North East Jobs is hiring: Multimedia Officer (Press & Publications) in Durham

We are looking for an experienced public relations specialist to join our busy press and publications team.

WHAT IS INVOLVED?

The successful candidate will play a key role in protecting and enhancing the council's reputation, developing and managing relationships with national and regional media, and helping to create content for our social media channels.

With a background in either press or public relations, they will work closely with the wider communications and marketing team to ensure joined-up campaigns for a wide range of events, activities, and initiatives. They will also support the production of corporate publications including the council’s residents’ magazine Durham County News.

We encourage you to contact Julie Barnfather, Communications, Marketing & Design - Strategic Manager via email at julie.barnfather@durham.gov.uk to arrange an informal discussion about the role.

WHAT WILL I NEED?

You will be qualified to degree level or equivalent and have significant experience of press and media work in both newsroom and communications environments.

Please refer to the attached person specification for the full criteria.

BENEFITS AND REWARDS

We offer generous rewards and benefits that are designed to help you perform at your best :

• Competitive salaries and 27 days holiday per year rising to 32 days after five years continuous local government service.
• Option to purchase up to 10 additional days annual leave per year.
• Excellent work / life balance through schemes including job sharing, compressed hours, and flexi-time (allowing up to 13 flexi days per year).
• Hybrid working (home and office working).
• Excellent contributory career average Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS). Plus, top-up options - Salary Sacrifice Shared Cost AVC scheme and standard AVC scheme for members of the LGPS.
• Wellbeing Portal and access to an Employee Assist Scheme.
• Wide range of learning and development opportunities including professional qualifications, coaching, and mentoring.
• Employee Benefits Portal and Lifestyle Savings Scheme (discounts across a host of major retailers).
• Discounted DCC gym membership.
• Staff networks run by staff for our staff, including Race Equality and Diversity, Disability, LGBT , Armed Forces, Carers, Menopause.
• Trade Union membership.
• A range of other salary sacrifice schemes such as car leasing.

Rewards and benefits are subject to individual terms and conditions. Take a closer look :

HYBRID WORKING

Durham County Council currently operates a hybrid working policy where a model of 2 days in the workplace and 3 days at home / remote will apply. This model is pro-rated for part-time roles and arrangements are at managers' discretion; alternatively, you can work all of your contracted hours within the workplace if you prefer.

EQUALITY, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION

We are a proud equal opportunities employer and recognise that a diverse, talented workforce brings new ideas and new perspectives, which will facilitate growth and improvements to services.

We are committed to ensuring that our employment policies and processes are fair and equitable to all. We welcome job applications from everyone, and successful candidates are considered only on their skills and ability to do the job.

As a Disability Confident Leader, we encourage applications from disabled people and provide support throughout the recruitment process.

INTERVIEWS

Interviews will be held on Wednesday 5 or Thursday 6 March 2025.

We operate a guaranteed interview scheme for applicants that can show they meet all the essential criteria and have indicated they have a disability, are a looked-after young person, care leaver, or a veteran.

HOW TO APPLY

In line with the County Council's Recruitment and Selection Policy, please note that we are unable to accept CVs. Applications must be submitted online via the Northeast Jobs portal.

Please use the ‘Person Specification’ section of your application form to demonstrate that you have the essential and, where possible, desirable experience, skills, and knowledge. Candidates who do not evidence that they meet the essential qualifications and experience listed on the person specification will not be short-listed.

If you have any support needs or require assistance when applying for this role, please contact the Recruitment Team via email on RecruitmentCES@durham.gov.uk or telephone 03000 262727 – Option 6.

PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION REGARDING YOUR APPLICATION FOR THIS POST WILL BE SENT TO THE EMAIL ADDRESS THAT YOU HAVE REGISTERED WITH NORTH EAST JOBS, INCLUDING YOUR INVITE TO INTERVIEW IF YOU ARE SHORTLISTED. PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL AFTER THE CLOSING DATE FOR NOTIFICATION FROM DONOTREPLY@NORTHEASTJOBS.ORG.UK AS YOU WILL NOT BE NOTIFIED BY ANY OTHER MEANS. PLEASE ENSURE YOU CHECK YOUR JUNK MAIL.

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