Communications Specialist (Bilingual Spanish)

Frederick County Government•Frederick County Public Libraries - Frederick, MD

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

Join the vibrant, community-minded team at Frederick County Public Libraries (FCPL)! We are seeking a creative, energetic, and visionary individual to become part of our team. Located in Central Maryland between Washington D.C. and Baltimore, FCPL is a rapidly developing system of nine libraries and two bookmobiles. Our mission is to facilitate the public's freedom to explore, to invent, and to transform. FCPL connects people to ideas and to each other, helping to foster individual and community growth. This position is responsible for ensuring accurate and up-to-date information is available to customers and staff via the library’s social media, email newsletters, website, and intranet. As part of FCPL’s Communications Team, the Communications Specialist (Bilingual Spanish) assists the Communications Workgroups and Contact Us Team, supports FCPL’s virtual programming and community outreach, and collaborates with library departments and staff to tell FCPL’s story and promote our resources within the Spanish speaking community of Frederick County, working to strengthen FCPL’s reputation in the community with innovative, engaging online content, and outstanding customer service. Supervision is received from the Communications Manager.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, or a related field
Minimum of 1 year of experience in communications, public relations, or journalism
Strong and effective spoken and written (English) communication skills
Strong writing skills to support a range of content, including website copy, social media, email communications, and reports
Strong copy-editing skills in AP editorial style
Proficiency in Windows operating system, Microsoft Office products, and email marketing platforms
Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with customers, co-workers and the general public
Strong internal and external customer service ability including ability to exhibit patience, tact and courtesy working collaboratively in a team environment
Ability to work with sensitive information and maintain confidentiality
Ability to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems
Ability to demonstrate creativity, flexibility, positive attitude and good judgment
Ability to act as a representative of Frederick County Public Libraries to the public
Ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines simultaneously
Ability to effectively organize work, determine priorities, make decisions and complete assigned duties with minimal supervision
Requires the ability to arrange and complete travel to various sites (using a car or other reliable transportation)
Available for varied workdays and hours within the FCPL operating schedule and, as needed, to accommodate meetings and other FCPL commitments

Nice To Haves

Experience with Adobe Creative Suite
Experience using social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
Customer service experience working directly with the public in retail, education, community or public relations
Spanish language skills with the ability to speak and write Spanish fluently, and to translate from Spanish to English, and from English to Spanish

Responsibilities

Write and translate a range of communications for the Spanish-speaking community across various media including but not limited to web content, news releases, marketing emails, social media content, and various print materials including but not limited to program flyers, posters, signage, and Bookmarks - a quarterly magazine
Write clearly in English for a range of audiences
With direction from Communications Manager, work collaboratively with Community Engagement Department staff to facilitate outreach events and programs to promote library services to Spanish-speaking audiences.
Working cooperatively with Communications Manager and Community Engagement Department staff, develop strategic relationships with organizations and individuals to enhance FCPL’s connection to Spanish-Speaking members of the community.
Co-lead Communications Workgroups as needed
Monitor social media and Contact Us inbox for customer questions, complaints, and suggestions
Author content, edit staff and department-provided content, and post on fcpl.org, social media, and staff intranet
Provide project coordination for communications campaigns and initiatives
Provide technical advice on web and social media related standards and trends in maintaining an up-to-date and responsive online presence
Maintain a working knowledge of current library communications and web-related trends, issues, and technology
Assist in developing and delivering training for staff and library customers
Assist in planning public relations events such as press conferences, ribbon cuttings, community meetings, groundbreaking ceremonies, etc.
Create visual graphics ensuring adherence to the library’s style guide and maintain brand identity across platforms and content
Create audiovisual media including but not limited to videos, slideshows, webinars, and presentations
Proof and copyedit print and digital material in English and Spanish
Participate in department and system-wide work teams
Utilize project management tools to create and manage workflows
Attend workshops, meetings and learning opportunities
Provide strong and effective customer service, responding to customer questions, complaints, and suggestions
Perform other related duties as required

Benefits

11 days of Vacation leave with increase after 2 years of employment
15 days of Sick leave with unlimited annual carryover
11 paid holidays, plus 2 additional floating holidays
Day 1 coverage of comprehensive Medical Insurance Plan options to include generous County Health Savings Account (HSA) contribution (if enrolled in the high-deductible plan).
Full range of benefits including Dental, Vision, and Flexible Spending
Employee Health Center with no or low-cost primary and urgent care
100% County paid 2x annual salary Group Term Life Insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) benefit
County and Employee funded Defined Benefit Pension Plan Vesting after 5 years of service
Additional service credit for eligible previous public service, military service, etc.
Work/Life balance programs include: Employee Assistance Program and Employee Wellness Program
Generous Tuition Reimbursement Program
Other employee-paid benefits such as Deferred Compensation Plan, Legal Resources, Supplemental Life Insurance, Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital Indemnity Insurance, Lifetime Benefit with Long Term Care plan