Communications and State Relations Specialist

PROJECT POLICY ANL 3 (007398)

UCPath Position ID: TBD_940534

Position Description History/Status

Approved Date:

11/6/2025 3:46:48 PM

Date Last Edited:

11/6/2025 3:46:45 PM

Last Action Effective Date:

Organization Details

Business Unit (Location):

LACMP

Organization Code:

1120O

Organization:

EDUCATION & INFO STUDIES

Division Code:

1121D

Division:

EDUCATION & INFO STUDIES DIV

Department:

028600 - CRESST

Position Details

UCPath Position Number:

TBD_940534

Position Description ID

246229

UC Payroll Title:

PROJECT POLICY ANL 3 (007398)

Personnel Program

Professional and Support Staff (PSS)

Salary Grade:

Grade 21

Job Code FLSA:

Exempt

Union Code (Collective Bargaining Unit):

99: Non-Represented (PPSM)

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:

40260098

Reports to Payroll Title:

COMM SPEC 3

UCPath Department Head Position Number:

41051550

Department Head Payroll Title:

HR MGR 1

GENERAL SUPERVISION - Indicates that the incumbent develops procedures for performance of variety of duties; or performs complex duties within established policy guidelines.

POSITION SUMMARY

Under the direction of the ELPA21 Director of Communications and Executive Director at the National Center for Research on Evaluation, Standards, and Student Testing (CRESST), housed within the UCLA School of Education and Information Studies (SE&IS), the incumbent will oversee ELPA21's document management system and support related program goals and tasks.

Responsibilities include

• Provide coordination and oversight for ELPA21's document management system, ensuring efficient organization, storage, access, and security of documents.

• Support the administrative operations of ELPA21, assisting with planning, communication, and reporting tasks as assigned by the supervisor.

• Independently identify operational or workflow issues and develop actionable solutions through the use of project management tools, software, teams, and committees.

• Design and implement visual supports for ELPA21 initiatives, including workflow graphics, organizational charts, and process models using appropriate design software.

• Guide and facilitate internal teams through the development and execution of key deliverables such as surveys, document suites, data reports, and communication tools.

• Manage and prioritize multiple projects simultaneously, establishing and maintaining clear timelines and deliverables with minimal supervision.

The Center for Research on Evaluation, Standards, and Student Testing (CRESST) at the University of California, Los Angeles is a leader in educational assessment and evaluation. Housed within CRESST, the ELPA21 program focuses on developing tailored assessment frameworks for English learners. This project leverages CRESST's expertise in research and innovation to create assessments that are both scientifically validated and highly effective in measuring language proficiency. http://www.elpa21.org

PROJECT DOCUMENT DEVELOPMENT AND PRESENTATION

A1. Build, maintain, and enhance document database for over 100 annually reviewed and edited, system-supporting, member-focused (states), and public facing documents related to large-scale assessment in ELPA21 states.

A2. Manage design, development, and implementation of organization-wide tools such as document and PowerPoint templates, process documents, and suites of outreach materials for external and internal distribution.

A3. Lead the development, implementation, and improvement of a new client (state) orientation project including document development (writing), access, and distribution, and formalizing processes and resources

A4. Oversee substantive editing and copyediting of ELPA21 documents such as technical documents and reports, newsletters, operating manuals, quick guides, product flyers, Governing Board presentations, and the elpa21.org website. Includes extensive coordination with internal staff experts and leadership.

A5. Organize issue briefs to track a backlog of significant decisions, discussions, and the associated actions (that were) taken.

A6. Lead development of organization-wide guidance and policy for copyright, secure sharing services, and citations including consulting legal counsel to ensure research, products, and documentation produced by ELPA21 are properly credited and sensitive materials are sufficiently protected from potential infringement or misuse.

A7. Establish and implement QC process and serve as point of contact for all LMS module access, improvements, and review cycles including checklist development and application for all leadership, staff, and consultants.

