Communications Director, Emmett Institute on Climate Change and the Environment

COMM SPEC 3 CM (005371)

UCPath Position ID: 40088890

Position Description History/Status

For Reference ONLY - PeopleAdmin JA Number:

1119164

Approved Date:

7/3/2026 9:50:18 PM

Date Last Edited:

7/3/2026 9:50:15 PM

Last Action Effective Date:

7/19/2022

Organization Details

Business Unit (Location):

LACMP

Organization Code:

1140O

Organization:

SCHOOL OF LAW                          

Division Code:

1141D

Division:

LAW DIV                                

Department:

025000 - LAW

Position Details

UCPath Position Number:

40088890

Position Description ID

166280

UC Payroll Title:

COMM SPEC 3 CM (005371)

Personnel Program

Professional and Support Staff (PSS)

Salary Grade:

STEPS

Job Code FLSA:

Exempt

Union Code (Collective Bargaining Unit):

CM: Comms, Mktg, & Sales Profs

Employee Relations Code:

E: All Others - Not Confidential

Employee Class (Appt Type):

2 - Staff: Career

Full-Time Equivalent (FTE)

1

SUPERVISION

UCPath Reports to Position Number:

40040324

Reports to Payroll Title:

ACADEMIC ADMINISTRATOR VII

UCPath Department Head Position Number:

40040696

Department Head Payroll Title:

DEAN

GENERAL DIRECTION - Indicates that the incumbent receives guidance in terms of broad goals and overall objectives and is responsible for establishing the methods to attain them. Generally the incumbent is in charge of an area of work, and typically formulates policy for this area but does not necessarily have final authority for approving policy.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Emmett Institute on Climate Change and the Environment at UCLA School of Law seeks a Communications Director to direct external and internal program communications, manage our program outreach, and provide general program support. The Communications Director will serve as an integral member of the Emmett Institute team and will be supervised by the executive directors of the Institute. An ideal candidate is highly professional, advances work autonomously and with initiative, can work effectively with people across a range of internal and external settings, has excellent writing and problem-solving skills, understands the environmental law landscape, and enjoys purpose-driven work. The Communications Director will have primary responsibility for developing and executing on a strategy for all Emmett Institute communications.  This includes strategic programmatic communications, media relations, donor and Board communications, messaging to students and alumni, and external promotion of Emmett Institute work to maximize its impact.  The Director will create and manage communications to promote the Institute's research, public service, and education activities, such as by drafting, editing and publishing news stories, blog posts, and other editorial products; responding to requests from journalists in coordination with faculty and campus communications staff, monitoring news coverage, and maintaining lists of reporters on relevant topics; producing Institute newsletters and other email campaigns throughout the year and managing the Institute's contact lists; developing and maintaining the Institute's social media presence; producing annual reports on Institute activities for internal and external audiences; and keeping the website updated. The Director will also support and promote Institute events such as conferences, lunch talks, workshops, and speaker series. The Director will work with internal and external stakeholders, including the Emmett Institute board, UCLA Law alumni, UCLA Law students and staff, other university faculty, external professionals in the environmental law field, and others. The Director will work closely with the directors to provide daily operational support. The Emmett Institute on Climate Change and the Environment is the leading environmental law program in the country, with faculty members renowned for their public service, teaching excellence, and scholarship in state, federal, and international law. Through groundbreaking research and public interest initiatives, the Emmett Institute helps shape climate change and environmental law and policy in California, the United States, and jurisdictions around the world.

PROGRAM REPRESENTATION

1) Design and execute communication strategies, in collaboration with law school faculty and UCLA communications staff, to promote Emmett Institute research, public service, and educational initiatives and products to researchers, policymakers, community leaders, journalists, and other targeted audiences. (E)  2) Manage programmatic outreach to important stakeholders including donors, alumni, prospective and current students, internal and external faculty, and others interested in the Emmett Institute's work, including via creation of periodic program reports. (E) 3) Oversee promotion of Institute projects, including timing, messaging, digital dissemination, editorial strategy, etc. and to coordinate outreach to journalists and stakeholders. Handle media inquiries and pitches. (E) 

