Please be advised the District has implemented a COVID-19 vaccine policy. If you are not currently vaccinated, you will need to get vaccinated prior to your start date of employment unless you have a qualified medical or religious exemption.

COPYWRITER & CONTENT SPECIALIST - (WORKING TITLE OF POSITION)

DESCRIPTION
The Port of San Diego is seeking a Copywriter and Content Specialist to join the Marketing & Communications team. Under the direction of the Creative Brand Manager (Program Manager), the ideal candidate is a thoughtful storyteller, with a strong background in copywriting and the ability to write creative, compelling, and engaging copy in support of various marketing and communications campaigns, across multiple mediums. These mediums include, but are not limited to, advertisements, website, social media, email, presentations, video scripts and internal communications. Additionally, the ability to translate marketing frameworks and creative briefs into effective copy that supports overall campaign goals is critical to the success of this role.

The ideal candidate will also possess a strong skillset in managing content, as part of the internal communications program, by developing and maintaining strategic internal communications plans and content calendars to ensure all Port staff are continually informed of organizational communication and updates. This role will actively participate and manage strategy sessions on how to continually improve the state of internal communications at the Port and create informative content for the Port’s internal communications channels including intranet, employee newsletter, poster frame network, and other channels as determined.

For consideration, a strong portfolio showcasing your copywriting skills is required with your application.

PLEASE NOTE: THE CLASSIFICATION SPECIFICATION ASSOCIATED WITH THIS POSTING IS: (MARKETING/PUBLIC RELATIONS REPRESENTATIVE), WHICH IS UNDER A REVISION REVIEW.

GENERAL PURPOSE

Responsible for developing and implementing over-all marketing and/or public relations strategies and plans, as well as campaign- or project-specific strategies and plans, to meet Port marketing and public relations goals and objectives; plans, organizes, manages, integrates and executes assigned marketing, public relations, community outreach and/or media events; writes and oversees production of a wide variety of marketing and public relations materials; and performs related duties as assigned.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

A Marketing/Public Relations Representative independently performs the full range of duties applicable to this classification.

Marketing/Public Relations Representative II is distinguished from Principal Marketing/Public Relations Representative in that incumbents in the latter class plan, organize and supervise the work of a section of professional staff engaged in performing marketing, public relations, community outreach and media relations projects and program activities.

The following statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified.

1. Executes independent judgment to make decisions in carrying day-to-day responsibilities

2. Assists or participates in developing and implementing marketing and/or public relations strategies and plans, as well as campaign- or project-specific strategies and plans to meet designated goals and objectives; actively participates in regular meetings with management and contracted advertising and public relations agencies; develops and recommends creative ideas relevant to the Port's mission and strategic initiatives; analyzes and provides input in establishing budget requirements; when assigned to manage a project, monitors and maintains compliance with budget; collaborates with Public Relations and/or advertising firms retained by Port to implement plans.

3. Plans, organizes, manages, integrates and executes assigned marketing, public relations, special and/or media events under general supervision, recommends and determines event concept, design, location, theme, audiences and logo; participates in the negotiation, review and selection of vendors, oversees and directs vendors that provide services, equipment and supplies for the event; plans, organizes and monitors event logistics and develops contingency plans and makes adjustments, as necessary; schedules and secures participation by Port Commissioners and senior management and others; publicizes events; develops and makes presentations during event or plans and oversees presentations by others; serves as Port contact regarding event with media, the public and others; assists other staff on large, multi-faceted events.

4. Provide a supervisory role by providing leadership and direction to the department's intern and administrative staff; direction and guidance to the graphic designer; assist with the management of the advertising agency contract; ensure fiscal responsibility and provide excellent customer service to the department's internal and external customers.

5. Responsible for department budget coordination. This will entail managing the department expenditures, providing reports for management and working with Procurement Services on as many as 50 or more purchase orders.

6. Assists on event production as an audio/visual coordinator, set-up/teardown, volunteer coordination and itinerary planning.

7. Represents the Port in a wide variety of public interactions; serves as Port liaison with a variety of civic and community organizations; represents the Port at trade shows; attends social, trade and civic functions to promote the District's services.

8. Participates in developing and producing or manages, coordinates and/or oversees layout, design, development, production and distribution of marketing or public relations materials, including brochures, newsletters and a variety of other internal and external publications; creates or participates in creating concepts to meet Port goals and objectives; writes or obtains and edits content from a variety of sources; monitors and identifies opportunities to expand distribution; maintains subscription databases.

