Marketing Communications Specialist

Salary: $5,199.00 Monthly
Location : College of the Canyons - Valencia, CA
Job Type: Classified Represented
Job Number: 202400014
Division: Public Information Office
Opening Date: 09/24/2024
Closing Date: 10/21/2024 11:59 PM Pacific
Description
Two weeks prior to the deadline to submit applications, the diversity of current applicants will be assessed. Upon review, if the pool does not include sufficient diversity at that time, the application window may be extended.
The Santa Clarita Community College District/College of the Canyons is seeking a full-time Marketing Communications Specialist in the Public Information, Advocacy, External Relations and District Communications division.
Salary Placement:
Salary placement will be on Range 24 of Classified Represented Salary Schedule B.
** Initial salary step placement for new employees is customarily at step 1, 2, or 3 ($5,199.00 / $5,513.00 / $5,825.00 per month) of this 20-step salary range.
Probationary period for new Classified employees is six months. Work year is 12 calendar months. The normal workweek for this position is 40 hours. Paid holiday, discretionary, and sick time are provided. Ten vacation days accrue during the first year of employment. A regular work schedule will be assigned, with the ability to occasionally work a flexible schedule as needed with supervisor approval.
Who We Are
The Santa Clarita Community District is committed to achieving educational equity for all students. As presented in our District Strategic Plan, which focuses on Access, Engagement, and Success, "Equity, inclusion, and diversity are not goals in themselves, but ideologies embedded in all actions and planning across all departments and functions of our college and its two campuses." These areas of focus demonstrate a resolve to focus on student success and confirm that we are at the forefront of change with integrated planning efforts that both evolve and anticipate the needs of our students. We provide students with a rich and dynamic learning experience that embraces differences - fostering healthy inclusion through inquiry, shared dialogue, and reflection to ensure that we promote a sense of community, collegiality, and cooperation. When you join our team at the Santa Clarita Community College District, you can expect to be part of an inclusive, creative, flexible, innovative, and equity-focused community that engages students, each other, and the community in scholarly inquiry, creative partnerships, and the application of knowledge and success.
Who We Want
We value the ability to serve students from a broad range of cultural heritages, socioeconomic backgrounds, genders, abilities, and orientations. Therefore, we prioritize applicants who demonstrate they understand the benefits diversity brings to a professional educational community. The successful candidate must be an equity-minded individual committed to collaborating with faculty, classified staff, administration, students, and community partners who share our commitment to closing equity gaps. The Santa Clarita Community College District seeks leaders possessing a strong grounding in academic and student services programs and a thorough understanding of the primary mission of the community college. We seek employees that value mentorship and working in a collegial, collaborative environment, who are conscientious risk takers and transformational leaders guided by a commitment to helping all students achieve their educational goals.
Position Description:
Under the direction of the Director of District Marketing, Creative Media, and Content Strategy, the Marketing Communications Specialist is responsible for performing a variety of detail orientated tasks related to implementing communication and marketing strategies in support of District enrollment management goals and to promote College programs and events. Performs other related duties as assigned.
Example of Duties
Essential Duties:
The Duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to this class.

1. Responsible for implementing all aspects of social media content marketing including developing a content calendar, collaborating with content contributors and stakeholders, and creating/curating content that is visually compelling, engaging, and effective with target audiences to help advance the institution's strategic priorities.
2. Capturing photo and video images of on-campus activities, athletic events, and other District functions for use in social media, digital advertising, print and other communications platforms. Assisting the PIO team in operating and maintaining the District's Photoshelter digital archiving system.
3. Gathering information and creating engaging advertising content for a wide range of media, including print, broadcast, and digital outlets.
4. Assisting with production of District promotional videos, including concept development, script writing, production scheduling and coordination, talent recruiting and scheduling, researching, negotiating and contracting with vendors, and final approval to ensure consistency with District brand and quality standards.
5. Conducting research and analyzing data to stay current on social media and emerging marketing trends. Developing strategies to implement new technologies and coordinating efforts to stay current with technological and philosophical developments, creating new marketing opportunities for the District and ensuring content remains relevant to target audiences.
6. Formatting, packaging, and distributing content via college email and e-newsletter tools to internal and external audiences.
7. Helping ensure marketing materials developed by other college departments adhere to college brand and quality standards.
8. Assisting with providing guidance to District employees tasked with creating and maintaining departmental social networking sites to ensure content is consistent with the Districts brand.
9. Developing content, scheduling, and programming of messages for outdoor marquees and indoor monitors. Meeting with college departments in response to messaging requests and evaluating appropriateness of messaging.
10. In coordination with the Public Information Office team, participates as needed in the creation of press releases, news stories and website content, media relations, and editing and proofreading District publications.
11. Assists in the planning, coordination, scheduling, execution and publicity for District and community public relations events.
12. Establishes positive and effective working relationships with District staff, media representatives, local agencies and organizations, vendors, and the general public.
13. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Demonstrated Knowledge and Abilities:
Position requires knowledge of:

