Creative Content Specialist

Explore a rewarding career with the City of Lancaster, Pennsylvania! Spanning just 7 square miles in south Central Pennsylvania, the City of Lancaster is home to nearly 60,000 diverse residents. The City oversees a range of public services including fire and police, health, housing, parks, streets, as well as water and wastewater for upwards of 120,000 customers in the surrounding region. This work is powered by nearly 600 employees who are committed to the core values of quality, teamwork, integrity, and respect. https://jobs.cityoflancasterpa.gov/

Mayor Arroyo’s Strategic Priorities 

• An Economy That Works - Driving equitable growth, empowering small businesses, and creating opportunities that strengthen our community. 

• Government That Delivers - Leading with integrity, accountability, and action to meet the needs of every resident and build trust in our city’s future. 

• A City Built for Everyone - Ensuring safe streets, quality housing, and a community where every person has the tools they need to succeed. 

Our Core Values: Quality. Teamwork. Integrity. Respect. 

The Creative Content Specialist serves as a member of the City’s Communications Team, producing clear, engaging, and accessible communications that help residents and customers connect with City programs, services, events, and initiatives. 

This role is focused on design production and creative execution across print, digital, environmental, and social media platforms. The Creative Content Specialist transforms approved messaging and project needs into visually compelling public-facing materials while maintaining consistency with the City’s brand identity and accessibility standards. 

The position works collaboratively with the City’s Communications Managers and City departments to deliver high-quality creative work in a fast-paced public service environment.

General

• Maintain consistency with the City’s visual identity, typography standards, and accessibility requirements.
• Support the creation of accessible documents that meet ADA and WCAG standards.
• Collaborate with communications staff, project leads, and departmental stakeholders to manage project timelines and creative deliverables.
• Maintain organized archives of design files, templates, photography, and digital assets.
• Support the Communications Managers and other City staff by participating in brainstorming and creative development sessions.
• Stay informed on current design trends, production tools, and public-sector communication best practices.

• Design and produce creative assets for print and digital distribution, including but not limited to flyers and posters, public education materials, reports and presentations, banners and signage, advertisements, forms, and other methods of conveying information.
• Adapt and resize artwork across multiple formats, platforms, and languages.
• Prepare press-ready files and coordinate with print vendors and production partners.
• Develop templates and reusable design systems for departmental use.
• Assist with photography, image editing, and visual asset management.

• Help maintain various City websites, including adding and updating content.
• Routinely review content for accuracy, relevancy, and accessibility.

• Support Emergency Management operations, which may include reporting to an Emergency Operations Center if directed.
• Act as backup media contact for Communications Managers.
• Act as primary media contact on evenings/weekends as part of an on-call rotation.

Education, Training and Experience
Minimum Qualifications

• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, or related field.
• Two (2) years of professional graphic design or production experience.
• Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Office.
• Demonstrated proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite. 

• Experience with WordPress or other web content management systems.
• Experience in government, nonprofit, agency, or mission-driven creative environments.
• Experience creating multilingual or accessibility-compliant materials.
• Photography, motion graphics, or video editing experience.

• Possession of a valid Pennsylvania State Driver’s License is required.

• Strong understanding of typography, layout, hierarchy, color, and composition.
• Excellent production design and file-preparation skills.
• Ability to work within established brand systems while contributing fresh creative ideas.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and shifting deadlines in a fast-paced environment. 
• Understanding of accessibility practices in both digital and physical realms.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to communicate effectively with both creative and non-creative staff.
• Understanding of accessible and inclusive design principles.
• Ability to produce creative work that is welcoming, community-oriented, and easy to understand.
• Proven ability to read, write, speak, and comprehend English is required. 
• Proven ability to work as part of a team and collaborate successfully with others is required. 
• Proven ability to adapt to new or changed situations and show flexibility in making improvements in work processes and operations is required.
• Proven ability to exhibit customer-centered behaviors and focus on customer needs is required.
• Proven ability to commit to excellence in service and continuous improvement is required.

• Occasionally travels to City facilities, outdoor locations, community events, or other work sites as required by project needs. 
• Occasionally works evenings and/or weekends based on departmental needs or on-call responsibilities.
• Works in a collaborative office environment supporting a broad range of creative and production needs across City operations. 
• Performs both independent project work and collaborative creative development with City staff, community partners, and external vendors.

• None

• The ideal candidate is a highly organized and versatile designer with a passion for public service and who thrives in a collaborative production environment. 
• The ideal candidate has a key understanding that good civic design shows respect for our community, builds trust in local government, and helps residents easily identify and engage with the programs and resources the City provides.
• This description was prepared to indicate the kinds of activities and levels of work difficulty required of positions in this class. It is not intended as a complete list of specific duties and responsibilities

Applicants must possess valid employment authorization to work in the United States. Applicants must have the ability to work on-site at City of Lancaster, Pennsylvania locations.

Employment Policy
It is the policy of the City of Lancaster to provide fair and equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment. Applicants are recruited, selected and hired on the basis of individual merit and ability and without discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, age, handicap, disability, veteran status or national origin.

Accommodations Statement for Job Applications
The City of Lancaster is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in the application or interview process, please contact CityHR@cityoflancasterpa.gov to request a needed accommodation.