Communications Associate

Full Job Description

Ramsey county is currently hiring a motivated and innovative Communication Associate in our Communications & Public Relations Department. The eligibility list created by this vacancy may be used to hire other vacancies in the department or County.

The Communications Associate in this role will directly provide strategic communications support to the county’s Community & Economic Development (CED) department whose mission is to improve the quality of life for individuals and families by:

• Maintaining the existing housing stock
• Expanding homeownership and affordable housing opportunities
• Installing safe infrastructure
• Remediating brownfield sites
• Redeveloping under-utilized properties
• Strengthening businesses
• Navigating economic development resources
• Encouraging job growth

Responsibilities include creating engaging, accessible communications materials, including both print and digital media content, and developing strategic communications campaigns to support CED programs and initiatives.

This position will also provide communications support to Housing Stability which administers and coordinates emergency supportive services to individuals and families experiencing sheltered and unsheltered homelessness or housing instability.

To create educational and informational materials to promote the county’s programs, services, events and facilities; to assist with the creation, presentation, and maintenance of content about a specific department or service team's programs on the county’s public and internal websites and social media channels; produce fliers, brochures and other printed and electronic materials, including graphic design and production activities; arrange and take photographs and/or video; arrange and produce public relations and communication activities; ensure materials created by other staff or vendors meet county branding and plain language standards; and to perform related duties as assigned.

The Communications Associate supporting CED will be part of the Economic Growth & Community Investment (EGCI) communications team within Communications & Public Relations.

Led by the EGCI Public Information Officer/Communications Manager, the EGCI communications team is a collaborative and support group that works closely with the rest of the Communications & Public Relations department to support county departments.

To view or print a copy of the complete Ramsey County job (class) description for this position, go to: Job Descriptions. Once at this page, you can browse the alphabetical list or search for a job description.

Flexible Workplace

This position is identified under the designation of ‘flex work eligible’, meaning that the employee can formally opt to be in-office full-time or work a flex schedule in which at least two-days per week are performed in office and other days can be performed in a remote-first environment.

Regardless of selection, the position carries expectations regarding on-site responsibilities and will require schedule flexibility beyond the minimum expectations set forth in the county’s flexible workplace policy.

To view Ramsey County’s Flexible Workplace policy, go to: Flexible Workplace policy

Requirements

1. Facilitate the creation, expansion, and maintenance of content about a specific department or service team's programs for both public and internal communications through collaboration with professional department staff.
2. Prepare narratives, graphics/layouts and images for use in print and electronic publications.
3. Solicit stories and write content for the county’s intranet site, public website and social media channels. 
4. Assist in developing presentations to be used in briefing departmental or county personnel, elected officials, and the community about specific projects, events or activities.
5. Assist in promoting and organizing programs and events.
6. Design and produce brochures or other promotional and educational publications, signs, displays and materials for the department through the use of desktop publishing software and other methods.
7. Design and collaborate on multi-media communications.
8. Create and manage online customer surveys and forms.
9. May answer phones, and perform other tasks, such as keyboarding, filing and providing information to other employees, the public or vendors, either orally or in writing.

(The work assigned to a position in this classification may not include all possible tasks in this description and does not limit the assignment of any additional tasks in this classification. Regular attendance according to the position’s management approved work schedule is required.)

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.

Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in English, visual/graphic design, communications, journalism, marketing or a closely related field.

Experience: None.

Substitution: Equivalent combination of education and related experience.

Certifications/Licensure: None.

Additional Information

The examination process will consist of the following section with each section weighted as indicated:

• Training and Experience Rating = 100%

The examination for Communications Associate will consist of a training and experience rating, comprised of the questions in the attached supplemental questionnaire.

Not all applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will pass the training and experience rating.

The rating on this supplemental questionnaire will depend on your answers to the questions – do not mark “see resume” or “see work history” as a response.

Please answer all your questions clearly and completely. Failure to respond could affect your score and final rank on this examination.

Eligible List: The names of all applicants who have submitted a completed application and passed the examination/screening process shall be placed on the eligible list for an employment opportunity as a Job title.

This list will be certified to the appointing authority which may use this list to conduct interviews to fill a vacancy.

Applicants will remain on the list for 60 days or until hired, whichever occurs first. A notice will be sent to applicants at the time the eligible list is posted.

Veteran's Preference: This is a classified position requiring an open, competitive selection process. Veteran's Preference points will be applied after a candidate passes the examination process.

Applicants who are eligible for veteran's preference should update their veteran's DD214, and other supporting documents, and submit them as an attachment at the time of application.

Criminal Background Checks: All employment offers are conditioned upon the applicant passing a criminal background check. Convictions are not an automatic bar to employment.

Each case is considered on its individual merits and the type of work sought.

However, making false statements or withholding information will cause you to be barred from employment, or removed from employment.

E-Verify Participation: Ramsey County participates in the federal E-Verify program.

This means that Ramsey County will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization.

If the Government cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, Ramsey County is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact DHS and/or the SSA before taking adverse action against you, including terminating your employment.

Employers may not use E-Verify to pre-screen job applicants and may not limit or influence the choice of documents you present for use on the Form I-9.

Equal Opportunity Employer: Ramsey County provides equal access to employment, programs, and services without regard to race, color, creed, religion, age, sex (except when sex is a Bona Fide Occupational Qualification), disability, familial or marital status, sexual orientation or gender identity, public assistance status, place of residence, political affiliation, or national origin.

Ramsey County is deeply committed to advancing racial equity and promoting diversity and inclusion within all areas of its workforce.

The county strives to be equitable, inclusive, transparent, respectful, and impactful in how we serve and engage with residents, as well as Ramsey County employees.

Advancing racial equity ensures all people who need access to opportunities and services we provide, will receive them.

Racial equity is achieved when race can no longer be used to predict life outcomes, and outcomes for all are improved.

To print a paper application for this posting click Paper Application. You will need to print this posting AND answer the supplemental questions associated with this exam and submit them with your completed paper application.

For further information regarding this posting, please contact Kim.Henry@co.ramsey.mn.us