What are the responsibilities and job description for the Graphics Technician position at City of Santa Maria, CA?
OPPORTUNITY
Under the general direction of an assigned supervisor, the Graphics Technician is responsible for planning, designing, and producing a wide range of graphic materials to effectively communicate and market programs, products, and services of the City of Santa Maria. This position supports outreach communication efforts by creating visual graphic content and coordinating scheduled publishments in print, displays, social media, and other platforms. This role involves creating camera ready artwork, and overseeing the use of various media platforms, including social media, to convey impactful messages to the targeted audience.
This classification is currently in multiple divisions and departments across the City. Supervision is not normally a responsibility of this classification but may act as lead worker for temporarily assigned employees, or special projects.
The Graphics Technician position is an Individual Contributor role that provides marketing graphics and engaging imagery to promote programs and services offered by the City. The role informs Santa Maria residents about the high-quality enrichment opportunities available and encourages community participation.
WHAT WE DO:
The Department of Recreation and Parks' mission is to enrich the lives of the residents of Santa Maria through quality recreation programs and services; and to provide safe and well-maintained facilities and parks, while anticipating the changing needs of the community. The department operates 234 acres of developed parkland in 28 neighborhood and community parks, part of the 1,774-acre Los Flores Ranch Park property, the Abel Maldonado Community Youth Center, and other community centers. The department provides programs in aquatics, youth and adult sports. It also manages the City's Urban Forest Program.
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR:
- Dedicated to providing excellent customer service
- Motivated
- Positive/Can Do Attitude
- Team leader
- Excellent communicator
- Detail & solution oriented
IDEAL CANDIDATE
The ideal candidate will have experience in creating, designing, and developing visually impactful and engaging materials for promotional events. Designs in various media ranging from print to web, with particular expertise in print design and production are preferred.
DETAILED JOB DESCRIPTION
Graphics Technician
REQUIRED SUBMITTAL:
- Application
- Cover Letter
- Detailed portfolio displaying your work in graphic design
- Supplemental Questions
DUTIES
These duties are a representative example; position assignments may vary depending on the business needs of the department and organization.
This position:
- Designs, prepares, and schedules displays, exhibits, and publications in print and on social media to promote City sponsored services, programs, and events.
- Serves as a department consultant on design aspects for communication of programs, products, and services.
- Designs, reviews, and makes edits to graphic materials to ensure they are ready for production and/or display.
- Collaborates with internal and external stakeholders to effectively convey messages and maintain a strong customer service orientation.
- Scope of assigned area will depend on departmental structure and is at the discretion of the Director.
- Upholds the values of the organization and has a strong customer service orientation.
- Performs other related projects and duties as assigned.
- Demonstrates regular, reliable and punctual attendance.
- Provide creative writing for graphic content to effectively advertise subject matter
- Coordinate in-house and outsourced production and ensures deliverables are cost-effective and within the Department’s budget.
- Captures photographs of subject matter at pertinent locations for publication and maintains an organized catalog using City resources.
- Prioritize multiple design projects to meet Department deadlines.
- Maintain an inventory of graphic supplies and equipment.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Ideally, two years of paid experience in graphic design will be accepted in lieu of a degree; and
- Graduation from high school.
- An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above.
- College level courses in art, drawing, graphic design, etc., are desired.
-
Current technical/professional knowledge of complex principles, methods, standards and techniques associated with the scope of work of a recognized profession, such as:
- Graphic design, typography, copywriting, layout, illustration, and use of color.
- Computer graphics software.
- Knowledge of social media functions including content creation and publishing.
- Effective verbal and interpersonal communication skills.
- Microsoft Office Suite (or equivalent).
- Adobe Creative Cloud.
- Use of computer and other office equipment effectively.
- Desired licenses and/or certifications associated with the assignment.
Individual Contributor:
Incumbents should have a solid foundation of the following core competencies identified by the organization to be essential and listed in order of importance (click the hyper link to see the full definition Individual Contributor Competencies):
- Team Player - Effective performers are team oriented, share resources, respond to requests, and support a spirit of cooperative effort.
- Customer Orientation - Effective performers are in touch with community needs and review the organization through the eyes of Santa Maria residents. They go out of their way to anticipate needs.
- Integrity - Effective performers think and act ethically and honestly, take responsibility for their actions and foster a work environment where integrity is rewarded.
- Communicativeness - Effective performers recognize the essential value of continuous information exchange and the competitive advantage it brings. They actively seek information from a variety of sources and disseminate it in a variety of ways. They use modern technologies to access and circulate information, even across great distances. They take responsibility for ensuring that their people have the current and accurate information needed for success. Initiative - Effective performers are proactive and take action without being prompted. They do not wait to be told what to do or when to do it. They see a need, take responsibility, and act on it. They make things happen.
- Composure - Effective performers maintain emotional control, even under ambiguous or stressful circumstances, and demonstrate emotions appropriate to the situation.
- Functional/Technical Expertise - Effective performers are knowledgeable and skilled in a functional specialty (e.g., finance, public works, planning, information technology, human resources, etc.), and remain current in their area of expertise.
- Problem Solving & Decision Making - Effective performers identify problems, solve them, act decisively, and show good judgment.
- Learning Agility - Effective performers continuously seek new knowledge, are curious, learn quickly, and use new information effectively.
- Drive/Energy - Effective performers have a high level of energy and are ambitious and passionate about their role. They have stamina and endurance to maintain a fast pace.
SELECTION PROCESS
PLEASE NOTE: In addition to your completed application, a cover letter, graphic design portfolio and supplemental question are required as part of the application process. If the resume is not attached, your application will be considered incomplete. If you are experiencing any technical (computer related) difficulties or need help with attaching documents to your application, please call the NEOGOV help line for assistance at 1-855-524-5627.
