FT Graphic Designer

University of California; Norwalk (CA); On-site; USD 64,000 - 79,000; Full time

Job summary

Cerritos College is seeking a professional Graphic Designer to support college branding and marketing initiatives. The role produces print and digital materials, from ads to social graphics, and collaborates across departments to ensure accessibility and brand consistency.

The position requires an associate degree and 3 years of experience in graphic design, advertising, or publishing, with proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud. In-person work in Norwalk, CA with standard benefits.

Qualifications

• Requires an associate degree and 3 years of experience in graphic design, advertising, or publishing.
• Post-secondary education may substitute for experience.

Responsibilities

• Designs and produces layout and visual content for print and digital materials.
• Creates computer-generated artwork for print and digital communications.
• Determines typography and visual hierarchy to support brand consistency.
• Collaborates with faculty and staff to meet needs and accessibility standards.
• Assists in production timelines for major publications and digital projects.

Skills

Graphic design principles

Typography

Branding

Copy editing

Education

Associate degree

3 years experience in graphic design, advertising or publishing

Tools

Adobe Creative Cloud

CMS

Digital imaging

Job description

Equity and Diversity

The District is strongly committed to achieving staff diversity and the principles of equal opportunity employment. The District encourages a diverse pool of applicants and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, religion, marital status, disability, or sexual orientation in any of its policies, procedures or practices. In fact, the college encourages applications from all segments of qualified people.

Closing Date

This position will close on September 7, 2026 at 11:59 PM (or when 150 applications are received, whichever occurs sooner).

College Profile

Cerritos College is ranked 14th among the top 100 schools with the highest Hispanic enrollment in the United States by the United States Department of Education. Cerritos College serves as a comprehensive community college for southeastern Los Angeles County. Communities within the college's district include Artesia, Bellflower, Cerritos, Downey, Hawaiian Gardens, La Mirada, Norwalk, and portions of Bell Gardens, Lakewood, Long Beach, Santa Fe Springs and South Gate. Cerritos College offers degrees and certificates in more than 180 areas of study in nine divisions. Enrollment currently averages 20,000 students. Visit Cerritos College online at http://www.cerritos.edu

Department Profile

The Office of Public Relations and Communications serves as Cerritos College’s central hub for information, storytelling, and brand stewardship. Reporting directly to the President’s Office, PRC supports institutional communications through media relations, advertising and marketing campaigns, branding, social media, web development, graphic design, event promotions, photography, video and multimedia engagement, and community relations. The Graphic Designer plays a key role in producing accessible, brand-aligned print and digital materials that support campus programs, student engagement, community outreach, and institutional priorities.

Summary

Under the direction of the Director of Public Relations and Communications, the Graphic Designer supports college branding and marketing initiatives by producing print and digital visual communications. Performs a variety of graphic design and digital media procedures and techniques to design and produce professional displays, signs, digital graphics, social media assets, presentations, advertisements, or publications using applications for design, editing, and presentation.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Designs and produces layout and visual content of reproduction-ready materials for applications that include but are not limited to advertisements, promotional items, web graphics, email banners, social media assets, and newsletters.
• Designs and produces computer-generated artwork, selecting visual media such as photographs and artwork used in multimedia materials for both print and digital communication channels.
• Determines formats, typography, and visual hierarchy to enhance communication clarity and brand consistency using design tools.
• Confers with faculty, staff, and administration to identify needs, suggest and present options and solutions for visual and printed materials. Presents concepts to clients who in turn review for purpose and content and ensures compliance with college branding and accessibility standards.
• Assists in establishing production timelines for major publications and digital projects.
• Advises on design solutions and production feasibility, coordinating timelines, specifications, and vendor needs as appropriate.
• Develop templates and branded design assets for routine publications prepared by other departments, ensuring visual consistency across print and digital materials.
• Takes photographs that support publications. Imports photographs along with artwork, graphics, and text to produce visual and printed materials. Creates and edits digital images to optimize quality, style, and fit. Maintains a photo archive using the college’s digital asset management system.
• Provides support to printing processes by proofreading and editing text and graphics, checking for layout and color order and accuracy prior to printing, and observing printing processes to ensure compliance with specifications for both print and digital output.
• May train staff on the use of current software tools and design best practices.
• Performs digital pre-press and file preparation to ensure accurate color, layout, accessibility, and print specifications.
• Maintains currency of knowledge and skills related to the duties and responsibilities through ongoing learning in emerging design software, digital media practices, and accessibility requirements.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

The position requires an associate degree and 3 years of experience in graphic design, advertising, or publishing. Additional post-secondary education may substitute for experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience producing print and digital visual communications in a high-volume marketing, communications, public agency, education, or institutional setting.
• Demonstrated proficiency with Adobe Creative Cloud and current design tools, with the ability to learn and apply emerging design technologies and workflows.
• Experience designing brand-consistent and accessible print and digital communications across multiple platforms, including social media, web, email, advertising, publications, presentations, signage, and promotional materials.
• Experience preparing production-ready files for print and digital communications, including typography, layout, color management, prepress, specifications, vendor coordination, and accessibility (ADA/WCAG) best practices.
• Experience collaborating with multiple clients or stakeholders, managing multiple projects simultaneously, and meeting deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Photography, photo editing, and basic video editing experience are desirable.

