Policy Writing Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Job Summary 

Uses professional knowledge of Academic Senate governance, analytical practices, policies, and procedures to research, analyze, interpret, and support the resolution of issues related to academic freedom, scholarly communication, library services, copyright, intellectual property, open access, faculty rights and responsibilities, and other matters affecting the academic mission of the University. Provides primary analytical and administrative support to the Committee on Academic Freedom and the Committee on Library and Scholarly Communication, assisting with the review of policies, proposals, reports, and issues that may affect faculty, students, researchers, and academic programs.

Conducts research, gathers and analyzes information, prepares reports and recommendations, and collaborates with faculty committee members, Academic Senate leadership, and campus administrators to support committee deliberations and decision-making. Assists in the development and implementation of committee processes, policy recommendations, and governance initiatives; monitors relevant campus, systemwide, state, federal, and higher education developments; and helps identify emerging issues and trends affecting academic freedom, scholarly communication, research dissemination, library resources, and access to information. Supports effective committee operations and contributes to the advancement of Academic Senate priorities through policy analysis, project coordination, and stakeholder engagement.

Department Overview 

The Academic Senate Office provides professional analytical support for UCSF faculty participation in the Academic Senate, which represents the voice of the faculty in shared governance in the UC System and at UCSF. The Academic Senate participates in a robust legislative system of shared governance with the Administration through a legislative committee structure. The Senate provides a mechanism for faculty to engage in campus leadership and is a major communications node between the faculty and the Administration. The UCSF Academic Senate regularly engages directly with faculty, the campus administration, and the University of California Office of the President on local, state, and national issues related to graduate and health sciences professional education, scientific research, and clinical care.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training.
• One (1) or more years of progressively responsible analytical, policy, project management, academic administration, or administrative experience.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, Outlook, and database management systems; ability to learn and use organization-specific software applications, web-based systems, and emerging technologies.
• Strong writing, editing, and proofreading skills with the ability to prepare reports, policy analyses, executive summaries, meeting materials, correspondence, surveys, and other communications that are accurate, concise, and audience-appropriate.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, maintain confidentiality, and handle sensitive information with discretion.
• Strong analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills, including the ability to research, analyze, synthesize, and interpret complex information and data to develop sound recommendations and policy analyses.
• Knowledge of policy analysis methodologies and techniques.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, projects, and deadlines in a fast-paced environment with competing demands.
• Working knowledge of administrative and business processes, including records management, document preparation, reporting, workflow coordination, and committee support functions.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Graduate degree (JD, MA, MPA, or MPP)
• Ability to effectively utilize emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled tools, to support research, analysis, communication, project management, knowledge management, and operational efficiency while maintaining data privacy, confidentiality, and institutional policies.
• Knowledge of higher education administration, shared governance, Academic Senate processes, or faculty committee operations.
• Demonstrated political acumen and ability to work effectively with faculty, staff, administrators, and other stakeholders in a shared governance environment.
• Experience in higher education, educational administration, public policy, academic governance, government, or a government-facing nonprofit environment.
• Experience supporting faculty committees, policy development, governance activities, scholarly communication, academic freedom, research administration, library services, or scientific research activities.

% 

of time

Essential Function (Yes/No)

  

Key Responsibilities

(To be completed by Supervisor)

30

YesCommittee on Library and Scholarly Communication (COLASC) Analyst: Serves as analyst and staff advisor to the Committee on Library and Scholarly Communication (COLASC) in support of its responsibilities related to library resources, scholarly communication, research dissemination, copyright, open access publishing, research data management, and access to information. Provides analytical and administrative support for committee activities involving library services, scholarly publishing, intellectual property, artificial intelligence in research and scholarship, and emerging issues affecting the creation, dissemination, preservation, and accessibility of scholarly work. Manages and coordinates committee operations and workflows, including agendas, minutes, correspondence, records, membership rosters, distribution lists, and related information resources. Provides accurate information regarding committee procedures, policies, and relevant data to support faculty deliberations and committee actions. Conducts research and analyzes proposals, reports, policies, regulations, and emerging developments related to scholarly communication and library services; prepares summaries, reports, presentations, and recommendations for committee consideration; and assists in evaluating the impact of proposed changes on faculty, researchers, students, and the University. Collaborates with faculty leadership, library administration, and campus stakeholders to support committee initiatives, task forces, projects, and policy discussions. In consultation with the Chair, drafts committee communications, reports, surveys, and recommendations and assists with the development of new policies, procedures, and initiatives for committee consideration. Serves as liaison to the UCSF Library, University Librarian, California Digital Library, University Committee on Library and Scholarly Communication (UCOLASC), and other campus and systemwide groups involved in scholarly communication and library services. Monitors developments in higher education, scholarly publishing, open science, artificial intelligence, copyright, and information access, and supports committee efforts to identify emerging issues and develop recommendations.

