Senior Communications Specialist

First 5 Alameda County•Alameda, CA

13h•$94,000 - $136,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Under general supervision, performs a variety of professional communications and creative content duties in the development and implementation of First 5 Alameda County's social media presence and communications strategy. Owns day-to-day management of the Agency's social media platforms and newsletters; develops a wide variety of content elements including copywriting, graphic design, and short-form video; provides responsible and creative support to Agency management staff in building community engagement and telling the Agency's story to families, partners, and the public, creates written content for use across various platforms; drafts narratives to help uplift First 5 branding and for executive use. Working directly with F5 staff to help create and produce responsive communications deliverables including presentations, social media content, talking points, brand identity etc. Takes ownership of First 5 Alameda County's social media platforms - content planning, creative direction, posting cadence, and platform strategy - shaping what the Agency's voice looks and sounds like online. Writes, designs, and produces original content - graphics, short-form video, reels, stories, and campaign creative - that makes early childhood policy and programs feel human, visual, and shareable. Drives follower growth, engagement, and reach across platforms; stays ahead of platform trends and formats and brings fresh ideas to how a public agency shows up on social media. Owns the Agency's day-to-day conversation online - responds to comments and messages in real time, sparks engagement, and builds genuine relationships with parents, providers, and community partners. Produces and helps grow the Agency's email newsletters, keeping content fresh, visual, and aligned with social campaigns. Builds and runs an editorial and social content calendar tied to program milestones, community events, and Agency priorities; pitches campaign concepts rather than simply executing a schedule. Develops platform-native content (video, graphics, copy) tailored to each channel's audience and format, from Instagram and Facebook to emerging platforms. Supports website content updates, the Newsroom and resource pages, and maintenance of a clean, organized library of photos and video for the team to draw from. Sets the tone for the Agency's social voice, acting as first-line quality control on brand consistency before routing content for final review. Tracks and reports on social and email performance (engagement, reach, growth, click-through) through a regular digital metrics report, and uses the data to continuously sharpen strategy. Keeps a pulse on social media trends, best practices, and what's working for peer organizations, and brings recommendations back to the team. Supports executive communications by drafting talking points, remarks, or other content for Agency leadership as assigned. Partners with program staff to translate policy and program updates into content people actually want to engage with. Acts as communications generalist when needed to help fill needs on comms team, including but not limited to: drafting content, staffing events and principles, coordinating with outside vendors, reviewing and producing invoices for work, sharing opinions and reviewing staff needs/work etc.

Requirements

Minimum of three (3) years of progressively responsible professional experience developing and producing digital content, managing social media platforms, supporting communications campaigns, and creating written and visual materials for diverse audiences, preferably for a brand, agency, non-profit or public facing organization
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Communications, Marketing, Public Relations, Journalism, Digital Media, Graphic Design, or a closely related field
Additional relevant work experience may be substituted to meet college coursework/training standards
Travel within Alameda County as necessary to carry out job duties
Some travel outside Alameda County occasionally required
Knowledge of social media platforms and analytics tools, and familiarity with social scheduling platforms
Knowledge of email marketing and newsletter platforms (e.g., Constant Contact, Mailchimp, GovDelivery, or similar tools)
Knowledge of content creation and design tools (Canva/Adobe Creative Suite) and video editing/short-form content production
Knowledge of digital engagement metrics (e.g., reach, impressions, engagement, click-through rates) and using data to inform content decisions
Knowledge of best practices with website and content management
Knowledge of techniques and methods for developing persuasive written and visual communications
Knowledge of attributes and characteristics of various styles of writing, such as Associated Press style, and the appropriate adaptation of communication style for targeted audience
Knowledge of techniques for providing a high level of customer service, by effectively dealing with the public and Agency staff
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar
Knowledge of modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed
Ability to write, design, and produce original visual and video content that makes early childhood policy and programs feel human, visual, and shareable
Ability to independently own a social media content calendar and platform strategy with real creative direction
Ability to grow follower engagement and reach, staying ahead of platform trends and formats
Ability to build community online, responding to comments and messages and building genuine relationships with parents, providers, and partners
Ability to produce and help grow email newsletters aligned with social campaigns
Ability to prepare clear and effective written and visual material independently
Ability to effectively explain complex policies and objectives to non-technical audiences
Ability to analyze situations and identify pertinent problems/issues; evaluate realistic options; recommend and implement an appropriate course of action
Ability to organize and prioritize a variety of projects and multiple tasks in an effective and timely manner; set priorities and meet critical deadlines
Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax
Ability to establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work
Ability to effectively use computer systems and software applications, including graphic design, photo and video editing, and other systems and applications relevant to work performed
Ability to observe and comply with all Agency and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols
All First 5 employees must live and work in California

Nice To Haves

Additional experience and/or education can be substituted to meet typical qualifications

Responsibilities

Owns day-to-day management of the Agency's social media platforms and newsletters
Develops a wide variety of content elements including copywriting, graphic design, and short-form video
Provides responsible and creative support to Agency management staff in building community engagement and telling the Agency's story to families, partners, and the public
Creates written content for use across various platforms
Drafts narratives to help uplift First 5 branding and for executive use
Works with F5 staff to help create and produce responsive communications deliverables including presentations, social media content, talking points, brand identity etc.
Takes ownership of First 5 Alameda County's social media platforms - content planning, creative direction, posting cadence, and platform strategy
Writes, designs, and produces original content - graphics, short-form video, reels, stories, and campaign creative
Drives follower growth, engagement, and reach across platforms
Stays ahead of platform trends and formats and brings fresh ideas to how a public agency shows up on social media
Owns the Agency's day-to-day conversation online - responds to comments and messages in real time, sparks engagement, and builds genuine relationships with parents, providers, and community partners
Produces and helps grow the Agency's email newsletters, keeping content fresh, visual, and aligned with social campaigns
Builds and runs an editorial and social content calendar tied to program milestones, community events, and Agency priorities
Pitches campaign concepts rather than simply executing a schedule
Develops platform-native content (video, graphics, copy) tailored to each channel's audience and format
Supports website content updates, the Newsroom and resource pages, and maintenance of a clean, organized library of photos and video for the team to draw from
Sets the tone for the Agency's social voice, acting as first-line quality control on brand consistency before routing content for final review
Tracks and reports on social and email performance (engagement, reach, growth, click-through) through a regular digital metrics report, and uses the data to continuously sharpen strategy
Keeps a pulse on social media trends, best practices, and what's working for peer organizations, and brings recommendations back to the team
Supports executive communications by drafting talking points, remarks, or other content for Agency leadership as assigned
Partners with program staff to translate policy and program updates into content people actually want to engage with
Acts as communications generalist when needed to help fill needs on comms team, including but not limited to: drafting content, staffing events and principles, coordinating with outside vendors, reviewing and producing invoices for work, sharing opinions and reviewing staff needs/work etc.

Benefits

Medical, Dental, & Vision Coverage
$1,500 credit per year to spend on benefits
Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
Employer Paid & Voluntary Life & AD&D Insurance
Long-Term Disability Insurance
Retirement Plans including the ACERA Pension Plan
Commuter Benefits
Employee Assistance Plan
Paid vacation
Paid time off
Sick time
17 paid holidays including the week between Christmas Day and New Year's Day as paid time off