Marketing Specialist

Salary: $41,411.00 Annually
Location : Suffolk, VA
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 03906
Department: Parks & Recreation
Opening Date: 05/20/2025
Closing Date: 6/3/:59 PM Eastern

Description
Portfolio's are welcome to attach, but not required

Under general supervision, performs responsible work planning, developing, and implementing marketing strategies to promote department and special events. Participates in various stages of developing marketing programs and advertising materials to promote programs and special events for the City of Suffolk. Work involves preparation of news releases and other promotional literature or electronic medial materials; responding to media and public inquiries in accordance with State open records laws; assists City administration and departments in various promotional activities and special events Responsibilities include interfacing with external and in-house resources to coordinate and provide logistical and administrative support for various marketing activities, and assisting with key projects. Assists with processing Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests. Employee must exercise initiative and independent judgment in all phases of the work. Employee must also exercise considerable tact and courtesy in frequent contact with media representatives, City officials, and the public.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions herein described. Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were actually written out in this job description.
Essential Job Functions

• Plans, develops, and implements strategic design of marketing initiatives in assigned areas, such as promotional events, publications, publicity, marketing research, and advertising campaigns; researches relevant issues; solicits input from appropriate sources
• Develop and execute a cohesive storytelling strategy aligned with our brand objectives and target audience.
• Develop strategies for distributing storytelling content effectively across relevant channels to maximize reach and impact.
• Ensure consistency and coherence in brand messaging across all marketing materials and touchpoints.
• Plans and coordinates preparation of various publications including seasonal and special brochures, flyers, and posters.
• Conducts research to understand our target audience's needs, preferences, and pain points, and incorporates insights into storytelling efforts.
• Develops and recommends policies and procedures for defining and tracking established and potential markets; coordinates development and administration of data tracking systems.
• Monitor and analyze the performance of storytelling initiatives, leveraging data and insights to optimize content strategy and campaign effectiveness
• Responsible for the development and distribution of publications, flyers and other literature.
• Assists City officials in preparing flyers and information sheets for special and community meetings; compiles, prepares and copies a variety of data and information for ad agencies, video presentations, and brochures; prepares reports.
• Prepares and delivers effective oral presentations. Composes speeches and other presentation materials as directed.
• Develops short- and long-term social media campaigns utilizing Facebook, Instagram. Evaluates success of social media campaigns utilizing system metrics. Monitors consumer interaction with those accounts; addresses issues and routes concerns to the appropriate Department staff.
• Familiar with video production equipment, to include cameras, editing software, Canva, InDesign, etc.
• Performs related work as required.

Required Qualifications

Associate's degree in marketing or a related field, and one (1) year of experience in marketing, public information, or public relations; or any equivalent combination of training and experience that provides the required skills, knowledge and abilities. Requires a valid driver's license.
Supplemental Information

• Knowledge of use of the English language with proper structure, grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
• Knowledge of the principles, methods, and techniques of composition.
• Knowledge of State public information laws.Has considerable knowledge of the policies, practices, methods, objectives and goals of the City.
• Knowledge of the requirements, policies, and procedures of various media outlets necessary for promotional activities.
• Knowledge of the methods and procedures of the advertising industry.
• Knowledge of the current literature, trends, and developments in the marketing field.
• Skill in written composition.
• Ability to use popular computer-driven word processing, spreadsheet, file maintenance programs.
• Ability to develop and maintain high visibility and good relations with department personnel, City officials, employees, media representative and community groups.
• Ability to conceive, organize and implement programs to promote the City and its programs and activities.
• Ability to exercise initiative and independent judgment in a variety of work situations.
• Ability to research various topics and compile facts and data accurately.Is able to make oral presentations before large groups of people.
• Ability to establish and maintain working relationships as necessitated by work assignments.
• Ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable, functional, structural, or compositional characteristics (whether similar to or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people or things.
• Ability of speaking and/or signaling people to convey or exchange information.Includes receiving assignments and/or directions from supervisors.
• Ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures, to follow oral and written instructions.Must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently in a variety of technical or professional languages including legal and municipal terminology.
• Ability to utilize mathematical formulas; to add and subtract; multiply and divide; utilize decimals and percentages.
• Ability to inspect items for proper length, width and shape.
• Ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions. Must be adaptable to performing under stress and when confronted with (persons acting under stress) (emergency situations).

Seasonal Employees- No Benefits
Part-time Employees - Sick Leave (See below)
Full Time Employees are eligible for the following benefits;

Retirement (Virginia Retirement System employer) for employees hired on or after 1/1/14 - Hybrid Members
Hybrid plan members contribute 4 percent of creditable compensation to the defined benefit plan and 1 percent to the defined contribution plan each month. Members may voluntarily contribute up to an additional 4 percent in 0.5 percent increments to the defined contribution plan each month. Members can increase or decrease their voluntary contributions on a quarterly basis. With the mandatory and voluntary contributions to the defined contribution component of the plan, members can contribute a maximum of 5 percent with a 3.5 percent match from the employer. Members invest in various investment options that best fit their needs.
Vested after 5 years in the defined benefit part of the plan. Vested in phases based on years in the Defined Contribution part of the Plan. The retirement eligibility for a full or reduced retirement pension in the Hybrid Plan is very detailed. Please contact the Virginia Retirement System or the Human Resources Department for details.

Paid Time Off (PTO)Yearly earnings
120 Hours (1-59 months), 144 Hours (60-119 months), 168 Hours (120- 179 months), 192 Hours (180 and over)
Sick Leave
Part Time employees earn 4 hours per month Sick leave accrues at the end of the month and may be accrued with no ceiling.

Personal Leave
All regular full time employees are granted 24 hours of personal leave each calendar year. Personal leave must be preapproved and is not cumulative.
Health Insurance
Coverage available for you and your eligible dependents using pre-tax payroll deductions if elected.
Supplemental Insurances
Employees may purchase the following supplemental insurance policies: short term and long term disability, cancer, accident, supplemental hospitalization, and group universal life insurance.
Employer Sponsored Short Term and Long Term Disability
Provides disability coverage for employees work and non-work related disabilities. Work related disabilities are covered starting on day one (1). Non work related disabilities are covered starting on day eight (8), after you have been employed for one year.
Flexible Spending Accounts
Employees may participate in the Health Reimbursement, Dependent Care Reimbursement and Premium Reimbursement Accounts. All deductions are made on a pre-tax basis and will reduce your taxable income.
Life Insurance . click apply for full job details