Senior Communications Specialist Print (https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/houston/jobs/newprint/4819456) Apply  Senior Communications Specialist Salary $29.29 - $33.96 Hourly Location Houston, TX Job Type Full Time Job Number 36206 Department Houston Public Works Division Houston Permitting Center (HPC) Opening Date 02/06/2025 Closing Date 2/13/2025 11:59 PM Central + Description + Benefits + Questions POSITION OVERVIEW Applications accepted from: ALL PERSONS INTERESTED Service Line: Houston Permitting Center Reporting Location: 1002 Washington Ave Workdays & Hours: MON – FRI, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM *Subject to Change DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES / ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS Are you interested in telling visual stories? The Houston Permitting Center (HPC) is recruiting for an enthusiastic and multi-faceted Senior Communications Specialist who brings creativity, experience, and a collaborative nature to managing the organization’s website and social media channels. The Senior Communications Specialist will also support the creation and execution of communication and marketing strategies that align with organizational goals. Here’s more about what you’ll be doing: + Website Content Management – maintains the content on the Houston Permitting Center’s websites, including documents, images and icons. + Social Media Content Creator – works with team members to plan and execute the social media content with visually engaging photos, graphics, and video reels + Brand/Reputation Management – monitor and respond appropriately to review sites such as Yelp and Google; monitor social listening sites to understand the sentiment of customers and the public regarding the HPC and its programs; collaborate with Customer Experience and other stakeholders to identify and implement strategies for improving the organization’s reputation. + Content Creation – creates print and digital material such as newsletters, presentations, brochures, videos, photos, infographics, and flyers. Proofs and edits material for clarity, grammar, and style. Uses principles of plain language to effectively communicate. + Special Projects – partners with internal stakeholders on customer education or employee engagement projects; involvement in projects may vary from providing technical and aesthetic guidance to leading the project from concept to completion. + Other duties as assigned Your effectiveness in this position will depend on your ability to: + Be versatile or learn new things – the Communications team is small (but growing); team members may need to fill multiple roles based on project needs + Be well organized and capable of handling multiple tasks and deadlines + Accept feedback through multiple revisions from concept to completion + Have a keen attention to detail + Build strong professional relationships at all levels of the organization + Breakdown complex information and message it appropriately and interestingly to diverse audiences and through multiple communication channels + Embody the department’s Five to Thrive values The position will report to the Communications Manager within the Business Support Services branch. The branch supports the organization through Workplace Experience, Customer Experience, and Communications. Who are we? The Houston Permitting Center’s mission is to partner with customers and communities to develop a safer more resilient Houston. We provide services for safe community development through the permitting, plan review, and inspection of public and private construction. The HPC is a diverse organization with over 750 team members. Annually, our team members issue over 400,000 permits, review 77,000 projects, and conduct 800,000 inspections. Why join us? The HPC is committed to our department’s Five to Thrive values as principles that guide our work with customers and team members – Respect, Ownership, Communication, Integrity, and Teamwork. We intend to “roc” it every day! Together we create a strong foundation for Houston to thrive. WORKING CONDITIONS This position is physically comfortable; the individual has discretion about walking, standing, etc. There are no major sources of discomfort in a normal office environment. The individual has discretion about walking, standing, etc. The position occasionally requires stooping or bending. Occasional very light lifting, such as three or four reams of papers or books (up to 20 pounds or an equivalent weight) may be required. This is a Department of Houston Public Works Emergency Management position at the Tier III Level. MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS Requires a Bachelor's degree in Art, Design, Communications, Media Relations, English, or a field related to the work being performed. EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS Two years of experience in media, public relations, the art field or a closely related field are required. Directly related professional experience may be substituted for the education requirement on a year-for-year basis. LICENSE REQUIREMENTS None PREFERENCES The ideal candidate should possess some of the following skills and experience: + Experience with