9. Participates in proactively communicating information and messages to the public, key constituencies, as well as to internal customers, to promote the Port and educate targeted audiences regarding the Port's programs, activities and initiatives; supervises production of or writes, edits, produces and distributes approved news releases, media advisories, articles, columns, fact sheets, radio spot copy and Commissioner speaking points, speeches, proclamations and resolutions for public presentation; determines distribution to appropriate audiences; promotes events to media; serves as Port contact for follow up on news releases and media advisories; oversees and monitors activities of public relations firm when performing these activities and reviews news releases, media kit information and articles for accuracy.

10. Responds to a wide range of internal and external customer inquiries, requests and concerns, some of which may be sensitive or complex, via telephone and in-person and provides general to highly detailed information regarding a wide spectrum of Port projects, programs, activities and operations; as requested by civic or community organizations and others, makes public presentations, including speeches and audiovisual presentations.

11. As directed, assists in advertisement or initiative media development and coordinates placement, including negotiating price; records and tracks payments.

12. Manages, facilitates and monitors development and maintenance of Port's marketing website; oversees and monitors work performed by advertising agency consultants and Port web developers; reviews all aspects of website, including creative, site map and content components and makes recommendations for improvement; supervises and monitors website updates and maintenance.

13. Performs research necessary to effectively carry out job responsibilities.

OTHER DUTIES

1. Creates and maintains assigned databases to support marketing and Public Relations goals and objectives.

2. Administers Financial Assistance Evaluation program for community non-profit organizations requesting funds; reviews and evaluates requests; makes recommendations to senior management and advisory committee; monitors results to ensure compliance with agreements.

3. Administers marketing component of funding program (fee for service and sponsorship) contracts; monitors and provides expertise and recommendations in development of marketing component of assigned contracts; monitors compliance with agreements; provides recommendations to resolve compliance problems and ensures that issues are fully and promptly addressed.

4. May plan, organize, supervise and evaluate the work of assigned personnel.

Knowledge of:

1. Principles, practices, concepts and techniques used in developing and executing marketing, public relations and community outreach plans, programs and strategies.

2. Methods and techniques of issue and image management.

3. Methods and techniques for creating effective marketing, media and public relations materials.

4. Effective business communications and correct English usage.

5. Project planning, budgeting and management methods and practices applicable to areas of assigned responsibility.

6. Methods of analysis applicable to the formulation and communication of programs and policy.

7. Methods and techniques of graphic design, layout and print production.

8. Industry trends and media practices as they apply to developing and carrying out public relations and marketing programs.

9. Principles and practices of public administration, including budgeting, purchasing and maintenance of public records.

10. Research methods and analysis techniques.

Ability to:

1. Analyze and make sound recommendations on media relations, community outreach and public affairs issues and assignments.

2. Develop concepts and design specific methods and techniques to improve internal and external communications.

3. Generate interest and convey messages through the development of graphic treatments and persuasive writing.

4. Apply writing style and techniques appropriate for differing business and journalistic/public relations purposes.

5. Present information, proposals and/or recommendations clearly, logically and persuasively in public meetings.

6. Operate a computer using word processing, desktop publishing and other standard text and graphics software.

7. Exercise sound independent judgment within general policy guidelines.

8. Represent the Port effectively in public settings and with media representatives on a variety of issues.

9. Exercise tact, diplomacy and discretion in dealing with sensitive and complex issues.

10. Establish and maintain highly effective relationships with District executives and managers, Commissioners, elected and appointed officials of other public agencies, travel and trade industry representatives, representatives of community, professional and business organizations, the media, the public and others encountered in the course of work.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Education, Training and Experience:

Graduation from a four-year college or university with a major in marketing, public relations, communications, business administration, or a closely related field; and three years of progressively responsible marketing, public affairs, public information, community outreach or closely related experience or graduation from high school or G.E.D. equivalent and five years of progressively responsible marketing, sales, public affairs, public information or closely related experience. Experience in membership based trade association or other non-profit organization highly desirable. Time served as a District Intern counts towards the years of experience.

Licenses; Certificates; Special Requirements:

A current, valid California Class C driver's license at time of appointment and maintained at all times thereafter in order to operate a vehicle on District business.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS

Persons with disabilities may be able to perform the essential duties of this class with reasonable accommodation. Reasonable accommodation will be evaluated on an individual basis and depends, in part, on the specific requirements for the job, the limitations related to disability and the ability of the hiring department to accommodate the limitation.