Graphic Designer/Senior Graphic Designer

Ventura County•Ventura, CA

9h•Onsite

About The Position

Under general direction, designs and produces visual communication materials for County departments across print, digital, web, and social media platforms. Works within established branding, accessibility, and communication standards to deliver accurate, timely, and high-quality design solutions. Collaborates with internal clients, Public Information Officers, and vendors to support departmental and County communication objectives. Graphic Designers perform professional graphic design work involving the execution of assigned projects within established creative, branding, and accessibility frameworks. The work focuses on applying standard tools, processes, and guidelines. Senior Graphic Designers are assigned advanced, highly complex work requiring independent judgment, strategic design consultation, and responsibility for County-wide or multi-department initiatives.

Requirements

Associate’s degree in graphic design, visual communications, fine arts, or closely related field AND Three (3) years of professional graphic design experience creating print and digital communication materials, including one (1) year using industry-standard design and multimedia software, tools, and equipment (Graphic Designer).
Associate’s degree in graphic design, visual communications, fine arts, or closely related field AND Five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience in graphic design, including advanced multimedia production, project management, and advisory or lead-level responsibilities of which three (3) years must include experience using industry-standard graphic design and multimedia software, tools, and equipment (Senior Graphic Designer).
Qualifying experience may be substituted for education on a year-for-year basis (for both levels).
2 years full-time experience working with Adobe Creative Cloud apps, specifically InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, and Acrobat.
Experience with current printing processes including digital color, offset, and wide format.
Pre-production experience in file set-up for printing and preflight quality control.
Knowledge of principles and techniques of graphic design and visual communication, including typography, color theory, layout, and composition; multimedia design and production methods for print, digital, web, and social media platforms.
Knowledge of industry-standard graphic design and multimedia software (e.g., Adobe Creative Cloud: InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, Acrobat and Canva), as well as related tools and equipment.
Knowledge of established branding standards, accessibility requirements, and inclusive design practices.
Knowledge of project management software (e.g., VC Print, Asana, Harvest).
Knowledge of principles related to creative and multimedia projects, including monitoring progress, scheduling, coordinating tasks, tracking workflows, streamlining processes, and optimizing efficiency.
Knowledge of merging design technologies and tools, including AI-assisted design applications, as permitted by organizational policy.
Knowledge of customer service principles related to consultation and needs assessment.
Skill in designing and producing visual communication materials that meet established branding, accessibility, and communication standards.
Skill in providing graphic design services and art direction for County-wide communication initiatives.
Skill in developing and implementing clear and accurate visual design solutions for high-profile or specialized communications.
Skill in managing multiple design projects concurrently and meeting established deadlines, including setting priorities independently.
Skill in preparing files for print, digital, and online production and performing quality control checks.
Skill in communicating design concepts and project status effectively, orally and in writing.
Ability to perform professional graphic design work with general supervision and within established guidelines.
Ability to follow oral and written direction.
Ability to apply standard tools, processes, and procedures.
Ability to plan and organize work to meet project timelines and production requirements.
Ability to evaluate design work for quality, effectiveness, and compliance with established standards.
Ability to adapt to changing priorities and evolving technologies while maintaining accuracy and attention to detail.
Ability to incorporate feedback and revise designs to meet communication objectives.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
Ability to safely and lawfully operate a vehicle.

Nice To Haves

Advanced multimedia production, project management, and advisory or lead-level responsibilities (Senior Graphic Designer).
Knowledge of established branding standards, accessibility requirements, and inclusive design practices, including providing technical guidance (Senior Graphic Designer).
Overseeing design workflows and ensuring quality, consistency, and compliance with established standards (Senior Graphic Designer).
Coordinating work with departments, leadership, and external vendors and providing expert design consultation (Senior Graphic Designer).
Skill in fostering collaboration and maintaining clear, professional communication with diverse stakeholders to align project objectives and delivers strategic outcomes (Senior Graphic Designer).
Perform highly complex graphic design and multimedia work with a high degree of independence and professional judgment (Senior Graphic Designer).
Serve in a technical lead or advisory capacity on design standards, and best practices (Senior Graphic Designer).
Analyze complex communication needs and recommend appropriate design approaches (Senior Graphic Designer).

Responsibilities

Conceptualizes and produces visual assets that enhance public engagement and strengthen branding for multiple County agencies, by utilizing computer publishing application software (i.e. Adobe Creative Cloud (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, Acrobat), Canva) to design materials for print, digital, and social media platforms.
Creates and prepares documents for review and final production while ensuring alignment with County branding and communication objectives.
Formats and prepares files for print and digital distribution, ensuring accuracy in color management, typography, and layout; conducts quality assurance checks to maintain brand integrity and prevent production errors.
Oversees and manages multiple design projects simultaneously, ensuring effective prioritization and timely delivery; utilizes project management tools such as VC Print, Asana, and Harvest to monitor progress, streamline workflows, and optimize efficiency.
Collaborates and communicates with County agencies to understand project objectives and deliver strategic design solutions; recommends process improvements, leverages automation and AI tools, and ensures compliance with branding standards.
Develops visual strategies for urgent projects and crisis communications; offers creative input for departmental initiatives and contributes to process enhancements that improve efficiency and effectiveness.
Operates a vehicle to travel to County facilities and events, and to meet with offsite vendors.
Performs related duties as assigned.
Directs and executes complex design initiatives across print, digital, video, and large format media (Senior Graphic Designer only).
Provides art direction and ensures creative solutions align with strategic objectives and County branding standards (Senior Graphic Designer only).
Plans storyboards, scripts, films, and edits videos for County departments (Senior Graphic Designer only).
Incorporates sound mixing, music production, and motion graphics for multiple platforms, including social media and standard formats (Senior Graphic Designer only).
Serves as a primary creative advisor to executive leadership, Public Information Officers, and department heads (Senior Graphic Designer only).
Recommends and coordinates innovative design strategies and emerging technologies to enhance communication and outreach, while coordinating efforts across teams to ensure consistency and alignment (Senior Graphic Designer only).
Sources and manages promotional items and event materials, including tents, banners, brochures, and branded merchandise; oversees development and maintenance of an online County swag store (Senior Graphic Designer only).

Benefits

Merit Increases
Educational Incentive
Vacation Accrual
Annual Leave Redemption
Sick Leave
Deferred Compensation (401(k) Shared Savings Plan and/or Section 457 Plan with up to 3.00% match)
Health Plans (flexible credit allowance up to $27,898 annually)
Flexible Spending Accounts
Pension Plan
Holidays (12 paid days per year)
Tuition Reimbursement
Disability Plans
Employee Assistance Program
Life Insurance
Wellness Program