Graphic Designer

Introduction

THIS IS A NEW ASSEMBLED EXAMINATION. The eligible list resulting from this examination will cancel any existing list and may last approximately one year, but can be extended.

Supplemental Questionnaire and Portfolio: A properly completed Supplemental Questionnaire and a portfolio must be submitted with each application. Details of the portfolio submission are included in question number 6 of the Supplemental Questionnaire. Failure to submit the Application, Supplemental Questionnaire or Portfolio by the last day for filing will result in disqualification.

Applications must be in the possession of the Human Resource Services Department by 5:00:00 p.m. on the Last Day for Filing.

Applications and Supplemental Questionnaires for this recruitment will only be accepted online.

DESCRIPTION

The Alameda County Social Services Agency (SSA) is comprised of 2,400 men and women working collectively and in partnership with community-based organizations to serve the needs of the community. Services are provided through four departments: Administration and Finance, Adult and Aging Services, Children and Family Services, and Workforce and Benefits Administration. To learn more about the Alameda County Social Services Agency, please visit the website at https://www.alamedasocialservices.org/.

Under general supervision, produces and coordinates promotional, informational and educational materials; incorporates graphic design, writing and photography as needed to achieve desired objectives; coordinates the production of print and digital media, advertisements, newsletters, and other promotional materials including but not limited to displays, exhibits and multimedia presentations; and performs related duties as assigned.

The Graphic Designer classification is located in multiple Alameda County operating departments. This classification is expected to have broad in-depth working knowledge of graphic art concepts, techniques, and processes including aesthetic design concepts, layout principles and advanced file preparation and output. Employees in this role utilize a range of communication, creative, project management, and teamwork skills to design effective marketing tools that enhance the visibility of specialized programs and/or increase public interest and audience participation. In addition, employees coordinate the design and production of graphic projects, ensuring that all visual communications are consistent, credible, and professional thereby enhancing the professional image and overall branding of Agency/Department and its services.

This is a countywide class but we are currently recruiting for a vacancy in the Social Services Agency. However, the eligible list resulting from this recruitment may be used by any County department or agency needing to fill a vacancy.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

EITHER I

Education:

Possession of an associate’s degree in graphic design, communications design, visual communications, interaction design, advertising design, multimedia design, or a closely related field.

AND

Experience:

Two (2) years of full-time experience working in graphic design and digital arts.

NOTE: The Civil Service Commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

The most suitably qualified candidates will possess the following competencies:

Knowledge of:

• Methods, principles, tools, and materials of graphic art design and print and digital media production.
• Wide range of media, computer operating systems, and various software programs.
• Principles and practices of marketing and promotion.
• Advanced graphics-related computer programs, software, and applications, including proficiency in Adobe Design Suite, MS Office, and web-related applications.
• Video editing software programs.
• Principles and methods of project management and digital file management.
• Cost estimating for printing and reproduction services.

Ability to:

• Design and produce high quality graphic design materials and digital content for website, social media, and video.
• Work independently, set priorities, and adhere to established production schedules.
• Coordinate multiple projects with departments and contract staff while meeting critical deadlines.
• Write and edit copy for graphic materials, presentations, and exhibits.
• Work well under pressure and quickly make responsible decisions; identify and resolve problems quickly.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships and work collaboratively with a team of department staff and vendors.
• Prepare cost estimate specifications for outside vendors.
• Communicate effectively in both oral and written form.
• Assess and assist in the selection of qualified vendors.
• Employ and keep abreast of developments in information technology and trends, particularly design programs and hardware.

EXAMINATION COMPONENTS

THE EXAMINATION WILL CONSIST OF THE FOLLOWING STEPS:

1) A review of candidates’ applications to verify possession of minimum requirements. Those candidates who possess the minimum requirements for the class will move on to the next step in the examination process.

2) A review of candidates’ Supplemental Questionnaires and portfolios to select the best qualified applicants to continue in the process.

3) An oral interview which will be weighted as 100% of the candidate’s final examination score. The oral interview may contain situational exercises.

CANDIDATES MUST ATTAIN A QUALIFYING RATING ON EACH PORTION OF THIS EXAMINATION.

We reserve the right to make changes to the announced examination components.

Alameda County utilizes a Civil Service Selection System founded on merit. Such a system is competitive and based on broad recruitment efforts and equal opportunity for qualified applicants to test in an examination process designed to determine the qualifications, fitness, and ability of competitors to perform duties of the vacant position. Many of our recruitments are targeted and specific to the needs of a current vacant position, in which case, the eligible list may be exclusively used for that current vacant position. Other recruitments many be more broadly used for both current and future vacancies, or for other alternate jobs with comparable scopes of work.

To learn more about our recruitment and selection process, please visit the “What You Need to Know” section of our website, www.acgov.org/hrs.

RECRUITMENT AND SELECTION PLAN

Applicants will be informed via email with reasonable notice in advance of any examination process which will require their attendance. The following dates are tentative and subject to change based on the needs of the Agency.

TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT PLAN

Deadline for Filing:

5:00 PM, Monday, May 1, 2025

Review of Minimum Qualifications:

by May 8, 2025

Review of Supplemental and Portfolio to determine

Best Qualified:

Week of May 19, 2025

Civil Service Oral Examination:

Week of June 9, 2025

Notification of Results

By week of June 23, 2025

Promulgation of Eligible List

July 9, 2025

TENTATIVE SELECTION PLAN

• Departmental Hiring Interviews

TDB

• If designated as a combined oral examination/hiring interview, in addition to establishing an eligibility list, the oral interviews may serve as the final selection interview for vacancies in this classification.

WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO MAKE CHANGES TO THE ANNOUNCED RECRUITMENT & SELECTION PLAN

Alameda County and the Human Resource Services Department will make reasonable efforts in the examination and/or selection process to accommodate qualified individuals with disabilities and/or medical conditions in accordance/compliance with the State Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), Federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Alameda County’s Reasonable Accommodation Policy and applicable statutes. To request an accommodation due to a disability/medical condition during this or other phases of the examination/selection process, please contact the assigned Human Resources Representative listed on the job announcement before the last date of filing. Alameda County requires applicants to provide supporting documentation to substantiate a request for reasonable accommodation. In order to qualify for a reasonable accommodation, applicants must have a disability/medical condition pursuant to the ADA, FEHA and applicable statutes.

For more information regarding our Reasonable Accommodation procedures, please visit our website: https://hrs.alamedacountyca.gov.

BENEFITS

Alameda County offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that affords wide-ranging health care options to meet the different needs of a diverse workforce and their families. We also sponsor many different employee discount, fitness and health screening programs focused on overall well being. These benefits include but are not limited to*:

For your Health & Well-Being

• Medical – HMO & PPO Plans
• Dental – HMO & PPO Plans
• Vision or Vision Reimbursement
• Share the Savings
• Basic Life Insurance
• Supplemental Life Insurance (with optional dependent coverage for eligible employees)
• Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance
• County Allowance Credit
• Flexible Spending Accounts – Health FSA, Dependent Care and Adoption Assistance
• Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Voluntary Benefits – Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity and Legal Services
• Employee Assistance Program

For your Financial Future

• Retirement Plan – (Defined Benefit Pension Plan)
• Deferred Compensation Plan (457 Plan or Roth Plan)

For your Work/Life Balance

• 12 paid holidays
• Floating Holidays
• Vacation and sick leave accrual
• Vacation purchase program
• Management Paid Leave**
• Catastrophic Sick Leave
• Pet Insurance
• Commuter Benefits Program
• Guaranteed Ride Home
• Employee Wellness Program (e.g. At Work Fitness, Incentive Based Programs, Gym Membership Discounts)
• Employee Discount Program (e.g. theme parks, cell phone, etc.)
• Child Care Resources
• 1st United Services Credit Union
• Eligibility is determined by Alameda County and offerings may vary by collective bargaining agreement. This provides a brief summary of the benefits offered and can be subject to change.
• Non-exempt management employees are entitled to up to three days of management paid leave. Exempt management employees are entitled to up to seven days of management paid leave.

Conclusion

All notices related to County recruitments for which you have applied will be sent/delivered via email. Please add @jobaps.com, @acgov.org, nonreplyalamedacountyhr@acgov.org, and Noreply@jobaps.com

as accepted addresses to any email blocking or spam filtering program you may use. If you do not do this, your email blocking or spam filtering program may block receipt of the notices regarding your application for recruitments. You are also strongly advised to regularly log into your County of Alameda online application account to check for notices that may have been sent to you. All email notices that will be sent to you will also be kept in your personal online application account. You will be able to view all of your notices in your online application account by clicking on the “My applications” button on the Current Job Openings page.

Please take the steps recommended above to ensure you do not miss any notices about a recruitment for which you have applied. The County of Alameda is not responsible for notices that are not read, received or accessed by any applicant for a County recruitment.

NOTE: All notices are generated through an automated email notification system. Replies to the email boxes Noreply@jobaps.com and nonreplyalamedacountyhr@acgov.org, are routed to unmonitored mailboxes. If you have questions, please go to our website at hrs.alamedacountyca.gov. You may also contact the Human Resources Analyst listed on the job announcement for the recruitment for which you have applied.

Ione Bell, Human Resources Analyst

Human Resource Services, County of Alameda

(510) 272-6456 • ione.bell@acgov.org

hrs.alamedacountyca.gov

Disaster Service Worker

All Alameda County employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law. Employment with the County requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to report to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Alameda County has a diverse workforce, that is representative of the communities we serve, and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All aspects of employment are based on merit, competence, performance and business need. Alameda County does not discriminate in employment on the basis of: race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factors protected under federal, state and local law. Alameda County celebrates diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive, and welcoming workplace environment.

All notices related to County recruitments for which you have applied will be sent/delivered via email. Please add @jobaps.com, @acgov.org, nonreplyalamedacountyhr@acgov.org, and Noreply@jobaps.com

as accepted addresses to any email blocking or spam filtering program you may use. If you do not do this, your email blocking or spam filtering program may block receipt of the notices regarding your application for recruitments. You are also strongly advised to regularly log into your County of Alameda online application account to check for notices that may have been sent to you. All email notices that will be sent to you will also be kept in your personal online application account. You will be able to view all of your notices in your online application account by clicking on the “My applications” button on the Current Job Openings page.

Please take the steps recommended above to ensure you do not miss any notices about a recruitment for which you have applied. The County of Alameda is not responsible for notices that are not read, received or accessed by any applicant for a County recruitment.

NOTE: All notices are generated through an automated email notification system. Replies to the email boxes Noreply@jobaps.com and nonreplyalamedacountyhr@acgov.org, are routed to unmonitored mailboxes. If you have questions, please go to our website at hrs.alamedacountyca.gov. You may also contact the Human Resources Analyst listed on the job announcement for the recruitment for which you have applied.

Ione Bell, Human Resources Analyst

Human Resource Services, County of Alameda

(510) 272-6456 • ione.bell@acgov.org

hrs.alamedacountyca.gov

Disaster Service Worker

All Alameda County employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law. Employment with the County requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to report to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Alameda County has a diverse workforce, that is representative of the communities we serve, and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All aspects of employment are based on merit, competence, performance and business need. Alameda County does not discriminate in employment on the basis of: race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factors protected under federal, state and local law. Alameda County celebrates diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive, and welcoming workplace environment.

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