Graphic Designer

The City of Lakewood is dedicated to upholding City values to include: Performance Excellence, Leadership, Respect and Collaboration. Best fit candidates will demonstrate innovation, customer service, dedication, passion and engagement. All people, citizens and employees, will be treated with respect, relevance, and importance.

HIRING RANGE: $34.42 - $38.24/hour

The Graphic Designer is responsible for supporting the marketing, communications and advertising functions for multiple city departments through exceptional graphic design, publication production, campaigns and general support.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Incumbent is accountable for all duties of this job, and other projects and responsibilities may be added at the City’s discretion. Employees must be able to perform the essential duties of this job with or without reasonable accommodation.

• Creates and executes innovative, impactful and unique design solutions, as assigned.
• Applies designs for different audiences including supporting translation needs.
• Maintains high standards from design to final production in accordance with the City's brand guidelines and accessibility standards.
• Promotes and strengthens Lakewood’s identity and tone of voice.
• Designs and produces publications, promotional materials (banners, signage, posters, fliers, postcards, etc.), brochures, programs print and digital ads, building signage and other creative projects as requested by internal clients.
• Serves as a project lead for city publications, to include staff coordination and communication, layout, design, editing, proofing, printing and generating an interactive file for digital platforms.
• Ability to produce collateral that can be used across various platforms (digital, print, mobile) as well as be responsive to emerging technologies/trends.
• Maintains timely accounting of assigned projects and their status in project management software.
• Prepares for regular team meetings pertaining to project tasks, deliverables and professional achievements.
• Maintains design files and archives of work, which are easily accessible and organized.
• Serves as a resource/liaison between internal clients and the city print shop.
• Researches and coordinates external printing projects with vendors and oversees installation as needed.
• Effectively communicates directly with clients utilizing department communication tools to support the city’s creative needs.
• Contributes to the innovation and efficacy of the team by researching and implementing new ideas and approaches to projects. Examples include animation and accessible design.
• Obtains quotes and coordinates with outside vendors as needed while seeking cost-effective solutions.
• Supports the workgroup with administrative tasks as necessary and when time allows.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Reporting Relationships

• Supervision Received: Graphic Design Supervisor
• Supervision Exercised: None

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Displays exceptional time management skills and ability to manage multiple deadline-driven tasks and projects at one time.
• Interacts with others in a professional and positive manner.
• Manages creative opportunities strategically to remain productive and meet competing project deadlines.
• Skills in written and verbal communications, such as creating written materials for promotion and proofreading.
• Remains open and flexible to feedback.
• Consistently produces high volumes of work with little supervision or direction.
• Exhibits strong collaboration skills working directly with clients.
• May need the ability to transport oneself to off-site locations.
• Requires regular and prompt attendance.
• Criminal background check required.

Technological Skills

• Demonstrated proficiency with project management software.
• Excellent computer knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite (primarily InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop and Acrobat.)
• Ability to work with a Mac and PC.
• Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.
• Ability to apply accessibility tools to ensure compliance with Colorado House Bill 21-1110 is preferred.
• Proficiency with Canva is preferred.

Education and Experience

A combination of job-related education and experience demonstrating the equivalent knowledge, skills, and abilities required to effectively perform the functions of this position may be considered, as determined by management.

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in graphic design preferred.
• Experience: Five or more years’ experience designing with Adobe Creative Suite.

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements

Must successfully complete and maintain required state or departmental physical standards and certifications.

LIGHT WORK: Exerting up to 30 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.  If the use of arm and/or leg controls requires exertion of forces greater than that for sedentary work and the worker sits most of the time, the job is rated for Light Work.

Physical Demands

• Bend or position self to move items from higher place to lower place or vice versa
• Sit, stand or be stationary
• Talk, hear, converse, communicate, or exchange information
• Use of hands and/or fingers in a repetitive motion to handle, pinch, grasp, move, feel, inspect, etc.
• Walk, ascend, descend on both even and uneven terrain
• Vision to include distance, depth perception, peripheral and color

Environmental Conditions may include

• Office settings

Physical Requirements – No Physical Needed

• Lift, carry, push, pull, move, or positions from all levels up to 30 lbs with or without assistance

The City of Lakewood is a drug-free workplace that provides employment opportunities in compliance with all pertinent federal, state, and local laws. All Lakewood employees are expected to work and complete all tasks in a safe manner consistent with training, standard operating procedures, City or Department policies, and common sense. Working in a safe manner includes the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and complying with all City and/or Department safety rules. Horseplay on-the-job is strictly forbidden. The failure to work in a safe manner, use PPE, follow standard operating procedure, or comply with a safety rule will result adverse employment consequences ranging from verbal discipline to termination from employment, including any applicable reduction in benefits under the Colorado Workers’ Compensation Act. Employees are also expected to encourage safe work practices by all co-employees, and to report any unsafe work practices immediately to a supervisor. 

The City of Lakewood celebrates diversity, equity and inclusion in all areas of our workforce. Accordingly, the city is committed to creating, nurturing and sustaining a diverse, equitable and inclusive culture, where differences drive innovative solutions to meet the needs of our community and employees.