City of Gaithersburg
Graphic Design Specialist Job at City of Gaithersburg in Gaithersburg
City of Gaithersburg, Gaithersburg, MD, US, 20883
Salary: Depends on Qualifications
Location : Gaithersburg, MD
Job Type: Full-Time
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: FY2026-01038
Department: Communication & Public Engagement
Division: Communication & Public Engagement (1212)
Opening Date: 09/10/2025
Closing Date: Continuous
FLSA: Exempt
Description
The is seeking a creative Graphic Design Specialist experienced in both print and digital media to support City-wide communication efforts and marketing programs for internal and external projects by designing, creating, and maintaining a wide variety of graphic art and visual materials for use in print and digital media that effectively communicate the City's mission, values, services, and other information.
The successful candidate will design and create communications collateral (print and digital) consistent with the City's values and brand and collaborate closely with City staff on communications and marketing projects. Requires advanced technical ability and creativity, attention to detail, and a strong eye for visual composition; excellent communication (verbal and written), collaboration, organizational, time/resource management, and customer service skills; the ability to provide creative input as well as take creative direction and constructive feedback; and the ability to deliver creative and imaginative ideas while handling multiple priorities and meeting firm deadlines with minimal direction.
Please Note: To be considered, you must attach a portfolio of your recent work, or provide a website link to your portfolio in your response to Supplemental Question #5.
Starting salary for this position is negotiable within the anticipated target hiring range ($70,000 - $82,000) and will be offered at a level consistent with the relevant experience and qualifications of the candidate. The City provides comprehensive insurance benefits (medical, dental, vision, long-term care, life), paid time off, generous retirement contributions, health and wellness programs, tools to assist with paying down student loan debt and managing student loans, training and professional growth and development opportunities, and excellent work/life balance.
Job Functions
What you will do with us:
Qualifications
What you will need to be considered:
Interested applicants must submit the following to be considered:
Review of applications will begin immediately, so prompt application is strongly encouraged. The position will remain open until filled; recruitment will close without notice when a sufficient number of qualified applications are received or all hiring decisions have been made.
This is a full-time salaried "exempt" position requiring a minimum of 40 hours per week (not eligible for overtime compensation under the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and the City's personnel regulations). The position can accommodate some remote work (at the discretion of the Department Director). Direct deposit of paychecks is a condition of employment for all City of Gaithersburg employees.
The successful candidate will be subject to a pre-employment background investigation. The City has established an alcohol-free, drug-free, and smoke-free workplace which applies to any person employed by, conducting business with, or applying for a position with the City. Each employee as a condition of their employment, may be required to participate in pre-employment and reasonable suspicion testing. Employees classified as safety sensitive are also subject to immediate post-accident and random testing.
For more information about the position, please contact Director of Communication & Public Engagement Courtney Davis at or 240.805.1126. Questions regarding the online application process may be directed to the Department of Human Resources at or 301.258.6327.
This recruitment will establish an eligibility list which will be used to fill the current vacancy and may be used to fill other openings in this classification which occur in the next 12 months.
The City of Gaithersburg offers its full-time employees a broad range of benefits to enhance their personal and professional lives. Employees are eligible on their first day of employment (unless otherwise specified). We provide employees with competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and an environment that supports a healthy work/life balance.
HEALTH BENEFITS
(pdf)
01
Each applicant must complete this supplemental questionnaire as part of the application screening and selection process. The information you provide will be reviewed and may be used to determine your eligibility to move forward in the selection process. Incomplete responses, false statements, omissions, or partial information ("see resume" is not acceptable) may result in disqualification from the selection process. Do you agree to answer each supplemental question truthfully and certify that your responses can be verified from information included within your application?
02
Do you have at least 3 years of professional experience in graphics or design?
03
Which of the following best describes your overall proficiency level in the Adobe Creative Cloud Suite (Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop)?
04
Which of the following best describes your overall proficiency level in Microsoft Office?
05
Please include a link to an online portfolio, if available (or you may submit a portfolio of your recent work by attaching it to your online application; if you are attaching your portfolio, please indicate "Portfolio attached").
06
How did you first learn about this employment opportunity?
Required Question
Location : Gaithersburg, MD
Job Type: Full-Time
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: FY2026-01038
Department: Communication & Public Engagement
Division: Communication & Public Engagement (1212)
Opening Date: 09/10/2025
Closing Date: Continuous
FLSA: Exempt
Description
The is seeking a creative Graphic Design Specialist experienced in both print and digital media to support City-wide communication efforts and marketing programs for internal and external projects by designing, creating, and maintaining a wide variety of graphic art and visual materials for use in print and digital media that effectively communicate the City's mission, values, services, and other information.
