COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST I

As part of our total benefit package, Macomb County proudly offers medical, dental, and vision coverage, with no monthly premium to employees for single, two (2) person or family coverage. Health care, dental and vision benefits are effective the first day of employment.

To learn more about Macomb County benefits click here

CLASSIFICATION TITLE:

SALARY:

DEPARTMENT:

Opening Date:

Closing Date:

FLSA STATUS: Non-exempt - overtime pursuant to Human Resources and Labor Relations Policy

EMPLOYMENT RELATIONSHIP: Just cause subject to probationary period

CURRENT HOURS AND STARTING TIME: Full-time (37.5 hours per week) with an ability to balance hours from home or in the office as current responsibilities allow. The starting time for this position is currently 8:00 a.m.

GENERAL SUMMARY

Under direction, provides communications and marketing support to advance the mission of the Macomb County Planning and Economic Development Department to retain, grow and attract investment in Macomb County, while enhancing the quality of life for residents, businesses, and visitors. Develops, prepares, edits and disseminates communication materials that promote the department's Fueling the Talent Pipeline program. Assists in coordinating communication efforts by collaborating with internal and external stakeholders to ensure consistent messaging and effective public engagement. Maintains the accuracy, quality, and consistency of content across social media platforms, websites, advertising, presentations, and other promotional materials.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Consults with supervisory staff to develop marketing strategies for department programs and services, including the Fueling the Talent Pipeline initiative.

Prepares, edits, and disseminates information about department programs and services through social media, web updates, press releases, print materials, and display boards.

Creates and edits documents, photos, and videos for promotion, reporting and documentation of events.

Ensures the integrity and effectiveness of departmental information presented to internal and external audiences.

Plans or assists in the coordination and promotion of community outreach and special events.

Assists with media contact when assigned.

Represents the department and attends professional meetings and conferences as determined by department leadership.

Monitors local and national media reports and identifies opportunities to promote the department.

Researches data, statistics, and information and communicates information in language and formats suitable to targeted audiences.

Operates an automobile to perform assigned job functions.

Performs related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, or related field

• Two (2) years of related work experience in communications, public relations, or closely related field

Preferred Education and Experience

• Master's Degree from an accredited college or university in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, or related field

Required Licenses or Certifications

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

COMPETENCIES FOR SUCCESSFUL PERFORMANCE OF JOB DUTIES

Knowledge of:

• County/department policies and procedures

• Principles, methods, procedures, and strategies concerning public information, marketing, and communications

• Associated Press (AP) standards, vocabulary, spelling, grammar, and punctuation

• Knowledge of Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel and PowerPoint

• Knowledge of social media platforms

• Career tech education programs in the county

Skill in:

• Excellent customer service, maintaining professional and cordial interactions at all times

• Public speaking and delivery of presentations to community, school, worksite, and professional groups

• Performing a variety of duties, requiring prioritization, often changing from one task to another of a different nature

• Creating brochures, flyers, newsletters, e-newsletters, displays, web and social media messaging, using graphics software

• Knowledge of Smartsheets, Canva, and Adobe products

• Performing basic web page edits and updates

• Development of social media and digital marketing campaigns

• Writing and interpreting reports and analyzing data

• Graphic design

• Using audio/visual equipment

Ability to:

• Translate complex information for various target audiences into easy-to-understand messages

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, outside agencies, other professionals, and the public

• Coordinate and organize the work of others while promoting a collaborative, team environment

• Work independently and be self-motivated

• Exercise diplomacy, sound judgment, and decision making in accordance with policies and procedures

• Work under pressure and meet deadlines with little supervision

• Research and problem solve independently

• 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

• 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

• Conduct oneself with tact and courtesy

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: N/S

Street environment (near moving traffic): N/S

Construction site: N/S

Confined space: N/S

Exposures

Individuals who are hostile or irate: O

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: N/S

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: N/S

Bending (forward or backward bending at the waist): O

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

Crawling (moving about on hands and knees): N/S

Inspecting in confined spaces: N/S

Digging: N/S

Driving on sealed and unsealed roads: O

Grasping, gripping, holding, clasping with fingers or hands: O

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 10 pounds: O

Up to 50 pounds: N/S

More than 50 pounds: N/S

Over 100 pounds: N/S

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

Reaching overhead (arms raised above the shoulder) or forward reaching (arms extended): O

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

Standing in an upright position without movement: O

Walking considerable distances in the facility on multiple surfaces: O

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.