The City of Kent’s Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department is seeking a creative, strategic, and highly collaborative Marketing and Engagement Coordinator to lead innovative campaigns that connect our diverse community with the programs, services, and experiences that make Kent a vibrant place to live, work, and play.
In this dynamic role, you’ll oversee multi‑platform marketing and communications initiatives—spanning digital content, social media, print, video, advertising, branding, and public relations—to support departmental goals in areas such as social equity, health and wellness, youth development, environmental stewardship, and community engagement. You’ll partner closely with City communications, multimedia, and economic development teams to translate department priorities into compelling storytelling, effective outreach, and data‑driven campaigns that increase participation and enhance awareness of our facilities, events, and programs.
The ideal candidate will have a bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, journalism, or a related field, along with a minimum of five (5) years of experience in marketing. Experience in parks and recreation marketing is preferred. If you’re a versatile marketer with strong project management skills, a passion for community-focused work, and a knack for turning ideas into impactful content, we’d love to hear from you.
This is a full-time, benefited position that is not represented by a union. All City of Kent employees and external candidates are eligible to apply at this time.
**Please note that you must attach your cover letter and resume to your application for your application to be considered complete. Incomplete applications will not be considered for this position. If you experience technical difficulties, please contact our office Monday-Friday, between 8:00 AM- 5:00 PM at (253) 856-5270 and we will do our best to assist you.**
The selection process for this position will include at least one panel interview. The date for interviews has not been established.
This position is open until filled.
SALARY:
$8,616.00- $10,513.00 per month, depending on experience
GENERAL PURPOSE:
Under the direction of the Director or assigned designee, coordinate the execution of creative marketing campaigns, including print, electronic, social media, television, Internet, advertising and collateral for the Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Services. The primary responsibility is for collaborative development, design and production of comprehensive and coordinated promotional campaigns, reaching Kent’s diverse audience and implementing the department’s marketing strategies, which support the goals of the department and improve opportunities for new and/or expanded levels of participation in programs and departmental services and revenue generation for all relevant business areas.
Work is performed under managerial direction. The supervisor provides the incumbent with assignments in terms of broad practice, precedents, policies and goals. Work may be reviewed for fulfillment of program objectives and conformance with departmental policy, practice and/or objective.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
General
In alignment with existing departmental marketing and outreach goals, and national best practices, through collaboration with the City’s multi-media, communications and economic development departments’, creates and implements an effective multi-platform marketing, communications and public information strategy for the Parks, Recreation and Community Services department that helps position the department as recognized leaders and contributors in city-wide outcomes such as social equity and inclusion, economic development, health and wellness, youth development, healthy aging, public and facility stewardship, environmental sustainability and active transportation.
In collaboration with the City’s multi-media and communication divisions, translate Parks, Recreation and Community Services goals into effective strategic marketing and communications initiatives.
Oversee departmental marketing budget, purchase of paid media, if applicable, contracting with and supervising advertising and market research; and freelance graphic designers, writers, photographers and videographers in coordination with the City’s multi-media division, where applicable.
Marketing & Advertising
Evaluate customer research, survey data, market conditions, and competitor data and incorporate findings into the marketing and advertising strategy. Utilize market research and other business and operational data to evaluate the effectiveness of current and completed advertising and promotions and complete performance and result tracking.
Assist departmental staff in developing, planning, organizing and implementing strategic concepts for advertising and marketing campaigns and promotions to increase participation and/or revenue and stimulate public interest and awareness of services and events; primary responsibility and accountability for providing ongoing support to ensure that programs meet their revenue goals and objectives.
Schedule and coordinate with City multi-media division and other external services, where applicable, (e.g. designers, printers, photographers, advertising agencies, radio/video, media buying, mail house) to ensure campaigns, promotions, and other projects are completed on time and on budget; communicate with staff from various departments or divisions to coordinate activities and resolve issues and concerns.
Lead the department’s digital storytelling efforts. Help develop ideas for creating engaging and compelling content as well as research and write content. Work with the City’s multimedia division to organize photo and video shoots, coordinate approvals, and respond to internal and external photo and video requests.
Maintain on-going communication with other City operations, support Foundations, community partners and the Kent business community to identify cross-marketing opportunities and facilitate their implementation.
Communications, Media Relations & Social Media
Assist in the development and execution of an integrated communication and outreach strategy for the Parks, Recreation and Community Services department.
In collaboration with the City's communications team, provide media relations assistance and public relations counsel for the Parks, Recreation and Community Services’ management team.
Manage the department’s digital communication and marketing efforts, including oversight of the Department’s web sites, social media channels, electronic communication and onsite digital signage; develop and maintain editorial calendars for planned social media content and transition to social media platforms. Help generate content using copywriting, design, photography and video editing skills. Monitor external online presence; and supervise the development and dissemination of publications and other collateral, all within established City guidelines, including developing strategy, maintaining brand identity, creating effective content to grow fan numbers and engagement, and exploring and evaluating new social media tools. Monitor, analyze and summarize marketing/social media data and trends to aid in decision-making by managers throughout the organization.