• Effective social media strategies and tactics.
• Marketing strategies and techniques.
• Principles and techniques to establish and maintain good public, community and media relations.
• Principles and techniques to prepare, produce and disseminate information.
• Basic photography techniques.
• Computer applications for word-processing, graphic design, and variety of communications software including electronic marquee programming.
• Microsoft Office Suite software (Access, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint), office organization and other related skill areas.
• Oral and written communications skills including correct English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation, vocabulary and standard journalistic news style.
• Interpersonal skills using tact, patience and courtesy.
• District organization, operations, policies and objectives.
• Modern office practices, procedures and equipment.

Position requires ability to:

• Implement effective strategic marketing plans for the District.
• Analyze the effectiveness of social media content and revise accordingly.
• Assume responsibility and perform repetitive work, or continuously perform the same work with accuracy and efficiency.
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing with a variety of people at all organizational levels in an academic environment.
• Provide appropriate information to the students, faculty, staff, and the public in a friendly and professional manner.
• Write and edit clear, concise, accurate and effective materials for public distribution for print and online modalities.
• Maintain confidentiality when dealing with sensitive and privileged material and information.
• Understand and carry out oral and written directions and instructions.
• Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with students, faculty, staff, representative of the media, local agencies and organizations, vendors and the general public.
• Learn, interpret, and apply legal mandates, policies, regulations, and guidelines and operational procedures.
• Analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action.
• Learn, interpret, and apply district and state regulations, policies, guidelines and procedures.
• Meet schedules and deadlines.
• Show willingness to participate in cross-training activities; ability to learn quickly and retain new information.
• Take responsibility and use professional judgment based on established guidelines and procedures.
• Work effectively and demonstrate currency of knowledge with computers and other forms of advanced technology utilized in providing high-quality services.
• Demonstrate excellent customer service skills and ability to multi-task in a team-oriented environment.
• Demonstrate clear evidence of a sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability and ethnic backgrounds of community college students, staff and the community.

Qualifications and Minimum Requirements
Minimum Requirements:
Experience:
Two (2) years of full-time equivalent public relations/public information, photography, or marketing/communications experience developing and implementing public information/public relations programs, including social media.
Education:
Bachelor's degree in marketing, communications, business, journalism, English, public relations, or a closely related field from an accredited institution.
Desirable Qualifications:
Four years of public information, sports information, advertising, or marketing/communications experience developing and implementing public information/public relations programs.
Physical Characteristics:
Position requires sitting and viewing a computer monitor for extended periods of time plus frequent periods of standing and walking, which may include climbing staircases; dexterity of hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard and related equipment; stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, twisting/turning, bending at the waist, and reaching in awkward positions; frequently exerting 10 to 20 pounds of force to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects; hearing and speaking to communicate and provide information to others; vision to read printed material and computer monitor; handling and working with various materials and objects; intermittent exposure to impatient, angry and/or verbally aggressive individuals; and travel from site-to-site.
Conditions of Employment:

• Ability to maintain a flexible workweek with hours that may vary.
• Must be willing to change hours including day, evening and some weekend assignments as needed in conjunction with campus events and department needs.

