HR Communications Specialist - Davis, CA

Position: HR Communications Specialist - Davis, CA Job ID 88292
HR Communications Specialist - Davis, CA Job

University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources

Job Description

This role primarily functions as the lead for HR communications, executing organization-wide announcements, including policy updates, legal notices, and change-management initiatives and leading the development, execution, and continuous improvement of all HR-focused communications. Reporting directly to the Executive Director (with a dotted-line relationship to the HR Operations Manager), the position executes the communications vision and acts as the voice of HR, crafts compelling messaging, and champions a modern, user-focused communications ecosystem that encompasses FAQs, Service Now templates, knowledge articles, digital campaigns, and the unit's web presence.

This position is a career appointment that is 100% fixed.

The home department is the IMM Office of Human Resources. While this position normally is based in Davis, CA, this position is eligible for hybrid flexible work arrangements for applicants living in the State of California at this time. Please note that hybrid flexible work arrangements are subject to change by the University.

Pay Scale: $75,900/year to $106,600/year

Job Posting Close Date:
This job is open until filled. The first application review date will be 09/01/2026.

Key Responsibilities:

60%

Communications & Planning

• Advise senior leadership on messaging, crisis response, and policy-related communications, including risk, clarity, and accessibility considerations for diverse audiences.
• Integrate accessibility and inclusive communication principles (e.g., plain language, multiple formats, readability standards) into communication strategies to ensure information is understandable and usable across employee populations.
• Establish metrics, monitor performance, and produce actionable reports to continuously improve outreach, including evaluation of accessibility and audience reach.
• Coordinate with the Strategic Communications Unit to build an Employee Value Proposition and a cohesive employment-brand strategy that reflects broad access and engagement across communities.

25%

Content Creation & Digital Management

• Oversee the HR unit's website, Service Now knowledge base, and template libraries; ensure usability, SEO, and compliance with accessibility standards.
• Act as the HR unit Brand Ambassador in coordination with Strategic Communications.
• Apply accessible content practices, including structured formatting, alt text, captioning/transcripts for multimedia, color contrast, and screen reader compatibility.
• Design and launch multi-channel campaigns (email, intranet, social, digital signage) for policy updates, legal notices, and change-management initiatives, ensuring content is accessible across platforms and formats.
• Maintain brand consistency across all visual and written assets while ensuring style guides and toolkits incorporate accessibility requirements and best practices.
• Partner with HR, IT, and communications teams to audit, improve, and standardize accessible templates, forms, and digital content.

15%

Stakeholder Collaboration & Change Management

• Partner with the Executive Director, HR Operations Manager, and campus-wide leaders to align communications with strategic priorities.
• Serve as the key communications advisor for sensitive or complex information, providing diplomatic counsel and problem-solving support.
• Facilitate training and support for departments to adopt best-practice communication processes and tools.
• Identify gaps in current practices and lead continuous-improvement initiatives that enhance audience engagement.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, public relations, marketing, or a related field, or experience equivalent to the degree.
• Experience leading high-visibility, organization-wide communication initiatives.
• Familiarity with internal and external communication channels, branding guidelines, and accessibility standards.
• Ability to interpret data, diagnose communication challenges, and develop evidence- based solutions.
• Proven ability to design and execute comprehensive communication strategies across multiple media platforms.
• Demonstrated expertise in engaging communications planning across multiple channels, including digital, written, and visual media.
• Advanced knowledge and understanding of technical applications to direct professional technical staff, or personally perform technical work, including design concepts, various media, and applications.
• Deep…