The San Mateo County Libraries seeks an experienced, reliable, and motivated Communications Specialist to join our Library Communications Team.
The successful candidate is an enthusiastic team player who is able to handle multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment. Reporting to the Communications Manager the Communication Specialist will plan, organize, and coordinate public and internal communications activities for San Mateo County Libraries. The Communication Specialist is expected to be a strategic thinker who develops and executes integrated communications, media and marketing plans for the library system- leveraging multi-communication channels (traditional and online), promotional materials such as, but not limited to, library signage/collateral, web content, press releases and fact sheets- with the goal of advancing outreach and library engagement to community stakeholders and library users.
Under the supervision of the Communications Manager, the Communications Specialist will provide support to the libraries by ensuring the system’s branding strategy and guidelines are adhered to across all libraries and divisions, and may occasionally serve as a media relations contact/spokesperson for the libraries. The individual selected for this position should possess excellent organizational skills, work well under pressure and be capable of performing under fast deadlines to support key messaging, design and branding needs.
Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Create, develop, distribute and maintain library print and digital assets (e.g., brochures, reports, website, social media, and website) via multiple channels.
- Support the management of all digital and print marketing channels (e.g. digital asset management system, website, blogs, newsletters, social media, flyer creation) to ensure brand consistency.
- Provide copywriting and editing support to the libraries’ print and digital platforms.
- Develop and implement communication/marketing strategies that include design work, patron messaging, and social media content creation. Adhere to the company’s style guide, ensuring that libraries produce high-quality designed collateral and error-free copy.
- Under the direction of the Communications Manager, research, design and draft press releases, media pitches and responses, content for library system initiatives, infographics, blogs, library signage, newsletters and internal messaging.
- Support media relations by serving as a media contact, as needed. Research and draft talking points, occasionally answer reporter inquiries, create content for executive speeches, op-eds, etc.
- Arrange, coordinate and support library events and programs in a virtual and in-person setting.
- Support and evaluate results of communication campaigns with the team.
Education and Experience: Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to qualify is a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in mass media communication, marketing, public relations, journalism, business or public administration or a closely related field; AND four years of professional experience with responsibility for public relations, media relations, communications, marketing or a closely related field and directly involved in the preparation and dissemination of information to the general public and press.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Plan, organize, and coordinate comprehensive communications programs to meet library needs, values and priorities.
- Strategically develop programs and tools to increase and maintain public awareness of library programs, services and achievements.
- Principles and practices of effective public communication, media relations and marketing.
- Techniques of effective interviewing, copy writing, layout, editing, and multimedia productions.
- Principles and practices of government and public libraries.
- Information dissemination techniques and methods.
- Strategically develop programs and tools to increase and maintain public awareness of department programs, services and achievements.
- Write and edit effective press releases, articles, speeches, scripts and other correspondence.
- Produce accurate information and meet deadlines.
- Maintain cooperative working relationships with other program managers and staff, other agencies and the community.
- Enlist and mobilize community support for programs.
- Prepare complex and detailed written reports, program policies, procedures and contracts.
- Principles of effective written communication.
- Excellent interpersonal and problem-solving skills.
- Strong analytic and research skills.
- Creativity, curiosity, and a sense of humor.
~ TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT SCHEDULE ~
Final Filing Date: June 30, 2021
Application Screening: July 12 - 13, 2021
Panel Interviews: July 26 and/or 27, 2021
A completed application packet will include the following:
- Completed application
- Cover letter expressing the following:
- Your interest in the position;
- Why you desire to work for San Mateo County Libraries; and
- Why you believe your skills and experience meet our qualifications.
- Resume
- Responses to the supplemental questionnaire
