Communication Design Specialist

Cincinnati Animal CARE; Cincinnati (OH); Hybrid; USD 19,000 - 27,000; Part time

Job summary

Cincinnati Animal CARE is seeking a Communications Design Specialist to join our Community Engagement team and help bring Cincinnati Animal CARE’s internal and external communications to life through design support for stories, campaigns, programs, and brand amplification.

In this position, you will create graphics across digital, social, print, email, events, fundraising and community outreach, while supporting campaigns and evolving CAC’s visual identity in a mission-driven organization.

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in Graphic Design/Visual Communication, seeking co-op or internship.
• Recent graduates: degree in Graphic Design or related field.
• Digital portfolio showing strong design fundamentals.
• Proficient with Adobe Creative Cloud and Canva.
• Understanding of typography, layout, color, branding.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Good organizational and time-management skills.
• Able to take direction and work independently.
• Willing to jump between different types of creative projects in a fast-paced environment.
• Interest in using design to support animals and CAC community.

Responsibilities

• Create graphics and visual assets for social media, email, web, print, and digital campaigns
• Support design and rollout of adoption, foster, volunteer, fundraising, and engagement campaigns
• Create flyers, posters, signage, digital ads, presentations, event materials, and other promotional pieces
• Help maintain Cincinnati Animal CARE’s visual brand across communications
• Resize and adapt existing creative for different platforms and audiences
• Collaborate with Community Engagement team on concepts and projects
• Assist with photo and video content, including basic editing and asset preparation
• Organize and maintain design files, templates, photography and other assets
• Ensure materials are accurate, accessible, visually engaging, and publication-ready
• Occasionally assist with on-site events, photo shoots, or other creative projects
• Support additional organizational needs as they arise

Skills

Graphic design

Team collaboration

Attention to detail

Time management

Ability to take direction

Education

Graphic Design or Visual Communication degree program

Recent graduates: degree in Graphic Design or related field

Tools

Adobe Creative Cloud

Canva

Typography

Branding

Job description

Communication Design Specialist (Part-Time)

Reports to the Community Engagement Manager

25 hours a week, Hybrid Option

Join the Team at Cincinnati Animal CARE

At Cincinnati Animal CARE (CAC), we do work that matters.

Every day, our team protects animals, supports our community, and helps save thousands of lives each year through compassionate care, advocacy, and education.

This work is meaningful, fast-paced, and can be challenging, but for the right person, it’s incredibly rewarding.

We are a team built for impact, made up of people who care deeply, work hard, support one another, and show up every day committed to making a difference.

If you are passionate about animals, thrive in a mission-driven environment, and want your work to have purpose, we’d love to have you join us.

About the Role

We’re looking for a creative, organized Communication Design Specialist to join our Community Engagement team and help bring Cincinnati Animal CARE’s internal and external communications to life through design support for stories, campaigns, programs, and brand amplification.

In this position, you will:

• Create engaging visual materials across digital, social, print, email, events, fundraising and community outreach

This entry level position is a great opportunity for a current graphic design student, co-op student, or recent graduate who wants hands-on experience working on real campaigns for a mission‑driven organization.

What You’ll Be Responsible For

Your day‑to‑day may include:

• Create graphics and visual assets for social media, email, web, print, and digital campaigns
• Support the design and rollout of adoption, foster, volunteer, fundraising, and other community engagement related campaigns
• Create flyers, posters, signage, digital ads, presentations, event materials, and other promotional pieces
• Help maintain and apply Cincinnati Animal CARE’s visual brand across communications
• Resize and adapt existing creative for different platforms and audiences
• Collaborate with the Community Engagement team to develop visual concepts and execute creative projects
• Assist with photo and video content as needed, including basic editing and asset preparation
• Organize and maintain design files, templates, photography, and other creative assets
• Help ensure materials are accurate, accessible, visually engaging, and ready for publication
• Occasionally assist with on‑site events, photo shoots, or other creative projects
• Supporting additional organizational needs as they arise

What Makes Someone Successful in This Role

We’re looking for someone who:

• Is passionate about CAC’s mission and animal welfare
• Brings a positive, team‑first attitude
• Communicates openly and professionally
• Takes ownership and solves problems proactively
• Thrives in a fast‑paced, ever‑changing environment
• Can balance compassion with accountability
• Is dependable, adaptable, and eager to learn

Qualifications

Preferred/Required:

• Current enrollment in a Graphic Design, Visual Communication, or related degree program, preferably seeking a co‑op or internship opportunity
• Recent graduates: a degree in Graphic Design or a related field
• A digital portfolio demonstrating strong design fundamentals and visual communication
• Working knowledge of Adobe Creative Cloud, Canva, and similar design tools
• An understanding of typography, layout, composition, color, and branding
• Strong attention to detail
• Good organizational and time‑management skills
• The ability to take direction, receive feedback, and work independently
• A willingness to jump between different types of creative projects in a fast‑paced environment
• An interest in using design to support animals and our community

Why Join CAC?

At CAC, you’ll be part of more than just a workplace. You’ll join a team of people doing meaningful work together.

We offer:

• The opportunity to make a real difference every day
• A mission‑driven, supportive team culture
• Growth and development opportunities
• Competitive benefits package
• A workplace where your work directly impacts animals and the community

Compensation & Benefits

• Pay: Minimum pay of $17.50 after a successful 90 day training period. $16.75 during the training period.
• Retirement plan with employer match

Working Conditions / Physical Requirements

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, stand, walk, talk and hear. The employee is occasionally required to use hands to finger, handle, or operate objects, controls, or tools listed above; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move more than 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee frequently works in outside weather conditions. The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts; in high, precarious places; and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to high.
• Exposure and handling unvetted animals and their waste is frequent.