50%

DEPARTMENTAL OPERATIONS

1) Contribute to planning and promoting programs and events to communicate about issues of importance to the Institute. These include speakers series, conferences, roundtables, panels, etc. Manage promotional materials, webpages, internal calendars and event management systems, and timelines. Support day-of-event logistics as needed. (E)  2) In collaboration with the Business and Finance Office, maintain budget records to track expenditures, issue vendor payments and request reimbursements, on communication-related matters. (E)

20%

MANAGEMENT OF SOCIAL MEDIA AND ONLINE COMMUNICATION

1) Create and manage Emmett Institute email marketing, websites, social media, and other digital communications. Generate content and help grow the Institute's contact list and social media following. Interact with constituents who reach out to the Institute through email or social media. Maintain and track Emmett Institute mailings, contact lists, and press hits. (E) 2) Refresh and maintain content elements of Emmett Institute website by keeping site current and engaging. (E) 3) Supervise and approve any communications work product and communications-related tasks performed by student workers and the program manager. (E)

15%

SPECIAL COMMUNICATIONS PROJECTS

1) Work with the Institute’s experiential clinics to provide strategic communications related to special projects, including legislation and litigation. (E) 2) Conduct media trainings in the form of workshops, lunch talks, and class presentations to students in the environmental law clinical classes and beyond. (E)  3) Contribute original writing, reporting, and research on environmental topics that complement and contribute to the Institute's work and policy goals. (E)

15%

•

Performs other duties as assigned.

•

Complies with all policies and standards.

•

Complies with the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Principles of Community.

•

This position description is not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties or skills required for the job and is subject to review and change at any time, with or without notice, in accordance with the needs of the organization.

QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor's Degree

or equivalent combination of education and experience

Required

Professional combined experience.

Required

Minimum of 4 years

of relevant work experience in communications.

Required

Advanced knowledge of environmental issues and environmental advocacy.

Preferred

Demonstrated knowledge of print, broadcast, digital, and online communication strategies and media.

Required

Superb reading comprehension and writing skills required, including ability to translate research for broad audiences.

Required

Superb editing and proofreading skills required, including ability to identify and correct errors in spelling, grammar, and punctuation.

Required

Must be careful and detail-oriented, with the ability and willingness to work in a fast-paced environment.

Required

Requires advanced ability to initiate activities independently and organize, prioritize and complete work in a timely manner despite deadlines and competing requests.  Strong time management skills required.

Required

Expert familiarity with various social media platforms and Microsoft Office software programs required.

Required

Ability to manage and maintain Internet websites and pages.

Required

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS AND/OR CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Background Check: Continued employment is contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory background investigation.

Live Scan Background Check: A Live Scan background check must be completed prior to the start of employment.

Age Requirement: Candidate(s) must be 18 years or older to be eligible to be hired.

Ability to attend on occasion early morning, evening or weekend events.

Ability to travel offsite for occasional program meetings and events.

LOCATION AND PHYSICAL, ENVIRONMENTAL, MENTAL (PEM) REQUIREMENTS

Environment and Work Location Information

Environment Type:

Non-Clinical Setting

Location Setting:

Campus

Location:

385 Charles E Young Dr East. Los Angeles, CA 90095

Standing/Walking

X

Sitting

X

X

Bending/Stooping

X

Squatting/Kneeling

X

Climbing

X

Lifting/Carrying/Push/Pull 0-25 lbs

X

X

Lifting/Carrying/Push/Pull 26-50 lbs

X

Lifting/Carrying/Push/Pull over 50 lbs

X

Physical requirements other

X

Chemicals, dust, gases, or fumes

X

Loud noise levels

X

Marked changes in humidity or temperature

X

Microwave/Radiation

X

Operating motor vehicles and/or equipment

X

Exposures other

X

Sustained attention and concentration

X

X

Complex problem solving/reasoning

X

X

Ability to organize & prioritize

X

X

Communication skills

X

X

Numerical skills

X

X

Mental demands other

X

X

Classification 3:  Position in which exposure to blood, body fluids or tissues is not part of the position description. The normal routine task involves no exposure to blood, body fluids or tissues and the employee can decline to perform tasks which involve a perceived risk without retribution.