Application Guide

How to Apply for CUCFA Communications Coordinator

at Council of University of California Faculty Associations

🏢 About Council of University of California Faculty Associations

CUCFA is a statewide coalition of UC faculty associations fighting for shared governance, academic freedom, and the public mission of the University of California. They are shifting from an advocacy to an organizing model, making it an exciting time to join a nimble, mission-driven team. This role offers the chance to directly support faculty organizing and labor rights across all ten UC campuses.

About This Role

As Communications Coordinator, you will develop and execute CUCFA's communications strategy across social media, email, and digital platforms to amplify faculty voices and mobilize support. Your work will directly support organizing campaigns, legislative advocacy, and member engagement, making a tangible impact on higher education policy in California.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might start with monitoring social media and news for UC-related developments, then drafting a campaign email or social media post to mobilize faculty around a legislative hearing. You'd collaborate with the Organizing Director to align messaging with ongoing campus actions, and end the day by analyzing engagement metrics to refine the next day's strategy.

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who Council of University of California Faculty Associations Is Looking For

  • Has 2+ years of communications experience specifically with unions, labor organizations, academic advocacy groups, community organizing groups, or progressive political campaigns.
  • Skilled in social media management (Twitter/X, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn) and email marketing platforms (e.g., Mailchimp, ActionNetwork) with a track record of growing engagement.
  • Understands the political landscape of California public higher education and can craft messaging that resonates with faculty, legislators, and the public.
  • Able to work 20 hours/week with flexibility for urgent campaign needs, and resides in California as required.

📝 Tips for Applying to Council of University of California Faculty Associations

1

Tailor your resume to highlight communications work for labor or progressive causes—use keywords like 'organizing campaigns,' 'member mobilization,' and 'digital strategy.'

2

In your cover letter, explicitly mention your familiarity with UC faculty issues (shared governance, academic freedom, labor rights) and how your experience aligns with CUCFA's shift to an organizing model.

3

Provide a portfolio or links to specific campaigns you've led—include metrics like engagement rates, email open rates, or growth in followers.

4

Address the part-time, remote nature of the role and demonstrate your ability to work independently with minimal supervision, especially across time zones in California.

5

Research CUCFA's recent campaigns (e.g., on faculty compensation or public funding) and reference them in your application to show genuine interest.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your experience in communications for labor unions or progressive advocacy, with concrete examples of campaigns that mobilized members or influenced policy.', "Your understanding of CUCFA's mission and the specific challenges facing UC faculty (e.g., contingent labor, defunding of public education).", 'Your ability to craft compelling narratives that connect faculty concerns to broader public higher education issues.', "Your proficiency with digital tools (social media, email platforms, analytics) and your strategic approach to growing an organization's online presence."]

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Read CUCFA's recent press releases and blog posts to understand their current campaigns and messaging style.
  • → Review the websites and social media of individual UC Faculty Associations (e.g., UCLA, UC Berkeley) to see how they communicate locally.
  • → Familiarize yourself with key UC issues: proposed budget cuts, faculty unionization efforts, and shared governance controversies.
  • → Look up the organization's leadership (e.g., Executive Director, Board) to understand the reporting structure and decision-making style.
Visit Council of University of California Faculty Associations's Website →

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Describe a time you managed a communications crisis or rapid-response campaign for a labor or advocacy organization.
2 How would you tailor messaging for different audiences (faculty, legislators, media, public) while keeping a consistent voice?
3 What metrics do you use to measure the success of a social media or email campaign? Give an example of how you improved performance.
4 How do you prioritize tasks when working part-time and managing multiple campaigns or deadlines?
5 What is your understanding of CUCFA's shift from advocacy to organizing, and how would your communications role support that transition?
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Submitting a generic cover letter that doesn't mention CUCFA, UC faculty issues, or the shift to an organizing model.
  • Focusing too much on corporate or marketing communications experience without connecting it to advocacy or labor organizing.
  • Not demonstrating California residency or availability for the part-time schedule—this is a stated requirement.

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Council of University of California Faculty Associations!

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