Design Specialist

Position Summary

The Communication Design Specialist will be responsible for all aspects of graphic design and supports digital communications for SEIU Local 99, including the design and development of the union’s website(s), social media accounts, email and texting programs, and other print and online/digital communications.

TYPICAL DUTIES

• Works in coordination with Communications Director, Manager, Coordinator, Communication Specialists, and Campaign Staff to assist with project and campaign message development and creates deliverables to support message that aligns with organizational goals and campaign strategies.
• Designs and produces all printed materials, including brochures, posters, leaflets, newsletters, and advertisements.
• Works with vendors to produce printed communication materials.
• Creates graphics, video and other digital storytelling materials.
• Designs, updates and maintains SEIU Local 99’s website to ensure a meaningful and engaging user experience, including designing pages and posts, maintaining brand uniformity across websites, editing and writing copy, integrating online forms and other engagement tools, creating graphics and video, and adjusting layout.
• Ensures the functioning of websites through regular backend maintenance and administration, including troubleshooting issues.
• Develops new online strategies to generate website traffic, support organizing, advocacy, and communicate with a broader base of members.
• Writes copy for a variety of communication mediums, including emails, texts, blog posts, social media, and printed materials.
• Captures video and still photography of union activities.
• Affords assistance with the writing, design and distribution of e-mail blasts and text alerts to members and allies and tracks responses.
• Affords assistance with the development, creation, and distribution of video, including editing and integrating into on-line media.
• Affords assistance with the planning and execution of campaigns across social media, websites, email, search engines, and paid advertising.
• Affords assistance with the drafting, scheduling and publishing of content across social media and other digital channels.
• Maintains and designs email database.
• Develops and maintains campaign websites.
• Tracks digital engagement metrics to update and inform digital content.
• Supports with the drafting, scheduling and publishing of content across social media and other digital channels.
• Walks door-to-door, telephones or lobbies voters and/or elected officials about candidates and issues consistent with Local 99’s electoral and legislative program.
• Participates in rallies and other activities supported or hosted by the Local.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISION

Works under the supervision of the Communications Manager as part of the Communications Department.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS

• Knowledge of: Graphic & web design programs including Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign, Adobe Photoshop, Canva, Wordpress; Video editing skills, including use of Adobe Premier, Capcut; Texting platforms – Scale to Win; Email platforms – Mailchimp; Engagement tools including Gravity Forms, Zapier, web publishing software and database management a plus; Knowledge of Salesforce a plus.
• Ability to: Demonstrate design, verbal, visual/graphic, interviewing and analytical communications skills; Help strategize and implement plans in the context of a campaign; Work independently as a member of a team, drive projects to completion, and handle multiple projects and tight deadlines; Exercise good judgment and discern priorities when faced with many tasks while working with minimal supervision; Listen, speak and write exceptionally well with members, member-leaders, staff and management with a professional and courteous attitude; Model and encourage positive interpersonal relations among colleagues; Takes initiative and self-motivated; Work in a high-pressure environment, organizing time wisely to meet unpredictable deadlines; Read, write and speak in Spanish a plus.

ENTRANCE QUALIFICATIONS

• Education: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Communications, Marketing, Design or related field or equivalent experience.
• Experience: Minimum one year for Specialist I and three to five years of experience for Senior in graphic design, website development and maintenance, social media, email and text campaigns and other digital tools experience, including print/web design, in a fast paced, deadline driven environment.
• Expert experience in the following graphic and web design programs/platforms: Adobe InDesign, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Premiere, WordPress. Gravity Forms, Zapier.
• Labor and/or other campaign experience highly desirable.

REQUIREMENTS (INCLUDING PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS)

• Strong commitment to social and economic justice of all working people.
• Excellent digital communication and design skills.
• Work long, varied hours including evenings and some weekends.
• Maintain a valid Driver's License and current auto insurance (with liability coverage in alignment with organization requirements) per auto allowance provisions, if applicable.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Salary commensurate with experience. SEIU Local 99 employees enjoy top notch benefits including fully employer-paid family health, dental and vision insurance; generous time off benefits; benefit pension plan; 401(K); and other benefits outlined in the policies of SEIU Local 99.