Graphic Designer

Graphic Designer

Salary
$40,897.00 - $47,713.00 Annually

Description
The Graphic Designer is a member of the Communications and Public Relations Department and plays a key role in creating visual content that supports the college’s mission. This position is responsible for designing and producing a wide range of print and digital graphics and materials including multi-page publications, promotional and informational pieces and high-quality logos/graphics for both external and internal platforms. The Graphic Designer also manages the college Print Shop, overseeing print requests to ensure timely delivery of promotional, instructional and other materials as needed and excellent customer service to all stakeholders.Working closely with the Executive Director, the Branding & Marketing Director and the Communications and the Public Relations team, the Graphic Designer helps develop campaign themes and advertising concepts. The role also contributes to maintaining and strengthening the college brand, including creating or refining branding guidelines as needed. In addition, the Graphic Designer collaborates with other college departments and divisions to ensure that all official publications meet established standards and align with branding and graphics guidelines, while providing design and print support for a variety of college needs.

Examples of Duties
Essential and other responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Essential Functions:

Maintain design and quality control for all publications that represent the college to all stakeholders and the public
Collaborate with the Executive Director, the Communications and Public Relations team and other internal departments to develop ideas and concepts for new campaigns and/or new marketing materials for a variety of programs, initiatives and other projects
In collaboration with the Communication and Public Relations team, the Graphic Designer will help ensure all department products and projects reflect a consistent brand and follow established guidelines including copyright laws and ADA compliance
Coordinate college printing from concept, to binding and distribution
Produce customized graphics, including but not limited to logos, infographics, illustrations, and vector files
Create both print and digital materials, including but not limited to digital advertising, billboards, large format banners, vehicle/structure wraps, brochures, posters, cards, invitations, banners, and digital graphics for web and social media
Use Mac platform and design software such as Adobe Creative Cloud, Photoshop, Illustrator, In Design and Quark to create flyers, brochures, posters, cards, invitations, banners, annual and other College reports, and newsletters
Coordinate with the Printer to maintain printing and publicity requests for recruiting, marketing, instruction or other projects as needed
Coordinate with the Printer to plan, organize and implement procedures required to effectively operate the Print Shop and maintain a high level of customer satisfaction and efficiency
Work to carry out strategic plan initiatives
Prepare and present reports and other correspondence as appropriate and necessary to the Executive Director or other college administrators
Ensure proper storage and back-up of design files
Marginal Functions:

Recommend new systems and software to improve production quality
Research and recommend quality print vendors for any outsourced products
Work with the Executive Director and Director, Branding and Marketing to research and recommend selection of equipment, software and processes; oversee contracts and communicate with contracted vendors/company representatives as needed.
Coordinate with the Printer to maintain regular inventory of all print/graphics supplies.
Attend college events and participate on college committees, professional groups or project teams as needed or assigned
Improve self and department through continuous learning and operation excellence; engage in continuous improvement of processes; stay abreast of new trends and innovations in the fields of graphic design, printing, promotion, marketing and communications. 
Promote and support the college’s mission, vision, and values
Perform other tasks as assigned
This position description covers the most essential functions and duties associated with this position. The President or appropriate supervisory personnel may assign additional duties. The College reserves the right to alter duties, responsibilities, conditions, working hours, and job title with or without notice.
Qualifications and Working Conditions
Knowledge of:

Advanced principles of advertising, marketing, communications and public relations
Advanced principles of graphic design and desktop publishing
Adobe software suite including Photo Shop, In Design, Illustrator, Quark and other graphic design software
Printing and finishing operations and functions of a high-production print shop
Principles and practices of inventory and cost control
English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation and excellent written and oral communication skills
Excellent customer service skills
Accessibility and ADA Compliance standards for digital publications

Ability to:

Operate a variety of publication and graphics equipment including digital printer/copiers, digital color printer/copiers, large format printer, paper cutter, paper drill, booklet maker and other printing equipment.
Maintain a detail-oriented approach with a focus on quality assurance for all projects
Work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders in a large institutional environment
Demonstrate excellent, clear, and concise written and oral communication skills
Prepare and maintain digital files and archives
Understand and follow oral and written directions
Self-start and self-direct to work independently in the absence of supervision
Operate in a multi-task, fast-paced work environment
Handle quick turnaround times and meet deadlines
Interpret and apply Federal, State and local policies, laws and regulations as needed
Deliver exceptional customer service; respond tactfully and courteously to stakeholders
Learn new technologies and systems and train others as needed
Adapt to changing processes and procedures, especially those involving the use of technology
Read and interpret campus-wide policies and procedures
Prepare clear and concise reports
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work including college officials, community groups and the general public
Troubleshoot printer equipment problems, as necessary

Environmental Conditions:

The employee should have the ability to effectively handle a work environment and conditions which involve an office and classroom workspace and working closely with others.  The employee should also be able to work around large equipment, handle various levels of noise associated with running equipment, and know how to properly handle, store and use a variety of chemicals used in printing and production processes.

The employee must sustain the work environments by maintaining equipment and supplies, ensuring overall cleanliness, functionality, and conformance to OSHA standards to provide a safe work environment.

Physical Conditions:

Physical and marginal functions require the ability to maintain physical condition appropriate to the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities, which may include the following: standing, walking or sitting for extended periods, moderate lifting and carrying, general manual dexterity, operating assigned equipment, and extended exposure to computer screens.

The employee must maintain effective audio-visual discrimination and perception needed for making observations, reading and writing, operating assigned equipment, communicating with others, and handling varied tasks simultaneously.

Additionally, the employee must maintain mental capacity, which permits making sound decisions and using good judgment, and demonstrating intellectual capabilities.

Scheduling Conditions:

This is a full-time, 12-month position, which requires the employee to be on campus or at an approved alternate location for at least thirty-six hours per week, Monday through Thursday, 8: 00am-5: 00pm, and Friday, 8: 00am-12: 00pm. This position generally works daytime hours but has the potential for occasional evening or weekend hours.

Traveling Conditions:

Local travel between the Caldwell campus, Watauga campus, or any off-campus sites may be needed. Out-of-state travel is limited but may be required for training and conferences.

Experience and Training
Experience:
Three years of full-time increasingly responsible experience in graphic design, marketing, advertising; and/or project management is required. Five years’ full-time experience preferred.

Training:
An associate degree from accredited college or university with major course work in graphics or commercial design or other related field. Bachelor's degree preferred.

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