PORT COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST IV

The Port of Long Beach, one of the world's busiest seaports, serves as an international gateway for the reliable, efficient, and sustainable movement of goods and is a leader in environmental stewardship. Credited with facilitating approximately $300 billion in trade, the Port serves as a vital hub for international commerce and a major transportation hub. East Asian trade accounts for the bulk of Long Beach shipments. Port-related international trade has a significant economic impact, supporting millions of jobs that benefit both the region and the country as a whole.

About the Team

The Communications & Community Relations Division team's primary objectives are to cultivate and bolster a positive perception of the Port. This involves fostering awareness and understanding of Port operations across diverse audiences, including the international maritime industry, port complex stakeholders, local and regional communities, and Port employees. The team is dedicated to delivering strategic communication services, refining messaging, managing media relations, elevating brand awareness, and implementing community and education programs. Their responsibilities extend to addressing both anticipated and unforeseen communications challenges and opportunities.

Responsibilities

• Write, edit and post content to Port of Long Beach websites; oversee content of web pages to ensure content is updated in a timely manner; help ensure that Port online content conforms to accessibility standards; ensure that the Port’s brand is consistently maintained throughout all Port electronic media.
• Help schedule use of Port Media Studio facility, used for web streaming, video and audio recording and editing, photography, etc.; help operate Media Studio camera, audio, and other production equipment needed to produce programming; help coordinate web streaming of Port events and activities.
• Help oversee video productions and the recording of events on location; coordinate the approval and online publication process of Port videos; work with video production companies to ensure that requested edits are made to videos; edit various segments and projects.
• Prepare videos for posting to social media platforms, including transcribing videos for captioning, encoding videos, writing metadata and video descriptions; in conjunction with social media specialist.
• Produce, upload and post content to Port social media platforms.
• Work with Port Media Team and video production companies to craft scripts for Port programming; conduct research and develop stories and story ideas.
• Work with other Port divisions to respond to and anticipate website, video, and related production needs; contribute creatively to the development and direction of Port’s Communications efforts, especially as pertains to websites, video, and other online media.
• Coordinate with video production contractors to maintain and catalog Port video archive; interact regularly with the City of Long Beach’s LBTV video production department; interact with audiovisual companies, software providers, media professionals and advertising agencies.
• Serve as a backup to the other members of the Video and Technology team; keep current with emerging web, video, podcasting and related trends and technologies through relevant blogs, events and training.
• Help track metrics for online programming; send out custom reports as requested; write reports and prepare written documents.
• Correspond with internal and external Port customers via email and phone; provide prompt responses to inquiries from customers on a wide range of subjects; greet visitors and customers to the division.
• Keep the Video and Technology Officer, Assistant Director, Division Director, and other staff informed regularly on the status of open issues; interact extensively with division employees at all levels.
• Maintain positive relationships with vendors and Port tenants; foster a culture of performance, customer service, and accountability.
• Perform other duties as required.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Communications, Television Production, Public Relations, Journalism, English, or related field is required. Experience offering specific and substantial preparation for the duties of the position may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.
• At least four years of professional experience working in website content production, television or video production experience in producing online programming (including live streaming, social media videos, etc.) is essential.
• Knowledge of uses and functions of content management software required; strong working knowledge of electronic social media sites, trends and techniques, such as those employed on Facebook and Twitter, required.
• Ability to properly operate digital broadcasting equipment; ability to use computer hardware to input, edit, and format data and information; general knowledge of PC and Mac operating systems plus ability to perform basic troubleshooting tasks a plus.
• Ability to work collaboratively with staff at all levels, including high-level and elected officials; familiarity with accessibility standards and practices for online content a plus.
• Valid California Driver's License to perform work-related duties, including driving to meetings, interviews, and work-related events.

Skills

• Ability to use website content management software.
• Familiarity with Adobe Premiere or similar video editing software is required.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite software, including Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint, required.
• Ability to locate resources on the internet, such as new technologies, then learn them and integrate them into workflow without formal training or external input is required.
• High-level organizational and planning skills so that workflow is managed efficiently and accurately.
• Ability to adapt and use new software programs, as applicable.

Desirables

• Port experience is a plus.
• Background in advertising, marketing, public relations and/or journalism helpful.

Pay

Hourly range: $37.919 - $51.485 (placement depends on qualifications).

Benefits

• Retirement – CalPERS 2% @ 62, coordinated with Social Security. Current member contribution is 8.00% for CalPERS, and 6.2% for Social Security, paid by the employee.
• Group Health Insurance – Medical and dental options (HMO and PPO). Free vision coverage.
• Vacation – Vacation is accrued at the equivalent of two weeks on an annual basis. Vacation can be used after six months of service. An employee’s vacation accrual may be adjusted upon hire to provide credit for previous full-time employment at a public service agency.
• Sick Leave – Accrued at 8 hours per month. Accruals may be converted upon retirement to cash credit toward health and/or dental insurance premiums or retirement service credits.
• Paid Parental Leave – After six (6) months of City employment, the City pays up to 30 consecutive days (160 hours) for eligible employees to take paid time to bond with the child upon birth, adoption, or foster placement of a child, up to the age of 17.
• Holidays – 11 scheduled holidays per calendar year and four (4) personal holidays.
• Education Reimbursement – Tuition reimbursement allows employees to obtain additional education or training.
• Public Student Loan Forgiveness – As the Harbor Department of the City of Long Beach, a governmental agency, the Port of Long Beach is a qualifying employer for the Public Student Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program.
• 529 College Savings Plan – The ScholarShare529 plan is an account that allows employees to invest specifically for future education expenses through the Long Beach City Employees Federal Credit Union.

This is an "at-will" position. The selected candidate will serve at the discretion of the Port of Long Beach and can be terminated at any time.