Student Engagement & Expression Specialist

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The IRD for this job is:
12/01/2025

UC Santa Cruz is a public university like no other in California, combining the experience of a small, liberal arts college with the depth and rigor of a major research university. It's known as an unconventional place where innovation and experimentation is part of the campus's DNA. That playful, bold spirit still thrives today, all on a campus renowned as among the most beautiful in the world.

The Division of Student Affairs and Success (DSAS) is a division united in service of students. The division's North Star values include student-centered decision-making, innovation, and equity and inclusion. DSAS consists of nearly 800 team members across five major units, four led by Associate Vice Chancellors and one led by the Athletic Director. The division also does its work through a range of resource centers dedicated to providing direct student support.

The Student Development and Engagement (SDE) unit is one of six major units within the Division of Student Affairs and Success. SDE provides a range of programs, services, resources and experiences for all students with a focus on community engagement, leadership, basic needs and sense of belonging. Equity and social justice are at the core of the unit's approach to working with students and cultivating a vibrant, healthy and welcoming campus community.

More information can be found at: (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)./

The Student Engagement & Expression Specialist is a key leader within the Dean of Students Office and a core member of the Student Engagement Team. Serving as a subject-matter expert on student protest, demonstrations, and free expression, the Specialist advances campus compliance by translating federal/state law and UC policy into clear, student-centered guidance. Reporting to the Associate Dean of Students for Leadership & Engagement, the Specialist plays a lead role related to education, outreach, policy interpretation, training, and support and response for student demonstrations and other expressive activity-working to ensure student rights are protected while safety, accessibility, and operational continuity are maintained.

This position requires a collaborative, equity-minded, and politically astute professional who is deeply committed to student learning and engagement. The ideal candidate will have the ability to lead in high-pressure, highly visible contexts. They will have a genuine interest in working with and building meaningful relationships with students, student leaders and student organizations, adept at partnering across diverse campus communities, and capable of navigating complex institutional dynamics with thoughtfulness and confidence.

Budgeted Salary: $100,000 - $106,000 / Annually. Salary commensurate with skills, qualifications and experience.

Under California law, the University of California, Santa Cruz is required to post a reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role. The salary shown above is the budgeted amount the University reasonably expects to pay and the salary extended should not exceed this posted amount.

Benefits Level Eligibility: Full benefits

Schedule Information:

• Full-time, Fixed
• Percentage of Time: 100%, 40 Hours per Week
• Days of the Week:
  Mon-Fri
• Shift Includes:
  Day

Employee Classification: Contract appointment

Job End Date: 22 months from date of hire, with the possibility of extension

Work Location: UC Santa Cruz Main Campus

Union Representation: Non-Represented

Job Code Classification: 006232 (ETHICS AND CMPLNC PROFL
3) - Grade 23

Travel: Never or Rarely

40% - Compliance Oversight and Support - Response to Protests/Demonstrations

• Ensures the university meets its compliance obligations while also serving as a supportive resource to students exercising their rights to free expression.
• Leads and coordinates institutional responses through the Student Engagement Team. Provides on-the-ground support before, during, and after demonstrations and other events related to free speech, applying de‑escalation strategies, centering student…