Knowledge and Skills

The position requires a working knowledge of graphic design, illustration, graphics, and layout concepts and principles. Requires a working knowledge of typography concepts and techniques. Requires knowledge of and skill at using current software and applications for graphic design, page layout, image editing, and digital production. Requires a working knowledge of multimedia concepts and techniques, including assembly of various elements into cross-platform projects for print, web, social media, and video. Requires working knowledge of the use of photography in publications, and marketing/public relations concepts and techniques. Requires well-developed skills in copy editing, proper English language composition, usage, grammar, syntax, vocabulary, spelling, and punctuation. Requires knowledge of standard office procedures. Requires sufficient human relations skills to work cooperatively as part of a team and with staff and others outside the department. Knowledge of accessibility (ADA/WCAG) design standards, content management systems (CMS), and digital asset management practices is desirable.

Abilities

Requires the ability to produce graphic and multimedia artwork using current digital design tools and related hardware. Requires the ability to edit copy for scripts and advertisements. Requires the ability to apply design and layout software to import, export, and manipulate text, graphic, photographic, and other files in various software programs. Must be able to operate digital cameras, scanners, and basic video-editing tools. Must be able to learn to use content management systems (CMS) and web-based publishing tools to update visual content. Requires the ability to complete prepress processes and prepare files for both print and digital output. Must be able to function effectively under pressure and meet deadlines and timetables. Requires the ability to operate general office equipment; operate and setup exhibit displays and furnishings, and give presentations to small groups. Requires the ability to work productively and cooperatively with others.

Physical Abilities

Must be able to carry out the following physical ability with or without accommodation: Requires the ability to function effectively indoors in an office/studio environment and occasionally outdoors, engaged in work of primarily a sedentary to moderately active nature. Requires the ability to use vision (near and far) to write, draw, paint, observe work in progress, use tools, and to read printed materials and computer screens. Requires hearing and speech for ordinary and telephonic conversation and to hear sound prompts from equipment. Requires the ability to operate, activate, or use computers, peripherals, office equipment, and tools, utilizing manual and finger dexterity for tasks such as keyboarding, writing, drawing, and painting. Requires the ability to sit for extended periods of time and move to various District locations. Requires the ability to lift (from low, level, and overhead, max. 40 lbs.) and carry (max. 40 lbs.) to move equipment and supplies, including into and out of storage areas on an occasional basis.

Licenses and Certificates

May require a valid driver’s license.

Working Conditions

Work is performed indoors, where some safety considerations exist from proximity to chemicals and fumes. Work may also include extended screen time using digital design equipment and occasional off-site photography or event support.

Salary/Fringe Benefits

Grade 36 on District Classified Employee Salary Schedule at ($5,954.88/month)

Health and welfare benefits include District contribution for medical/dental/vision benefits and employee life insurance ($50,000). (Cash in lieu option available on medical insurance.)

Participation in the Public Employee's Retirement System that is also integrated with Social Security.

Selection Procedure

After the application closing date, a search committee will review and invite the most qualified applicants for an interview. As these are highly competitive positions, meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee an interview.

Conditions of Employment

This is a full-time, 12-calendar month classified position.

This is an in‑person position. Up to one remote workday per week may be considered with manager approval and based on operational needs. The position may require flexible day and evening schedules depending on campus and community events.

Initial placement of employees on Classified Salary schedule is at Step 1. After six months of successful probationary employment, employee is placed at Step 2.

Employment is to be effective as soon as possible following completion of the selection process.

Individual who is offered employment shall be required to obtain fingerprints for a criminal history clearance through the State Department of Justice and remit the required fee for processing the fingerprints, Federal Bureau of Investigation (no fee if obtained at Cerritos College Campus Police Station), produce an original social security card, and submit negative TB test results (must be within the past four years or within the last 60 days if not previously employed in a school district in California) before employment.

Candidates must be able to provide proof of California residency prior to employment. Proof of eligibility to work in the United States and signing of loyalty oath per Government Codes 3100-3109.

**Please note - the District does not provide for immigration sponsorships such as H1B Visas.**

Required Documents

1. Resume/Curriculum Vitae
2. Copy of Unofficial Transcripts (Must show all coursework completed and the conferral date of the degree) OR High School Diploma if applicable
3. Applicants must submit a portfolio or PDF containing 5–7 original design samples demonstrating a range of print and digital work. Examples may include publications, advertising or campaign materials, social media or digital graphics, flyers, posters, signage, presentations, promotional materials, or other relevant creative work. Applicants are encouraged to include work that best demonstrates their design skills, creativity, and range. For each sample, include a brief description of the project objective, your role, the intended audience, the software or tools used, and any brand, accessibility, production, or design considerations that influenced your work.

Optional Documents

1. Cover Letter