Further Details
District Classified Employee Benefits:
Full-time employees are provided with a diversified program that includes medical, dental and vision insurance including dependent coverage, disability, and life insurance as well as Section 125 options. These benefits commence on the first of the month following date of hire. Professional development opportunities are provided to all employees. Educational incentive is available to eligible Classified Represented and Confidential employees.
RETIREMENT: Classified employees contribute to the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS), a defined benefit retirement plan through the State of California.
Conditions of Employment:
Successful completion of background fingerprint clearance, pre-employment physical examination (disabilities not related to the physical job will not affect the application process) and TB screening.
Proof of eligibility to work in the United States and signing of loyalty oath per government codes 3100-3109.
Meeting applicable eligibility requirements under CalPERS or CalSTRS if you are a current or former member.
Board of Trustees approval.
Official, sealed transcripts are required upon offer of employment.
Ability to maintain a flexible workweek with hours that may vary, including evening and weekend assignments as needed.
Equal Employment Opportunity:
Santa Clarita Community College District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
The Santa Clarita Community College District is committed to employing qualified employees who are dedicated to student learning and success. The Board recognizes that diversity in the academic environment fosters awareness, promotes mutual understanding and respect, and provides suitable role models for all students. The Board is committed to hiring and staff development processes that support the goals of equal opportunity and diversity, and provide consideration for all qualified candidates. The District does not unlawfully discriminate in providing educational or employment opportunities to any person on the basis of race, color, religion, religious creed (including religious dress and grooming practices), national origin, ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition (including cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, marital status, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), gender, gender identity, gender expression, age (40 years and over), sexual orientation, veteran and/or military status, protected medical leaves (requesting or approved for leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act or the California Family Rights Act), domestic violence victim status, political affiliation, and any other status protected by state or federal law or on the basis of these perceived characteristics, or based on association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics.
Applicants who have disabilities may request that accommodations be made in order to complete the selection process by contacting the Human Resources office directly at (661) 362-3427.
About the District:
Access. Engagement. Success.
College of the Canyons serves more than 37,000 students on two campuses in the Santa Clarita Valley, about 30 miles north of downtown Los Angeles. Better known locally as COC, the college excels at both transfer and career preparation, sending thousands of graduates each year to California's top public and private four-year universities, and into high-wage careers in Southern California's fastest-growing industries.
The college has earned numerous regional, state, and national awards for its innovative and collaborative efforts to increase student access, engagement, and success. It was the only California community college to receive the 2024 Carnegie Community Engagement Classification from the American Council on Education and Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. The college is also recognized for its high degree of Hispanic student enrollment and degree achievement, having been named one of the top colleges in the nation for those achievements by The Hispanic Outlook in Higher Education Magazine.
The college takes seriously its mission to foster diversity, equity, and inclusion. With a 48-percent Hispanic student population, it is a federally designated Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI), as well as an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANAPISI).
College of the Canyons is:

• Guided by an elected five-member Board of Trustees composed of former faculty members and students committed to prudent fiscal management and thoughtful policy development.
• Supported by an active Foundation that generates more than $1 million of revenue and awards more than $300,000 in student scholarships each year.
• Recognized as a statewide leader in the development and implementation of OER/ZTC (open educational resources/zero textbook costs) materials, saving students millions of dollars in textbook costs.
• Resourceful, as evidenced by the $16 million in grant revenue generated in the past year.
• Highly regarded in the community, whose residents voted to approve more than $400 million of bond funds in three separate elections since 2001.
• Focused on making higher education more affordable, as evidenced by the Canyons Promise program that provides the first two years of study free for new, full-time students.

The best measure of our success is the achievement of our students. Their accomplishments include:

• Transferring to the top University of California campuses, including Berkeley, Los Angeles, and San Diego.
• Earning national and state academic awards, including Jack Kent Cooke Scholarships, Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise Scholars, and Phi Theta Kappa All California Academic Team honors.
• Winning 39 state championships while competing in 17 intercollegiate sports.
• Designing research projects carried aboard NASA spacecraft.
• Garnering numerous awards in Model UN, Forensics (Communications), and Future Business Leaders of America competitions.
• Achieving a 21 percent median wage increase after completing career education courses.

Those who are selected for positions at College of the Canyons will join a team of accomplished administrators, esteemed educators, and dedicated staff members who are innovative and focused on enhancing people's lives by continually expanding educational access, engagement, and success.
Ready. Set. Grow.
College of the Canyons is poised to continue growing in its ability to expand access to higher education, to enhance student engagement, and to bolster the ongoing success of our students and wider community.
Currently, we are:

• Building an off-site Advanced Technology Center to provide hands-on training in advanced manufacturing, robotics, and welding.
• Renovating the Student Center to create a more welcoming gathering space for students.
• Enhancing the services we offer to students at our Canyon Country campus with the addition of 110,000 square feet of classrooms, labs, and support spaces in the new Takeda Science Center and adjoining Student Services & Learning Resources Center.
• Offering 275 associate degree and certificate programs (and always developing more), including new Allied Health training programs in Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Pharmacy Technology, and Diagnostic Medical Sonography.
• Creating a safe space for students to share their voices and engage in dialog and connection in our new Intercultural Center.
• Hosting world-class entertainers in the Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center at the Valencia campus.
• Offering a wide variety of bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees from partner universities at the Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook University Center.
• Bolstering the economic development of our region by raising $2.5 million in external funding to provide customized workforce training for more than 5,100 local employees.

