Entry Level Communications Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

CLASSIFICATION TITLE: Sports Information Professional I

UNION CODE: R09

FT/PT: Full-time   

PAY PLAN: 12-month    

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

ANTICIPATED HIRING RANGE: Step 1 $4,570 - Step 4 $4,850

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

CSU CLASSIFICATION SALARY RANGE: Step 1 $4,570 - Step 20 $6,658

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, 15 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 August 5, 2026; however, the position will remain open until filled.

POSITION PURPOSE: The Department of Athletics services the entire community and its alumni. It is responsible for creating an institutional culture that is supportive of students. The department provides leadership in the development of services and programs that enrich student life, extend, and enhance the academic experience, and contribute to an environment that encourages personal growth and development.

Under the general supervision of the Associate Athletics Director for Marketing & Fan Engagement, and with lead daily direction from the Sports Information Professional III, the Athletic Communications Assistant performs entry-level professional athletic communications work in support of assigned CSUB Athletics programs. Responsibilities include assisting with athletic communications, statistical data entry, historical recordkeeping, game-day support, social media content, media relations, and digital communications following established departmental, conference, and NCAA guidelines. Work is performed using established procedures and is reviewed for accuracy and completeness.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Roadrunner Athletics Communications

• Create and/or assist in creating engaging content for various communications channels including press releases, newsletters, websites, social media, and internal communications for assigned sports and events.
• Maintain sports information files and digital content including photographs, game notes, event results, statistical reports, and assigned teams/department member biographies.
• Maintain and update assigned team pages on the athletics website, ensuring timely and accurate content, schedules, rosters, statistics, and biographies.
• Coordinate delivery of promotional communications through social/digital media and other external communications channels, including assigned teams' publicity and promotion of events.
• Assist with maintaining schedules and related communications for assigned teams.
• Assist with statistical record keeping, research and archiving for assigned sports.
• Assist the Sports Information Professional III by serving as a contact and coordinating athletics communications activities for assigned sports, including implementing established communications plans and supporting media coverage.
• Compile and assist with distribution of game notes, media guides, record books, and other publications for assigned sports.
• Assist with coordinating photography and content collection for assigned teams, including working with photographers, videographers, and creative services staff.
• Assist with ensuring NCAA, conference, and institutional branding and communications standards are followed, relevant, and accurate across assigned communications materials.

Media Relations Support

• Assist with responding to standard media inquiries and serve as an athletics communications contact for assigned events under the direction of the Sports Information Professional III.
• Work alongside the athletic External department to assist in identifying and pitching content directly for social media, print, and broadcast media.
• Assist with the reporting of results and student-athlete feature stories to the media.
• Assist with the development of digital content under supervision of Associate Athletic Director for Marketing & Fan Engagement.
• Draft press releases and related communications under lead direction of the Sports Information Professional III.
• Assist with coordinating interviews between media representatives, coaches, and student-athletes in accordance with departmental and NCAA policies.
• Monitor media coverage of assigned sports and maintain media contact lists.
• Nominate student-athletes and coaches for conference, regional, and national awards and assist with preparation of award materials.

Gameday Operations Support

• Assist in preparing game-day materials, including game notes, flip cards, statistics packets, media guides, and other resources for media representatives, coaches, officials, and visiting teams.
• Support live broadcasts and streaming productions by providing statistical information, game notes, rosters, pronunciation guides, and other reference materials to broadcast personnel.
• Assist with issuing media credentials and maintaining credential lists in accordance with departmental policies.
• Compile and distribute live statistics during home contests using NCAA-approved statistical software.
• Assist with coordinating postgame reporting, including timely submission of statistics, recaps, and required reports to the conference, NCAA, and media outlets.
• Provide work direction to student assistants, interns, and game-day workers supporting athletics communications operations.
• Assist with coordinating game-day media operations, including interview procedures and postgame press conferences as appropriate following established departmental procedures.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE - Equivalent to a bachelor's degree in a related field. Relevant education and/or experience which demonstrates acquired and successfully applied knowledge and abilities shown may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.

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.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information
• General knowledge of media relations, public affairs, and sports information.
• Demonstrated communication and interpersonal skills to effectively present information and produce content.
• Skill in following guidelines and providing input and feedback as required and applicable.
• Ability to analyze information and data as well as use reasoning to summarize into clear and succinct statements.
• Ability to work independently as well as part of a team and build relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Flexibility to adapt to changing priorities and deadlines.
• Computer skills to appropriately use technology (i.e., social media platforms) and relevant software packages as required.
• Knowledge and understanding of sports terminology and relevant sports.
• Ability to travel and attend training programs off-site.
• 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.
• Thorough knowledge of English grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
• Ability to interpret, communicate and apply policies and procedures.
• 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.
• Must be able to travel with assigned teams, as needed, to provide athletics communications and media relations support before, during, and after competitions.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Communications/Media relations experience within collegiate or professional Athletics (Division I preferred).
• Strong story development and journalistic writing skills.
• Competence in the following computer software programs: the Adobe Creative Cloud, Genius NCAA Live Stats, Stat Crew, and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Editorial skills.
• Knowledge of interview techniques and the ability to define and deliver media messages.
• Experience writing (AP style) press releases, feature stories, game recaps, and other athletics communications materials.
• Experience managing athletics websites using a content management system (e.g., SIDEARM Sports or similar CMS).
• Knowledge of NCAA rules, conference policies, and best practices related to athletics communications and media relations.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with coaches, student-athletes, administrators, media representatives, and campus/community stakeholders.
• Experience serving as the primary communications contact for one or more athletic teams.
• Demonstrated skills in a fast-paced environment utilizing a customer-oriented and service-centered attitude.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: SEDENTARY WORK - involves mainly sitting; minimal walking and standing; lifting light weight objects limited to 15 pounds.

ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS: N/A

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.

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.

Education Code 89521 Requirements: Applicants will be required to disclose whether they have received a final administrative decision or final judicial decision determining that they have committed sexual harassment within the last seven years only after a determination is made that they meet the minimum qualifications for the position, and before an offer of employment is extended. Applicants who reach the final stages of the application process must sign a release form that authorizes the release of information by the applicant's current and/or former employers to the CSU concerning any substantiated allegations of misconduct.

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.

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.

The California State University ("CSU"), including California State University, Bakersfield is committed to an inclusive and equitable community that values diversity and fosters mutual respect.  All students and employees have the right to participate fully in CSU programs, activities, admission, and employment free from discrimination, harassment, sexual misconduct, sexual exploitation, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking and retaliation. The CSU Nondiscrimination Policy prohibits discrimination and harassment based on any protected status, sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, sexual exploitation, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, prohibited consensu...