Editor and Speech Writer

WRITER EDITOR 4 (004018)

UCPath Position ID: TBD_1783

Position Description History/Status

Approved Date:

9/3/2024 8:10:37 PM

Date Last Edited:

9/3/2024 8:10:35 PM

Last Action Effective Date:

Organization Details

Business Unit (Location):

LACMP

Organization Code:

1130O

Organization:

HENRY SAMUELI SCHOOL ENGR & APPL SCIENCE

Division Code:

1131D

Division:

ENGINEERING & APPLIED SCIEN DIV        

Department:

011500 - DEAN, SEAS

Position Details

UCPath Position Number:

TBD_1783

Position Description ID

216359

UC Payroll Title:

WRITER EDITOR 4 (004018)

Business Title:

Editor and Speech Writer

Personnel Program

Professional and Support Staff (PSS)

Salary Grade:

Grade 23

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:

40057567

Reports to Payroll Title:

COMM MGR 1

UCPath Department Head Position Number:

40047801

Department Head Payroll Title:

DEAN

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 Assistant Dean and Chief Marketing Communications Officer (CMO), the Editor and Speechwriter (ESW) works with UCLA Samueli marketing communications staff, colleagues from seven departments, an affiliated department, as well as other academic and administrative units across the school to identify approximately 150 prominent stories annually to feature on the UCLA Samueli Newsroom, including developing an annual editorial calendar in accordance with pre-determined themes and other established editorial guidelines. The ESW is responsible for reviewing draft submissions, providing comprehensive editing and working with communications colleagues and others on rewriting as needed. The UCLA Samueli Newsroom generally subscribes to the Associated Press style guide and uses a WordPress web content management system. In addition, the ESW collaborates with marketing communications staff to identify and select appropriate graphics and imagery, including photographs, videos, charts and graphs, captions and credit attributions to accompany each story on the Samueli Newsroom, and for distribution to media.

For major research stories or initiatives, the EWS will also be tasked with interviewing relevant individuals and writing original stories for publication and collaborating with campus Newsroom editorial staff in getting these UCLA Samueli stories featured on the main campus Newsroom. Using existing or new monthly data and insights, the ESW will guide other writers on the team to produce content that elevates the brand and extends UCLA Samueli's national and international reach, and achieves resonance with target mainstream and trade media as well as other audiences (alumni and industry collaborators, prospective faculty and students, etc.)

The ESW must be sensitive to and adhere to competing deadlines based on administrative priorities, academic journals' publication dates for faculty research studies, launch dates for major initiatives and other considerations as determined by the CMO.

The ESW will also compose remarks for the Dean and other senior leadership of UCLA Samueli for various school events or outside speaking engagements. To ensure consistent messaging, the ESW will edit official statements and presentations by the dean and other school leadership, monthly digital newsletters, media advisories and other marketing communications print or digital materials produced by the Office of Marketing Communications or other school units.

The UCLA Samueli School of Engineering Office of Marketing Communications spearheads marketing communications strategies and branding initiatives, manages internal and external communications, and develop digital and print content and branded materials for the Birthplace of the Internet and UCLA's largest professional school that offers both undergraduate and graduate degrees. UCLA Samueli faculty are at the forefront of many exciting research areas, including robotics, artificial intelligence and machine learning, computational medicine, climate change, sustainability, quantum computing, data sciences, cryptography and many other emerging technologies. Along with promoting groundbreaking faculty research, the office also highlights achievements of students and alumni, schoolwide initiatives and programs, as well as UCLA Samueli's many collaborations with industry partners and leading national and state government or nonprofit entities.

Editorial Content Generation and Management of UCLA Samueli Newsroom

A. Provide senior-level editing and writing for UCLA Samueli Newsroom. 1. Develop and manage annual editorial calendar and edit/write research articles, feature stories, announcements for UCLA Samueli Newsroom. 2.  Analyze and organize large amounts of complex (often technical) information into final text that is newsworthy, cogent and coherent. 3. Manage assignments in collaboration with the Assistant Dean/CMO. 4.  Anticipate, initiate and complete all steps of editing/writing projects according to deadlines set by Assistant Dean/CMO, reporting status to Assistant Dean/CMO regularly. 5.  Communicate regularly and professionally with department co-workers and partners within the school and across campus to ensure successful execution of projects. 6.  Attend department meetings, editorial and production meetings, Campus Strategic Communications meetings and other meetings as necessary.

70%

Executive Communications, including development of messaging used in speeches or major presentations

B. Compose, edit and review speeches and other executive communicaitons. 1. Write or edit speeches for the dean or other senior members of the engineering school. 2. Wirte, or review and edit drafts of talking points to reflect the voice and priorities of the Dean or other key school leadership.

20%

Strategic Branding and Marketing Input

C. On an ongoing basis, ESW will work with Assistant Dean and CMO to provide input on branding and marketing strategies leveraging editorial content in advertising, collateral materials and other forms of media designed to enhance UCLA Samueli's leadership in engineering and computer science. 1. Input in development of messaging used in speeches or major presentations.

10%

•

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 Journalism or related field and extensive experience with AP Style or equivalent combination of education and experience

Required

A minimum of 5 years

of full time copyediting or comparable professional news media experience as a senior newsroom editor and writer with a digital and/or daily print publication

Required

Experience with script writing and editing for major events and/or marketing videos

Preferred

Experience in covering science and technology beat or section

Preferred

1. Advanced skill in storytelling, transforming highly technical information into polished, easy-to-understand, compelling, well-organized, fact-checked and grammatically correct news releases, feature articles, briefs, media advisories and other communications materials with quick turnaround to meet deadlines.

Required

2.Advanced skill in WordPress publishing and ability to post website content in an aesthetically pleasing manner, including imagery and videos as needed.

Required

3. Interpersonal skills to establish and maintain professional and collaborative working relationships with university administrators, students, faculty and staff, alumni, volunteers, community leaders, and current and prospective donors.

Required

4. High-level news judgment and skill in organizing stories and news releases to maximize interest from journalists and the general public.

Required

5. Demonstrated problem-solving ability to navigate difficult situations with poise, professionalism and a positive attitude.

Required

6. Ability to work independently and follow through on assignments with minimal direction.

Required

7. Skill in using a computer for word processing, email, calendaring, database and online research.

Required

8. Ability to work outside of regular office hours, including some evenings, weekends and occasional holidays due to breaking news or other time-sensitive projects. Must be willing and able to respond to urgent inquires by phone, text, email, etc. outside of office hours as needed.

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.

LOCATION AND PHYSICAL, ENVIRONMENTAL, MENTAL (PEM) REQUIREMENTS

Environment and Work Location Information

Environment Type:

Non-Clinical Setting

Location Setting:

Campus

Location:

BOELTER HALL

Standing/Walking

X

X

Sitting

X

X

Bending/Stooping

X

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.