25

YesCommittee on Academic Freedom (CAF) Analyst: Serves as analyst and staff advisor to the Committee on Academic Freedom (CAF) in support of its responsibilities related to academic freedom, faculty rights and responsibilities, freedom of expression, shared governance, and related University policies. Provides analytical and administrative support for committee activities involving academic freedom issues, policy reviews, faculty concerns, and emerging matters affecting the academic mission of the University. Manages and coordinates committee operations and workflows, including agendas, minutes, correspondence, records, membership rosters, distribution lists, and related information resources. Provides accurate information regarding committee procedures, policies, regulations, and relevant data to support faculty deliberations and committee actions. Conducts research and analyzes policies, reports, surveys, regulations, and emerging developments related to academic freedom and faculty expression; prepares summaries, reports, presentations, and recommendations for committee consideration; and assists in evaluating the impact of proposed policies and actions on faculty, students, and the University. Collaborates with faculty leadership, Academic Senate committees, campus administrators, and other stakeholders to support committee initiatives, projects, and policy discussions. In consultation with the Chair, drafts committee communications, reports, surveys, and recommendations and assists with the development of policies, procedures, and guidance documents for committee consideration. Serves as liaison to the University Committee on Academic Freedom (UCAF), Academic Senate leadership, the Faculty Association, and other campus and systemwide groups involved in matters related to academic freedom and faculty rights. Monitors developments in higher education, public policy, and University regulations affecting academic freedom and supports committee efforts to identify emerging issues and develop recommendations.

5

YesPolicy Analysis and Research: Researches, monitors, and analyzes regulations, legislation, research literature, Academic Senate governance documents, and University policies to assess impacts on committee activities and University operations. Analyzes processes, procedures, and organizational practices; researches best practices; develops recommendations; and provides guidance regarding the interpretation and application of Academic Senate, UCSF, and University of California policies, regulations, and bylaws.

10

YesProject Management and Process Improvement: Manages the flow of committee and project activities; coordinates with campus partners and external stakeholders; develops recommendations and implementation plans; anticipates issues affecting committee operations and governance activities; and conducts post-implementation assessments to identify opportunities for process improvement, policy refinement, and operational effectiveness.

10

YesCommunications and Reporting: Researches, drafts, edits, and coordinates reports, executive summaries, policy analyses, presentations, correspondence, surveys, and other communications. Facilitates committee and systemwide review processes, maintains collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders, and ensures communications comply with UCSF editorial, branding, accessibility, and digital communication standards.

10

YesSpecial Projects and Operational Support: Collaborates on special projects, surveys, events, elections, awards programs, and other Academic Senate initiatives. Develops project documentation, assists with resource planning and reporting, and coordinates implementation activities across departments, committees, and stakeholder groups.

10

YesTechnical Innovation and Administrative Support: Maintains proficiency in technologies supporting Academic Senate operations, including databases, spreadsheets, survey tools, content management systems, artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled applications, and other University software platforms. Evaluates, tests, implements, and documents emerging technologies that improve research, policy analysis, communications, records management, governance processes, and operational efficiency. Assists with the design, development, maintenance, and continuous improvement of Academic Senate technology resources, knowledge management systems, workflow automations, and AI-supported infrastructure to enhance institutional knowledge, decision support, and service delivery. Ensures compliance with University policies related to privacy, security, accessibility, records retention, and responsible AI use. Provides analytical and technical support for budgetary, operational, academic, data, and resource-related projects as assigned.

100%

 (To update total %, enter the amount of time in whole numbers (without the % symbol - e.g., 15, 20) then highlight the total sum (e.g., 1%) at the bottom of the column and press F9. The total sum should add up to 100%.)