A8. Manage updates and revisions to governance documentation (e.g., GBP, MOU) in collaboration with state leadership and legal counsel, facilitating review and approval cycles with the Executive Director and the Governing Board, and providing timely communication of all changes across multiple formats (e.g., Board presentations, Basecamp/email discussions), ensuring all documentation reflects current policy, operational priorities, and member state agreements.

50%

PROJECT MANAGEMENT

B1. Develop visual project management models and diagrams such as charts, work breakdown structures, logic models and flowcharts.

B2. Facilitate and develop project plans and workflows including objectives and timelines for document production and maintenance.

B3. Serve as resources and documentation expert with internal and external audiences.

B4. Manage projects using various digital platforms (such as Airtable, Monday, and Basecamp), and update the progress of tasks/projects and provide internal status reports to leadership.

B5. Manage two standing committees comprised of 20+ clients each that meet twice monthly, including management of agenda topics and presentation materials, coordination with presenters, and production and storage of all meeting assets.

B6. Lead the development, maintenance, and improvements to elpa21.org as related to resources and documentation, including use of new project management tool (Monday), documenting processes, and researching and implementing web tools (e.g., Wordpress and Google analytics), and resolving server and vendor issues.

B7. Represents ELPA21 comms and products at system-supporting conferences by managing ELPA21’s exhibit booth including answering questions, providing relevant printed information and resources, and identifying opportunities to be shared with leadership.

B8. Develop and manage state profile data on English learner assessment programs, ensuring data quality and consistency, facilitating timely submissions, and analyzing profiles to identify trends, inform program decisions, and provide responses to internal and external queries.

B9. Oversee the full lifecycle of annual Test Administrator Survey, including development in Qualtrics, distribution, data analysis, and reporting, in coordination with assessment provider and informed by stakeholder input from the Assessment Design Advisory Council, Governing Board, and graduate student researchers. Synthesize survey findings into tailored data summaries, state reports, and consortium-wide reports, identifying actionable trends and presenting key insights and recommendations to the Governing Board, LMS Training Team, and Assessment Design Team to inform ongoing improvements to the assessments, training system, and related materials.

50%

•

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

in Communications, Education, English, Business Administration, or a related field; equivalent relevant experience.

Required

Experience with writing or contributing to the writing of reports, proposals, and/or other related documents that require high attention to detail and comfortable use of academic language.

Required

Demonstrated experience working on multiple projects simultaneously, with minimal supervision, including strong organizational skills to provide accurate deliverables, on-time, by deadline.

Required

Ability to work independently, prioritize assignment, and follow through with minimal direction in order to perform effectively under conditions of frequent interruptions, fluctuating workloads, and conflicting time demands

Required

Demonstrated excellent communication, writing, and editing skills.

Required

Working knowledge of American Psychological Association (APA), Chicago Manual style and other standard formats for research publications.

Required

Demonstrated ability to efficiently operate Macintosh and PC computers including working knowledge of standard computer packages (Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Required

Familiarity with different project models and associated software such as Gantt charts, Work breakdown structures, Visio, and Lucidchart.

Preferred

Ability to work with multiple types of project management software (Monday, Basecamp, Airtable).

Preferred

Skill in coordinating special events (e.g., workshops, meetings, conferences)

Required

Ability and willingness to work as an effective, collegial, contributing member of a project team.

Required

Ability to accept delegated work, validate expectations, problem solve obstacles, and follow up to completion and/or report status of delegated tasks.

Required

Ability to understand and maintain confidential, proprietary, and secure information

Required

Basic knowledge of the educational research and evaluation process and a willingness to learn more.

Preferred

Understanding of the K-12 state education agency system and willingness to learn more.

Preferred

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.

10%

Ability to travel to off-campus sites to assist in data collection as needed.

LOCATION AND PHYSICAL, ENVIRONMENTAL, MENTAL (PEM) REQUIREMENTS

Environment and Work Location Information

Environment Type:

Non-Clinical Setting

Location Setting:

Campus

Location:

SEIS Building

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.