Social Media Strategist

Social Media Strategist

The Social Media Strategist is the storytelling lead across existing and emerging platforms for the Office of Commissioner Rodney Ellis. Operating with the instincts of a newsroom editor and the creativity of a digital storyteller, this role plans, produces, and distributes timely, accurate, and compelling content across social platforms. The ideal candidate is a sharp writer, a creative producer, and a data driven thinker who understands how to reach diverse audiences with precision and purpose.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead content planning, from concept through production
• Write, edit, and package copy for clarity, accuracy, accessibility, and optimization.
• Pitch, develop, and refine story ideas that elevate OCRE's work and connect with community needs.
• Produce graphics and short-form video aligned with OCRE branding and messaging.
• Ensure accessibility compliance (alt text, captions, readability, WCAG/Section 508 standards).

Social Media Management:

• Manage day to day operations of OCRE social media accounts, including scheduling, posting, and community engagement.
• Monitor conversations, public sentiment, and breaking developments to identify trends, misinformation, and opportunities for rapid engagement.
• Maintain awareness of platform specific best practices.
• Coordinate responses to public inquiries in partnership with the Digital Communications Pod.

Social Strategy & Campaigns:

• Develop and execute social media strategy aligned with OCRE goals.
• Plan and run digital campaigns for public awareness, program launches, and community engagement.
• Identify emerging platforms, formats and storytelling approaches to expand reach and relevance.
• Collaborate on messaging, and creative across Digital, Narrative and Creative pods.

Audience Development & Analytics:

• Analyze audience behavior to understand who OCRE is reaching and who we're missing.
• Grow and diversify audiences through targeted editorial strategies, distribution tactics, and platform specific storytelling.
• Track KPIs and produce performance reports for leadership, highlighting insights and recommendations.
• Use analytics to refine content, improve engagement, and strengthen editorial impact over time.

Crisis & Rapid Response Communications:

• Support emergency communications by drafting and distributing timely updates.
• Monitor misinformation and coordinate accurate, rapid corrections.
• Maintain readiness protocols for urgent digital response.
• Other duties as assigned

Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. This position is subject to a criminal history check. Only relevant convictions will be considered and, even when considered, may not automatically disqualify the candidate.

Required Attachments:

• Cover letter
• Resume

Education:

• High school diploma or an equivalent GED certification, or higher degree of education

Experience:

• Three (3) or more years' experience in digital media, social media management, audience development, content creation, or a related field.
• Experience using data analytics to plan and develop strategy
• Strong writing background with demonstrated ability to craft clear, accurate, accessible copy
• Experience producing multimedia content including graphics and short-form video
• Familiarity with accessibility standards such as WCAG and Section 508
• Background in analytics including KPI tracking, reporting, and insight development
• Experience managing social platforms including scheduling, posting, and community engagement
• Ability to work in fast-paced environments with rapid response or crisis communication needs
• Collaborative experience working across creative, narrative, and digital teams

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Editorial instincts: ability to spot timely stories, respond quickly, and maintain editorial accuracy
• Platform fluency: deep understanding of how different audiences behave on each social channel
• Creative production ability: comfort producing graphics, short-form video, and visually cohesive content
• Data-driven thinking: using analytics to refine strategy, improve reach, and justify decisions
• Accessibility awareness: commitment to inclusive communication (alt text, captions, readability)
• Rapid response readiness: ability to act quickly during crises, misinformation spikes, or urgent updates
• Collaborative spirit: ease working across Digital, Narrative, and Creative pods
• Community sensitivity: understanding diverse audiences and tailoring content with cultural awareness
• Strategic planning ability: comfort developing campaigns and long-term content calendars
• Strong writing voice: clear, concise, accurate copy that reflects the Commissioner's tone and priorities
• Proactive trend monitoring: staying ahead of emerging platforms, formats, and storytelling styles
• Professional judgment: ability to navigate sensitive topics, public sentiment, and political context
• Organizational discipline: managing calendars, deadlines, and multi-platform workflows smoothly

Note: Qualifying education, experience, knowledge, and skills must be documented on your job application. You may attach a resume to the application as supporting documentation, but ONLY the information stated on the application will be used for consideration.

Education:

• Bachelor's Degree in Communications, Digital Media, Political Science or related field

Experience:

• Experience working with translation processes or multilingual content support

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Spanish or Vietnamese proficiency

Work environment:

• Full-time | Regular
• Monday - Friday | Evenings and weekend will be required at times.
• This position includes standard office work which may require remaining stationary and working at a computer workstation for extended periods.
• Will generally perform duties in an office, though sometimes at external event locations
• Occasional travel within Harris County
• This in-office role is located at 2787 El Camino Street, Houston, TX 77054

Physical Demands:

• Ability to lift at least 20 lbs.
• Subject to kneeling, crouching, walking, sitting, twisting, standing, carrying equipment, and reaching as needed to perform the essential functions.
• Ability to support field production and event coverage, including moving between indoor and outdoor locations, setting up basic equipment, and working in varying weather conditions as needed.

Employment may be contingent on passing a drug screen and meeting other standards. Due to a high volume of applications positions may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department.