By always working to create new opportunities, focusing on innovation, and embracing dynamic partnerships, we create ongoing success that benefits everyone we serve.
Are You Ready to Join Us?
College of the Canyons is looking for faculty, staff, and administrators who are leaders, innovators, and creators focused on putting the needs of students first. Specifically, we seek those who share our commitment to:

• Teaching and Learning - College of the Canyons values high performance in teaching and learning.
• Respect for All People - We expect students and employees to demonstrate honesty, integrity, social responsibility, and ethical behavior that fosters a college climate characterized by civility, collegiality, and acceptance.
• Partnership with Community - We advance the educational, intellectual, artistic, civic, cultural, and economic aspirations of our surrounding community by actively partnering with more than 100 community schools, colleges, universities, businesses, and government and social agencies.
• Excellence - We set the highest standards for ourselves and support the professional development of faculty, staff, and administrators.
• Creativity and Innovation - We encourage members of the college community to be entrepreneurial, forward-thinking, creative, persistent, spontaneous, and willing to explore new ideas that strengthen our ability to enhance student access, engagement, and success.

Location. Location. Location.
The single college within the Santa Clarita Community College District, College of the Canyons is located in Santa Clarita, the third most populous city in Los Angeles County, and serves a 367-square-mile area in the northern part of the county. The college's two campuses are just a short drive from downtown Los Angeles.
With mild weather and convenient freeway access, the Santa Clarita Valley offers residents and visitors convenient year-round access to what makes Southern California a popular destination. Theme parks, Pacific Ocean beaches, and mountains are nearby, along with the dining, cultural, and sports attractions of Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Hollywood, and other iconic destinations.
Our service area is a hub of advanced manufacturing, biotechnology, and film production. By redefining the traditional role of community colleges, we have become the training provider of choice for local companies, which count on us to deliver high-quality, cutting-edge training.
APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS:
Applicants are encouraged to complete their applications online. Please visit our website at If you require assistance, please call the Human Resources office at (661)362-3427 or for the hearing-impaired TTY/TDD Line at (661)362-5178. Applicants may check the status of their application online and may expect to be notified within approximately 4 to 5 weeks following the Review Date as to the status of their application.
All application materials must be uploaded online or received in the Human Resources office by the end of the day on the Review Date in order to assure consideration for this position. Postmark is not acceptable for this purpose. Separate application materials must be submitted for each position applied for. Materials submitted become property of the District and will not be returned, copied, or considered for other openings. The Human Resources office is located in the University Center, Suite #360, 26455 Rockwell Canyon Road, Santa Clarita, CA 91355.
Your application is not complete until the following required materials have been uploaded online or received by the Human Resources office:

• Online District CLASSIFIED Application .
• Detailed resume , which includes month/year dates of employment and descriptions of responsibilities at each employer.
• Letter of interest (cover letter). In your letter, please address your qualifications and experience as they pertain to the job duties and the abilities section of this announcement.
• Copies of complete and legible college transcripts clearly indicating all college units earned and any degree awarded. You can submit unofficial copies of transcripts for application purposes. Copies of diplomas are not acceptable in lieu of college transcripts. Official, sealed transcripts are required upon offer of employment. Please see our website for the requirements for evaluation of transcripts from foreign colleges or universities.
• Confidential Recruitment Source Information (voluntary survey). This is voluntary and is a part of the online applicant profile, separate from the application.
• Supplemental Questionnaire. Please answer the following questions as part of your application packet.