government or non-profit marketing, communications, or public relations + Strong interpersonal skills + Communicate effectively verbally and in writing + Experience with content management systems and social media platforms + Excellent editorial writing skills + Experience in managing projects + Skilled in photography or videography + Experience in Adobe Creative Cloud suite or similar applications + Knowledgeable in typography, color, and layout composition + Bilingual in English and Spanish, or other major language spoken in Houston (Vietnamese, Arabic, Mandarin, or French) You don’t have to check every preference box to be a great candidate (provided you meet the minimum requirements). If you think you’ve got what it takes, we encourage you to apply. Candidates invited to interview must provide a portfolio or samples of work. **Preference shall be given to eligible veteran applicants provided such persons possess the qualifications necessary for competent discharge of the duties involved in the position applied for, such persons are among the most qualified candidates for the position, and all other factors in accordance with Executive Order 1-6.** GENERAL INFORMATION SELECTION/SKILLS TESTS REQUIRED: None However, the department may administer a skills assessment test. SAFETY IMPACT POSITION: No If yes, this position is subject to random drug testing and if a promotional position, candidate must pass an assignment drug test. SALARY INFORMATION Factors used in determining the salary offered include the candidate's qualifications as well as the pay rates of other employees in this classification. PAY GRADE: 20 APPLICATION PROCEDURES Only online applications will be accepted for this City of Houston job and must be received by the Human Resources Department during active posting period. Applications must be submitted online at: www.houstontx.gov. To view your detailed application status, please log-in to your online profile by visiting: http://agency.governmentjobs.com/houston/default.cfm or call 832-393-6002. If you need special services or accommodations 832-393-6002 (TTY 7-1-1) If you need login assistance or technical support call 855-524-5627. Due to the high volume of applications received, the Hiring Department will contact you directly, should you be selected to advance in our recruitment process. All new and rehires must pass a pre-employment drug test and are subject to a physical examination and verification of information provided. EOE Equal Opportunity Employment The City of Houston is committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy. The city offers a competitive benefits program, including competitively priced health coverage and a defined contribution pension plan. Benefits include: + Medical + Dental + Vision + Wellness + Supplemental Insurance + Life insurance + Long-term disability + Retirement pension + 457 deferred compensation plan + Employee Assistance Program + 10 days of vacation each year + 11 city holidays, plus one floating holiday + Compensable Sick Leave + Personal Leave + Flexible schedules + Hybrid-Telework for eligible positions + Professional development opportunities + Transportation/parking plan + Section 125 pretax deductions + Dependent Care Reimbursement Plan + Paid Prenatal, Parental and Infant Wellness Leaves + Healthcare Flexible Spending Account For plan details, visit http://www.houstontx.gov/hr/benefits.html 01 Are you a current Houston Permitting Center employee? + Yes + No 02 What is the highest level of education you have obtained? + High School Diploma/GED + Associate's Degree + Bachelor's Degree or higher + None of the above 03 How many years of experience do you have managing website content? + No experience + Less than 1 year + 1 year but less than 3 years + 3 years but less than 5 years + 5 years or more 04 How many years of experience do you have managing social media for an organization? + No experience + Less than 1 year + 1 year but less than 3 years + 3 years but less than 5 years + 5 years or more 05 How many years of experience do you have writing or copyediting? Outlook, and TEAMS). + Less than 1 year + 1 year but less than 3 years + 3 years but less than 5 years + 5 years or more + No experience 06 Which social media platforms have you managed? (see resume is not acceptable, if statement does not apply please insert N/A) 07 Please describe a project where you had to communicate complex information to customers. (See resume is not acceptable. If no experience, please insert N/A). 08 Which social media platforms have you managed? (See resume is not acceptable. If no experience, please insert N/A.) 09 Please describe your experience managing multiple tasks or projects. (See resume is not acceptable. If no experience, please insert N/A.) 10 Are you a veteran who served on active duty in the Armed Forces (United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard) for more than 90 consecutive days and received either an honorable discharge or a general discharge under honorable conditions? + Yes + No 11 Have you completely and truthfully answered question #_ regarding employment gaps? (failing to clarify employment gaps may result in the disqualification or delay of your application. + Yes + No Required Question