Job Description
Salary: $53,475.00 Annually
Location : 118 North Market Street - Frederick, MD
Job Type: Full-time Regular
Job Number: FY25-00210
Department: Economic Development
Opening Date: 08/29/2024
Closing Date: 9/19/2024 4:00 PM Eastern
JOB INFORMATION Exempt; full-time; 40 hours per week; Monday-Friday; 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. with some evening and weekend hours; full benefits
Join the Frederick County Office of Economic Development (FCOED), a part of the Frederick County Division of Economic Opportunity, where we drive economic growth and community development in Frederick County, MD. We are committed to fostering a diverse, sustainable, and thriving economy by supporting local businesses, attracting new investments, and enhancing the quality of life for all residents. The Communication Specialist is a full-time, exempt position that plays a crucial role in our efforts to market Frederick County as a prime location for business and innovation.
This position is responsible for the execution and coordination of marketing promotional materials and comprehensive communications support to the Frederick County Office of Economic Development. Supervision is received from the Senior Business Development Manager, Business Intelligence and Promotion for Frederick County Division of Economic Opportunity.
Frederick County Government values the principles of diversity and inclusion, and strives to ensure equal opportunities for its workforce, applicants and community members. If you are a person who wants to make a difference, give back to your community, and be a voice for change, apply to Frederick County Government today. TOTAL COMPENSATION PACKAGE: Frederick County offers an extensive compensation package to reflect how highly we value our employees. The following is what you can expect in your first year as a full time benefited Frederick County Government employee.
- 11 days of Vacation leave with increase after 2 years of employment
- 15 days of Sick leave with unlimited annual carryover
- 11 paid scheduled holidays, plus 2 additional floating holidays
- Day 1 coverage of comprehensive Medical Insurance Plan options to include generous County HSA contribution (if enrolled in the high-deductible plan). This is part of a full range of benefits including Dental, Vision, and Flexible Spending
- 100% County paid 2x annual salary Group Term Life Insurance and AD&D benefit
- Work/Life balance programs include: Employee Assistance Program and Employee Wellness Program
- Generous Tuition Reimbursement Program
- County and Employee funded Defined Benefit Pension Plan
- Vesting after 5 years of service
- Additional service credit for eligible previous public service, military service, etc.
- Other employee paid benefits such as Deferred Compensation Plan, Legal Resources, Supplemental Life Insurance, Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital Indemnity Insurance, etc.
For more information, visit our benefits page on the Frederick County Government job opportunities webpage ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND JOB RESPONSIBILITIES - Develop and produce design content for press releases and a wide range of collateral including newsletter, signage, events, flyers, posters, infographics, brochures, flyers, etc. by working with FCOED staff and stakeholders
- Create graphics and draft text for social media posts; coordinate the review and approval of posts prior to sharing on various platforms
- Track and report analytics for marketing initiatives (websites, social media channels, YouTube, etc.)
- Draft blogs, articles, success stories, press releases, etc.; design print or online marketing collateral using appropriate online or print tools; update website content for FCOED
- Coordinate and support FCOED team projects, to include traditional and digital marketing campaigns, marketing materials, events, sponsorships and market research
- Provide communications support with outside vendors and across internal departments
- Organize meetings, maintain notes, and track deadlines for FCOED projects; entry data into different tools
- Research, track and distribute inventory of promotional items
- Assist and maintain consistency of FCOED's branding
- Write and edit content for different platforms such as social media, websites, blogs and social media for approval
- Monitor and respond to customer inquiries submitted through online, email and via phone calls
- Maintain contact lists for e-marketing tools
- Assist, organize and coordinate special events for FCOED; assist with preparation of materials and arrangements for events such as name badges, registration materials, signage, speaker correspondence, rooming lists, food and beverage, promotional materials and travel arrangements
- Oversee the design and distribution of certificates for special events
- Attend events and take photographs; edit images and archive for future projects
- Represent the County at meetings and conferences; provide reports on information and action items discussed
- Perform other duties as assigned
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Any single position may not be assigned all duties listed above, nor do the examples cover all duties that may be assigned. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS The qualifications/requirements, knowledge/skills/abilities and physical requirements or working conditions described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
- Bachelor's degree
- Minimum 2 years marketing and/or communications work experience
- Minimum 1 year of customer service work experience working directly with the public
- Intermediate skills in MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook)
- NOTE: Additional years of work experience may reduce the education requirement
KNOWLEDGE / SKILLS / ABILITIES: - Knowledge of design, marketing, communication and social media software, tools and platforms
- Strong and effective spoken and written (English) communication skills with ability to prepare and present clear, accurate reports
- Strong writing skills to support a range of content, including website copy, social media, email communications and reports
- Strong collaborative and teamwork skills
- Knowledge of marketing software (Constant Contact, Canva, etc.)
