Application Guide

How to Apply for CUCFA Director of Communications

at Council of University of California Faculty Associations

🏢 About Council of University of California Faculty Associations

CUCFA is a unique statewide organization that unites faculty associations across all ten University of California campuses. Working here means directly supporting shared governance, academic freedom, and the public mission of one of the world's top public university systems. If you're passionate about higher education advocacy and labor rights, CUCFA offers a chance to make a tangible impact on faculty working conditions and UC policy.

About This Role

As the Director of Communications, you'll be the voice of CUCFA, crafting and executing strategies across social media, newsletters, press, and website to amplify faculty organizing and advocacy. Your work will directly influence how faculty, policymakers, and the public understand key issues like equitable compensation and academic freedom. This is a high-impact role where you can shape narratives around higher education and labor.

💡 A Day in the Life

You might start by monitoring news about UC issues and drafting a social media post on a faculty contract negotiation. Midday, you'd update the CUCFA website with a new press release and design a graphic for an upcoming campaign. Afternoon could involve writing the monthly newsletter and meeting with local FA reps to coordinate website updates.

🚀 Application Tools

Generate Cover Letter

AI-powered, tailored for Council of University of California Faculty Associations

Interview Prep

Practice questions for this role

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

  • Experience in communications for a union, labor organization, faculty association, or progressive advocacy group, with a demonstrated ability to translate complex policy issues into compelling content.
  • Strong writing and editing skills, with a portfolio showing work on newsletters, press releases, or public statements related to education or labor issues.
  • Hands-on social media management across platforms like Bluesky, Instagram, and YouTube, plus proficiency in graphic design tools such as Canva, Inkscape, or Adobe Express.
  • Comfortable with WordPress for website management and able to support multiple local faculty association sites with content updates.

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

1

Tailor your resume to highlight experience with unions, faculty associations, or progressive advocacy—generic communications experience won't stand out.

2

Include a portfolio or links to specific social media campaigns, newsletters, or press releases you've led, especially those focused on higher education or labor issues.

3

In your cover letter, mention familiarity with UC system challenges (e.g., budget cuts, faculty governance) and how your work would support faculty organizing.

4

Showcase your design skills by attaching a sample graphic or video you've created for advocacy, even if it's from a volunteer role.

5

Research CUCFA's recent campaigns and mention how you'd build on their current social media presence (e.g., growing their Bluesky following).

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your commitment to the mission of shared governance, academic freedom, and labor rights in higher education.', "Specific examples of how you've used communications to advance advocacy or organizing goals in a similar setting.", 'Your ability to simplify complex policy issues into engaging content for diverse audiences (faculty, press, public).', 'Your hands-on experience with the exact tools listed (Canva, WordPress, etc.) and platforms (Bluesky, Instagram, YouTube).']

Generate Cover Letter →

🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Read CUCFA's recent press releases and newsletters to understand their current messaging and tone.
  • → Review their social media presence on Bluesky, Instagram, and YouTube to identify gaps or opportunities.
  • → Familiarize yourself with the UC system's current challenges, like budget negotiations, faculty salary issues, and shared governance disputes.
  • → Look into CUCFA's member organizations (each campus's Faculty Association) to understand the diversity of audiences you'd serve.
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 How would you develop a communications strategy for a campaign around faculty compensation? Walk us through your process.
2 Describe a time you managed a challenging media situation or crisis communication for an advocacy organization.
3 How do you measure the success of social media content, and what metrics would you prioritize for CUCFA?
4 Give an example of a complex policy issue you translated into a newsletter or press release that resonated with your audience.
5 How would you support local Faculty Association websites while managing CUCFA's own site? What systems would you put in place?
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Don't submit a generic cover letter that doesn't mention CUCFA, higher education, or labor advocacy—it will be obvious.
  • Avoid focusing solely on design skills without demonstrating understanding of the advocacy context; this role is about strategy, not just graphics.
  • Don't overlook the remote aspect—show that you're self-motivated and experienced with asynchronous collaboration tools.

📅 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!

← Back to Job Listing Apply Now →