Social Media Specialist

State of West Virginia; Charleston (WV); On-site; USD 40,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

State of West Virginia seeks a creative Social Media Specialist to tell the state's story across digital platforms. You will create, publish and optimize photography, video, and graphics for events, policy moments, and announcements.

You will work with the communications team in a fast-paced environment, turning moments into engaging content and providing real-time coverage during events and travel.

Qualifications

• Photography and videography skills with an eye for compelling images.
• Experience shooting and editing video for social and digital platforms.
• Experience creating graphics and other visual content.
• Working knowledge of major social media platforms and how content differs across platforms.
• Ability to produce quality content quickly under deadline.
• Strong news judgment and an instinct for identifying content that will connect with an audience.
• Ability to manage multiple assignments and shift priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a communications team.
• Professional judgment and discretion when working around sensitive or confidential information.

Responsibilities

• Create original social media content to be shared across major platforms, including Facebook, X, YouTube, and other platforms.
• Capture high-quality photos and video at press conferences, public events, meetings, community visits, and other activities.
• Produce and edit short-form vertical video, including Reels, Shorts, and other platform-specific content.
• Develop longer-form video content when appropriate, including event recaps, interviews, explainers, and feature stories.
• Create graphics, social cards, and other visual assets to support announcements, initiatives, events, and public information.
• Identify strong moments, quotes, images, and video clips that can be quickly turned into social content.
• Publish and manage content across social media platforms while adapting material to the audience and format of each platform.
• Provide real-time social media coverage during events and travel.
• Help develop creative ways to explain policy initiatives and government actions through accessible visual and digital storytelling.
• Monitor platform performance and use analytics to identify opportunities to improve content and audience engagement.
• Coordinate closely with communications staff to ensure content is accurate, timely, and consistent with our message.
• Be available for occasional evening, weekend, and travel assignments as required.

Skills

Photography

Videography

Graphic design

Social media platform knowledge

Deadline-driven

News judgment

Team collaboration

Attention to detail

Professional discretion

Tools

Video editing software

Graphic design software

Job description

Nature of Work

We are seeking a creative, fast-moving Social Media Specialist to help tell the story of West Virginia across digital platforms.

This position will be responsible for creating and publishing engaging social media content, including photography, graphics, short-form video, longer-form video, written content, and coverage of events and initiatives. The ideal candidate understands how to take an event, announcement, policy initiative, or moment on the road and turn it into compelling digital content for West Virginians.

The Social Media Specialist will work closely with the communications team and should be comfortable working in a fast-paced environment where priorities can change quickly.

Reports to: Director of Communications

Work Hours: 8:30 a.m. -5:00 p.m

Examples of Work

Responsibilities

• Create original social media content to be shared across major platforms, including Facebook, X, YouTube, and other platforms.
• Capture high-quality photos and video at press conferences, public events, meetings, community visits, and other activities.
• Produce and edit short-form vertical video, including Reels, Shorts, and other platform-specific content.
• Develop longer-form video content when appropriate, including event recaps, interviews, explainers, and feature stories.
• Create graphics, social cards, and other visual assets to support announcements, initiatives, events, and public information.
• Identify strong moments, quotes, images, and video clips that can be quickly turned into social content.
• Publish and manage content across social media platforms while adapting material to the audience and format of each platform.
• Provide real-time social media coverage during events and travel.
• Help develop creative ways to explain policy initiatives and government actions through accessible visual and digital storytelling.
• Monitor platform performance and use analytics to identify opportunities to improve content and audience engagement.
• Coordinate closely with communications staff to ensure content is accurate, timely, and consistent with our message.
• Be available for occasional evening, weekend, and travel assignments as required.

Qualifications

• Photography and videography skills, with an eye for compelling images and moments.
• Experience shooting and editing video for social and digital platforms.
• Experience creating graphics and other visual content.
• Working knowledge of major social media platforms and an understanding of how content should differ across platforms.
• Ability to produce quality content quickly under deadline.
• Strong news judgment and an instinct for identifying content that will connect with an audience.
• Ability to manage multiple assignments and shift priorities in a fast-paced environment.l>
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a communications team.
• Professional judgment and discretion when working around sensitive or confidential information.

Experience in government, political communications, journalism, digital media, public relations, or a related field is preferred but not required. A strong portfolio demonstrating photography, video editing, graphics, and social media content may substitute for traditional experience.

Other Information

What We're Looking For

We are looking for someone who sees opportunities for content everywhere. The right candidate can walk into an event, understand what matters, capture the right images and video, and quickly turn those moments into content people will want to watch, read, and share.

This is a hands‑on position for someone who enjoys telling stories, understands the speed of social media, and wants to help showcase West Virginia and the people, communities, and opportunities that make the Mountain State special.

Job not in the classified service. See the hiring agency for a description of benefits.