- Ability to accurately compile, analyze and present statistical reports and data
- Ability to effectively organize work, establish priorities, manage time effectively and complete assigned duties with minimal supervision in a fast-paced environment
- Ability to use graphic principles to create original online/print marketing materials
- Ability to be flexible, act as a team player and provide quality internal and external customer service
- Working knowledge of the principles, practices and methods of informational and public relations writing, and of related media relationships, marketing and graphic arts design and production
- Ability to work independently, and complete assigned duties on deadline with minimal supervision
- Ability to solve problems and to develop solutions and strategies
- Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, business representatives, elected officials, other governmental agencies and personnel, media representatives and members of the public
PREFERENCE MAY BE GIVEN FOR: - Experience or training in Canva, Survey Monkey, etc.
- Experience or training in Adobe Creative Cloud software (Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator)
- Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Communications, Business or related field
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS / WORKING CONDITIONS: - While working in this position, the employee is required to frequently sit and walk; occasionally lift up to 20 pounds, push up to 40 pounds, and reach; rarely climb or stoop.
- While working in this position, the employee required to frequently work indoors, work outdoors; and rarely walk on uneven ground, works in dirty and dusty environments, works in hot temperatures above 100 degrees and works cold temperatures below 32 degrees.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / EXAMINATION PROCESS - Ability for varied working hours when needed for evening meetings and trainings
- Ability to provide own transportation to meetings and other commitments as needed
EXAMINATION PROCESS (may include): - An evaluation of training and experience
- One or more interviews
Retirement Plan:
A defined benefit retirement plan is provided for all regular County employees. Employees are automatically enrolled in either the Uniformed Plan (5 year vesting) or the Non-Uniformed Plan (5 year vesting, effective 07/01/2024) depending upon position classification. The majority of support for the plan is provided by the County; however, employees are required to make a mandatory pre-tax contribution towards their benefit. Retirement benefits are payable at normal, early or delayed retirement. Retirement benefits are also payable upon termination and in the event of death or disability.
Health Insurance
: County employees have a choice of two medical insurance plans, an In-Network (HMO) Plan or a High Deductible medical plan with a Health Care Savings Account, to provide coverage for medical and surgical expenses, hospital and emergency care expenses, mental health expenses and prescription drugs. The County and participants share in the cost of the health insurance with the employee having the benefit of pre tax contribution deductions. Medical insurance goes into effect on the first day of active employment.
Dental Insurance:
Employees may select coverage from one of three dental plan options, ranging from a PPO plan to a dental HMO plan. Coverage includes preventive care, fillings, crowns, bridges and dentures, and the cost of dental insurance is shared by both the County and the employee. Dental insurance goes into effect on the first day of the month that follows the eligible employee's completion of 30 days of active employment
NOTE: Employees working 75% or greater of a 35 or 40 hour position are eligible for health & dental insurance.
Flexible Spending Accounts:
The Flex Spending plan allows employees to pay health and day care expenses with pre-tax dollars. Employees may set aside part of their salary in a special account that can be used throughout the year to reimburse themselves for out-of-pocket medical expenses. The maximum contribution is $2,700 per year for Health Care Spending and $5,000 for Dependent Care Spending (work-related day care expenses). Examples of expenses that can be reimbursed for Health Care Spending include, but are not limited to: deductibles, co-payments, dental fees, chiropractors' services, and eyeglasses / contact lenses.
Life Insurance:
Employees are insured for 2 times their annual salary in case of death plus 2 times their annual salary for accidental death. Employees do not contribute to the premiums for this coverage. A Voluntary Life Insurance Program is offered to regular County employees. The plan allows employees to purchase individually owned term life insurance for themselves, spouses and dependents.
Savings Plan - Deferred Compensation:
The County offers a Section 457 Plan. Deferred compensation plans allow participants to save for retirement in either a pre tax or post tax (Roth) investment account. Contributions are invested at the employee's direction into one or more of the variety of investment options offered by the plan. Changes may be made to the contribution levels, investment options, etc. at any time.
