PUBLIC AFFRS/COMM SPC 12-INT

Dance, Music, and Theatre Publicist

Department of Dance, Music, and Theater

Job #532077

First Review Date: December 5, 2023

Open Until Filled

At Cal Poly Humboldt, bold hearts and open minds shape the future.

Founded in 1913, Cal Poly Humboldt began as a small college for teachers. Today Humboldt has grown into a comprehensive university with rigorous science and liberal arts programs. Designated a polytechnic in 2022, Cal Poly Humboldt provides hands-on, impactful educational opportunities that lead to meaningful, measurable outcomes for the individual, for the state, and the world.

Cal Poly Humboldt is proud to have nearly 6,000 students of all backgrounds spread across 61 majors, 13 graduate programs, and 4 credential programs - all of whom contribute passion and creativity within their fields and set the stage for a future grounded in equity and sustainability. Hands-on learning, inspired teaching, ground-breaking research, and thought-provoking creative activity happen daily at Humboldt.

Cal Poly Humboldt is a Hispanic-Serving Institution that strives to foster an inclusive and equitable community to support our students of diverse backgrounds. We are committed to achieving the goals of equal opportunity and endeavors to employ faculty and staff of the highest quality committed to working in a multicultural and multiracial community that reflects the diversity of the state.

Finding a better future is a task for the bold and open, the down-to-earth and visionary. Cal Poly Humboldt strives to cultivate these qualities in leaders, innovators, and scholars in every field.

(Job #532077) Public Affairs/Communications Specialist - Intermittent Hourly, Dance, Music, and Theatre Publicist, Salary Range: $21.70 - 39.25 hourly, Hiring Range: $21.70 - 22.80 hourly. Appointments are typically made at the beginning of the salary range. Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience. This is a temporary, intermittent hourly, non-exempt position with the Department of Dance, Music, and Theatre.

Position Summary: Working mostly independently under general supervision, the publicist writes and disseminates press releases, posters, online and print event calendar listings, and social media postings to publicize Dance, Music, and Theatre events such as Mainstage Theatre Productions, Dance Productions, and major Music performances.

Key Responsibilities:

Preparation to Create Publicity Materials

• Download, request, or take appropriate photos and/or videos with permissions and attributions.
• Get an overview of concert/production/event materials using artist websites, Google and Wikipedia
• Contact appropriate faculty, directors, production managers, and artists regarding concert/production/event to gather information about the event.
• Plan overall timeline appropriately to collaborate with faculty and to publicize each event in a timely manner.
• Keep current with university branding and related marketing and publicity requirements.
• Depending on funding sources, there may be additional publicity/promotion requirements of the funder.

Create Publicity materials in consultation with faculty.

• Write calendar blurbs, press releases, PSAs, for events.
• Create ads, posters, graphics, and memes for events.
• Know the word limitations for each publication. Know the running time limits for PSAs.
• Work with students who are creating publicity materials as part of a class assignment.

Disseminating Publicity

• Submit publicity materials to all relevant local media outlets and university entities.
• Share publicity materials on Department/Academic Program social media.
• Evaluate effectiveness of different types and locations of publicity
• Work within advertising budgets
• Make final contact with primary recipients of publicity if it seems necessary.
• Check all electronic and print media for listings and postings, both for inclusion and for accuracy
• Work with students who are disseminating publicity as part of a class assignment.
• Compose annual report at the end of the academic year documenting publicity activities, outcomes and recommendations for the next year.

Additional Duties as Assigned

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Associated with this Position Include:  

• Ability to plan, organize, and schedule work with little or no supervision.
• Time management skills including sending reminders to faculty and other relevant parties when information is needed about upcoming events.
• Ability to work effectively with a diversity of people, including faculty, production directors, guest artists, office staff, students and the recipients of the publicity.
• Excellent writing skills
• Strong Graphic Design Skills
• In-depth knowledge of Concert Music, Theatre, and Dance.
• Ability to develop relationships with local journalistic organizations.
• Knowledge of social media and the ability to learn new applications.
• Ability to think creatively about ways to build audiences and reach potential audience members.

Minimum Qualifications:

Entry to the first level within 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.

Preferred Qualifications:

Strong graphic design skills

Basic background knowledge of Dance, Music (including Classical), and Theatre.

Bachelor's degree or significant experience in English, Journalism, Dance, Music, or Theatre.

Application Procedure: To apply, qualified candidates must electronically submit the following materials by clicking the Apply Now button:

• Letter of Interest
• Resume or Curriculum Vitae
• Contact information for at least three professional references

Application Deadline: The first review date for application materials is on December 5, 2023.

Any inquiries about this recruitment can be directed to careers@humboldt.edu or Cal Poly Humboldt's Human Resources Office at (707) 826-3626.

Cal Poly Humboldt sits on the traditional homelands of the Wiyot people in what is currently called Arcata, CA. The Wiyot people call the area Goudi'ni (over in the woods). Cal Poly Humboldt was the first campus in the California State University system to offer a stand-alone major in Native American Studies.

Cal Poly Humboldt is committed to enriching its educational environment and its culture through the diversity of its staff, faculty, and administration. Persons with interest and experience in helping organizations set and achieve goals relative to diversity and inclusion are especially encouraged to apply.

Working in the state of California is a condition of employment for this position. Even if part or all of an employee's assignment can be performed remotely, the employee must maintain a permanent residence in the state of California. The employee must be able to accept on-campus work assignment, as assigned, and come to campus when needed.

CSU requires faculty, staff, and students who are accessing campus facilities to be immunized against COVID-19 or declare a medical or religious exemption from doing so.  Any candidates advanced in a currently open search process should be prepared to comply with this requirement.  The systemwide policy can be found at https://calstate.policystat.com/policy/9779821/latest/ and questions may be sent to hr@campus.edu.

Cal Poly Humboldt hires only individuals lawfully authorized to work in the United States. This position may be considered a "Campus Security Authority", pursuant to the Clery Act, and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1107 a condition of employment.

CAL POLY HUMBOLDT IS NOT A SPONSORING AGENCY FOR STAFF OR MANAGEMENT POSITIONS (e.g. H1-B VISAS)

Evidence of required degree(s), certification(s), or license(s) is required prior to the appointment date. Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check, employment verification, and education verification) is required for employment. Cal Poly Humboldt will issue a contingent offer of employment to the selected candidate, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or if it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information.  Certain positions may also require a credit check, motor vehicle report, and/or fingerprinting through Live Scan service. Failure to satisfactorily complete or adverse findings from a background check may affect the employment status of candidates or continued employment of current CSU employees who are being considered for the position.

Cal Poly Humboldt is committed to achieving the goals of equal opportunity and endeavors to employ faculty and staff of the highest quality reflecting the ethnic and cultural diversity of the state. Additional information about Cal Poly Humboldt can be found at www.humboldt.edu.

Cal Poly Humboldt is a Title IX/Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer. We consider qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, medical condition, disability, marital status, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected status.  Mandated Reporting: This position may be 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.

Additionally, all CSU staff and faculty receive training annually on their obligations in responding to and reporting incidents of sexual harassment and sexual violence. You will be notified by email when you are required to take this mandated training.

Class Code: 0800
Publication Date:   11/14/2023