Athletic Communications Assistant

POSITION PURPOSE

The Athletic Communications Assistant performs entry-level professional athletic communications work in support of assigned CSUB Athletics programs, under the general supervision of the Associate Athletics Director for Marketing & Fan Engagement and with lead daily direction from the Sports Information Professional III.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Athletics Communications

• Create and/or assist in creating engaging content for various communications channels including press releases, newsletters, websites, social media, and internal communications for assigned sports and events.
• Maintain sports information files and digital content including photographs, game notes, event results, statistical reports, and assigned teams/department member biographies.
• Maintain and update assigned team pages on the athletics website, ensuring timely and accurate content, schedules, rosters, statistics, and biographies.
• Coordinate delivery of promotional communications through social/digital media and other external communications channels, including assigned teams' publicity and promotion of events.
• Assist with maintaining schedules and related communications for assigned teams.
• Assist with statistical record keeping, research and archiving for assigned sports.
• Serve as a contact and coordinate athletics communications activities for assigned sports, implementing established communications plans and supporting media coverage.
• Compile and assist with distribution of game notes, media guides, record books, and other publications for assigned sports.
• Assist with coordinating photography and content collection for assigned teams, working with photographers, videographers, and creative services staff.
• Assist with ensuring NCAA, conference, and institutional branding and communications standards are followed, relevant, and accurate across assigned communications materials.

Media Relations Support

• Assist with responding to standard media inquiries and serve as an athletics communications contact for assigned events.
• Assist in identifying and pitching content directly for social media, print, and broadcast media.
• Assist with the reporting of results and student-athlete feature stories to the media.
• Assist with the development of digital content.
• Draft press releases and related communications.
• Assist with coordinating interviews between media representatives, coaches, and student-athletes in accordance with departmental and NCAA policies.
• Monitor media coverage of assigned sports and maintain media contact lists.
• Nominate student-athletes and coaches for conference, regional, and national awards and assist with preparation of award materials.

Gameday Operations Support

• Assist in preparing game-day materials, including game notes, flip cards, statistics packets, media guides, and other resources for media representatives, coaches, officials, and visiting teams.
• Support live broadcasts and streaming productions by providing statistical information, game notes, rosters, pronunciation guides, and other reference materials to broadcast personnel.
• Assist with issuing media credentials and maintaining credential lists.
• Compile and distribute live statistics during home contests using NCAA-approved statistical software.
• Assist with coordinating postgame reporting, including timely submission of statistics, recaps, and required reports to the conference, NCAA, and media outlets.
• Provide work direction to student assistants, interns, and game-day workers supporting athletics communications operations.
• Assist with coordinating game-day media operations, including interview procedures and postgame press conferences.

Requirements & Tech Stack

Education & Experience

• Equivalent to a bachelor's degree in a related field.
• Relevant education and/or experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.

Licenses

• Possession of a valid driver's license or the ability to obtain by date of hire.

Skills, Knowledge & Abilities (SKAs)

• Regular and reliable attendance is required.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information.
• General knowledge of media relations, public affairs, and sports information.
• Demonstrated communication and interpersonal skills.
• Skill in following guidelines and providing input and feedback.
• Ability to analyze information and data and summarize into clear statements.
• Ability to work independently as well as part of a team.
• Flexibility to adapt to changing priorities and deadlines.
• Computer skills to appropriately use technology (e.g., social media platforms) and relevant software packages.
• Knowledge and understanding of sports terminology and relevant sports.
• Ability to travel and attend training programs off-site.
• Demonstrated customer service experience requiring a high level of diplomacy and professionalism.
• Ability to use tact and diplomacy to effectively handle interpersonal situations and respond appropriately to conflicts and problems.
• Ability to initiate, establish, and foster communication and teamwork.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Thorough knowledge of English grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
• Ability to interpret, communicate and apply policies and procedures.
• Ability to maintain a high degree of confidentiality.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills with the ability to set priorities and coordinate multiple assignments.
• Excellent computer skills and competence with a variety of computer applications including word-processing, spreadsheets, databases, on-line systems, Internet, and online calendaring and email.
• Working knowledge of or ability to quickly learn University infrastructure.
• Must be able to travel with assigned teams, as needed.

Preferred Qualifications

• Communications/Media relations experience within collegiate or professional Athletics (Division I preferred).
• Strong story development and journalistic writing skills.
• Competence in the following computer software programs: Adobe Creative Cloud, Genius NCAA Live Stats, Stat Crew, and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Editorial skills.
• Knowledge of interview techniques and ability to define and deliver media messages.
• Experience writing (AP style) press releases, feature stories, game recaps, and other athletics communications materials.
• Experience managing athletics websites using a content management system (e.g., SIDEARM Sports or similar CMS).
• Knowledge of NCAA rules, conference policies, and best practices related to athletics communications and media relations.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with coaches, student-athletes, administrators, media representatives, and campus/community stakeholders.
• Experience serving as the primary communications contact for one or more athletic teams.
• Demonstrated skills in a fast-paced environment utilizing a customer-oriented and service-centered attitude.

Physical Demands

• Sedentary work: involves mainly sitting; minimal walking and standing; lifting light weight objects limited to 15 pounds.

Environmental Factors

• N/A

Special Conditions

• Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check) is required.