Communications Specialist

THE CITY Located in the gateway to the Los Angeles metropolis, the City of Paramount offers secure quality of life to its residents and a business-friendly attitude that has created a growing retail and services sector, with a thriving Downtown. Paramount's government is a stable, innovative, and financially conservative organization, and the City has continually invested in its infrastructure and emphasized code enforcement and assistance programs to help residents and businesses upgrade and maintain their properties. For these reasons, the City has a distinctive appearance that appeals to current and potential residents. For its employees, Paramount offers a family-friendly organization that places emphasis on lifework balance and flexibility. City leadership highly values the input and impact of each employee. Rather than work from the top-down, Paramount chooses collaboration, fostering a professional, respectful, and fulfilling work environment. CITY GOVERNMENT The City of Paramount is operated by 7 departments: City Manager, Administrative Services; Planning; Public Safety; Public Works; Community Services, and Finance. With an operating budget of $96.2M, City population of 54,000, and covering 4.7 square miles, the City of Paramount is dedicated to providing fiscally responsible services that maintain a vibrant community that is Safe, Healthy, and Attractive! We value respect and ethical behaviors, adaptability, service excellence, and accountability. The City promotes innovation through teamwork, and providing effective, inclusive, and transparent public information and engagement. THE POSITION Under direction, the Communications Specialist will perform advanced professional graphic arts and related work in support of Citywide public information and public affairs programs and activities. They will serve as lead designer, creator and producer of graphic materials for printing or reproduction; and communicate with staff to plan, design and layout text and art work and determine final output. The Communications Specialist will administer and manage the city's social media and digital platforms. Lastly, they will coordinate, capture and edit digital media to promote and archive the City's events and disseminate information; and to perform other related duties as assigned. Prepare, design, create and produce graphic materials (e.g., advertisements, fliers, brochures, booklets, etc.) and digital media for printing or posting; format and arrange data; size documents as necessary; prepare materials for printing and distribution. Administer, and update City website and social media (YouTube, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, etc.) accounts and content; post newsletters and various other information relevant to the public; respond to comments and inquiries. Prioritize, plan and layout text and art work; select type style and size, fonts, spacing of letters and text lines, placement and size and type of photos, videos and art work to be used according to staff specifications. Confer with management staff to plan, design, proof and revise graphics jobs and determine product output from rough draft, work orders and oral instructions; review work submitted for production; proofread work to assure completeness, quality and clarity of original copy. Communicate with clients, staff and other individuals to exchange information and resolve issue or concerns related to costs, timelines, printing needs and new technologies as necessary. Serve as lead for social media team providing guidance and direction during events and obtaining or manipulating content. Conduct interviews and take photographs of administrators, staff and the public; attend, photograph and report on organization-related events and activities; photograph and/or film interview participants; live-stream City events. Assist other City staff in designing and preparing graphic artwork; provide guideline information concerning formatting requirements of large and complex documents; collaborate with administrators to develop appropriate lay-outs and meet organizational needs. Attend a variety of assigned meetings, events, committees and workshops. Perform other related duties as assigned. EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE Experience: One (1) year ofprofessional graphic art design experience and/or one (1) year of experience in social media or public relations involving writing content for information purposes. Or six (6) months of professional experience with a Bachelor's degree with coursework in journalism, graphic art, fine art, commercial art, or a related area. License or Certificate: Valid Class C California Driver License and acceptable driving record. Knowledge of: Methods, practices, terminology, and procedures for public information communications Page layout and graphic arts design techniques and procedures. Practices and equipment used for photography and videography. Social media platforms and managing social media accounts. Terminology and procedures involved with the management of social media accounts. Methods of collecting and organizing data and information. Modern office practices, procedures and equipment. Skill to: Operate a variety of office and specialized equipment, including a scanner, camera, video camera, laser printer, copier and fax machine. Operate an assigned computer, as well as graphics, photo and video software to prepare and design written and graphic materials for printing, reproduction or social media posting. Operate reprographic and peripheral equipment in the reproduction of various materials as necessary. Safely operate one or more types of vehicles if required by assignments. Adjust to rapidly shifting priorities and timelines. Exercise analytical and critical thinking. Ability to: Understand and interpret the policies, procedures, rules and regulations of an assigned department to make decisions requiring skilled judgment. Provide skilled graphic art services utilizing a variety of graphic design methods and materials. Assist City staff by designing and preparing graphic artwork to meet their business needs. Effectively represent the department and/or City in meetings with governmental agencies, community groups, various businesses, professional and regulatory organizations, and individuals. Administer and update social media platforms and websites. Work effectively with sensitive and confidential information in a political environment. Interact with the public and provide customer service in a calm, courteous and helpful manner. Exercise good judgment, flexibility, creativity and sensitivity in response to changing situations and needs. Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing. Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others. Provide training and supervision duties as necessary. Essential duties require the following physical skills and work environment: PHYSICAL DEMANDS Work is primarily performed in a standard office setting and requires: the use of standard office equipment, including a computer; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone; the ability to perform work that is primarily sedentary, although standing in and walking between work areas may be required; finger dexterity to access, enter and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment; occasional bending, stooping, kneeling, reaching, pushing and pulling drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information; lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling materials and objects weighing up to 25 pounds. Environmental Elements Work is primarily performed in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances; may require interacting with upset staff and/or public and private representatives and contractors in interpreting and enforcing departmental and City policies and procedures. Emergency Disaster Worker City employees are registered as Emergency Disaster Workers and must take an oath. In the event of a declared emergency, City employees shall initially remain at work, or if recalled, shall report to work after completing critical personal and family emergency responsibilities. EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER The City of Paramount is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer. If you require reasonable accommodation during the examination components due to a qualified disability, you must inform the Human Resources Division at View phone number on click.appcast.io at least 5 days in advance of testing date. #J-18808-Ljbffr