Library Digital Communications Specialist

City of Grand Rapids•Grand Rapids, MI

About The Position

This full-time position leads Grand Rapids Public Library (GRPL) content marketing efforts across social media platforms and is responsible for photography and videography, website management, e-news creation, and collaborating with GRPL's Graphic Designer to ensure digital marketing initiatives are on brand. The position reports directly to the Marketing and Communications Manager and supports other organizational departments. The specialist creates and produces digital content, including photography and video, and oversees production and post-production. The role develops and executes social media content strategy, oversees the content calendar, manages customer-facing social media communication, and tracks and reports on engagement. It maintains website content and digital asset libraries, troubleshoots website issues, develops digital storytelling ideas with library staff, and schedules digital advertising campaigns with support from the Communications Manager. The specialist also researches emerging social media trends, recommends opportunities to increase awareness of GRPL's brand and services, coordinates with outside photography and video vendors, supports e-news creation as requested, and performs similar duties as assigned. Applicants must submit a cover letter in PDF format addressing their relevant experience or skills and what excites them about working for the Library Communications Department. A portfolio of photography and video work is also required. Applications must be submitted through the City of Grand Rapids Job Opportunities page. GRPL promotes diversity and inclusion, provides equal employment opportunities, and makes reasonable accommodations for employees and applicants with disabilities.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Communications, Advertising, and/or Public Relations.
At least 2 years of professional experience in graphic design, print media, digital strategy, website development, and/or social media.
Communicate effectively and professionally, verbally and in writing, with diverse groups; strong editing skills.
Set and meet priorities, adapt and reprioritize as needed, manage multiple projects, and meet deadlines.
Follow standardized processes and procedures for forms and other communications.
Maintain organized and effective work processes and review or improve processes as needed.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff and the general public, and work collaboratively on a team.
Provide engaging and consistent customer service and maintain professional composure and communication.
Access, input, and retrieve information using a computer.
Understand general office procedures, processes, and equipment and operate computer workstations, typical electronic devices, and software.
Have visual acuity for computer use and evaluating print, media, photography, and videography, and auditory acuity for evaluating sound in videos and podcasts.
Have skills in digital content production and strategy and photography of people, events, architecture, and objects.
Submit a cover letter in PDF format addressing the requested topics and a portfolio of photography and video work.

Nice To Haves

At least 2 years of professional experience with Adobe Creative Suite, Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro, WordPress, Google Analytics, AdWords, SEO, and SEM.
At least 2 years of professional experience with graphic design, print media, photography, and videography production.
Ability to communicate effectively in Spanish.

Responsibilities

Create engaging digital content for use across media platforms, including photography, video, and other assets.
Oversee technical aspects of digital content production, including post-production.
Develop and execute content strategy for GRPL's social media presence on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and TikTok.
Oversee the content calendar and support the development of internal procedures to ensure media quality and timeliness.
Manage customer-facing communication on social media platforms.
Maintain existing website content, update the site with content provided by departments and staff, and troubleshoot reported website issues.
Maintain an organized library of digital assets, including photography and video.
Develop digital storytelling ideas in collaboration with staff across the library system.
Schedule digital advertising campaigns with support from the Communications Manager.
Research emerging social media trends and tools and recommend ways to leverage platforms to meet organizational needs and increase awareness of GRPL's brand, services, and resources.
Track, measure, analyze, and report on social platform engagement on an ongoing basis.
Manage work with outside photography and video vendors and ensure cost containment and quality production.
Support e-news creation as requested.
Perform other duties of a similar nature as assigned.