Digital Media Specialist

Salary :

$50,890.48 - $76,259.23 Annually
Location :

Southfield, MI
Job Type:

Career Full-Time
Job Number:

202400320
Department:

Community Relations
Opening Date:

04/10/2026
Closing Date:

5/15/2026 5:00 PM Eastern
Equal Opportunity Language:

This announcement is only a summary of the position, its duties, job requirements and compensation. Further information is available from the Human Resources Department. The City of Southfield does not discriminate in its employment or any other programs or activities on the basis, of sex, race, color, age, height, weight, marital status, national origin, religion, arrest record, physical or mental disability, family status, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other protected category. We provide reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with a disability if requested. AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER M/F/V/H, DRUG FREE WORKPLACE
ADA:

Individuals with special needs who may require assistance with the application process should contact the Human Resources Department at (248) 796-4700 (voice) or via email at hrsupport@cityofsouthfield.com if auxiliary aids or services are needed. Reasonable advance notice is required.

Description

The City of Southfield is seeking a highly creative and strategic Digital Media & Community Engagement Specialist to play a key role in shaping the City's visual storytelling and digital presence. This position supports the City's efforts to inform, engage, and connect with residents through compelling content and consistent, high-quality communications.

This role blends graphic design, multimedia production, public communications, community engagement, and event support. The ideal candidate is a design-forward communicator who thrives in a fast-paced environment and enjoys both creating content and being present in the community, capturing and sharing the City's story.

Representative Job Duties

Design high-impact visual content including graphics, campaigns, presentations, and branded materials
Produce and edit multimedia content (video, photography, motion graphics) for digital platforms
Contribute to the creative development of City campaigns, initiatives, and public awareness efforts
Develop content that informs and actively engages residents, encouraging participation and interaction
Support community engagement efforts by translating City programs and services into accessible, compelling content
Interact with the public through digital platforms to help foster a strong and connected community presence
Maintain and enhance the City's website, ensuring content is engaging, accessible, and up to date
Improve user experience through thoughtful content layout and visual presentation
Manage updates within the City's Content Management System (CMS)
Develop and execute creative social media content across platforms
Create engaging, platform-specific content that drives awareness and interaction
Provide real-time social media coverage of City events, programs, and initiatives
Write and edit press releases, media advisories, feature stories, and public service announcements
Produce high-quality publications including newsletters, speeches, and promotional materials
Ensure all content aligns with AP Style and the City's voice and brand standards
Support planning and promotion of City events through creative campaigns and materials
Attend City events to capture photo/video content and provide live or same-day coverage
Assist in ensuring events are visually cohesive, well-branded, and effectively communicated
Collaborate with departments to translate complex information into clear, visually compelling communications
Support media relations and coordination with local and regional news outlets
Maintain consistency across all City communications and branding
Other duties as assigned
Job Requirements - As Determined By the City Of Southfield

Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Communications, Public Relations, Digital Media, or related field
Two (2) years of experience in graphic design, multimedia content creation, and communications
Strong portfolio demonstrating design, video, and digital storytelling work (required)
Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator; video tools a plus)
Experience with website management and Content Management Systems (CMS)
Strong writing and editing skills (AP Style preferred)
Experience managing social media platforms
Strong visual design and storytelling ability
Confident, articulate communicator (both online and in person)
Ability to balance creativity with community impact
Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple deadlines and priorities
Comfortable attending and working community events, including evenings and weekends as needed

Supplemental Information

The selection process will include:

Application and portfolio review (required)
Criminal background check
Oral board interview
Writing and/or creative assessment

We offer a complete benefits package to career employees including health care, dental, vision, retirement, deferred compensation plans, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, long-term disability, holidays, vacation, and sick leave and more!

City of Southfield Employee Benefits Summary
OVERVIEW
Mandatory Benefits: Medical, Dental and Vision Elections, or Opt Out

Supplemental Benefits: Term Life, Aflac, Met Law, Retirement Savings Account, Tuition Reimbursement, EAP, FMLA, Flexible Spending Account, Residency Bonus

Blended Pension Plan Employees

Defined Benefit SERS

1.5% Multiplier for all years of service

3 Years Final Average Compensation Upon Retirement

10 Years Vesting

5% Employee Contribution

Defined Contribution 401a MissionSquare

3% 401 a City Contribution

3% 401 a Employee Contribution (minimum)

5 Year Vesting Schedule
Retirement Health Savings

Effective July 1, 2020 Tier III and IV employees shall contribute 2% of pensionable wages and the City will contribute $100 per month.

https://www.healthcare.gov/

5 years of years of service: 50% vested

6 years of service: 75% vested

7 years of service: 100% vested

Participation in the RHS begins on the first day of employment and end on the day of separation.

Life Insurance MetLife

The city provides term life insurance benefits with accidental death and dismemberment for qualified employees as soon as possible, through the proper insurance carrier in accordance with the following schedule:

AFSCME 329 : 0-30 months employment $30,000 life and ADD, after 30 months of employment $50,000 term life, accidental death and dismemberment coverage.

ACS TPOAM PST AFSCME 3636:

$50,000 Term life and $50,000 ADD Insurance

Medical Elections

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (2025)

Community Blue PPO 10

Community Blue PPO 12

Community Blue PPO 15

HAP HMO
Dental - Blue Cross Blue Shield
Vision - Blue Cross Blue Shield
Health insurance 1st day of the next month of hire date.

Employee has 30 Days to select benefits, otherwise will wait until open enrollment.
COBRA coverage through TASC - in the event of separation- you are entitled to continuation medical coverage up to 18 months.

Retirement Savings Account

Supplemental

MissionSquare 457b

or

T. Rowe Price 457b

Retirement savings account with no employer contribution. Funds, added to a 457 can be pre-tax or post-tax.

Pre Tax funds lower taxable income in bi-weekly paycheck; however, taxes may have to be paid upon the distribution of funds in retirement.

Post-tax deferrals are taken from already taxed funds in your paycheck, which means that little to no taxes will be taken upon distribution in retirement. Loans are available.

Supplemental

Tuition Reimbursement

75% reimbursement for tuition and fees (excluding late fees) for city-related classes or degree programs with a grade of "B" or better, up to $2,500 annually, plus 75% for required books.
Residency Bonus

Annual residency bonus of 1.5% of annual salary by Jan 1st with proof of residency. Elected officials and contractual employees ineligible.

Fire and Police Excluded

Supplemental

MetLife

Voluntary Term Life and ADD

Additional life Insurance can be purchased for employees and dependents at an additional cost for the employee.

AFLAC

Short term disability, cancer, accident and hospitalization insurance. Dennis Patton dennis_patton@us.aflac.com.

Supplemental

EAP Ulliance

Employee Assistance Program through Ulliance- six free counseling sessions, legal, finance and life coaching programs. Supervisors are not notified if employee uses services.
FMLA

Family Medical Leave Act worked up to 1250 hours or one year. Can take off time to care for a medical emergency for themselves or immediate family members for up to 12 weeks unpaid. Absences approved by BASIC or FMLA vendor.
Supplemental

FSA & Dependent Care

Flexible Spending Accounts and Dependent care through TASC are pre-tax funds that are used to cover certain out-of-pocket medical expenses and childcare costs. A total dollar amount is elected, and a debit card is sent to you to pay for incurred expenses.

Pre-tax funds are deducted bi-weekly to cover the cost of the total amount you have elected. There is an annual election limit of $3,300 for 2025.

Renew Annually, it's not automatic.

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