Graphic Design Specialist II

Chester-County-of-Pennsylvania; Westtown (Chester County); On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

The Graphic Design Specialist II role at the Chester County Planning Commission supports the creation and layout of documents, brochures, posters, maps, presentations, and web page layouts for the Chester County Planning Commission, County Commissioners and, by special request, other county departments using various desktop publishing programs and photographic elements.

Responsibilities include designing materials for digital and print, producing visuals for reports, staying current with design

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree in graphics arts or equivalent education/experience.
• Three years of graphic design experience.
• Strong design skills for varied audiences and purposes.
• Ability to interpret client direction and concepts.
• Ability to coordinate with printing services.
• Photography experience and basic video editing skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication and proofreading.
• Project management and time management capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Design, layout, and produce materials for digital and print, including infographics, brochures, charts, reports, web images, videos, and PowerPoint presentations.
• Develop graphics for reports and publications with accuracy and timeliness.
• Stay up to date with visual design trends.
• Collaborate with planners to understand product needs.
• Follow branding standards across materials.
• Perform photo shoots of planning topics and events.
• Design web pages for CCPC websites.
• Manage multiple projects simultaneously and lead when needed.
• Coordinate with vendors and handle project communications.

Skills

Graphic design

Layout design

Typography

Client direction interpretation

Communication skills

Time management

Photo shoots

Education

Associate’s degree in graphics arts

Bachelor’s degree in graphic arts

Tools

Adobe InDesign

Adobe Photoshop

Adobe Illustrator

Adobe Bridge

Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint)

Job description

The Graphic Design Specialist II is responsible for creating the design and layout of compelling, clear and concise documents, brochures, posters, signs, maps, presentations, and web page layouts for the Chester County Planning Commission, County Commissioners and, by special request, other county departments using various desktop publishing computer programs and/or photographic elements.

Responsibilities

• Design, layout, and produce a variety of materials for digital and print platforms, including, but not limited to, infographics, brochures, charts and diagrams, reports, web images, videos, and PowerPoint presentations.
• Develop and incorporate graphics into reports and other print and digital publications with an emphasis on responsiveness, timeliness, and accuracy.
• Stay up to date with the latest visual communications/graphic design trends.
• Work directly with planners to understand needs and wants for products.
• Follow visual branding/standards as needed.
• Perform photo shoots of planning topics, meetings, and public events.
• Design web pages for CCPC websites.
• Manage multiple projects at the same time.
• Work independently, lead projects, attend meetings, and handle delicate projects when supervisor is absent.
• Handle various administrative functions (e.g., contact vendors to obtain project information or make project requests, follow up with vendors to respond to or ask project-related questions, prepare copies of maps for customers by using large copy machine, etc.).
• Perform other duties, tasks and special projects, as required.

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree in graphics arts or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Three years of graphic design experience.
• Strong design skills and abilities for various target audiences.
• Ability to conceptualize and design products based on verbal/abstract client direction.
• Ability to coordinate with printing services.
• Photography experience and skills.
• Basic video editing skills.
• Ability to work independently or as part of a team to complete objectives
• Strong ability to think strategically.
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions.
• Color expertise (value, hue, shade).
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including proofreading skills.
• Strong interpersonal and customer service skills.
• Accurate and detail oriented with strong time management and organizational skills.
• Project management skills.
• Ability to accept constructive criticism.
• Ability to adapt to diverse requests and quickly changing requirements.
• Working knowledge of professional typesetting functions.
• Familiarity with industry-standard web design recommendations.
• Professionalism and an ability to handle confidential matters.
• Flexible, with an ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously, including late requests.
• Working knowledge of computer hardware.
• Working knowledge of color printer processing and graphics file processing (scanning/editing).
• Able to use common sense understanding to carry out instructions, establish priorities, and resolve recurring problems.

Preferred Skills, Knowledge & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in graphic arts or a related field from an accredited college or university
• Five to seven years of graphic design experience.
• Familiar with the practices of a planning department.
• General knowledge and understanding of County of Chester policies and procedures.

Relevant background checks, clearances, physicals, drug tests, and any other assessments or evaluations will be conducted after an offer of employment is given per County policy.

Computer Skills

• Intermediate to Advanced Office Suite Skills, (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Explorer)
• Intermediate to Advanced Outlook skills (Email and Calendar)
• Advanced knowledge/experience in the latest Adobe Creative Cloud (Adobe InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, Bridge).

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is frequently required to walk, sit, drive a vehicle during working hours, and talk or hear. Occasionally, the employee will need to stand, bend at the waist, climb stairs, lift or carry items, and work with office machines (computer, printers, etc.) and equipment (stapler, filing cabinet, etc.). On rare occasions, the employee will need to reach or work with arms above shoulders; kneel, stoop, crouch or squat; climb or work on ladders; push items; twist or rotate at the waist; and smell strong odor from art supplies. The special vision requirements for this position are:

• Close vision (clear vision at 20 inches or less) – ability to see computer screen
• Distance vision (clear vision at 20 feet or more) – ability to drive office van
• Color vision (ability to identify and distinguish colors) – ability to see artwork, write & draw sketches
• Depth perception (three-dimensional vision, ability to judge distances and spatial relationships)
• Ability to adjust focus of the eye to bring an object into sharp focus – ability to see to take photographs

Work Environment

• The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate.
• Approximately 95% of the time will be spent inside.
• Approximately 5% of the time will be spent outside (taking photographs) in a variety of weather conditions.

Other

• Ability to work extended hours and/or weekends, as necessary.
• A valid driver’s license is required