Western IPM Center Communication Coordinator - Davis, CA, Job ID 89406

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The coordinator communicates Center impacts, and the impacts of Center partnerships through a variety of media and delivery platforms to inform key stakeholders, clients and policy makers. The primary focus is on storytelling, including writing, editing and multimedia production.

The Center seeks to build capacity using digital communications and technologies. This reflects our commitment to using digital communications tools and changing technologies as a primary way to raise awareness of and engagement with Center, Center partners, and the IPM Network.

Key responsibilities include: Work with management to develop, implement and maintain the Center's communications strategy; produce and publish a variety of informational materials highlighting the Center's programs and accomplishments for distribution to a broad, non-technical audience; maintain and update the Center's website; promote and increase awareness of the Center through feature articles and other written material distributed to and through the agriculture press in the West, other trade and special interest publications and websites, and other appropriate media; and coordinate communication efforts focused on state and national policymakers to increase their awareness of the Center and its value to the West.

The Western Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Center, headquartered in Davis and affiliated administratively with the Statewide IPM Program, addresses needs of pest management professionals in 13 western states and the Pacific Island territories by supporting integrated pest management - the management of pests with a variety of methods in an economical and effective manner while reducing risk to human and environmental health. The Center is one of four regional centers in a national IPM network established to strengthen USDA's connection with pest management stakeholders throughout the U.S. and to identify, prioritize, and coordinate research, Extension, and education IPM programs. Stakeholders are state, regional, and national groups including University Extension and research programs, public agencies, private industry, and nonprofit organizations.

This position is a career appointment that is 100% fixed.

The home department is the Statewide IPM Program. While this position normally is based in Davis, CA, this position is eligible for hybrid flexible work arrangements for applicants living in the State of California at this time. Please note that hybrid flexible work arrangements are subject to change by the University.

This job is open until filled. The first application review date will be 10/26/2026.

• Produce the Center's digital monthly newsletter - The Western Front.

• Interview Center partners and other expert sources for short- and long-form content, news stories, podcast episodes, social media posts and other outputs. Travel throughout the West as needed.

• Acquire photographs, videos, audio or other multimedia content.

• Produce and deliver feature stories based on IPM success stories.

• Design and layout digital and printed materials and oversee the printing and distribution of those materials.

• Maintain the Center website.

• Prepare media materials or other outputs for distribution through trade publications, university publications, state IPM newsletters, USDA publications, APLU impact reporting, and other outlets.

• Work with management to develop, implement, and maintain a communications strategy to promote the Center's value to state and national officials and policymakers.

• Copyedit manuscripts developed by Center Staff and Center partners for consistent style including grammar, spelling, punctuation, syntax and clarity.

• Build knowledge of Integrated Pest Management and programs dedicated to delivering IPM solutions to pest management problems through participation in Hatch Regional Technical Committee meetings, the National and Federal IPM Coordinating Committees, the Center Advisory Committee meetings, professional science society meetings, and other meetings and workshops.

• Develop and maintain relationships with external communications professionals including the communication leads at the three other IPM Centers, SARE (Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education), Statewide IPM programs in the West, and through participation in the ACE (Association for Communication Excellence) conferences.

• Learn new digital communication technologies.

• Provide communication advice and training to Center staff and partners.

• Serve and advance the profession through active membership, participation and leadership in professional organizations, workshops, meetings and award and recognition programs.

• Provide service to University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources and the University of California generally including contributing to undergraduate and graduate education.

• Bachelor's degree in journalism, communications or field related to the duties of the position, or equivalent experience.
• Solid reporting and writing skills to produce information publications for a non-technical audience.
• Sharp news sense, good copy-editing skills and strong attention to accuracy and detail.
• Interpersonal skills to interact effectively with content providers, reviewers, readers, coworkers, vendors, other staff, and other Center stakeholders.
• Knowledge of various communications forms and appropriateness for different audiences.
• Ability to learn and adapt to using multiple forms of digital communication systems and other tools in a changing technological environment.
• Publication-design and layout skills to create professional Center publications.

• Experience in one or more of the following areas: publishing content on websites, podcasting, social media content, other digital communication tools.
• Experience using professional video and photo editing tools.
• Skills to work in a team environment for accomplishing shared goals.
• Skill planning and organizing time to stay aware of priorities and meet deadlines.
• Skill to quickly and meticulously scan final materials to check for errors, compliance with instructions, and accuracy of placement, color, etc.
• Knowledge of graphic design and typography principles.
• Knowledge of printing and reprinting procedures; printing processes including color printing.
• Basic knowledge of content management systems (CMS).

• Must possess valid California Driver's License to drive a County or University vehicle. Ability and means to travel on a flexible schedule as needed, proof of liability damage insurance on vehicle used is required. Reimbursement of job-related travel will be reimbursed according to University policies.
• Travel including travel outside normal business hours may be requested. Travel by air or automobile to meeting sites; overnight travel averaging one trip per month.
• Overtime and occasional weekend work as needed, usually on short notice to meet operational needs may be requested. May need to work occasional evenings and weekends to meet deadlines or accommodate travel schedule for meetings.
• The University reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check. This is a designated position requiring a background check and may require fingerprinting due to the nature of the job responsibilities. UC ANR does hire people with conviction histories and reviews information received in the context of the job responsibilities.
• As of January 1, 2014, ANR is a smoke- and tobacco-free environment in which smoking, the use of smokeless tobacco products, and the use of unregulated nicotine products (e-cigarettes), is strictly prohibited.
• As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California Policy on Vaccination Programs, as may be amended or revised from time to time. Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.
• Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts an offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of substantiated misconduct with a previous employer.

• "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies governing employee conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, or discrimination, as defined by the employer. xhyhwjd For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:

• UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
  
  • UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
    
    • Abusive Conduct in the Workplace