Digital Media Associate

Des Plaines; Des Plaines (IL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous Time Off

Comprehensive Healthcare

Life Insurance

Retirement Benefits

Tuition Reimbursement

457 Deferred Compensation

Roth IRA

Job summary

The City of Des Plaines seeks a Digital Media Associate to plan, implement, and monitor digital platforms, including social media and the website, and to lead digital promotion of City events.

You will create engaging content for internal and external audiences, manage email campaigns, paid ads, and analytics, and ensure accessibility best practices. This role requires independent judgment and collaboration with the Director of Communications and city staff.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Media Production, Graphic Design, Marketing, Public Relations, or related field, or equivalent experience.
• Two years of experience in Public Relations, Digital Media, Marketing, or Communications, preferably in a government environment.
• Graphic design skills for social media posts are desirable.

Responsibilities

• Leads the City’s social media program, including strategy development, content creation, editorial calendar management, audience engagement, and performance optimization.
• Assists with the dissemination of time-sensitive alerts, emergency information, and urgent public communications through digital channels.
• Identifies social media goals and KPIs; monitors trends and performance and produces regular reports.
• Leads digital marketing and promotion of City events, including campaign planning, content creation, email marketing, social media promotion, paid advertising, and post-event analytics.
• Plans, creates, and maintains website content to support City services and promote events; ensures content is timely and user-focused.
• Manages and executes email marketing campaigns, including newsletters and event promotions, as well as list management and performance tracking.
• Researches, understands, and stays apprised of WCAG/ADA accessibility best practices.
• Engages with stakeholders from customers to staff and officials.
• Staff and attend press and City-sponsored events.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Skills

Social media

Content creation

Email marketing

Digital advertising

Analytics

WCAG/ADA accessibility

Stakeholder management

CMS

Education

Bachelor's degree in Communications or related field

2 years of relevant experience

Graphic design skills desirable

Tools

Meta Ads

Google Ads

Job description

The Digital Media Associate is responsible for planning, implementing, and monitoring the City’s digital platforms, including social media and the website, and for leading the digital promotion of City events. This includes campaign planning, content creation, email marketing, social media promotion, paid advertising, and post-event analytics. The ideal candidate will create engaging and appropriate content for both internal and external audiences and possess strong knowledge of online advertising.

The Digital Media Associate is expected to be responsive to requests, exercise independent judgment, and appropriately manage confidential and sensitive information. These job duties directly impact the City’s brand, reputation, image, and overall customer service. This position is expected to meet the City’s standards for quality and excellence.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED/EXERCISED

Works under the general supervision of the Director of Communications.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Leads the City’s social media program, including strategy development, content creation, editorial calendar management, audience engagement, and performance optimization to increase reach and engagement; supports departmental social media channels (e.g., Police, Fire) by providing guidance and content assistance.

Assists with the dissemination of time-sensitive alerts, emergency information, and urgent public communications through the City’s digital channels.

Works with the Director of Communications and Media Services staff to identify social media goals and key performance indicators; monitors trends and performance and produces regular reports.

Leads digital marketing and promotion of City events, including campaign planning, content creation, email marketing, social media promotion, paid advertising (e.g., Meta and Google), and post-event analytics.

Plans, creates, and maintains website content to support City services and promote events; ensures content is timely, accurate, and user-focused.

Manages and executes email marketing campaigns, including newsletters, City-wide communications, and event promotions, as well as content creation, list management, segmentation, and performance tracking.

Researches, understands, and stays apprised of WCAG/ADA accessibility best practices and solutions to provide high-quality ADA-compliant visual materials.

Engages with multiple stakeholders, ranging from customers to staff, contracted staff, department or division managers, executive leadership, and elected officials.

Staff and attend press and City-sponsored events.

Performs other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience

• The desired candidate would have a bachelor’s degree in Communications, Media Production, Graphic Design, Marketing, Public Relations, or a related degree or equivalent experience.
• Two years of experience in Public Relations, Digital Media, Marketing, or Communications, preferably in a government environment.
• Graphic design skills, including the ability to design and edit graphics for social media posts, are desirable.

MINIMUM KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS and ABILITIES

Demonstrated knowledge of acceptable standards and best practices for social and digital media.

Ability to perform website management with a strong perspective on best practices for optimizing content.

Familiarity with web accessibility and usability guidelines.

Ability to set goals, achieve, and report measurable results.

Experience with content management systems and email marketing platforms preferred.

Plans, organizes, and schedules work independently and maintains work effectiveness with frequent changes in workload and priority of assignments, and under pressure of deadlines.

Ability to exercise considerable initiative and independent judgment in the performance of the work assignments.

Excellent verbal and written communication and presentation skills.

Ability to respond to requests for information in a timely and customer service-oriented manner and use discretion with sensitive or confidential information or inquiries.

Possess excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to develop and maintain positive and professional relationships.

Ability to maintain an optimistic, professional, and credible attitude. Ability to succeed in a team environment and the ability to manage competing priorities.

This exempt position must have the ability to work the hours City Hall is open and will be required to attend City-sponsored events outside regular hours.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS/QUALIFICATIONS

State of Illinois Class “D” Driver’s License with a clean driving record or the ability to obtain one.

EQUIPMENT USED

Requires the frequent use of computers, software programs, electronic devices to communicate, phones, an automobile, and various office equipment.

PHYSICAL DEMAND

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand and walk; use hands to finger, handle, feel, or operate objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Specific hearing abilities required by this job include the ability to hear in large rooms during presentations.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work is performed in a variety of settings, including public events, public facilities, parks, schools, public streets and rights-of-way, commercial buildings, and office settings.

Unlock a World of Benefits!

• Generous Time Off: Enjoy 10 paid vacation days and 12 paid sick days, with personal time after just 5 years of service.
• 11 Paid Holidays to relax and recharge.
• Comprehensive Healthcare: We’ve got you covered with medical, dental, and optical insurance options tailored to fit your needs—offering low deductibles, low premiums, and an overall low cost to you and your family. Click here to learn more.
• Financial Security: Benefit from a $70,000 employer-paid life insurance policy.
• Retirement Ready: Join the Illinois Municipal Employee Retirement Fund System (IMRF) and build a solid foundation for your future.
• Invest in Yourself: Take advantage of our Tuition Reimbursement Program to further your education.
• More Perks: Employees can also tap into a Retirement Health Savings Account, Transportation Spending Account, 457 Deferred Compensation Plan, Roth IRA, and optional life insurance.

Work with the City of Des Plaines and enjoy a career that not only supports you now but invests in your future!