1. Do you possess a Bachelor's degree or higher in marketing, communications, business, journalism, English, public relations, or a closely related field from an accredited college or university? (yes/no) If yes, please provide a legible copy of your college/university transcript in your application packet, with your degree(s) clearly visible. Copies of diplomas are not acceptable in lieu of college transcripts. If no, you do not meet the minimum qualifications for this position.
2. Please describe your experience in public relations/public information, or your photography and/or marketing/communications experience developing and implementing public information/public relations programs, including social media. Please include details on the types of projects you have worked on and your specific responsibilities. Include employer name(s), your position title(s), dates of employment, full-time or part-time status (% of time or number of hours worked per week), and your roles and responsibilities. Please provide your total years of full-time equivalent experience you have in these fields.
3. Please describe your experience utilizing social media for marketing purposes. Include details about the platforms you used, strategies you implemented, and the outcomes you achieved.
4. Please provide examples of projects you worked on independently and projects you worked on as part of a team.
5. Please describe your experience with project management specific to marketing. How do you manage your time and balance multiple projects to ensure you meet project deadlines?
6. Please describe your commercial/professional photography experience, including details on your photo editing skills.
7. In previous jobs, how did your work contribute to the efficiency of your manager or department?
8. Please describe any experience you may have working with others in a collaborative, collegial environment.
9. Please describe your ability to work successfully and thrive in a multicultural, diverse environment.
10. What interests you the most about working in this staff position at College of the Canyons?

• Letters of reference are optional.

Please note:

• Skills evaluation of candidates for interview may be required.
• Travel and relocation expenses are the responsibility of the applicant.
• Hiring committees review all complete, qualified application packets. Possession of the minimum qualifications does not guarantee an interview.
• "Experience" generally refers to relevant paid experience. In some instances, unpaid experience may be counted as experience towards meeting the minimum qualifications or requirements for the position only if it entailed responsibilities substantially similar to those of relevant paid positions in the field. It is the applicant's responsibility to provide sufficient information and details to the Human Resources office at the time of submission of their application packet. Details should include the organization, contact name, contact information, start and end dates, hours per week, and a list of relevant unpaid/volunteer duties or responsibilities performed. Not all unpaid experience may qualify. Upon offer of employment, an applicant will be required to obtain written verification(s) of any relevant unpaid/volunteer experience.
• Current COC employees who are applying for this position: Please be aware that materials from your personnel file are not included as part of the application file; therefore, please provide the same requested application materials as any other applicant.
• Please be aware that, should you be considered as a finalist for this position, reference checks will include current supervisor(s).
• Applicants are encouraged to apply online. If you need assistance with the application process, contact:

Human Resources Office
(661) 362-3427
TTY/TDD (661) 362-5178 or visit our website at
It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that all application materials are fully and correctly submitted. All materials submitted are for this position only and become the property of the District. Materials will not be returned, copied, or considered for other openings. Resumes may not be submitted in lieu of the official application form.
The College is expecting to conduct initial interviews between the weeks of November 11, 2024 and November 18, 2024 and conduct final interviews between the weeks of November 18, 2024 and November 25, 2024. This is an estimated timeline, and is subject to change.
Interviews may be conducted in-person or remotely via Zoom.
** This is an in-person position. **
Positions are offered contingent on funding. We reserve the right to withdraw, extend the filing date, reopen, or delay filling this position. Recruitment may continue until the position is filled. This recruitment may be used for future vacancies.
For the most current information, please visit the College of the Canyons benefits page at or call (661) 362-3127.
01
Do you possess a Bachelor's degree or higher in marketing, communications, business, journalism, English, public relations, or a closely related field from an accredited college or university? (yes/no) If yes, please provide a legible copy of your college/university transcript in your application packet, with your degree(s) clearly visible. Copies of diplomas are not acceptable in lieu of college transcripts. If no, you do not meet the minimum qualifications for this position.

• Yes
• No

02
Please describe your experience in public relations/public information, or your photography and/or marketing/communications experience developing and implementing public information/public relations programs, including social media. Please include details on the types of projects you have worked on and your specific responsibilities. Include employer name(s), your position title(s), dates of employment, full-time or part-time status (% of time or number of hours worked per week), and your roles and responsibilities. Please provide your total years of full-time equivalent experience you have in these fields.
03
Please describe your experience utilizing social media for marketing purposes. Include details about the platforms you used, strategies you implemented, and the outcomes you achieved.
04
Please provide examples of projects you worked on independently and projects you worked on as part of a team.
05
Please describe your experience with project management specific to marketing. How do you manage your time and balance multiple projects to ensure you meet project deadlines?
06
Please describe your commercial/professional photography experience, including details on your photo editing skills.
07
In previous jobs, how did your work contribute to the efficiency of your manager or department?
08
Please describe any experience you may have working with others in a collaborative, collegial environment.
09
Please describe your ability to work successfully and thrive in a multicultural, diverse environment.
10
What interests you the most about working in this staff position at College of the Canyons?
Required Question