Job Details

Assistant/Associate Specialist in the Geography Department

Position Number: 9915143
Location: Santa Barbara, United States
Position Type: Public Relations, Marketing and Communications

Assistant/Associate Specialist in the Geography Department

University of California Santa Barbara

Position overview
Position title: Assistant/Associate Specialist Salary range: The budgeted salary for this position at 100% time is $67,600 - $95,200. Percent time: 100% Anticipated start: Fall 2026 or later Position duration: Initial appointment will be for one (1) year, with potential for annual
renewal based on performance and available funding. Application Window

Open date: October 22, 2026

Next review date: Thursday, Nov 5, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date: Friday, Apr 30, 2027 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.

Position description

The new hire will make scientific and scholarly contributions to the Wildfire Resilience Initiative's research efforts, while helping to expand recognition of the Initiative's achievements, data sets, and services within the professional and scientific community. This person will be responsible for creating, contributing to, editing, and publishing a variety of communications and channels. The candidate will carry out research as part of a team and may provide some independent input into the planning and execution of the research.
The primary types of communications will support WRI's monitoring, assessment, and mitigation work associated with wildfire risk and vulnerability, communicate with agencies, community groups, partners, and the public on interpretation and appropriate use of WRI products and analysis, and develop public-facing social media and blog posts. This scientist will also carry out hazard assessments using WRI tools and datasets.
As part of the WRI team, the candidate will be required to interact with the team of researchers to collaborate, iterate, solicit input, answer questions, and engage in other interactions around the relevant material. There are also expectations that the candidate can interpret basic maps, scientific plots, and a variety of data to build a narrative.
Writing responsibilities center on communicating wildfire risk and vulnerability as well as possible mitigation strategies. This will include interpreting data monitoring tools/outputs as well as implications for planning, management, decision-making, and policy. It will also include reviewing proposals and peer-reviewed journal articles, presenting at scientific conferences, and reporting to funding agencies. This will also entail managing social media outlets. The candidate will be expected to work closely with the WRI team to improve a broad set of scientific communications materials (including scientific presentations, peer-reviewed articles, social media, and blog posts aimed at a broad audience). Through this support and exposure, the candidate will gain additional understanding of the types of analysis that WRI performs, and develop skills and confidence for performing independent analysis and reviewing available material. To facilitate this growth, the candidate should have a background in geographic/climate/atmospheric/environmental science, be comfortable working in a scientific environment, be willing to learn, and be able to work with others.

The candidate will be responsible for documenting some internal processes that the WRI uses for dataset generation and analysis. This will require working with team members to better understand their work processes and generate documentation around those processes. This will help serve as both an accounting of efforts and activities and a library of services that WRI performs.

Key Responsibilities:
Scientific Research, Content Creation and Reporting:
* Scientific Material Collaboration: Work with the WRI team to refine and improve peer-reviewed articles, scientific presentations, research proposals, seasonal reports and updates, and other scientific and academic materials in close coordination with WRI scientists and programmers. This may include writing new material, editing existing content, reorganizing and revising material, creating graphical support, and broadly creating and improving scientific and academic documents.
* Grant Writing: Work with the WRI team to identify opportunities for externally funded research consistent with WRI's aims. Facilitate the grant writing process to ensure that proposals pass through all required campus control points (OR, IRB, contracts, etc.) and are submitted on time.
* Process Documentation: Responsible for documenting internal processes that the WRI uses for dataset generation and analysis. Works collaboratively with WRI scientists and programmers to develop and document process flows and standard operating procedures for publication and maintains the lifecycle of these process documents. The resulting assets can serve as resources available through online channels, support peer-reviewed dataset publications, as input to training presentations, etc.
Non-Scientific Content Creation and Reporting:
* Content Creation: Generate engaging and accessible content, including articles, blog posts, and multimedia materials, to communicate complex climate science concepts to a broad audience. This involves producing written content for media outlets, including print journalists looking to engage with WRI subject matter experts to communicate WRI's research and analysis to diverse audiences, including press releases.
* Internal Communications: Collaborate with WRI researchers and scientists to distill technical information into accessible content for internal and external stakeholders. Foster a culture of effective communication within the center, including organizing routine document production; tracking progress of papers, blogs, or other intermittent publications; and capturing media mentions and other high-visibility references.
Digital and Social Media:
* Digital and Social Media Content Creation: Oversee and manage the center's digital presence, including website content, social media channels, and other online platforms. This includes developing content for WRI social media and interacting with partners through social media. Develop strategies to leverage social media for outreach to prospective and current collaborators, alumni, and prospective donors by reviewing analytics to measure content success and enhance online visibility and engagement. Manage website content and creation of new pages with direct support from WRI scientists to help describe and distribute new findings and datasets. Use social media platforms to promote events, publications, awards, and other newsworthy items consistent with WRI's mission.
* Digital Content Management: Manages complex, comprehensive communications programs, including written, visual, digital, and electronic media. Produces a variety of communication pieces in a variety of delivery methods, including written (press releases, promotional materials), visual (posters and flyers and visual digital assets), digital (social media platforms), and electronic communications (website and videos).
Communications:
* Stakeholder Engagement: Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including government agencies and academic partners. Facilitate effective communication channels for collaborative projects.
* Media Relations: Cultivate and maintain relationships with media outlets, journalists, and influencers. Facilitate media coverage of WRI research, events, and initiatives.
* Community Engagement: Serve as a liaison with the UCSB development team to keep informed of philanthropic efforts and coordinate activities to ensure marketing and communications strategies are in alignment. Includes developing material that could be used in identifying and promoting WRI activities and accomplishments.
* Brand Management: Ensure consistent branding and messaging across all communication channels. Contribute to the development of promotional materials and outreach campaigns.

Qualifications

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

Bachelor's Degree in Geography, Climate Science, Environmental Science, or related field.

Additional qualifications (required at time of start)

Master's Degree in Geography, Climate Science, Environmental Science, or related field OR Bachelor's Degree in Geography, Climate Science, Environmental Science, or related field PLUS three or more years of research experience.

Preferred qualifications

* Strong analytical foundation and familiarity with fire science, community decision-making, climate and/or meteorological data.
* Strong communication skills and experience describing research or analytical activities to a broad audience.
* Interest and experience in GIS, climate, remote sensing, physical geography, hydrology or meteorology.
* Proven experience in communications, preferably in a scientific or academic setting.
* Strong writing and editing skills with the ability to translate technical information for diverse audiences.
* Proven ability to communicate technical and non-technical information in a clear and concise manner, whether through discussion, email, or technical documentation.
* Experience in grant writing
* Experience with the peer review process
* Experience with Microsoft Office and Google Suite
* Experience with computer programming would be beneficial
* Experience with data analysis would be helpful
* Proficiency in digital and social media management.
* Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills.

Application Requirements

Document requirements

Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
Cover Letter

Reference requirements

3-5 required (contact information only)

Please provide telephone and/or email contact information for 3-5 references. Top candidates' references will be contacted by email and/or phone after interviewing.

Apply link: https://recruit.ap.ucsb.edu/JPF03149

Help contact: geog-personnel@ucsb.edu

About UC Santa Barbara

As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct.

"Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment or discrimination as defined by the employer.
UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
UC Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, students and third parties
APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment

Additionally, you will be required to comply with the University of California Policy on Vaccination Programs, as may be amended or revised from time to time. Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.

Job location
Santa Barbara, CA

To apply, please visit: https://recruit.ap.ucsb.edu/JPF03149