Job Summary
The Communications Specialist is responsible for the distribution of communication through various digital and print modes. The Communications Specialist is a versatile communicator able to create entire communication packages ranging from professional marketing collateral and press releases to powerful social media content. This position acts as an internal service to bring the information of various Town departments to our diverse constituency in an accurate, efficient, compelling and engaging manner. The Communications Specialist will work primarily on a computer, compiling, creating, designing, writing and editing communication content in partnership with various Town staff. Other duties will include data analysis, website assistance, accessibility compliance and research as needed.
Work is performed under the general direction of the Communications and Community Engagement Manager with leeway to exercise independent judgment within the framework of applicable rules, regulations, policies and procedures in performing duties, both in terms of planning and accomplishing work and making decisions regarding needs and requests.
This is a part-time job working 20 hours per week (four hours per day), and work is generally scheduled Monday through Friday with some evening and weekend work as communication needs arise.
Hiring range is $29.92 - $35.34 per hour, depending on qualifications.
Essential Job Duties
- Gathers, compiles and organizes content.
- Creates engaging, compelling and accurate communications pieces
- Prepares marketing materials for various programs and events
- Prepares social media across Facebook, Instagram and Twitter platforms
- Prepares departmental newsletters, including writing, design and image editing
- Prepares a variety of other communication, including press releases, emails, presentations, reports, website copy and signage
- Conducts a variety of administration tasks
- Assists with ADA compliance for the Town’s website and helps to address accessibility issues
- Proof-reads and edits communication materials in order to minimize mistakes and maximize accuracy
- Assists in website edits and updates
- Works professionally with various staff across departments and externally with Town partners to communicate their messages to Town partners
- Takes direction and moves projects to completion within tight deadlines
Knowledge, Skills And Abilities
- High attention to detail
- Advanced skills and versatility in writing and editing, including news items, press releases features, website copy, social media content and marketing collateral; Proficient in Associated Press (AP) style
- Proficient skills and knowledge of marketing best practices and tools
- Proficient skills and knowledge of social media best practices and tools
- Ability to gather information professionally and produce content that is accurate, engaging, compelling and effective.
- Ability to take complex concepts and ideas and communicate them in a way they can be received and understood by a broad range of people
- Capable skills in graphic design, layout and media production
- Ability to manipulate digital images and other collateral
- Familiarity in Photoshop, InDesign, PremierPro, Illustrator and other Adobe Creative Suite programs
- Ability to learn new software or web-based applications quickly, including but not limited to GovDelivery, GovAccess, CiviRec, CivicEngage, WordPress, and Sprout Social
- Advanced computer skills
- Ability and desire to stay up to date with new communication styles and norms as well as new platforms and tools of communication
- Ability to be resourceful in finding the information and tools needed to complete a task.
- Ability to build rapport, confidence and reliability in collaboration with various colleagues within the organization and Town partners outside the organization
- Ability to handle difficult issues gracefully, tackle problems respectfully and manage conflicts humbly.
- Ability to be flexible in all aspects of the communication process from concept to delivery
- Ability to handle changes of direction and feedback during times of high-pressure
- Ability to work independently with self-initiative
- Knowledge of the Town of Superior as a whole (history, culture and policy)
- Knowledge of the Town of Superior Communications Plan and Brand Guidelines
- Knowledge of accessibility guidelines
- Knowledge of Diversity, Inclusion and Equity best practices and willingness for continual learning
- Ability to see the big picture and understand the ripple effect of any piece of communication delivered to the public
Supplemental Information
Special License, Registration, Or Certification Required
- Bachelor’s degree in marketing, public relations, journalism, communications or related field
- Three years of experience in the communications field
2025 Employee Benefits Summary
The following is a summary of the benefit package for regular employees with the Town of Superior. The benefit package is available to both the employee and their qualified spouse/dependents except when specified for employee only availability.
Medical, Dental and Vision: The Town pays a percentage of each employee's major medical, dental and vision coverage. Medical and dental coverage is offered by Anthem through the County Health Pool while vision coverage is offered by VSP (Signature Plan) through the County Health Pool. The Town's payment percentage is based on the following categories: 100% for employee only, 90% for employee plus one, and 85% for employee plus two or more. Full-time employees have the option to receive $200 per month in lieu of medical benefits, if they are able to provide proof of medical coverage.
Life: The Town provides group term life insurance for an amount of twice the employee salary up to a maximum of $350,000. Employees may also elect to enroll in Voluntary Life Insurance coverage.
Short Term & Long Term Disability: Short-term and long-term disability insurance is provided for employees of the Town which pays 66.67% of the employee's salary.
