Communications Associate



Communications Associate

Salary

$44,595.20 - $66,164.80 Annually

Location

ALL-Multiple Ramsey County Locations, MN

Job Type

Full Time

Job Number

0700-20/02-001

Department

22C01-Countywide Communications/Admn

Opening Date

02/18/2020

Closing Date

3/2/2020 4:30 PM Central

Basic Function

This position will focus on the Workforce Solutions department; and also provide occasional communications support to Economic Growth and Community Investment service team projects.

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; and to perform other related duties as assigned.

If an internal candidate is selected, salary will be set in accordance with personnel rules (i.e., promotion, transfer, or voluntary reduction).

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

Examples of Work Performed

  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.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:  Bachelor's degree in English, visual/graphic design, communications, journalism, marketing or a closely related field.
 
Experience:  None.
 
Substitution: None.
 
Certifications/Licensure: None.

Exam/Screening Process 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 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 filed a properly completed application and passed the examination/screening process shall be placed on the eligible list for an employment opportunity as a Communications Associate. This list will be certified to the appointing authority which may use this list to conduct interviews to fill a vacancy. Candidates will remain on the list for three months or until hired, whichever occurs first. A notice will be sent to applicants at the time the eligible list is posted, informing them that the list has been posted and their rank on the list. 

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, marital status, sexual orientation or gender identity, public assistance or national origin.
  
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 Emily.Chmel@ramseycounty.us or by phone at (651) 266-2722.

Ramsey County provides a wide range of employee benefits to support health and well-being, and work/life balance. Benefits eligibility can vary depending on union status/contract language. For general information about Ramsey County's benefits packages, please visit our website at: https://www.ramseycounty.us/jobs/employee-benefits-and-policies.

01
Each applicant must complete this supplemental questionnaire as a part of the application screening process. The supplemental questionnaire will be used as a scored evaluation of your knowledge, skills and experience. Provide complete information for each question. Do not write "see resume" as it is not an acceptable answer. The experiences you indicate in your responses will be reviewed and used to determine your eligibility to move forward in the selection process. Please select "yes" if you have read and understand.
  • Yes
  • No
02
Do you have a Bachelor's Degree or higher in English, visual/graphic design, communications, journalism, marketing or a closely related field?
  • Yes
  • No
03
Please list any degrees you have earned, including the name of the institution that granted the degree, and the major. If you do not have a degree enter "N/A" in the space below.

If you answered "No" please enter "N/A" in the space below.
04
How many years of full-time experience do you have as a paid employee, volunteer or intern, writing newsletters and other communications; updating websites, using social media for business purposes; or other activities related to the production of promotional, communication or marketing pieces?

Note: If your experience is part-time you should adjust the time you are reporting accordingly (2,080 hours is one year of full-time equivalent experience).
  • No experience in this area.
  • Less than one year of experience.
  • More than one year of experience, but less than two years of experience.
  • More than two years, but less than three years of experience.
  • Three or more years of experience.
05
If the communications experience you listed in question #4 was paid, intern, volunteer, or academic work study, please provide the following information in the space below: The name of the educational facility or organization where you gained this experience; your job title; a brief description of your duties; and dates you were there (mo/yr to mo/yr) ; and whether the experience was full or part-time. If the experience was part-time, include the number of hours per week. Also indicate whether this experience was as an intern, a volunteer, paid work study/employee.

Do not write "see resume" or "see application"

If you do not have experience in this area enter "N/A" in the space below.
06
Describe your experience developing and executing communications campaigns, such as outreach for a new product, service or event. Please explain your role in the project from planning to implementation. Include in your answer the name of the employer you worked for and your job title or the educational facility where you gained this experience.

Do not write "see resume" or "see application"

If you do not have experience in this area enter "N/A" in the space below.
07
Describe your professional experience using website content management systems (such as Drupal), email marketing tools (such as GovDelivery or Constant Contact) and social media platforms (such as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube). Include in your answer the specific skills you have and the project you've completed with these tools.

Do not write "see resume" or "see application"

If you do not have experience in this area enter "N/A" in the space below.
08
Describe your experience using Adobe software (Photoshop, Acrobat, InDesign, etc.) to create communications products and provide an example. Include in your answer the name of the employer you worked for and your job title or the educational facility where you gained this experience.

Do not write "see resume" or "see application"

If you do not have experience in this area enter "N/A" in the space below.
09
The work performed by Communications Associates requires developing communications solutions that serve all Ramsey County residents. The most frequently spoken home languages in Ramsey County are English, Hmong, Spanish and Somali. What is your experience in developing communications for a diverse audience? Describe past work, volunteer or life experiences that you believe have made you culturally sensitive to persons of diverse populations (ethnic, religious, economic, etc.).

Do not write "see resume" or "see application"

If you do not have experience in this area enter "N/A" in the space below.
10
Do you have or have you ever held a professional license?
  • Yes
  • No
11
If you answered "Yes" to question #10, please list the type of license(s) and the state or jurisdiction the license is or was held; also indicate the status of your license(s). If this does not apply to you, please write "N/A" in the space provided.

Required Question

Agency
Ramsey County
Address
121 East Seventh Place
Suite 4000
Saint Paul, Minnesota, 55101
Phone
(651) 266-2700