Application Ranking:
Application, including cover letter, will be evaluated and scored. Candidates' final score and rank will be determined by their complete application packet upon meeting the employment standards of the position and eligible candidates will be certified to the Eligibility List.
The most qualified applicants will be screened and invited to the Departmental selection interviews with the hiring department once a candidate has been certified to the Eligibility List. Therefore, it is the applicant's responsibility to provide an accurate email address and to allow their inbox to receive emails in regard to this recruitment (please check spam/junk mail folder). T
The following benefits vary by bargaining unit. For full benefit information please refer to the Memorandum of Understanding or compensation resolution available at https://www.cityofsantamaria.org/services/departments/human-resources/salary-group-agreements.
Retirement
The City of Santa Maria is a member of the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS). Your benefit factor is determined by the retirement formula, age, service credit and final compensation. Based upon your bargaining unit and hire date the benefit factor will vary.
Medical Insurance is provided to employees and eligible dependents through the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS). There are four Preferred Provider Organizations (PPO's) and three Health Maintenance Organizations (HMO's) to choose from. The benefit amount varies per bargaining unit.
The City has a medical insurance benefit program which provides either payment towards the premium for the employee and eligible dependents, or cash payment if you and your dependent(s) already have health benefits. Evidence of major medical health insurance coverage is required for those employees who receive the cash payment. See Memorandum of Understanding for eligibility requirements.
Dental Insurance
Dental Insurance is provided to employees and eligible dependents through The Standard covering 100% of Preventive; 90% of Basic; and 60% of Major with a minimal deductible. The plan includes a Max Builder option rewarding insured employees and their dependents who use only a portion of their annual dental benefit maximum. The benefit amount varies per bargaining unit.
Vision Insurance
Vision Insurance is available to employees and eligible dependents. Coverage is through VSP and covers an annual Well Vision exam and an allowance towards prescription glasses. The benefit amount varies per bargaining unit.
All employees working a minimum of thirty two (32) hours per week are eligible for Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) coverage. Supplemental life, spousal and dependent child options are also available. The benefit amount varies per bargaining unit.
All employees working a minimum of thirty two (32) hours per week, excluding Sworn Police and Fire shall participate in the short-term and long-term disability plan with coverage up to 66 2/3% of salary. Sworn Police and Fire are covered through their respective bargaining unit.
The City offers a flexible spending account option for Dependent Care and Health Care Expenses. With these plans, employees can choose to place a portion of their earnings into a personal reimbursement account on a pre-tax basis. Doing so lowers employees' taxable income for the year and allows them to pay for their qualified dependent care and eligible health care expenses with pre-tax dollars.
Employee Assistance Program
Offered to help employees gain knowledge, skills and motivation to improve the quality of their lives and well-being. The City's Wellness Program includes ergonomic evaluations, flu shots, and Wellness Workshops during lunch and after work. Access to the Paul Nelson Aquatics Center for employee and immediate family members. Access to the Weight room at the Abel Maldonado Community Youth Center for employee and immediate family members. Access to employee discounts and special offers on travel, entertainment, shopping, dining and services.
Mentorship Program
Succession Planning
The academies are offered to all employees including those that are not yet in a supervisory role, but are interested in becoming leaders within the organization as well as our executive management team who have an interest in honing their skills and helping to prepare our future leaders. In addition to multiple leadership academies, the City offers quarterly Speaker Series, a corporate Toastmasters club available for City employees, site tours of various departments, and more.
Deferred Compensation
Employees may participate in the City's 457 Deferred Compensation Plan sponsored by either Empower or CalPERS Supplemental Income. The plan enables employees to save salary and earn interest on a tax-deferred basis. A City match is available based upon representation.
The City also provides an IRS approved 401(a) plan sponsored by Empower for managers represented by Non-Represented Full-Time Management & Confidential (NMAC).
Post Employment Health Plan (PEHP)
Based upon your bargaining unit the City may participate in a PEHP plan that will provide reimbursement for out-of-pocket cost of qualified medical expenses such as prescription drugs, doctor co-pays, eyeglasses and cover the reimbursement of medical insurance premiums upon separation or retirement.
Holidays
The City offers seven (7) paid holidays per year. In addition, based upon your bargaining unit a bank of floating holiday hours is available to be used at the employee's discretion.
Vacation
The City initially offers two weeks of paid vacation per calendar year for all full time employees. Accrual rates increase thereafter based upon your bargaining unit.
Sick Leave
Sick leave shall accrue a rate of eight hours for each month of continuous service, or approximately two weeks per year for all full time employees. Employees may use up to half of their annually accrued sick leave for family illness and up to five days (40 hours) per calendar year for bereavement leave.
Management level employees may receive a prorated amount of management leave time each new calendar year.
Educational Incentive Program
In addition to regular pay when education is in addition to the regular requirements of the job specifications and is work related.
Tuition Reimbursement
Based on your bargaining unit, you may be reimbursed for tuition and book costs of approved job related courses. The maximum amount of tuition reimbursement in any calendar year will vary based upon your bargaining unit.
Auto Allowance
Management level employees may receive auto allowance based upon the need of the position.
Telephone/PDA Stipend
Management level employees may receive a telephone and/or PDA stipend based upon the need of the position.
Bilingual Pay
Bilingual pay is provided to employees who are required by their department head to use both English and Spanish in communicating with the public while performing the duties of his/her position and who demonstrate appropriate skills in both speaking and understanding the Spanish language shall receive compensation. The benefit amount varies per bargaining unit.
