Pros
I have great colleagues who care about the students. The benefits package is fantastic. The campus is absolutely gorgeous and you feel surrounded by nature. Overall I get a peaceful, laid-back vibe when I work on campus. It's pleasant to work here. I think UCSC tried its best to support us during the pandemic. They might not have always hit the target, but it's obvious that they're trying hard.
Cons
The pay simply does not match what it takes to live in Santa Cruz and surrounding areas. I will not be able to make UCSC my long-term career because of this. There is no way I can ever afford to own even a modest home with the wages they pay me, and I don't anticipate that raises and promotions will ever make up for the discrepancy. This is the main reason I continue to look for another job. Parking on campus is expensive and it's often hard to find a spot. I don't know if this will change now that remote work is probably going to be more common. Also--and this will be a pro for some and a con for others-- if you're not a social justice enthusiast, you will hate this campus. The social justice vibe here is seriously next-level. If you work on campus, be prepared for protests of various types. The campus has only two entrances and protesters are adept at completely blocking traffic. Things can get ugly. For the most par, IMO, the technology we use (CMS, for instance) is extremely outdated. It can get frustrating and embarrassing.