Remote Science Communication Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Description
The California Department of Conservation's Outreach and Engagement Office is seeking to hire a proactive, organized, and creative Student Assistant to join us at a pivotal moment. This position is open to all levels of experience, this student assistance will be at the heart of two high-impact initiatives: the Department's first-ever Science Conference: Insights to Innovations, and the Outreach and Engagement Office's Inclusivity and Equity-Focused work. This is a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in public engagement, science communication, and event coordination.
About the DOC's Internal Science Conference
The Department of Conservation's Science Conference: Insights into Innovations brings together staff from across the Department to celebrate and share the innovative science, discoveries, and breakthroughs happening at DOC. The conference will take place in two sessions. Session 1 in Sacramento on September 3, 2026, and session 2 in the Bakersfield District Office on November 4, 2026.
Themes include Hazards, Data and Technology, Carbon, Watershed Science, and Science-Based Communication. The student assistant will play a meaningful role in helping this conference come to life.
What You'll Gain

• A behind-the-scenes view of how a state science agency operates.
• Responsibility of a high-visibility Departmental event.
• Exposure to inclusive public engagement principles and equity-centered practices.
• A professional connection with the Department's Outreach and Engagement professionals.

Requirements
Conditions of
Employment
This is a part-time, temporary, non-benefited, student position. Employment in all positions with University Enterprises, Inc. is dependent upon the mutual consent of University Enterprises, Inc. and the employee. This means that either University Enterprises, Inc. or the employee can, at any time, terminate the employment relationship at will, with or without cause.
Depending on the type of position you are applying for, a pre-employment background check consisting of one or more of the following may be conducted: employment history, professional references, criminal check: educational verification (degree, license, or official transcript) or DMV clearance. Applicants will be required to pass required pre-employment checks to the satisfaction of University Enterprises, Inc. (UEI) and the hiring Agency or Department.
UEI does not allow students to hold more than one UEI Job at a time, or work in more than one account per pay period. UEI employees who are considering leaving their current UEI student assistant position for a different UEI student assistant position should inform their supervisor in writing and provide at least a week's notice.
UEI is not a multi-state employer. UEI only employs candidates who live and work in the state of California. If selected for the position you must reside in California and all work must be performed in the state of California throughout the course of employment.
Prerequisites
Must be a college student attending classes during the regular term (Fall, Spring and Winter, if applicable), at one of the accredited colleges or universities on our affiliation list. To view our current affiliation list please paste the following URL into your browser: http://www.calinterns.org/wp-content/uploads/Affiliation_List.pdf
Students must be enrolled in at least: six-semester units or nine quarter units for undergraduate students; four-semester units or six quarter units for graduate students.
Students declared major must match the major(s) listed in the job posting.
Majors/Fields of Study
Public Policy and Administration, Business Administration, Communications, Sociology, Marketing, Journalism or Graphic Design.
Work Schedule
Flexible workdays and work hours, Monday - Friday, between 8 AM - 5 PM. The final work schedule will be determined by the supervisor.
Key Details:

• Start date is as soon as possible. We are seeking a minimum average of 5-10 hours per week. Due to funding, the hours available fluctuate between the current fiscal year and the next fiscal year.
• June to July: An average of 18 hours a week available.
• August to October: An average of 8 hours a week.

Additional Work Schedule
Student Assistant and Graduate Assistant employees generally work up to 24 hours per workweek (Sunday - Saturday) during the academic year and up to 40 hours per workweek during breaks; (winter, spring, and summer).
Compensation
$18.00 - $22.00 per hour.
Minimum Qualifications

• Organized, reliable, and comfortable working independently in a remote environment.
• Interested in public service, science communication, community engagement, or equity work.
• A strong communicator in writing, coordination, or both.
• Enthusiasm, attention to detail, and follow-through are what matter the most.

Preferred Qualifications

• Individuals who are, or have been, a dependent child in foster care, a homeless youth or a formerly incarcerated youth as defined by Government Code section 18220 are encouraged to apply and will be given priority. Please note that prior to appointment, individuals claiming preference under one of these categories will be required to furnish documentation establishing their eligibility.

Duties and Responsibilities
Conference Support:

• Coordinate logistics for both conference sessions.

• Ensure presenters have what they need to be successful.

• Draft and refining communications and promotional content for internal audiences.

• Create or format materials such as agendas, slide templates, speaker guides, or signage.

• Track action items and help keep the planning process on schedule.

Outreach and Engagement Work (Ongoing):
Support one or more community outreach and public engagement projects based on the student assistant's interests and skill set, which could include projects such as:

• Language Access/Language Justice Initiative: Supporting the design and execution of a language access project focused on the Vietnamese-speaking community within the San Jose area.

• Evaluation: Finalizing the evaluation results of a public engagement case study and creating a graphic summary for internal and external circulation.

• Training: Updating the Race and Equity Training Course catalog and promotion of training options to the Department of Conservation and California Natural Resources Agency staff.

• Local Government Engagement: Support the work of the California Geological Survey in connecting with local governments (cities, counties) across the state on their various maps, as well as data and other educational materials.

Physical Requirements
Sit for extended periods; frequently stand and walk; manual dexterity and hand-eye coordination; corrected hearing and vision to normal range; verbal communication; use of office equipment including computer workstations, telephones, calculators, copiers, printers, and scanners with or without reasonable accommodation.
Working Conditions
Work is performed in a remote environment only.
Students/Employees will be required to work according to the current UEI remote workplace policy and sign a UEI Work from Home Agreement. The decision to permit an employee to work from home is at the discretion of the supervisor or employer and may, at any time and with or without cause, unilaterally terminate the option to work from home.
Application Instructions
Please complete all fields of the employment application. Include your educational history in the "Educational Experience" section and any employment history in the "Employment Experience" section of our application.
In addition to your resume, please upload the following documents:

1. Cover Letter.
2. At least two (2) references.

Apply by: July 1, 2026