Communications Specialist Senior

Classification Title

Communications Specialist Senior

Salary

$70,399.42 - $91,055.76

Department

Planning and Economic Development

Opening Date

03/18/2025

Closing Date

03/24/2025 12:00 a.m.

FLSA STATUS: Non-exempt - overtime pursuant to Collective Bargaining Agreement (if applicable) or Human Resources and Labor Relations Policy

EMPLOYMENT RELATIONSHIP: Just cause subject to probationary period

General Summary

Assists in achieving the department’s mission to retain, grow and attract economic investment to Macomb County while improving the overall quality of life for residents and businesses. Working as part of the Marketing and Communications Team, the Communication Specialist Senior will create and publish content for multiple platforms including social media, website, newsletters, print publications and media outreach with a goal to reach and grow targeted audiences. Build engagement and brand awareness and position Macomb County as an ideal place to visit, live and/or build a business.

Essential Functions And Responsibilities

Assists in developing and implementing a strategic communications and marketing plan to promote Macomb County and department initiatives.

Provides support for other marketing and communications efforts of the department and other county departments and agencies.

Researches the integrated marketing platforms of competitors to compare current efforts.

Analyzes current strategies and develops recommendations for increasing brand identity.

Identifies target audiences and learn about their interests, demographics, and behavior.

Develops, implements and manages a social media strategy that is aligned with the strategic plan for existing and new social media platforms.

Collaborates with others to develop, implement and measure engagement campaigns that amplify selected county programs and activities.

Develops content, monitors responses and provides reports about results.

Contributes to the preparation of a budget for paid advertising on social media; monitors spend and provides related reports.

Collaborates with others on the communications and marketing team to create images and videos for social media that align with brand standards.

Offers support to other county department communicators by providing expertise and guidance for growing their targeted audiences, enhancing brand awareness and building credibility; provides examples and assists others to develop meaningful reports that support growth objectives.

Proofreads and edits documents written by others in compliance with Associated Press (AP) Stylebook as well as internal style guidelines; assignments range from formal letters, advertising content, promotional materials for events, fact sheets, executive speaking points and much more.

Assists in building and managing strategic e-blasts and digital marketing campaigns.

Monitors and reports on web traffic and source analytics against key performance indicators.

Promotes the services the economic development and fueling talent team provides to local businesses and businesses looking to move to Macomb County.

Supports the Office of the County Executive in communication and outreach campaigns and special projects, as directed.

May be required to work evenings and weekends.

Operates an automobile to perform assigned job functions.

Represents the County at meetings and public hearings as assigned.

Performs related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Required Education and Experience

• A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Marketing, Public Relations, Communications, Digital Marketing or related field
• Three (3) or more years experience creating effective content for specific audiences
• Experience budgeting for and managing digital campaigns using Meta, LinkedIn and Google Ads
• Previous experience in economic or workforce development or working with businesses to help them expand and grow their footprint
  
  

Preferred Education And Experience

• A Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in English, Public Relations, Communications, Journalism or related field
• Advanced certification in digital marketing, search engine optimization (SEO), from an accredited college or university
• Five (5) or more years experience creating effective content for specific audiences
  
  

Required Licenses Or Certifications

• Possession of a valid Michigan driver’s license and operable, insured automobile for authorized travel
  
  

Knowledge Of

COMPETENCIES FOR SUCCESSFUL PERFORMANCE OF JOB DUTIES:

• All manner of digital communications including social media, electronic newsletters, website content, digital marketing
• Brand identity with a proven ability to assist others adhere to guidelines
• Related mass email programs such as Mail Chimp, Constant Contact, GovDelivery, Eventbrite and others
• Microsoft Office Products, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access
• Project management software such as Smartsheets or others
• Experience with CRM platforms such as Salesforce
  
  

Skill In

• Writing for multiple audiences
• Creating and publishing content for multiple platforms
• Digital marketing
  
  

Ability To

• Identify and create compelling messaging that supports and promotes brand identity
• Approach assignments creatively while respecting the point of view of the client to reach a specific audience
• Produce appealing messaging across multiple platforms in accordance to brand standards
• Prioritize tasks, work on multiple projects and produce results in a timely fashion and meet deadlines
• Operate and maintain departmental equipment and software
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with elected officials, Administrators, Department Heads, co-workers, outside agencies and the public
• Work in an environment which embraces the county’s Dignity Campaign
• Effectively speak, write and understand the English language
• Effectively speak, write and understand a language other than English is preferred
• Be able to present in front of a group of stakeholders and network
• Understand and carry out oral and/or written instructions
• Accurately organize and maintain paper documents and electronic files
• Maintain the confidentiality of information and professional boundaries
• Work independently and as a member of a team
  
  

Work Environment/Conditions

• The work environment and exposures described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.
  
  

N/S=Never/Seldom O=Occasionally F/C= Frequently/Continuously

Work Environment

Office or similar indoor environment: F/C

Outdoor environment: O

Street environment (near moving traffic): N/S

Construction site: N/S

Confined space: N/S

Exposures

Individuals who are hostile or irate: N/S

Individuals with known violent backgrounds: N/S

Extreme cold (below 32 degrees): N/S

Extreme heat (above 100 degrees): N/S

Communicable diseases: N/S

Moving mechanical parts: O

Fumes or airborne particles: N/S

Toxic or caustic chemicals, substances, or waste: N/S

Loud noises (85 decibels): N/S

Blood Borne Pathogens: N/S

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
  
  

N/S=Never/Seldom O=Occasionally F/C= Frequently/Continuously

Demand

Balancing on even or uneven surfaces/ground: O

Bending (forward or backward bending at the waist): F/C

Climbing up or down stairs, ladders, scaffolding and platforms: N/S

Crawling (moving about on hands and knees). Inspecting in confined spaces: N/S

Digging: N/S

Driving on sealed and unsealed roads: O

Grasping, gripping, holding, clasping with fingers or hands: F/C

Kneeling to work at low levels: N/S

Manual Dexterity (fine finger movements i.e., keyboard operating, writing): F/C

Lift/Carry/Move objects from one level/position to another up to 50 pounds: F/C

Push/Pull objects away from or towards the body: O

Reaching overhead (arms raised above the shoulder) or forward reaching (arms extended): F/C

Sitting in a seated position during the task performance: F/C

Standing in an upright position without movement: F/C

Walking considerable distances in the facility on multiple surfaces: F/C

Running considerable distances in the facility on multiple surfaces: N/S

General Requirements And Disclaimers

Complies with P.A. 390, as amended, known as the State’s Emergency Management Act and the County’s Emergency Management resolution as well as all related plans, policies and procedures covered by those statutes.

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by employees in this job. Employees may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require accommodation to apply for a job or to perform your job. Examples of reasonable accommodation include making a change to the application process or work procedures, providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment amongst other possible accommodations.