Develop and implement effective communications messaging and strategies for priority initiatives at state, local and federal levels, in collaboration with City communications team and through engagement of City Council, Parks and Human Services Committee or Commissions when appropriate.
Manage, in coordinating with the Park Planning Division staff and others, the outreach, planning and organization of departmental project (facility, park or amenity) strategic planning, site/master planning, ground breakings, grand openings and other celebrations.
Facilitate engagement with the community by coordinating and/or representing the Parks, Recreation and Community Services department at events, including festivals, markets, fairs, tournaments, etc. Recruit other staff to assist as needed.
Implement engagement strategies to solicit public feedback, including in-person and electronic surveys. Document public feedback and report the findings to appropriate City staff and managers.
Rentals & Membership Sales
Oversee and assist with the creation of membership sales campaigns to meet sales goals at community centers and other facilities. This includes assisting with setting goals, pricing, campaign development, and analysis.
Oversee and assist with the creation of rental sales campaigns to meet sales goals at athletic complexes, Kent Commons, Kent Senior Activity Center, picnic rentals and other facilities. This includes assisting with setting goals, pricing, campaign development, and analysis.
Actively support the vision, mission, values and goals of the department and the City.
PERIPHERAL DUTIES:
Perform related duties as assigned.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
KNOWLEDGE OF:
Customer and market dynamics and requirements.
Advertising, graphic design and branding principles and tactics.
Current social media trends, tools and best practices and proven ability to create and execute effective interactive social media campaigns.
Strong copy writing and editing skills.
Budgeting and tracking of expenditures and performance.
Printing processes and production schedule development.
Print, broadcast and digital media practices.
Principles and practices of community and media relations.
Methods, principles and practices of preparing and presenting public information materials.
Personal computer and applicable software.
Telephone techniques and etiquette.
SKILLED IN:
Communicating orally and in writing.
Effectively using interpersonal skills in a tactful, patient, and courtesy manner
Effectively organizing and expressing ideas through use of oral and written communications.
Correct English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation, and vocabulary.
Maintaining records and preparing reports.
Preparing and delivering oral presentations to diverse groups.
Applying principles and practices of administration, supervision, and training including, but not limited to, hiring, training, directing, evaluating, and disciplining assigned staff.
ABILITY TO:
Develop annual budgets, track invoices, and resolve any inconsistencies with staff/vendors.
Project management skills with demonstrated ability to multi-task and set priorities with tight timelines and high expectations from managers and staff throughout the organization.
Write fun, engaging copy. Have a sense of humor and a creativity and passion for the organization's conservation mission.
Work with vendors and the general public.
Use a computer for basic graphic layout, database management and report generation.
Operate a variety of office equipment.
Perform duties in support of the marketing function.
Conduct research and compile data.
Juggle multiple projects with competing deadlines and complete work with many interruptions.
Interpret rules and regulations.
Exert optimal effort in successfully completing tasks.
Take initiative with minimal supervision.
Extract and record data and carry out calculations accurately.
Set up and operate equipment that can require selection from options or different settings.
Manage time efficiently and effectively through scheduling and prioritizing.
Work within and contribute to the effectiveness of a team, respecting differences.
Report for work regularly and on time.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:
Education: Bachelor's degree in marketing, communications, journalism or related field; and
Experience: A minimum of five years of experience in the marketing field either working in an advertising agency or marketing office. Experience in parks and recreation marketing preferred.
Or: In place of the above requirements, the incumbent may possess any combination of relevant education and experience which would demonstrate the individual’s knowledge, skill, and ability to perform the essential duties and responsibilities listed above.
LICENSES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS:
Valid Washington State Driver’s License, or the ability to obtain within thirty (30) days of employment
Multi-lingual ability is desirable
Completion of position relevant background check
MACHINES, TOOLS, AND EQUIPMENT USED:
Typical business office machinery and equipment used include, but are not limited to, personal computer, telephone, fax and copy machine, calculator and projector.
The incumbent may also be required to operate a City vehicle to drive from site to site.
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. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle and feel; talk; and hear. The incumbent may occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds with or without assistance. The incumbent is occasionally required to stand; walk; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel; and reach with hands and arms.
Specific visions abilities required by the job include close, distance, color, and peripheral vision; depth perception; and the ability to adjust focus.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
Work is performed in an office environment and an outdoor field environment. The noise level in the work environment is normally moderate in the office and loud in the field. The incumbent may be exposed to individuals who are irate or hostile. The incumbent is subject to driving to various locations to inspect or review projects.
