Public Communications Coordinator

In order for your application to be considered, you must attach a cover letter and resume to your employment application.

Position Description

The Center for Economic and Social Research (CESR) is seeking a Public Communications Coordinator to join its team. The coordinator will work with a multidisciplinary team to develop and disseminate resources that promote and enable longitudinal and cross-country analyses on aging, health, and retirement, including contextualizing and communicating newly available resources and data on exposures over the lifespan that increase dementia and other disease risk. This position requires a curious communicator who can learn, distill, and disseminate complex, technical information to a wide variety of audiences.

This is a full-time, grant funded, one-year (renewable) fixed-term position. Hybrid work arrangement for those in: Los Angeles, CA (University Park Campus) or Washington, D.C. (USC Capital Campus).

Job responsibilities include:

• Developing and maintaining communications materials 

  • Drafting website content and announcements (e.g., newsletters, blogs)

  • Evaluating existing resources and editing content as necessary

  • Reviewing and copy-editing research products (e.g., journal articles, policy briefs, op-eds)

  • Maintaining and growing social media presence (e.g., X, LinkedIn; developing short-form videos or posts)

  • Creating conference and event materials (e.g., brochures/flyers, exhibit posters)

• Distilling complex, technical research topics into clear, concise, and effective content to share with a variety of audiences, both technical and non-technical

• Coordinating with stakeholders to ensure timely completion and distribution of communications materials

• Reviewing and revising project resources and other written materials to ensure quality, readability, and consistency

• Experience or interest in developing a communications strategy to publicize the research project and grow its audience; this may include pitching investigators and other subject matter experts for news articles, media appearances, and op-eds

Qualifications:

• Ability to quickly grasp complex technical concepts, make them easily understandable through varied mediums, incorporate feedback, and iteratively refine content

• Ability to collaborate effectively with numerous project stakeholders (e.g., investigators, administrative staff, university officials) at the university and with collaborators at other research institutions

• Strong editing skills, ranging from developmental editing to copyediting

• Graphic design experience is a plus but not required

• Minimum education: Bachelor’s Degree

• Minimum Experience: 2+ years (3+ years preferred)

• Background in communications, public relations, marketing, or a related field is required. A background or experience working in academia or with clients in public health, economics, or policy is not required, but is preferred.

Minimum Education:

Bachelor’s degree

Minimum Experience:

2 years of relevant work experience

Compensation

The hourly rate range for this position is $33.19 - $36.00. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

Position is 100% FTE

Performs other related duties as assigned or requested. The university reserves the right to add or change duties at any time.

Required Documents                                                                             

Cover letter Resume/CV

About the Center for Economic and Social Research (CESR)

The Center for Economic and Social Research (CESR) is a multidisciplinary research center dedicated to discovering how people around the globe live, think, interact, age, invest, and make important, life-changing decisions. Our in-depth research and analysis are deepening the understanding of human behavior in a wide range of economic and social contexts.  Our ultimate goal: to improve social welfare by informing and influencing decision-making in the public and private sectors. Along the way, we are leading a creative revolution in how scientists conduct social science and economic research through the use of innovative technology.

About the USC Schaeffer Institute

The USC Schaeffer Institute for Public Policy and Government Service was established by an historic gift from USC Trustee Leonard D. Schaeffer in 2024.  Its mission is to develop and promote strong public leaders; support civic engagement; amplify the reach and impact of USC scholarship, and offer evidence-based policy solutions to the nation’s most pressing political, social, and economic challenges. 

About the Sol Price School of Public Policy

Ranked among the foremost schools of public policy in the nation, the USC Sol Price School of Public Policy generates uncommon knowledge for the common good. Founded in 1929, the Price School is anchored by four departments: Public Policy and Management, Health Policy and Management, Wilbur H. Smith III Department of Estate Development; and Urban Planning and Spatial Analysis. Rigorous academic programs provide students with the knowledge and distinctive opportunities to make meaningful contributions to their professions. Integrating classroom instruction with real-world experience and led by some of the world’s most renowned faculty in their fields, our students establish a clear pathway to successful careers.

The academic programs are augmented by several highly visible research centers and  institutes that provide additional research expertise and experiences.  Notable among them are: The Judith and John Bedrosian Center on Governance and the Public; The Center for Philanthropy and Public Policy; The USC Lusk Center for Real Estate; The METRANS Transportation Consortium; The Leonard D. Schaeffer Center for Health Policy & Economics; and The Schwarzenegger Institute for State and Global Policy.

Together, these departments and research enterprises provide unmatched breadth and depth to tackle an enormous range of challenges facing our country and the world. Price graduates hold leadership positions across diverse sectors – public, private, and nonprofit – championing the advancement of the common good. They come from around the world and from a variety of cultures and socio-economic backgrounds to create a rich intellectual environment that celebrates, supports and benefits from diverse people and opinions.

USC is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or USC policy. USC observes affirmative action obligations consistent with state and federal law. USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal records in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for employers and the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and with due consideration for patient and student safety. Please refer to the Background Screening Policy Appendix D for specific employment screen implications for the position for which you are applying. 

We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact USC Human Resources by phone at (213) 821-8100, or by email at [email protected]. Inquiries will be treated as confidential to the extent permitted by law.

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