Inspire Vancouver Program Communications Specialist 2

Salary Range

$6,039.00 - $9,057.00

Job Summary

The City of Vancouver is at an exciting turning point, actively investing in the growth of a vibrant arts and culture ecosystem that will define our community for generations to come. The City of Vancouver is seeking a dedicated and creative professional to join our team in fostering a thriving arts, culture, heritage, and science community that reflects the diversity, accessibility, and vibrant identity of our city.

We’re currently recruiting for an Inspire Vancouver Program Communications Specialist 2. The primary responsibilities for the job are to develop and manage an internal and external communications strategy for the Vancouver Cultural Access Program. Work involves maintaining the program microsite, social media channels and intranet (Currents) presence. Using approved templates, to create print and digital collateral materials for program promotion, application workshops, council presentations and annual reports. Creating and implementing social media and digital marketing strategies. Build and grow a program email list for promotion and applicant education. Preparing AP-style news releases for distribution in coordination with City Communication Team. This position is also responsible for researching and recommending community engagement opportunities for the Program Manager, scheduling and representing the program at community events and workshops.

This is a full-time, regular, non-exempt position. The schedule for this position is M-F, 8am to 5pm.

Job Details

Essential Functions:

• Maintain the program microsite following the City’s web content policy and WCAG 2.1 Level AA accessibility standards; ensuring accurate connection between the program microsite and City website.
• Add Cultural Access events and training to the website calendars and maintain program information on PRCS Currents site.
• Write, edit and design content for all program informational and promotional materials including web pages, brochures, fliers, ads and digital content; incorporating original graphics and photographs. Ensuring all print and digital materials comply with City accessibility requirements and approved program branding.
• Design, update and prepare materials for application workshops, PowerPoint presentations and reports for program staff to deliver to organizations, stakeholders, Culture, Arts and Heritage commission, and City Council.
• Prepare/coordinate end-of-year reports with written, statistical and visual program information.
• Ensure all social media channels comply with City accessibility requirements and approved program branding.
• Moderate online community to comply with City social media policy.
• Create and implement a growth-focused social media strategy to engage potential applicants and promote cultural access activities and events to a wider community.
• Create photo and video content for program promotion to educate potential applicants and promote cultural access activities and events to a wider community. Create photo and video content for application processes.
• Manage and grow a program email list to educate potential applicants and promote cultural access activities and events to the wider community.
• Research and recommend community engagement opportunities to the Program Manager; handle scheduling of approved events.
• Represent the Cultural Access Program in the community including tabling at events, giving presentations, and participating in workshops.
• Prepare AP-style news releases and coordinate distribution with City Communications.
• Pitch quarterly stories to local outlets to promote the program and funded activities and events.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

Experience and Education

• 4 years of experience in communications, public relations, or related field
• Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, marketing or related field
• Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.

Computer Skills

• Intermediate skills in Microsoft Excel and Word; Adobe Creative Suite design and video editing software
• Intermediate website content management skills, preferably Wordpress
• Intermediate skills with mass email systems, preferably Emma or equivalent
• Advanced skills in Canva, Microsoft PowerPoint and Word

Knowledge

• Concepts, principles, current trends and industry best practices of communications
• Effective writing skills including English usage, fundamentals of writing, grammar, syntax, AP Style, and punctuation
• Methods and techniques of writing for a variety of purposes and diverse audiences
• Concepts, principles, current trends and industry best practices of social media
• Developing and creating social media and digital content
• Planning, testing, launching, monitoring, optimizing, and measuring social media and email campaigns
• Graphic design principles
• Ethical community engagement practices
• Research methods and data analytics
• Pertinent federal, state and local laws that pertain to: privacy and communication accessibility
• Modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment
• Use of personal computers and basic software

Abilities

• Excellent written and oral skills with the ability to present and express ideas and information clearly and concisely in a manner appropriate to the audience whether oral or written
• Demonstrated proactive organizational skills and attentiveness to details
• Ability to coordinate and prioritize multiple ongoing, routine tasks, and meet deadlines
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and perform work which requires the application of judgment and discretion
• Develop and create social media content and respond to inquiries from the public
• Work with a diverse customer base
• Collaborate and work cross-functionally with various departments and individuals across all levels of the organization
• Create, compose and edit written and digital materials
• Evaluate and appropriately address privacy and confidentiality concerns when dealing with others
• Prioritize work and meet deadlines
• Operate a personal computer and appropriate software
• Work in a manner consistent with the City of Vancouver’s Operating Principles
• Work and act as a team player in all interactions with other City employees
• Provide a high level of customer service at all times
• Project and maintain a positive image with those contacted in the course of work
• Develop and maintain collaborative and respectful working relationships with team members and others
• Consistently provide quality service
• Maintain regular and dependable attendance
• Demonstrate a commitment to valuing differences among people and to being inclusive.
• Show the utmost respect for others, and act as a team player.
• Promote safety as a guiding principle and a regular practice in accomplishing work by focusing on safe practices and complying with safety and health policies and procedures.
• Recognize unsafe conditions which may be hazardous to an employee or to the public.
• Works in safe and responsible manner; not putting self or others at risk. Complies with applicable policies and procedures including but not limited to using personal protective equipment, observing warning signs, learning about potential hazards, and reporting all unsafe conditions.

This position is subject to successful completion of a pre-employment reference check and a basic criminal background check.

The City of Vancouver is committed to advancing equity and creating a welcoming and inclusive workplace. We recognize that progress depends on more than just a verbal commitment; it depends on making meaningful organizational change. We developed and continue to develop strategies to enhance employee-centered programs, eliminate recruitment and advancement barriers, elevate employee understanding of DEI and cultural competency and build an inclusive and welcoming place to call work. We hope you’ll consider joining us on the journey!

Safety: The City of Vancouver believes every employee plays a role in maintaining a safe workplace. The City of Vancouver promotes safety as a guiding principle and practice and accomplishes work by creating safe work environments, complying with safety and health policies and procedures and consistently seeking improvements that support operational excellence.

Diversity and Inclusion: At the City of Vancouver, we value and foster a workplace comprised of people with a range of different backgrounds, experiences and cultures. We recognize that a diverse and inclusive team is key to innovation, effectiveness and a positive culture. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement: The City of Vancouver is dedicated to maintaining a work environment that extends equal opportunity to all individuals, regardless of their race, color, sex, age, religion, national origin, marital status, veteran status, disability sexual orientation or gender identity. Employment decisions will be made to further the principle of equal employment opportunity and to comply with state, federal and local laws. We affirm through this policy statement our continuing commitment to the principles of equity and nondiscrimination.

Veterans’ Preference: Under Washington law, qualified veterans may be eligible for Veterans’ preference when applying for City of Vancouver positions. Honorably discharged Veterans, their surviving spouses or spouses of honorably discharged Veterans with a permanent and total service-connected disability who would like to be considered for a Veterans’ preference for this job should provide the qualifying documents as instructed during the application process.

ADA Accommodation: Accommodations will be considered for applicants or candidates with a qualifying disability that prevents them from participating in this process. Accommodations will be made where the City can reasonably provide them without imposing an undue hardship on the business or compromising the integrity of the recruitment process. An applicant with any disability who believes that they need an accommodation should contact Human Resources: call 360-487-8417 or email hrfront1@cityofvancouver.us

Job Posting End Date

May 1, 2026