Communications Specialist - Library

Job Description Summary

Department - County Free Library

Job Description

Job Type: Classified

Job Classification: 5513 - Communications Specialist

Salary Grade: 11
 

Pay Range

Hiring Range: $54,142 - $64,958 Annually 

Full Range: $54,142 - $75,774 Annually    

Range Explanation:

• Hiring Range is an estimate of where you can receive an offer. The actual salary offer will carefully consider a wide range of factors, including your skills, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, training, and internal equity.
• Pay Range is the entire compensation range for the position.

The Pima County Library has an opening for a bilingual Communications Specialists to be the primary content creator for all locations. This position performs some media relations duties, creates social media content, and staff community outreach events in both English and Spanish languages.

Essential Functions:

As defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, this classification may include any of the following tasks, knowledge, skills, and other characteristics. This list is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by incumbents of this class. Work assignments may vary depending on the department’s need and will be communicated to the application or incumbent by the supervisor.

• Writes content for all Office communications and marketing materials, including but not limited to: press releases, newsletter articles and feature stories, advertising content and slogans, webpages, social media posts, fliers, posters, and other collateral materials;
• serves as secondary contact between the Communications Office and assigned client departments or within an Elected Official's office and develops relationships with departmental staff and an understanding of the department's communications and marketing needs and goals;
• Maintains an awareness of the status of current or planned projects for the assigned departments and acts as a secondary monitor of work quality and progress completion;
• Analyzes issues and generates story ideas for the approval of the client department;
• Acts as an advocate for the client department's interests or Elected Official with the Communications Office and acts as a Communications Office advocate with the client department;
• Researches and gathers information from various sources within County government to compose articles in non-technical, readable prose for posting to the County website or other media outlets;
• Edits text produced by client staff;
• Works with Communications Coordinator to cultivate and maintain working relationships with external media representatives;
• Advises media representatives on complex issues and connects reporters to proper sources within County government.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, with a major in journalism, communications, public relations, media communications, English or other closely-related field as determined by the department head at the time of recruitment, AND one (1) year of experience in journalism, public relations, technical writing, or media relations.

(Relevant experience and/or education from an accredited college or university may be substituted.)

Or:

Five (5) years of experience in journalism, public relations, technical writing or media relations.

Qualifying education and experience must be clearly documented in the "Education" and "Work Experience" sections of the application. Do not substitute a resume for your application or write "see resume" on your application. 
 
Preferred Qualifications: (Be specific in describing your experience in your application. Ensure the descriptions provided illustrate your competencies, specifically addressing the required and preferred qualifications.): 

• Bilingual (English/Spanish - speak, read, write).
• Experience with/knowledge of the linguistic conventions and norms (e.g. grammar, syntax, punctuation, spelling, etc.) of the English and the Spanish languages.
• Experience with/knowledge of different registers, synonyms, colloquialisms, and idiomatic expressions to adapt writing to a specific target audience.
• Experience delivering accurate, reliable translations of diverse texts, levels of formality, and subtle meanings.
• Experience with/knowledge of the traditions, values, and customs of the Mexican American and Latinx communities of Southern Arizona.
• Experience with/knowledge of different cultural sensitivity and the ability to effectively engage with diverse communities, respect cultural differences, and incorporate cultural awareness into project planning and execution.
• Experience with/knowledge of Spanish-language media outlets.
• Experience working in a library setting.

Selection Procedure:

Pima County Human Resources Department reserves the right to admit to the selection process only those candidates that meet the minimum qualifications. All applications will be assessed based on an evaluation of the listed education and experience. Candidates meeting the minimum qualifications may be further evaluated/scored against any advertised Preferred Qualifications. The hiring authority will interview and select the successful candidate from a referral list provided by Human Resources. Additional assessments/testing may be required as part of the selection process.    

Supplemental Information:

Licenses and Certificates: Some positions require a valid Arizona Class D driver license at the time of application or appointment. Failure to maintain the required licensure shall be grounds for termination.

Special Notice Items: Some positions may require completion of a satisfactory personal background investigation by the court or law enforcement agencies, due to the need for access to County Attorney and Court facilities, records, and communication systems. The County requires pre-employment background checks. Successful candidates will receive a post-offer, pre-employment background screening to include verification of work history, education, and criminal conviction history. A prior criminal conviction will not automatically disqualify a candidate from employment with the County. 

Physical/Sensory Requirements: Physical and sensory abilities will be determined by position. 

Working Conditions: Primarily office environment. Occasional outside work staffing booths at events, supporting press conferences and assisting media at site visits.

EEO Information: Pima County Government is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We are committed to an inclusive and diverse workforce and will not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, kinship, political interest, or any other characteristic protected by law.