Arlington County Government

Arlington County requires all applicants to thoroughly complete each section of the application, including prior job responsibilities, duties, and supplemental questions. While you may attach a resume, it will not replace a completed application. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Are you a creative and strategic marketing professional who is passionate about using your skills to promote the beauty and benefits of parks and recreation? If so, Arlington’s Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) is seeking a dynamic marketing and communications professional to join our team.

We are seeking an experienced Marketing Specialist to develop and implement marketing strategies and campaigns to promote DPR services, events, programs, and facilities which showcase the great options we offer to our diverse community. DPR manages 149 parks, 56 miles of multi-use trails, and 14 community centers and facilities, providing residents and visitors with numerous opportunities for outdoor recreation, fitness, and social events.

Responsibilities

Specific duties include:

• Analyzing market trends and identifying opportunities to increase community engagement and participation in parks and recreation activities;
• Creating and managing content for print, web, social media, in-person tabling events and other channels to reach targeted audiences;
• Serving as an alternate Department Public Information Officer;
• Developing and maintaining partnerships with community organizations, businesses, local media, and sponsorships that can enhance the Department’s visibility, brand recognition, and initiatives;
• Managing budgets, timelines, vendors, and resources to ensure effective delivery of in-person and digital marketing initiatives;
• Monitoring and reporting on key performance metrics and use data to improve marketing outcomes;
• Producing content for press releases, publications, internal newsletters, news, special feature articles, eNews, web pages, calendar listings, and internal documents such as policies, speeches, and talking points;
• Developing and conducting presentations to groups regarding projects, procedures or general information about departmental programs or initiatives; and
• Performing other job-related duties as assigned.

The Successful Candidate Will Have The Following

• Effective communication skills and ability to respond to media requests or write press releases;
• Time-management skills to balance workloads, meet deadlines and coordinate efforts across a large organization, with the ability to work on projects independently and in a team environment;
• Demonstrated ability developing and designing marketing plans and materials, including for communities who speak languages other than English;
• Demonstrated experience in graphic design; and
• Proven ability to facilitate small and large group conversations with staff and stakeholders who have different experiences, backgrounds, and perspectives.

Qualifications

Minimum:

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, public policy, public administration, education, journalism, public relations, or a related field; and
• Considerable experience in public engagement, marketing, communications, governmental policy, community organizing, journalism, public relations, or public information.

Substitution: Additional qualifying experience can be substituted for the educational requirement. A Master’s degree or higher may be substituted for some of the experience requirement

Desirable: Preference may be given to candidates with a Master’s degree in related field and experience in one or more of the following:

• Managing communications or marketing initiatives;
• Digital marketing and/or graphic design;
• Community engagement for recreation programming, capital planning, design, and/or construction projects; and
• Working in an environment providing services related to parks and recreation, capital improvement projects, urban development, or other government services.

Special Requirements

A complete application will include a resume and work sample. Please attach to your application a resume and an example of a marketing plan, communications project, or presentation you developed.

A pre-employment criminal records check will be conducted. It may include checks of the following: criminal record, driving record, education, professional licensure, and credit history. You may be required to sign a release authorizing the County to obtain your background information.

Additional Information

Work Hours: Monday – Friday, core hours are 9:00am – 5:30pm, with a flexible work schedule and telework opportunities. Occasional evening or weekend work is required for community meetings, engagements, special events, or emergencies requiring communications response.

The official job title is Communications Specialist II.

For more information on Arlington’s generous benefits and retirement plan, click here.

Arlington County is committed to advancing diversity, equity, access, and inclusion across all our services, activities, and programs. Learn more about our commitment.

Your responses to the supplemental questionnaire are considered part of the selection process and required for this position. Please do not give “see resume” as a response to the questions. Incomplete applications may not be considered.