Wellness Reimbursement Plan: The Town provides reimbursement of 50% of expenses up to $1,300 for the current plan year. For the purpose of this plan, Wellness is defined as a healthy balance of the mind-body and spirit that results in an overall feeling of well-being. Therefore, wellness expenses would include items related to:
Nutrition, Exercise, Health Care, and Stress Management. The Wellness Reimbursement Plan is designed for all eligible employees and their immediate family members. The purpose of this plan is to assists employees' behavior in order to achieve better health, to optimize an already good state of health and to reduce health risks. The Town will not reimburse any expenses for material goods (i.e. exercise equipment) which could be resold to a third party.
Retirement: The Town provides retirement benefits to full-time employees by contributing 15% of the employee salary to a 401 (a) Money Purchasing Plan. This contribution is not deducted from the employee salary but instead is a benefit in addition to the employee salary. The account is administered through COREBRIDGE Retirement. The Town is exempt from Social Security and does not contribute to the program. However, part-time employees contribute to Social Security and do not participate in the 401 (a) Money Purchasing Plan
Deferred Compensation: As an employee of a public agency, you may also elect to enroll in one or both of the available Deferred Compensation plans. Employees may enroll in a 457 (b) which allows employees to defer a fixed amount of tax-free wages into a retirement annuity administered through COREBRIDGE Retirement. Employees may also enroll in a Roth 457 (b) which allows employees to defer a fixed amount of after-tax wages into a retirement annuity administered through COREBRIDGE Retirement.
Holidays: The following shall be paid holidays for all regular or other benefited employees: New Year's Day; Martin Luther King Day; President's Day; Memorial Day; Juneteenth; Independence Day; Labor Day; Veteran's Day; Thanksgiving Day and the Friday after Thanksgiving; Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. If a holiday falls on a Saturday it will be observed on the Friday before and if it falls on a Sunday it will be observed on the following Monday. Additionally, three (3) floating holidays are allowed to be taken at a time chosen by the employee. Floating holidays must be used during the benefit calendar year or they are forfeited. Each must be used as a full day and cannot be taken in increments less than 8 hours.
Vacation: Regular employees shall be entitled to ten (10) days paid vacation per year in consecutive years one through three, fifteen (15) days paid vacation in consecutive years four through seven, and twenty (20) days paid vacation in consecutive years eight and thereafter. Up to twenty (20) days vacation may be carried forward from one year to the next unless a greater accumulation is authorized by the Town Manager and in the Town Manager's case, authorized by the Mayor. First year employees accumulate vacation days on a pro-rata basis of 0.83 vacation days per month and are ineligible to use vacation for the first 180 days of employment.
Medical Leave: Medical leave shall be granted, on a reasonable basis, up to 12 days per year. Medical leave shall include sick days and office leave for medical, dental and vision appointments. Medical leave may also be used to attend to immediate family. In addition, employees are entitled to funeral leave, which is up to 3 days for immediate family members, and 1 day for extended family members. The Town Manager shall have the discretion to grant additional leave deemed appropriate.
Flexible Spending Account (FSA): Employees can elect at the beginning of the Plan year (January 1) to have a fixed amount withdrawn from their paychecks on a pre-tax basis. This amount is returned to the employee (tax-free) upon presentation of "qualified dependent care and/or uninsured medical expenses". The 50% share of these expenses that have already been reimbursed through the Wellness Plan cannot be again submitted to this Plan.
ECO Pass: The Town provides an EcoPass to all regular employees. EcoPass is an annual employer-sponsored pass providing employees unlimited rides on bus and rail, including the Flatiron Flyer. The Guaranteed Ride Home® is included with the EcoPass program and guarantees to employees a free taxi ride home from the office in the event of unplanned schedule changes, illness or other urgent situations. It provides peace of mind to those who choose an alternative mode of transportation to the office.
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Why are you interested in this position and how does it fit into your career goals?
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If you were offered the position when could you start?
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What working environment requirements do you need to succeed in this job?
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Please include a PDF portfolio of your latest work including as many of the following pieces: a press release, social media posts, news or feature article, design or graphics work, marketing flyer, links to video produced
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How would you describe your level of experience with Microsoft Office?
- None
- Beginner
- Intermediate
- Advanced
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How would you describe your level of experience in graphic design?
- Beginner
- Intermediate
- Advanced
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How many years of experience do you have in the communications field?
- Two years or less
- More than two years but less than five
- More than five years but less than eight
- More than eight years
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Do you have a bachelor's degree in journalism, public relations, marketing or a related field?
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If you answer yes, what field is your degree in?
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Tell us about a time you were a part of a great team. What was your role?
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How would others describe you?
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How do you solve problems or tackle challenges?
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How would you describe your ability to learn and become proficient with new software?
- Beginner
- Intermediate
- Advanced
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What is your biggest professional accomplishment?
