Position Summary:

The Outreach & Communication Assistant helps promote Anne Arundel County’s Department of Aging and Disabilities as current, committed, and engaged in helping the older adults, individuals with disabilities, Veterans, and caregivers through challenges in order to make life better. Through in-person outreach, content creation, and the imaginative use of social media, this person will promote our programs with the intent to inform the public about county resources. The Outreach & Communication Assistant will administer our social media efforts, which include attending community outreach events, managing key social media channels, creating (and co-creating) social media content, and providing leadership (as needed) to continually improve the level of social media practice within the department. The Outreach & Communication Assistant will operate in a highly collaborative environment. The goals of our social media strategy are: to spread an informed awareness of the department’s programs and resources to the public, to provide timely notifications of events, to share appropriate, helpful information, to moderate online chat rooms, make new connections with those who believe in what Middlebury does so Middlebury can fulfill its mission in partnership with them. The Outreach & Communication Assistant will demonstrate a commitment to diversity, inclusion, and cultural awareness through actions, interactions, and communications with others.

Essential Functions:

● Strategy: Develop a strategy for using social media channels to support the department’s communications and marketing goals by engaging with multiple audiences, including older adults, individuals with disabilities, Veterans, and caregivers, and other county employees. Develop targeted campaigns and content calendars that increase the department’s exposure. Research and evaluate emerging (and current) platforms and make recommendations on whether and how we might adopt. Stay abreast of current trends on how various audiences derive knowledge from social media to ensure the Department of Aging and Disabilities is taking full advantage of all its social media opportunities.

● Management: Under the direction of the PIO, manage the day-to-day monitoring, and management of the department’s social channels, including Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram, and emerging social platforms. Monitor online mentions of the Department of Aging and Disabilities on various social platforms and report out.

● Content: Designs, creates, and uploads visual and written content to the department’s social media platforms to better engage followers and enhance the department’s outreach and education efforts; utilizes digital design software (Canva) to create online content. Develop original print and social content—individually and in collaboration with colleagues—that furthers the Department of Aging and Disabilities’ communications and marketing goals. Curate content from other channels that can be repurposed to meet those goals. Finds ways to promote the department’s programs and resources in ways that are imaginative and appropriate for the communities we serve. Write, edit, take photos, and shoot video for departmental projects, as needed.

● Planning: Assist with the planning of Department of Aging and Disabilities events, including logistical support and marketing (to ensure they are well-attended, operate smoothly, and generate positive exposure), registering guests and exhibitors, and setting up equipment and supplies.

● Outreach: Communicates, educates, informs, and answers questions at community outreach events including community fairs and department events; assists with outreach activities targeting older adults, caregivers, and families.

● Analytics and Reporting: Monitor the outreach schedule in order to update existing weekly and monthly reports. Report out regularly to colleagues and leadership.

● Internal Communications: Participate in creating staff training materials and cultural awareness messages.

● Emergencies and Crises: Play a key role during critical times to monitor social media discussions, disseminate information, correct misinformation, and undertake other duties as assigned to help protect the Department of Aging and Disabilities’ reputation.

General Responsibilities:

Perform other related duties as needed.

Qualifications

Education:

Bachelor’s or Associate’s degree or equivalent experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

● Proven track record of developing social media strategy/plan

● Demonstrated strong interest in content marketing tactics and strategy

● Excellent writing and editing skills, with particular focus and experience in writing for social media using appropriate conventions and voice

● Excellent photography and videography skills, with particular focus and experience in producing for social media using appropriate conventions and voice

● Expertise with:

○ Google Workspace (e.g. Docs, Sheets, Forms, Slides, Calendar)

○ Canva

○ Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram

○ Constant Contact

● Strong interpersonal and communication skills

● Good judgment in identifying issues and recommending solutions to others

● Ability to work collaboratively across organizational lines

● Strong organizational skills and attention to detail

● Commitment to professionalism, deadlines, and teamwork

● Knowledge of social media listening tools and reputation management practices

● Ability to work collaboratively and independently

● Ability to create material for different audiences while maintaining a unified voice

● Attention to detail and excellent proofreading skills

Experience:

Minimum of four years of social media strategy and content production experience relevant to the knowledge, skills, and abilities referenced above.

Job Types: Full-time, Contract

Pay: $25.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift

Work Location: In person