The City reserves the right to limit the applications considered to the first 100 applicants.
This recruitment may close at any time; apply immediately.
THE CITY
Located in the gateway to the Los Angeles metropolis, the City of Paramount offers secure quality of life to its residents and a business-friendly attitude that has created a growing retail and services sector, with a thriving Downtown.
Paramount's government is a stable, innovative, and financially conservative organization, and the City has continually invested in its infrastructure and emphasized code enforcement and assistance programs to help residents and businesses upgrade and maintain their properties. For these reasons, the City has a distinctive appearance that appeals to current and potential residents.
For its employees, Paramount offers a family-friendly organization that places emphasis on lifework balance and flexibility. City leadership highly values the input and impact of each employee. Rather than work from the top-down, Paramount chooses collaboration, fostering a professional, respectful, and fulfilling work environment.
CITY GOVERNMENT
The City of Paramount is operated by 7 departments: City Manager, Administrative Services; Planning; Public Safety; Public Works; Community Services, and Finance.
With an operating budget of $96.2M, City population of 54,000, and covering 4.7 square miles, the City of Paramount is dedicated to providing fiscally responsible services that maintain a vibrant community that is Safe, Healthy, and Attractive! We value respect and ethical behaviors, adaptability, service excellence, and accountability. The City promotes innovation through teamwork, and providing effective, inclusive, and transparent public information and engagement.
THE POSITION
Under direction, the Communications Specialist will perform advanced professional graphic arts and related work in support of Citywide public information and public affairs programs and activities. They will serve as lead designer, creator and producer of graphic materials for printing or reproduction; and communicate with staff to plan, design and layout text and art work and determine final output. The Communications Specialist will administer and manage the city’s social media and digital platforms. Lastly, they will coordinate, capture and edit digital media to promote and archive the City’s events and disseminate information; and to perform other related duties as assigned.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Experience:
One (1) year of professional graphic art design experience and/or one (1) year of experience in social media or public relations involving writing content for information purposes. Or six (6) months of professional experience with a Bachelor’s degree with coursework in journalism, graphic art, fine art, commercial art, or a related area.
License or Certificate:
Valid Class C California Driver License and acceptable driving record.
Knowledge of:
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Methods, practices, terminology, and procedures for public information communications
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Page layout and graphic arts design techniques and procedures.
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Practices and equipment used for photography and videography.
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Social media platforms and managing social media accounts.
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Terminology and procedures involved with the management of social media accounts.
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Methods of collecting and organizing data and information.
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Modern office practices, procedures and equipment.
Skill to:
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Operate a variety of office and specialized equipment, including a scanner, camera, video camera, laser printer, copier and fax machine.
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Operate an assigned computer, as well as graphics, photo and video software to prepare and design written and graphic materials for printing, reproduction or social media posting.
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Operate reprographic and peripheral equipment in the reproduction of various materials as necessary.
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Safely operate one or more types of vehicles if required by assignments.
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Adjust to rapidly shifting priorities and timelines.
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Exercise analytical and critical thinking.
Ability to:
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Understand and interpret the policies, procedures, rules and regulations of an assigned department to make decisions requiring skilled judgment.
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Provide skilled graphic art services utilizing a variety of graphic design methods and materials.
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Assist City staff by designing and preparing graphic artwork to meet their business needs.
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Effectively represent the department and/or City in meetings with governmental agencies, community groups, various businesses, professional and regulatory organizations, and individuals.
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Administer and update social media platforms and websites.
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Work effectively with sensitive and confidential information in a political environment.
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Interact with the public and provide customer service in a calm, courteous and helpful manner.
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Exercise good judgment, flexibility, creativity and sensitivity in response to changing situations and needs.
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Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
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Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others.
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Provide training and supervision duties as necessary.
Essential duties require the following physical skills and work environment:
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Work is primarily performed in a standard office setting and requires: the use of standard office equipment, including a computer; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone; the ability to perform work that is primarily sedentary, although standing in and walking between work areas may be required; finger dexterity to access, enter and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment; occasional bending, stooping, kneeling, reaching, pushing and pulling drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information; lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling materials and objects weighing up to 25 pounds.
Environmental Elements
Work is primarily performed in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances; may require interacting with upset staff and/or public and private representatives and contractors in interpreting and enforcing departmental and City policies and procedures.
Emergency Disaster Worker
City employees are registered as Emergency Disaster Workers and must take an oath. In the event of a declared emergency, City employees shall initially remain at work, or if recalled, shall report to work after completing critical personal and family emergency responsibilities.
SELECTION PROCEDURE:
Completed application and resume must be submitted by the filing deadline listed above. Application packets will be screened in relation to the criteria outlined in the job announcement. Possession of the minimum qualifications does not ensure an invitation to the recruitment process. The selection process will include an oral interview and may include other testing processes designed to predict successful job performance.
Candidates must be specific and complete in describing their qualifications for this position. Failure to state all pertinent information may lead to elimination from consideration. Stating "See Resume" is not an acceptable substitute for a completed application.
Communication regarding your application and/or status will be sent to the email address listed on your application. Please check your email regularly throughout the recruitment process as you will not receive communications by any other method.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
The City of Paramount is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.
If you require reasonable accommodation during the examination components due to a qualified disability, you must inform the Human Resources Division at (562) 220-2155 at least 5 days in advance of testing date.
