Social Media Content Specialist

The Salvation Army North & Central Illinois Division; Hoffman Estates (IL); On-site; USD 43,849 - 51,150; Full time

Job summary

The Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Center Command in Illinois is seeking a Social Media Content Specialist to create, schedule, and optimize engaging digital content for Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and LinkedIn. You will craft visuals and copy, support press materials, and partner with ARC teams to promote programs and thrift stores.

You will design branded materials, manage postings, track analytics, and serve as a liaison with media.

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree in Graphic Design, Digital Media, Communications, Journalism, or related field.
• Minimum 2 years’ professional experience in multimedia content production, graphic design, social media management, or public relations.
• Equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Portfolio required, including writing samples, graphic design work, photography, and video projects.

Responsibilities

• Design branded digital and print materials for flyers, brochures, social media graphics, and event signage.
• Write, edit, and proofread press releases, media advisories, scripts, speeches, and articles.
• Plan, film, and edit video content for social platforms and long-form formats.
• Manage daily posting, scheduling, and engagement across ARC and thrift store platforms.
• Serve as liaison between ARC representatives and media outlets; coordinate interviews and press events.
• Collaborate with marketing, fundraising, and development teams to align messaging.
• Provide design templates and social media best practices to local ARC teams.

Skills

Adobe CC

Photography

Videography

Writing skills

SEO analytics

Branding

PR relations

Project management

Nonprofit communications

Education

Associate’s degree in Graphic Design, Digital Media, Communications, Journalism, or related field

Equivalent combination of education and experience

Tools

Canva

Photoshop

Illustrator

InDesign

Premiere Pro

After Effects

Job description

Social Media Content Specialist - The Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Center Command

The Social Media Content Specialist is responsible for creating, scheduling, and optimizing engaging digital content across platforms like Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and LinkedIn. They build brand awareness, drive audience engagement, and analyze performance metrics to maximize reach to promote The Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Centers (ARC) and Thrift Stores. This role emphasizes social and digital media strategy, public relations, and creative storytelling to increase visibility, engage audiences, and support the mission.

This position will create a wide range of visual and written materials, manage social media content, design digital and print collateral, write scripts, press releases, and media advisories, and serve as a liaison between ARC representatives and media outlets when needed.

Pay Rate: $31.83 - $37.13/Hour

Status: Non-Exempt Hourly, 36.25 Hours per week

Primarily in person, after 90 days option for 4 day work week or one day per week remote work

Essential Functions

Content Creation & Graphic Design

• Design branded digital and print materials such as flyers, brochures, social media graphics, and event signage.
• Create visual templates and style guides to ensure consistent brand identity.
• Develop original concepts for marketing campaigns and adapt them for different platforms.

Digital Storytelling & Written Content

• Write, edit, and proofread press releases, media advisories, scripts, speeches, and articles.
• Craft compelling copy for websites, social media, newsletters, and other communication channels.
• Ensure all messaging aligns with brand voice, mission, and style guidelines.

Video & Photography Production

• Plan, film, and edit video content for social platforms (reels, stories, TikTok) and long-form formats (interviews, features, training videos).
• Capture high-quality photographs for promotional, event, and program use.
• Edit and enhance visuals to meet brand quality standards.

Social Media Management

• Manage daily posting, scheduling, and engagement across ARC and Thrift Store social platforms.
• Monitor conversations, respond to comments, and elevate issues when needed.
• Track performance analytics and adjust strategy for maximum engagement.

Media & Public Relations

• Serve as the primary liaison between ARC representatives and media outlets.
• Coordinate interviews, press events, and media coverage opportunities.
• Maintain media contact lists and distribute press materials strategically and on deadline.

Marketing & Campaign Support

• Collaborate with marketing, fundraising, and development teams to align messaging.
• Support seasonal, mission-driven, and fundraising campaigns with multimedia and graphic design assets.

Training & Collaboration

• Provide design templates and social media best practices to local ARC teams.
• Conduct training sessions on brand standards, digital storytelling, and visual communication.

This job description should not be interpreted as all-inclusive. It is intended to identify the essential functions and requirements of the position. Other job-related responsibilities and tasks may be assigned. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions. The requirements listed are representative of the minimal education, experience, skills, and/or abilities required for the position.

Minimum Qualifications

Education & Experience:

• Associate’s degree in Graphic Design, Digital Media, Communications, Journalism, or related field; OR
• Minimum 2 years’ professional experience in multimedia content production, graphic design, social media management, or public relations; OR
• Equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Portfolio required, including writing samples, graphic design work, photography, and video projects.

Skills/Abilities

• Proficient in Adobe Creative Cloud (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Premiere Pro, After Effects) and Canva.
• Skilled in professional photography, videography, and editing.
• Strong writing skills for a variety of content types (press releases, ad copy, scripts).
• Familiarity with SEO, social media algorithms, and analytics tools.
• Creative and detail-oriented with a strong design.
• Strong interpersonal and media relations skills.
• Able to manage multiple deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Passion for mission-driven work and nonprofit communications.

Supervisory Responsibility

• N/A

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

• Driver’s License & MVR

Physical Requirements

The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the duties of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to stand; use hands, handle, or feel; and hear or talk. The employee is frequently required to walk and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance; and stoop, kneel or crouch. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally team lift up to 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and ability to adjust focus.

Working Conditions

Work is performed in an office, typical store, or warehouse environment with a quiet to moderate noise level. The environment may be dusty and may experience temperature fluctuations based on weather. Extensive travel to ARC Centers, thrift stores, events, and media engagements is required.

The Salvation Army is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates who are back-to-work, US Veterans, people with disabilities, people who have been impacted by the justice system, and/or people without a college degree are encouraged to apply.