Choose Iowa Marketing Specialist - Polk Co

Why This Opportunity Stands Out

Help grow a statewide brand that supports Iowa farmers, producers, and communities
Lead creative campaigns that increase consumer awareness and engagement
Combine strategy, storytelling, events, and digital marketing in one impactful role
Collaborate with leaders, industry partners, and community organizations across Iowa
Use your marketing skills to strengthen local food systems and rural economies

What You’ll Do

• Lead Marketing & Brand Strategy
  Develop and execute marketing strategies that build Choose Iowa brand awareness
  Manage paid advertising campaigns, budgets, vendor coordination, and performance reporting
  Measure return on investment and recommend improvements based on results
  Ensure marketing efforts align with agency priorities and program goals
• Drive Content & Storytelling
  Oversee content planning and creation across multiple channels and tactics including social media, website, email, print, and multimedia
  Write and edit marketing materials including website copy, press releases, fact sheets, presentations, and campaign messaging
  Create editorial calendars, conduct content audits, and optimize performance across platforms
  Showcase Iowa ag products and producers through compelling storytelling
• Manage Digital Presence
  Lead website updates, landing pages, SEO efforts, and user engagement strategies
  Support e-commerce tools, email marketing, and CRM-related outreach efforts
  Analyze audience behavior and campaign performance to improve results
  Coordinate Outreach & Events
  Plan and promote signature Choose Iowa events such as the Farm Store Crawl and Fall Crawl
  Coordinate Choose Iowa participation in trade shows, conferences, meetings, and public events
  Build awareness through strategic partnerships and community engagement
• Support Program Growth
  Manage special projects that expand Choose Iowa visibility and impact
  Stay current on food, agriculture, tourism, and marketing trends
  Perform related duties as assigned

What We’re Looking For

• Experience developing and managing paid advertising or communications campaigns
  Brand management experience with a focus on growth and ROI
  Strong writing, editing, and communication skills
  Robust graphic design and digital media editing talents
  Excellent organization and project management abilities
  Experience using analytics to guide marketing decisions
  Creative problem-solving and strategic thinking skills

Technical Skills Helpful for Success

• Adobe Creative Cloud
  Canva
  Photography and videography
  Social media management platforms
  Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
  Drupal, HTML, or website management tools
  CRM or customer engagement systems (preferred)

Schedule & Work Environment

• Full-time position
  Monday through Friday schedule
  Occasional evening or weekend events
  Some travel required

Based in

• Des Moines at the Hoover Building – not virtual

Why Join IDALS & the State of Iowa?

• Working for the State of Iowa means contributing to work that strengthens communities, supports agriculture, and protects the wellbeing of Iowans and their animals.
• As a State Employee, You’ll Enjoy Work That Matters - Support Iowa’s agriculture and animal health systems
  Stability & Purpose - Meaningful public service career
  Professional Growth - Opportunities to learn, develop, and advance
  Comprehensive Benefits Package
  Paid holidays, vacation, sick leave, military leave, and jury duty leave
  Low out-of-pocket, high-quality medical insurance options
  Dental insurance — single coverage at no cost
  IPERS Retirement plus state-matched deferred compensation program
  Basic life insurance and long-term disability coverage
  Optional supplemental insurance plans

How To Apply

• The State of Iowa uses NEOGOV to accept and process applications and is an E-Verify employer.
• Visit the State of Iowa Careers page and apply under Jobs Open to All Applicants .
  Applicants should upload and attach a resume and cover letter in the Attachments section of the application.
• E-Verify and Right to Work: The State of Iowa participates in E-Verify, a federal program that helps employers confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. Within the required timeframe, new hires will be verified through the E-Verify system to ensure authorization to work in the United States. The State of Iowa also complies with the federal Right to Work laws, which protect employees’ rights to work without being required to join a labor organization.

Minimum Qualification Requirements

• Six years of full-time work experience in farm management, livestock production and sales, livestock reporting, grain elevator sales, agricultural commodity brokerage, or in promotions or marketing work associated with agricultural commodities or products.
• A total of four years of education and full-time experience (as described in number one), where thirty semester hours of accredited college or university course work in marketing, economics, business administration, statistics, agronomy, horticulture, or animal science equals one year of full-time experience;
• A total of two years of graduate-level education and full-time experience (as described in number one), where twenty-four semester hours of accredited graduate college or university course work in marketing, economics, business administration, statistics, agronomy, horticulture, or animal science equals one year of full-time experience.
• All of the following (a and b):
• Average of eighteen months of full-time work as a Livestock Marketing Specialist or other position involving collecting, compiling, and disseminating agricultural market data.

Additional Qualification Requirements

• Travel may be required for positions in this class. Employees must arrange transportation to and from assigned work areas.
• Within a period of time after hire, as determined by the appointing authority, employees in this class may be required to complete the Market News Reporter Training sponsored by the USDA Market News Service.