Senior Content Specialist - Non-Merit

Baltimore County • Towson, MD

1d • Onsite

About The Position

Baltimore County Government is searching for a Senior Content Specialist to develop, execute and maintain web content across all online initiatives, including internal and external websites, e-newsletters, forms, etc., using interactive, strategic design and industry best practices. The ideal candidate will have experience editing and rewriting complex information in a friendly, easy-to-understand format, while also enforcing the County brand for all websites, establish governance among online content principles and troubleshoot content and external application issues when needed. Ensure that written content published on Baltimore County government websites is clear, concise and actionable for all users, regardless of their education or experience level. Review and edit web content submitted by County departments via our content management system for style, grammar, punctuation, clarity and readability according to our published style standards and industry best practices. Write original content intended for online audiences as needed for specific projects and assignments. Create and occasionally audit Accessible PDFs and other accessible documents. Oversee daily production operations for all digital content and be able to recognize and escalate more complex operational requests to the Content Strategist. Work alongside the Content Strategist to ensure that digital content is easily findable through site navigation, local search and organic search. Oversee the management of the Web Services main customer service account and respond to public inquiries as appropriate. Collaborate with designers, developers and other web team members to determine the best way to present specific pieces of content. Collaborate as part of a client-facing, cross-functional team, both with technical and no-technical staff. Provide guidance and training to County departments on how to create content for an optimal user experience (i.e. being useful/actionable, accessible, and engaging) that also meets the department's important goals. Create governance documentation that provides a basis for web content development. Regularly facilitates customer/client meetings to discuss requests and ensure web content aligns with customer/client goals. Troubleshoot online problems with online content and vendor tools, and proactively works with vendors as appropriate to resolve. Mentor team members as appropriate. Additionally, you will develop graphic and image assets for both content and digital marketing efforts. Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree in journalism, communications, marketing, online media or a related field.
• Three (3) years' professional experience writing and editing web content in plain language for diverse online audiences.
• Command of the English language with impeccable attention to detail.
• Experience editing the work of others, and enforcing voice, tone, and style standards according to a professional style guide.
• Basic proficiency with HTML and CSS.
• Understanding of web writing best practices, including chunking, bulleting, and writing for scan ability.
• Understanding of the relationship between content, information architecture, usability and visual design when building digital products.
• Ability to work independently and solve problems creatively.

Nice To Haves

• Experience writing and editing content for government, or other content for task-based audiences and large organizations.
• Experience planning, managing and approving content in a content management system.
• Drupal and WordPress a plus.
• Experience with information architecture and usability practices.
• Familiarity with responsive web design principles, mobile-first design, specifically the AP Style Guide and web accessibility/Section 508 compliance.
• Knowledge of Search Engine Optimization strategies.
• Knowledge of the user experience focus to ensure ease of navigation and simplicity of design.
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, Illustrator, Photoshop.

Responsibilities

• Develop, execute and maintain web content across all online initiatives, including internal and external websites, e-newsletters, forms, etc.
• Edit and rewrite complex information in a friendly, easy-to-understand format.
• Enforce the County brand for all websites.
• Establish governance among online content principles.
• Troubleshoot content and external application issues.
• Ensure that written content published on Baltimore County government websites is clear, concise and actionable for all users.
• Review and edit web content submitted by County departments via our content management system for style, grammar, punctuation, clarity and readability according to our published style standards and industry best practices.
• Write original content intended for online audiences as needed for specific projects and assignments.
• Create and occasionally audit Accessible PDFs and other accessible documents.
• Oversee daily production operations for all digital content and escalate complex operational requests to the Content Strategist.
• Work alongside the Content Strategist to ensure that digital content is easily findable through site navigation, local search and organic search.
• Oversee the management of the Web Services main customer service account and respond to public inquiries as appropriate.
• Collaborate with designers, developers and other web team members to determine the best way to present specific pieces of content.
• Collaborate as part of a client-facing, cross-functional team, both with technical and no-technical staff.
• Provide guidance and training to County departments on how to create content for an optimal user experience.
• Create governance documentation that provides a basis for web content development.
• Regularly facilitate customer/client meetings to discuss requests and ensure web content aligns with customer/client goals.
• Troubleshoot online problems with online content and vendor tools, and proactively work with vendors as appropriate to resolve.
• Mentor team members as appropriate.
• Develop graphic and image assets for both content and digital marketing efforts.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior