Director of Emergency Communications and Information

COMM SPEC 4 (005887)

UCPath Position ID: TBD_4209

Position Description History/Status

Approved Date:

6/3/2025 3:29:10 PM

Date Last Edited:

6/3/2025 3:29:07 PM

Last Action Effective Date:

Organization Details

Business Unit (Location):

LACMP

Organization Code:

6200O

Organization:

CHANCELLOR'S ORGANIZATION

Division Code:

6210D

Division:

CHANCELLOR'S ORGNZTN DIV

Department:

380500 - CHANCELLOR'S OFFICE

Position Details

UCPath Position Number:

TBD_4209

Position Description ID

238343

UC Payroll Title:

COMM SPEC 4 (005887)

Business Title:

Director of Emergency Communications and Information

Personnel Program

Management and Senior Professional (MSP)

Salary Grade:

Grade 24

Job Code FLSA:

Exempt

Union Code (Collective Bargaining Unit):

99: Non-Represented (PPSM)

Employee Relations Code:

F: All Others - Confidential

Employee Class (Appt Type):

2 - Staff: Career

Full-Time Equivalent (FTE)

1

SUPERVISION

UCPath Reports to Position Number:

41090107

Reports to Payroll Title:

EXEC ADVISOR MGR 3

UCPath Department Head Position Number:

41090107

Department Head Payroll Title:

EXEC ADVISOR MGR 3

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

POSITION SUMMARY

Reporting directly to the Associate Vice Chancellor of Campus and Community Safety, the Director of Emergency Communications and Information will design and implement a comprehensive communications plan focused on community engagement, social media strategy, media relations, crisis/emergency communications, and intra-and inter-agency communication regarding the safety and emergency status of UCLA and its surrounding community. 

The director will, under OCCS supervision, provide the UCLA Police Department and the UCLA Office of Emergency Management with media/public relations and community engagement counsel, direction, implementation, training and oversight; provide community members, often through social media and digital communications, with accurate and timely information about public safety services and actions; and serve as the official OCCS and UCPD spokesperson as needed.

This role oversees and actively participates in daily operations, including managing the UCLA PD social media accounts, directing communications during emergencies, responding to media and citizen inquiries, and coordinating with department entities to release detailed information or address media needs.

The Office of Campus and Community Safety at UCLA, overseen by the Associate Vice Chancellor and Chief Safety Officer, serves as the central unit overseeing the university's safety and emergency management initiatives. The office's responsibilities encompass oversight of the UCLA Police Department (UCPD) and the Office of Emergency Management. It emphasizes a community-informed, collaborative approach to campus

safety, aiming to ensure that policies and practices are effective, equitable, and respect the rights and well-being of all Bruins.

Communications Strategy 1

 • Design and implement a communications strategy to keep UCLA community members appraised of the safety status of the university and surrounding community.

 • Solely responsible for a redesign of UCLA’s campus emergency notification and directions systems.  This will include a redesign of UCLA’s Bruin Safe smartphone application, and leadership of the ITS team that will implement this application. 

 • Create a social media communications strategy and grow followership to ensure effective audience notification during an emergency. Leverage existing and potentially additional emergency communication systems such as Everbridge, Nixle, etc. to create an informed UCLA community.

30%

Communications Strategy 2

 • Partners with OCCS operational personnel and UCLA Strategic Communications to leverage campus resources and assets and communicate public safety information.

 • During crises/emergencies, lead the Joint Information Center (JIC) and proactively collect and distribute data and information on the status of the emergency, including giving direction to community members on steps required.

 • During campus and regional emergencies communicate with and develop communications to be shared directly with the entire campus community with very little oversight. 

 • Operate independently in determining external communications related to a campus emergency, and may appear as the spokesperson for the University in such emergencies.

20%

Publicity

 • Coordinate and share information regarding emergency incidents and other matters to the news media.

 • Provides leadership regarding near real-time crisis and emergency communication to the Office of Campus and Community Safety and subordinate offices.

 • Plans, directs, and executes publicity campaigns designed to inform citizens about various campus safety programs or events.

 • Supervises the work of subordinates engaged in public information activities.

 • Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with the campus community and members of the media.

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

Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, Criminal Justice, or a related field.

Preferred

Master's Degree

Preferred

5-7 years of progressive experience in public affairs, communications, or public safety-related public outreach.

Required

Previous experience in public safety, emergency operations, government, or public sector communications.

Preferred

Maintain 24/7 availability on-call.

Required

Familiarity with the incident command system (ICS) and ability to serve in the incident command center during emergencies.

Required

Strong knowledge of media relations strategies, social media management, and public information dissemination.

Required

Familiarity with crisis and emergency notification systems (e.g., Nixle, Everbridge, others.)

Required

Proficiency with social media platforms (e.g., Facebook, X, Instagram, LinkedIn) and analytics tools to measure social media impact.

Required

Competency in graphic design software (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite) or video editing tools for content creation.

Required

Ability to successfully manage multiple ongoing tasks and responsibilities of varying degrees of complexity simultaneously. Demonstrated experience in writing on deadline.

Required

Demonstrated ability to translate complex and difficult information into readable, understandable and impactful messages.

Required

Demonstrated knowledge of news media operations and protocols, especially the news gathering process.

Required

Demonstrated ability to strategically improve and maintain communications structures within a complex organization.

Required

Demonstrated leadership ability during emergency situations where public safety is a priority.

Required

Demonstrated ability to translate complex and difficult information into readable, understandable and impactful messages.

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.

LOCATION AND PHYSICAL, ENVIRONMENTAL, MENTAL (PEM) REQUIREMENTS

Environment and Work Location Information

Environment Type:

Non-Clinical Setting

Location Setting:

Campus

Location:

Murphy Hall

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.