Educational Reimbursement Program:
County employees who have successfully passed their probationary period may take up to two job-related courses per semester at any accredited educational institution. The benefit also covers the costs of job-related non-credit courses. If the employee receives a grade of at least a C, or successfully passes a non-credit course, the County reimburses the employee 75% of the costs of tuition, fees and books. If an employee doesn't remain employed with Frederick County Government for two years after a class is taken, the benefit needs to be reimbursed to FCG.
Employee Assistance Program:
This confidential assessment, referral and counseling service is available at no cost to all employees who may need help with a personal or job-related problem.
Leave
Annual Leave - Employees are eligible to use Annual Leave after their 6 month probationary period. Annual Leave accrues as follows: Years of service days per year
0 - 2 years 11 days
2 - 10 years 17 days
10 + years 24 days
Sick Leave - Employees will earn sick leave at a rate of 15 days per calendar year.
Sick Leave may also be used for illness of an employee's child, dependent, spouse, parent or parent-in-law. There is no limit on the amount of sick leave accumulated. Unused Sick Leave may be used for additional credit in the pension plan at the time of retirement.
NOTE: Regular benefited part-time employees earn annual and sick leave on a pro-rated basis based on their actual number of hours worked biweekly up to their assigned number of regularly scheduled work hours.
Other available types of leave include, but are not limited to, Family Medical Leave, Bereavement, Jury, Military.
Holidays:
The County observes 10 holidays every year and 11 are observed on years of General Elections.
For additional information on Frederick County Governments benefit package, please visit the Division of Human Resources website at
All hires before January 1, 2012, will follow the all benefit and leave rules as described in the Personnel Rules amended October 3, 2013.
01
Your application, which includes any associated supplemental questions, must be complete at the time of submission and must clearly articulate the required work experience relevant to the position for which you are applying. The experience you indicate in your responses to the supplemental questions must also be described, in detail, on the Work History section of this application. Your application may be considered incomplete if vague descriptions of experience are included or if you cite experience in your supplemental question response that is not included on the Work History section of this application. When considering work history, 1 year of employment = 2,080 hours. If Human Resources staff is unable to confirm your related work experience based on the information submitted, or if you state "see resume" as your response, you will not be considered further.
- I have read and acknowledge the above instructions.
02
Do you have a valid automobile operator's license?
03
Which best describes your level of education?
- High School Diploma or the equivalency
- Associate's degree received
- Bachelor's degree received
- Advanced degree received
04
If you have obtained a college degree, was it in Marketing, Communications, Business or related field?
05
How many years of work experience in marketing and/or communications do you have?
- I have less than 2 years of experience
- I have 2 years of experience
- I have 3 years of experience
- I have 4 years of experience
- I have 5 years of experience
- I have 6 or more years of experience
06
Please provide details regarding that work history in the text area below. The work history details provided should include the employer or organization name, dates of employment/service and the duties you performed.NOTE: When considering work history, 1 year of employment = 2,080 hours. If Human Resources staff is unable to confirm your related work experience, based on the information submitted, you will not be considered further.
07
Do you have at least 1 year of customer service work experience working directly with the public?
08
Please provide details regarding that work history in the text area below. The work history details provided should include the employer or organization name, dates of employment/service and the duties you performed.NOTE: When considering work history, 1 year of employment = 2,080 hours. If Human Resources staff is unable to confirm your related work experience, based on the information submitted, you will not be considered further.
09
Which describes your level of proficiency with MS Office Suite software?
- Beginner
- Intermediate
- Advanced
10
Do you have experience or training in software such as Canva, Survey Monkey, etc?
11
Please provide details regarding that work history in the text area below. The work history details provided should include the employer or organization name, dates of employment/service and the duties you performed.NOTE: When considering work history, 1 year of employment = 2,080 hours. If Human Resources staff is unable to confirm your related work experience, based on the information submitted, you will not receive the preference credit.
12
Do you have experience or training in Adobe Creative Cloud software (Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator)?
13
Please provide details regarding that work history in the text area below. The work history details provided should include the employer or organization name, dates of employment/service and the duties you performed.NOTE: When considering work history, 1 year of employment = 2,080 hours. If Human Resources staff is unable to confirm your related work experience, based on the information submitted, you will not receive the preference credit.
Required Question
Job Tags
Holiday work, Full time, Part time, Work experience placement, Local area, Outdoor, Weekend work, Afternoon shift, Monday to Friday,