The successful candidate will design and create communications collateral (print and digital) consistent with the City's values and brand and collaborate closely with City staff on communications and marketing projects. Requires advanced technical ability and creativity, attention to detail, and a strong eye for visual composition; excellent communication (verbal and written), collaboration, organizational, time/resource management, and customer service skills; the ability to provide creative input as well as take creative direction and constructive feedback; and the ability to deliver creative and imaginative ideas while handling multiple priorities and meeting firm deadlines with minimal direction.
Please Note: To be considered, you must attach a portfolio of your recent work, or provide a website link to your portfolio in your response to Supplemental Question #5.
Starting salary for this position is negotiable within the anticipated target hiring range ($70,000 - $82,000) and will be offered at a level consistent with the relevant experience and qualifications of the candidate. The City provides comprehensive insurance benefits (medical, dental, vision, long-term care, life), paid time off, generous retirement contributions, health and wellness programs, tools to assist with paying down student loan debt and managing student loans, training and professional growth and development opportunities, and excellent work/life balance.
Job Functions
What you will do with us:
- Design and create communications collateral (print and digital) consistent with the City's values and brand, including but not limited to, signs, guides and directories, documents, business cards, stationery, logos, forms, reports, programs, manuals, brochures, fliers, newsletters, novelty items, advertisements, infographics, animated graphics, and other materials.
- Consult with staff on communications and marketing projects and other needs; work collaboratively with publication authors or contributors to define project requirements; provide advice on best processes and procedures to realize the optimal final product; ensure collateral is compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
- Plan and format projects for final print and digital output; prepare, edit, and proofread text.
- Consult with supervisor and/or internal clients to provide graphics for individual projects or requests.
- Prepare charts, graphics, slide presentations, and other visual aids.
- Recommend new equipment and software to keep up with changing technology.
- Provide cross-training on digital signage, video bulletin board, and website maintenance to contribute and provide assistance with Department functions and initiatives as needed.
- Provide outstanding service, pursue continuous improvement, and exceed expectations.
Qualifications
What you will need to be considered:
- Relevant Bachelor's Degree.
- At least 3 years of related graphics or design experience.
- Demonstrated advanced proficiency with Adobe Creative Cloud Suite, including Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop, and the Microsoft Office Suite.
- Excellent interpersonal, marketing, communication (verbal and written), and customer service skills.
- Demonstrated ability to design, develop, and prepare accurate and visually appealing materials from notes, sketches, research, and verbal or written direction.
- Extremely organized, with strong project and time/resource management skills, and the ability to meet deadlines and shift gears seamlessly when priorities change.
- Excellent command of the English language including grammar, spelling, and punctuation; attentive to detail, with excellent proofreading and editing skills.
- Solid understanding of marketing, production, website design, product packaging, advertisement, and multimedia design.
- Submission of work portfolio (either by attachment to the application or by link provided in your response to Supplemental Question #5) required.
- Or any acceptable equivalent combination of education, experience, and training that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to satisfactorily perform job duties.
Interested applicants must submit the following to be considered:
- A complete online application (supporting materials will not be accepted in lieu of a completed online application)
- Current Resume (attached to the online application)
- Letter of Interest (attached to the online application) - include why you are interested in this position and highlight the special skills and abilities that make you uniquely qualified to serve in this position
- Portfolio of recent work (by attachment or website link)
Review of applications will begin immediately, so prompt application is strongly encouraged. The position will remain open until filled; recruitment will close without notice when a sufficient number of qualified applications are received or all hiring decisions have been made.
This is a full-time salaried "exempt" position requiring a minimum of 40 hours per week (not eligible for overtime compensation under the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and the City's personnel regulations). The position can accommodate some remote work (at the discretion of the Department Director). Direct deposit of paychecks is a condition of employment for all City of Gaithersburg employees.
The successful candidate will be subject to a pre-employment background investigation. The City has established an alcohol-free, drug-free, and smoke-free workplace which applies to any person employed by, conducting business with, or applying for a position with the City. Each employee as a condition of their employment, may be required to participate in pre-employment and reasonable suspicion testing. Employees classified as safety sensitive are also subject to immediate post-accident and random testing.
For more information about the position, please contact Director of Communication & Public Engagement Courtney Davis at or 240.805.1126. Questions regarding the online application process may be directed to the Department of Human Resources at or 301.258.6327.
