Senior Content Specialist - Non-Merit

Regular Schedule: 34 hours per week

A Non-Merit vacancy exists in the Office of Information Technology, Web Services.

Non-Merit positions are not classified within the Baltimore County Government Classification and Compensation Plan.

A list of eligible applicants will be established based on the examination as outlined below.

Current and future vacancies occurring in any Office or Department of Baltimore County Government may be filled from the list of eligible applicants.

All interested candidates must apply at this time.  

List all promotions and changes in job duties due to reclassification as separate work experiences on your application.  Applicants must include the dates of the promotions and reclassifications.

NOTE: Failure to complete all fields of the "Work Experience" section of the application will result in your application not being considered.  A resume will not be considered in determining your qualifications for a position.  Applicants selected for an interview may provide a resume at that time.

You can attach your transcripts (s) or license(s) to your application.

Failure to submit proof of Licenses, Certifications and Education will result in your application not being considered. Proof of licenses, certifications, and/or education must be submitted with each application.

Baltimore County Government is searching for a Senior Content Specialist to develop, execute and maintain web content across all online initiatives, including internal and external websites, e-newsletters, forms, etc., using interactive, strategic design and industry best practices.

The ideal candidate will have experience editing and rewriting complex information in a friendly, easy-to-understand format, while also enforcing the County brand for all websites, establish governance among online content principles and troubleshoot content and external application issues when needed.

• Ensure that written content published on Baltimore County government websites is clear, concise and actionable for all users, regardless of their education or experience level
• Review and edit web content submitted by County departments via our content management system for style, grammar, punctuation, clarity and readability according to our published style standards and industry best practices
• Write original content intended for online audiences as needed for specific projects and assignments
• Create and occasionally audit Accessible PDFs and other accessible documents
• Oversee daily production operations for all digital content and be able to recognize and escalate more complex operational requests to the Content Strategist
• Work alongside the Content Strategist to ensure that digital content is easily findable through site navigation, local search and organic search
• Oversee the management of the Web Services main customer service account and respond to public inquiries as appropriate
• Collaborate with designers, developers and other web team members to determine the best way to present specific pieces of content
• Collaborate as part of a client-facing, cross-functional team, both with technical and no-technical staff 
• Provide guidance and training to County departments on how to create content for an optimal user experience (i.e. being useful/actionable, accessible, and engaging) that also meets the department's important goals
• Create governance documentation that provides a basis for web content development
• Regularly facilitates customer/client meetings to discuss requests and ensure web content aligns with customer/client goals
• Troubleshoot online problems with online content and vendor tools, and proactively works with vendors as appropriate to resolve
• Mentor team members as appropriate

EXAMPLES OF OTHER DUTIES:

• Additionally, you will develop graphic and image assets for both content and digital marketing efforts 
• Performs other duties as assigned.

 (NOTE: The duties and responsibilities listed above are for the purpose of determining a common set of minimum qualifications for all positions in this class. They may not include all of the essential job functions of each position in the class. Each position may not be required to perform all of the essential job functions listed. 

Required Qualifications 
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree in journalism, communications, marketing, online media or a related field.
Plus
Three (3) years' professional experience writing and editing web content in plain language for diverse online audiences.  (Internships, coursework and volunteer work do not count toward the required years of experience.)
 

• Command of the English language with impeccable attention to detail.
• Experience editing the work of others, and enforcing voice, tone, and style standards according to a professional style guide.
• Basic proficiency with HTML and CSS.
• Understanding of web writing best practices, including chunking, bulleting, and writing for scan ability.
• Understanding of the relationship between content, information architecture, usability and visual design when building digital products.
• Ability to work independently and solve problems creatively.

Preferred Qualifications  

• Experience writing and editing content for government, or other content for task-based audiences and large organizations.
• Experience planning, managing and approving content in a content management system.  Drupal and WordPress a plus.
• Experience with information architecture and usability practices.
• Familiarity with responsive web design principles, mobile-first design, specifically the AP Style Guide and web accessibility/Section 508 compliance. 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Experience with web content management systems such as Drupal, WordPress
• Effective communication skills with the ability to actively listen to clarify project goals, requirements and deadlines.
• Ability to think critically and troubleshoot technical issues, particularly under tight deadlines
• Demonstrates detailed and meticulous proofreading skills
• Proficiency in Adobe Acrobat DC and PDF accessibility
• Experience with form administration tools, such as SurveyMonkey, Wufoo, JotForm, etc.
• Proven experience in collaboration with web development teams.
• Knowledge of Search Engine Optimization strategies.
• Knowledge of the user experience focus to ensure ease of navigation and simplicity of design
• Demonstrates strong customer service
• Solid understanding of 508 Compliance, WCAG 2.1 AA accessibility

• Understanding of the relationship between content, information architecture, usability and visual design when building digital products
• Nice to have, proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, Illustrator, Photoshop

Proof of Licenses, Certifications and Education
Applicants are required to submit proof of licenses, certifications and education beyond high school to meet the required and preferred qualifications of the position. Diplomas or transcripts must show the applicant’s major field of study. Copies and unofficial transcripts are acceptable.

Failure to submit proof of Licenses, Certifications and Education will result in your application not being considered. Proof of licenses, certifications, and/or education must be submitted with each application.

Proof of Degree Equivalency
Applicants who have obtained a degree from outside the United States of America are required to submit degree equivalence documentation from World Education Services, Inc. (www.WES.org)

Mail or deliver documents to:
ATTN: Senior Web Designer
Office of Human Resources
Baltimore County Government
308 Allegheny Ave.
Towson, MD 21204

You can attach your transcript(s) or license(s) to your application.

EXAMINATION PROCEDURE
Applicants will be qualified based on an evaluation of their training and experience, as stated on their application, which includes answers to the supplemental questions.  Applicants must state the dates and duties of past and present experience clearly and completely for evaluation purposes.
Employment Background Investigation
Applicants selected for an appointment to a position in Baltimore County must successfully complete an employment investigation, including, but not limited to a criminal background, education, and fingerprint check.