Marketing Specialist

JOB SUMMARY STATEMENT: The City of Blue Springs is seeking a highly self-motivated professional to oversee the Parks & Recreation department’s marketing and communications. An emphasis is placed on the marketing duties of this position as it will coordinate all the Department’s social media posts, brochures, reports, newsletters and fliers. This position plays a vital role in the development and delivery of a strategic marketing plan that promotes the department’s programs, events and activities to the public through social media, program brochures, fliers and video production. This position also is responsible for supporting department and community events. This position is responsible for developing all social media posts, seasonal activity guides, program flyer standards, department video content and other marketing aspects as needed.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The following duties are not intended to serve as a comprehensive list of all duties performed by the individual in this classification, only a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties as assigned.

1. Develops and assists with the creating and assembling of physical marketing and communications materials for all types of media. Develops monthly newsletters and proactively seeks out additional communication channels. Provides support for special events for the community through promotions, event photography.

2. Assumes responsibility for writing, maintaining, and monitoring content for websites and social media platforms; and assists others in the creation of content for other department social media platforms as needed.

3. Prepares press releases, newsletters, and other materials; and collaborates with management to ensure a cohesive public image

4. Assists with compilation of a variety of annual reports regarding key indicators and responses from marketing; monitoring and assessment; a variety of information brochures and flyers through various types of media; and coordinates and works with individuals from all levels within the organization.

5. Coordinates, prioritizes, and monitors a variety of projects and is accountable for the end results; responsible for solving problems using sound reasoning and judgment to develop practical solutions based on established guidelines, rules and regulations; and interprets policies and procedures to put information together to address issues/problems.

6. Supports the relationship between the City of Blue Springs Parks and Recreation Department and the constituent population by providing excellent customer service; manages priorities in compliance with all policies and procedures; maintains absolute confidentiality of work-related issues, records and information; and performs related duties as required or assigned.

7. Types and proofreads a wide variety of reports, letters, memoranda, statistical charts and other documents and material; and independently composes documents related to assigned area of responsibility.

8. Updates and maintains databases; performs special assignments to include research and gathering records for public disclosure; manages project deadlines, organizes, and maintains files and information; and serves as liaison for outside agencies and the public for information gathering.

9. Seeks sponsorships for programs and activities. Conducts special projects as assigned.

The above duties and responsibilities include those tasks, physical and mental requirements, visual requirement, unique physical surroundings and mental/cognitive abilities required to perform the essential elements of the position.

GENERAL QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Education and Special License(s)/Certifications – A bachelor’s degree in journalism, Marketing, Communications, or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

2. Experience – Preferred 1-3 years of progressively responsible experience in communications or marketing. Sound knowledge of editorial and journalistic principles. Communicating effectively verbally and in writing with a strong understanding of the media, including social media with a proven track record of producing high-quality media content. Familiarity and ability to use social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, and LinkedIn in a professional setting.

3. Working knowledge of principles and practices of journalism, public relations, and social media. Communication techniques and strategies to facilitate responding to inquiries and routing requests and constituents to the appropriate staff member.

4. Knowledge of photography, video, layout and design, desktop publishing, Microsoft Office products, Adobe products or other design software. Ability to utilize personal computer software programs and other relevant software affecting assigned work and in compiling and preparing spreadsheets, promotional material, and digital content.

5. Ability to proactively identify communications opportunities and develop supporting content. Superior interpersonal, written, and oral communications skills. Ability to exercise reasonable judgment, often under intense deadline pressure. Creative problem-solving ability.

6. Availability to respond to occasional after-hours situations on short notice.

7. Ability to demonstrate positive customer service with both internal and external clients. Knowledge of customer service and public relations best practice methods and techniques.

8. Ability to develop effective working relationships with staff from all levels of the organization; establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with these groups and the public.

Additional Competencies: Must convey complex job-specific information clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing; adapt readily and quickly to the changing dynamics of the workplace in terms of goals and objectives, technological changes and changing professional requirements; handle personal and job-related stress in a healthy and productive manner to ensure negative effects do not diminish job performance. Establishes and maintains appropriate professional working relationships with internal and external customers, ensuring adequate listening and problem-solving skills are used as necessary; capable of handling multiple projects at one time, self-starter/decision maker, politically astute, and a team player.

Must demonstrate excellent communication skills (oral and written), and the ability to grow into this position with the possibility of supervising and/or managing certain department functions and organizational programs in the future. Understands and apply required general safety and job-specific loss control and risk management programs, policies, and techniques.

Physical Requirements – Must have the physical ability to: sit for prolonged periods; understand normal conversation; physically move from one location to another; operate assigned equipment and tools; retrieve physical and electronic resources and information necessary to complete assigned tasks.

The preceding job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.