This recruitment will establish an eligibility list which will be used to fill the current vacancy and may be used to fill other openings in this classification which occur in the next 12 months.
The City of Gaithersburg offers its full-time employees a broad range of benefits to enhance their personal and professional lives. Employees are eligible on their first day of employment (unless otherwise specified). We provide employees with competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and an environment that supports a healthy work/life balance.
HEALTH BENEFITS
- Medical, Dental & Vision Coverage - employer pays 85% of premium in each tier
- Multi-tiered coverage options (single, single + spouse, single + child, single + children, family)
- Retirement Health Savings contribution (for non-participants in medical or dental plans)
- CIGNA HealthCare Open Access Plan
- Prescription Drug Plan
- Wellness Initiatives
- Sun Life Indemnity Plan
- Use a dentist of choice or participating dentist for increased savings
- Basic or Enhanced Plans offered
- National Vision Administrators
- Use a provider of choice or participating provider for increased savings
- Eligible for immediate enrollment in all plans upon hire
- 401A - Employer contribution equivalent to 8% of employee's annual base salary; fully vested after 5 years
- 401K - Employer 3% matching contribution on the first 5% of employee's annual base salary contributed by the employee; fully vested after 5 years
- 401A Supplemental - Additional 5% employer contribution to eligible employees in the Public Works and Police Departments who have physically demanding jobs on a consistent basis; fully vested after 10 years
- 457-deferred compensation plan and Roth IRA (employee contributions only)
- Vacation (12 - 24 days accrued annually; accrual rate based on years of service)
- Sick Leave (13 days accrued annually; unlimited accrual)
- Personal Leave (28 hours granted annually)
- Family Care Leave (up to 8 weeks in rolling 12-month period for eligible employees) to care for newborn/newly adopted/newly placed child or family member
- Holidays (11 holidays observed each year)
- Volunteer Service (12 hours granted annually)
- Jury duty, bereavement leave, military leave (as needed)
- Long-Term Care Insurance (employer paid for base plan coverage); buy-up and spouse coverage available (employee paid)
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- Tools to assist with paying down student loan debt and managing student loans
- Employer paid Basic Life and AD&D Insurance
- Long-Term Disability & Workers' Compensation Insurance
- Multilingual Stipend ($2,080 per year for eligible employees, paid biweekly)
- Language Learning Program (through Babbel)
- Housing Stipend (Up to $3,600 per year for eligible employees)
- Tuition Assistance (Up to $5,250 per year eligible after 1 year of service)
- Healthy Lifestyle Incentives
- Employee Assistance Program
- First-Time Homebuyer Assistance
- Ongoing Training/Personal Development Programs
- Credit Union
- Recreation & Leisure Opportunities & Discounts
- Direct Deposit (required)
(pdf)
01
Each applicant must complete this supplemental questionnaire as part of the application screening and selection process. The information you provide will be reviewed and may be used to determine your eligibility to move forward in the selection process. Incomplete responses, false statements, omissions, or partial information ("see resume" is not acceptable) may result in disqualification from the selection process. Do you agree to answer each supplemental question truthfully and certify that your responses can be verified from information included within your application?
- Yes
- No
02
Do you have at least 3 years of professional experience in graphics or design?
- Yes
- No
03
Which of the following best describes your overall proficiency level in the Adobe Creative Cloud Suite (Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop)?
- None
- Beginner (Limited experience with these applications; may require additional instruction to perform some tasks effectively)
- Intermediate (Sufficient experience with these applications; can perform most tasks effectively without further instruction)
- Advanced (Extensive experience with these applications; can perform difficult or complicated tasks effectively and provide instruction on these applications to others)
04
Which of the following best describes your overall proficiency level in Microsoft Office?
- None
- Beginner (Limited experience with these applications; may require additional instruction to perform some tasks effectively)
- Intermediate (Sufficient experience with these applications; can perform most tasks effectively without further instruction)
- Advanced (Extensive experience with these applications; can perform difficult or complicated tasks effectively and provide instruction on these applications to others)
05
Please include a link to an online portfolio, if available (or you may submit a portfolio of your recent work by attaching it to your online application; if you are attaching your portfolio, please indicate "Portfolio attached").
06
How did you first learn about this employment opportunity?
- City of Gaithersburg Website
- Job Interest Card Notification
- Indeed
- GovernmentJobs.com
- Other Website
- Social Media
- Friend or Relative
- I am a current City of Gaithersburg employee
- Other
Required Question