Graphic Arts Designer

Sonoma County Library

Announces an Employment Opportunity

GRAPHIC ARTS DESIGNER- HEADQUARTERS

 40 HOURS PER WEEK – FULL-TIME

Help us make the library impossible to overlook.

We’re looking for a talented Graphic Arts Designer who can turn ideas into visuals that make people stop, look, and connect. From major campaigns and community events to digital content, print materials, and the everyday moments that tell our story, your creativity will help shape how Sonoma County Library shows up across our communities. 

If you’re a thoughtful designer with fresh ideas, strong production skills, an eye for detail, and a passion for creating work that is engaging, accessible, and meaningful, we want to see what you can bring to our team.

ABOUT THE POSITION:

Under the general direction of the Communications Director, the Graphic Arts Designer performs advanced graphic design work in developing and producing visual materials that support Library programs, services, and communications. The position works with internal customers to develop creative concepts, coordinates projects through production, and applies current design technologies and production practices to deliver high-quality work within established timelines and budgets.

This position offers the opportunity to work on a broad range of creative projects while collaborating with staff across the library. The Graphic Arts Designer will also provide functional direction and training to Graphics staff, coordinate with vendors and production partners, and contribute to the continued development of the library’s graphics services and practices.

Please see the below class specifications for full details about these positions.

SALARY RANGE: $41.22/hour to $51.48/hour 

CLOSING DATE:   Wednesday, October 14, 2026 at 11:59pm

SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS / WORK SAMPLES REQUIRED:

You will be required to submit a portfolio of work samples that demonstrate experience relevant to the Graphic Arts Designer role. Applications submitted without the required work samples will be considered incomplete.

EST: JANUARY 2020

FLSA: NON-EXEMPT

GRAPHIC ARTS DESIGNER

Represented

DEFINITION

Works with internal customers to plan, design, and prepare a variety of visual and printed community marketing campaigns, materials, publications, and signage that promote library programs and services. May direct, schedule, train, develop, and review work of other Graphics staff, and performs other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives general direction from the Communications Director; provides functional supervision to Graphic Arts Associates, Graphic Arts Specialists, Graphic Services Assistants, and other staff as needed.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS

This is the advanced-journey level graphic arts design classification responsible to direct and review the work of Graphic Arts Associates, Graphic Arts Specialists and Graphic Services Assistants in developing a variety of visual and graphics materials, and publications that promote library programs and services and to assure technical accuracy in layout and effectiveness of prepress support functions. Successful performance in the work requires the use of tact, discretions, creativity, and judgment, knowledge of prepress protocols, equipment, and layout techniques, and a basic knowledge of graphic arts design and production.

This position is distinguished from the Graphic Arts Associate by its responsibility to direct, schedule, train, develop, and review the work of other Graphic Services positions. This position is distinguished from the Communications Director by its focus on graphics design, layout, and publication, while the latter is responsible for all communications activities and initiatives.

EXAMPLES OF TYPICAL JOB FUNCTIONS (Illustrative Only)

• Works with library staff to review, design, produce, and evaluate a variety of visual promotional and communication materials to promote library programs and services.
• Directs Graphics staff and participates in the planning, reviewing, development, and production of visual marketing and communications materials, publications, campaigns, signage, and documents.
• Creates original artwork and illustrations for a variety of materials.
• Produces publications and collateral, including library vinyl banners, posters, brochures, flyers, bookmarks, forms, newsletters, special exhibits, and a variety of other marketing collateral.
• Prepares specifications for collateral printing; coordinates design work with internal library staff and ensures desired deliverables are on time and within budget.
• Provides feedback on the creation and completion of projects to the Community Relations Director to assist in the development of performance plans and evaluations.
• Stays abreast of and utilizes graphics software programs, computer hardware, and specialized technical equipment in order to effectively complete projects.
• Develops and delivers work-related training and development programs to other Graphics staff.
• Maintains graphic arts supplies inventory and associated budget; monitors the maintenance of specialized technical equipment.
• Archives and retrieves a variety of original artwork, forms, designs, and supplies.
• Shares and applies emerging technologies with other Graphics staff and performs duties in an efficient, organized, and timely manner.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

COMPETENCIES

Knowledge of:

• Graphic design concepts, processes, and procedures, including illustration of various media, form design, reproduction, and layout.
• Typography, pre-press production and color correction, and printing processes and technology.
• Basic methods, principles and practices of library activities and programs.
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, codes, and guidelines related to the projects and programs to which assigned.
• Current graphics software.
• English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by dealing with vendors, contractors, and library staff.
• Principals and techniques to provide training and direction to adults in the graphics field.
• Principals of leading and developing skills in others. 
• Principles and techniques for working with others to ensure teamwork is conducted smoothly.
• In-house and outside print production.
• Marketing and social media platforms.

Ability to:

• Use innovation to learn to creatively design effective marketing and informational materials relative to library programs, projects, services, and activities.
• Visualize abstract ideas and concepts and graphically translate ideas into effective and impactful designs.
• Produce neat and accurate marketing collateral and publications requiring meticulous attention to detail.
• Complete projects within time deadlines and budgets as assigned.
• Respond to and effectively prioritize requests for service.
• Identify and implement effective course of action to complete assigned work.
• Communicate clearly and tactfully in both oral and written forms.
• Organize and prioritize a variety of projects and multiple tasks in an effective and timely manner; organize own work, set priorities.
• Use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone, and in writing.
• Understand scope of authority in making decisions.
• Review situations accurately and determine appropriate course of action using judgment according to established policies and procedures.
• Establish and maintain working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Provide clear verbal and written information and instruction on assigned work.
• Develop and deliver effective training and concepts related to graphics design and the production of visual and printed materials. 
• Prepare appropriate and accurate documentation and make effective recommendations.
• Organize multiple work tasks, data, and records, maintain steady progress on various projects under pressure of varying deadlines.
• Listen well enough to understand direction, conceptual ideas, plans, and initiatives.
• Direct the maintenance and updating of all graphics equipment.

QUALIFICATIONS

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Education and Experience:

Equivalent to graduation from an accredited four-year college with major coursework in fine arts, graphic design, web design, communications, marketing, or a related field and three (3) years of graphic design experience, web design, and/or the development of public education programs and materials. Some lead or supervisory experience desired. Additional years of experience can be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis. 

Licenses and Certifications:

None.
 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Must possess mobility to work in a standard office and library setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; hearing and speech to communicate in person, before groups, and over the telephone. This classification primarily works indoors and requires movement between work areas. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve materials and data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Positions in this classification occasionally lift and carry reports, records, and materials that typically weigh up to

twenty-five pounds.
 

ENVIRONMENTAL ELEMENTS

Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees may interact with staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures. Employees may come into contact with abrasive or disruptive people.

WORKING CONDITIONS

No unique or unusual working conditions apply to this position.