CITY OF OVERLAND PARK - POSITION DESCRIPTION

The City of Overland Park is seeking a talented and creative Graphic Designer to join our Communications and Marketing team. The Graphic Designer will play a crucial role in informing the community by visually representing the City's events, programs, services, and initiatives through innovative design solutions. This position offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to the vibrant community of Overland Park while utilizing your graphic design expertise.

Key Responsibilities:

Collaborate with the Communications team to conceptualize, design, and produce a wide range of visual materials, including but not limited to brochures, posters, flyers, newsletters, signs, banners, social media graphics, digital advertisements, and event collateral.

Develop creative concepts that align with the City's branding guidelines and effectively communicate messages to target audiences.

Develops, establishes, implements and maintains the brand identity for the City and its projects, programs, services, events and initiatives. Leads branding efforts and ensures accurate and consistent use and application of all official logos and brand elements.

Translate complex ideas and information into visually engaging and easily understandable graphics.

Design and update graphics for the City's website, social media platforms and other digital communication channels.

Design and update printed materials, including the City's newsletter, reports, brochures, flyers, marketing materials and more. Coordinates print jobs as necessary.

Collaborate with internal stakeholders to understand project requirements, goals, and objectives, ensuring that design solutions meet their needs.

Support staff projects while making recommendations to improve the quality of the project and its outcomes.

Maintain a consistent and cohesive visual identity across all communication materials.

Capture multimedia content across the city and at events and programs when necessary.

Develop and maintain the organization's style guide to ensure consistency in content across the organization.

Stay up-to-date with industry trends, design best practices, and emerging technologies to continuously improve the quality and effectiveness of design work.

Work collaboratively within the City's Communications Division to achieve communications goals. Assist with the development and implementation of communications plans and strategies.

Attend City meetings and events, assist with public information during citywide events, respond to city emergencies, weather events, incidents and perform duties, as required.

GENERAL QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:

Bachelor's or Associate's degree in Graphic Design, Communication, Visual Communication, or a related field.

2 years of experience or equivalent skill level

Portfolio showcasing a variety of design projects that demonstrates advanced conceptual, graphic design and illustration skills.

Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) and other relevant design tools.

Solid understanding of modern design principles, typography, color theory, and layout techniques.

Understanding of readability and text guidelines for accessibility.

Basic photography skills.

Knowledge and skills related to contemporary development of digital and print publications.

Excellent attention to detail and the ability to maintain a high level of accuracy in all design work.

Strong communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively within a team environment.

Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet a variety of lengths of deadlines.

Ability to establish a working relationship with residents, City staff, vendors and others.

Experience in municipal government or public sector communications is desirable but not required.

Knowledge of web design principles, including HTML, and CSS is a plus.

Skills:

Analytical skills, including research skills, ability to interpret data, ability to conceptualize, ability to analyze information, and ability to write formal recommendations based on findings.

Attention to detail.

Basic mathematical skills.

Computer software - desktop publishing skills.

Computer software - presentation skills.

Computer software - spreadsheet skills

Computer software - web page maintenance skills. Familiarity with WordPress or similar a bonus.

Computer software - word-processing skills.

Computer software: Adobe Creative Suite; including Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, Canva and other graphic design programs

Facilitation skills, including curriculum/agenda development, marketing skills, ability to help groups focus, ability to use group decision-making to gain commitment, and/or ability to encourage participation.

Project management skills, including organization, coordination of duties, and/or accomplishment of goals.

Public speaking/presentation skills.

Time management skills, including the ability to manage multiple concurrent projects and meet both long-range, intermediate, and hourly deadlines.

Written and oral communication skills.

Mental Requirements:

Ability to meet deadlines.

Diplomacy and judgment.

Ability to recognize and protect confidential information.

Ability to prioritize multiple tasks.

Ability to carry out assignments through oral and written instructions.

Ability to work independently.

Ability to work in a hectic environment with many interruptions.

Ability to analyze and recommend possible solutions.

Ability to learn and understand computer software applications.

Alpha and numeric recognition.

Physical Requirements:

Ability to make and receive phone calls.

Ability to identify and distinguish colors.

Ability to operate City vehicles.

Ability to operate digital equipment including camera, video camera, tripod and cell phone.

Hand and eye coordination adequate to input computer and typewriter.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY (Direct & Indirect):

None.