 per year

Classification Range: $62,136 - $90,516 per year

Factors in determining the appropriate compensation for a role include experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. The Anticipated Hiring Range referenced in the job posting is the budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position. The Classification Range may be broader than what the University anticipates paying for this position, based on internal equity, budget, and collective bargaining agreements (when applicable).

Cal Poly offers a best-in-class benefits program, including health, dental and vision insurance, retirement participation in the Public Employees' Retirement System, and educational benefits for eligible employees. See our benefits website for additional information. 

Cal Poly

Cal Poly is a nationally-ranked public university located in San Luis Obispo, California, and known for its Learn by Doing philosophy. Each year more than 20,000 top-tier students come to San Luis Obispo to put knowledge into action, taking their learning outside the classroom as they prepare for careers in engineering, agriculture, science, business, humanities and the built environment. Cal Poly’s hands-on philosophy, small class sizes and close student-faculty mentorships result in graduates ready from day one to impact their communities, California and the world. For more information, visit calpoly.edu.

Equal Opportunity and Excellence in Education and Employment

This position is open and available to all regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, Cal Poly provides equal opportunity in education and employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every student and employee has access to the resources and support they need to thrive and succeed in a university environment and in their communities. Cal Poly complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws, and CSU’s Nondiscrimination Policy. We prohibit discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all university programs, policies, and practices.

Cal Poly is a diverse community of individuals who represent many perspectives, beliefs and identities, committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and intellectually vibrant environment. We cultivate a culture of open dialogue, mutual respect, and belonging to support educational excellence and student success. Through academic programs, student organizations and activities, faculty initiatives, and community partnerships, we encourage meaningful engagement with diverse perspectives. As a higher education institution, we are dedicated to advancing knowledge and empowering individuals to reach their full potential by prioritizing inclusive curriculum development, faculty and staff training, student mentorship, and comprehensive support programs. At Cal Poly, excellence is built on merit, talent, diversity, accessibility, and equal opportunity for all.

Supplemental Information

Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check) is required for employment. Cal Poly 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. Current employees who are offered positions on campus will be required to undergo a background check for any position where a background check is required by law or that Cal Poly has designated as sensitive. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current CSU employee who was conditionally offered the position.

The person holding this position is considered a 'mandated reporter' under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.

Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo is not a sponsoring agency for staff or management positions. Applicants for staff and management positions must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

Positions are posted for a minimum of 14 calendar days.