Placer County

To plan, create, and produce engaging visual communications including multimedia video, photo, digital, and graphic productions for Placer County or assigned department websites, social media platforms, and various digital and print mediums. Use visual communications to promote, educate, and market to internal and external audiences.

The Visual Communications Specialist level recognizes positions that assume responsibilities for visual communication activities on behalf of Placer County or assigned department. 

Receives direct supervision from department management staff.

May exercise technical and functional supervision over technical and clerical staff.

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Coordinate, plan, lead, and participate in the production of complex media projects including strategic planning, and allocation of time and resources.
• Plan, prioritize, and create visual communication products (photo, video, and graphic) to promote, inform, market, and educate both internal and external audiences.
• Record and edit visual stories, promotional videos, and public announcements.
• Perform pre-production, production and post-production for visual projects, including the pre and post-production of graphics, storyboarding, script preparation, and writing.
• Produce a wide variety of promotional and educational videos.
• Use and maintain a wide variety of specialized equipment associated with video or photo production including computer-editing systems, audio systems, lighting systems, cameras, switchers, and other production equipment.
• Oversee the use of cameras, lights, microphones, scripts, graphics, and music as related to video or photo production.
• Continuously improve systems and techniques to stay current with evolving industry practices.
• Provide engaging, high quality, and cost-effective products.
• Serve as a video and photo resource to staff including developing resources on best practices and techniques for visual communications.
• Research, investigate, and implement the latest equipment, trends, and methods for photo and video production and storytelling.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other County employees and the public using principles of good customer service.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Experience and Training:

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

Experience: Three (3) years of professional work experience in media or video production.

Training: Equivalent to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in communications, video production, advertising, computer science, business or public administration, or related field.

Required License or Certificate:

• May need to possess a valid driver’s license as required by the position. Proof of adequate vehicle insurance and medical clearance may also be required.

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of video production, including digital video cameras, various support equipment, non-linear editing platforms, sound equipment, video switchers and sound mixers.
• Principles and practices of video production including camera operation, location and studio lighting, sound recording, graphics and titles, education and supporting software.
• Principles and practices of video and photo production including directing, producing, and creative storytelling.
• Principles and practices of directing and producing photo shoots.
• Principles and practices of creating photo production concepts, plans, outlines, schedules.
• Principles and practices of industry standards for photography, lighting, editing, post processing and printing.
• Voice over and Podcast audio recording techniques, setup, editing and post-production such as correction/enhancing.
• Various software applications and mobile device operations systems used in the creation, editing, and finalizing of photo and video projects.
• Current and evolving industry standards and trends for full production video projects and social media.
• Pertinent local, state and federal laws, rules, and regulations.
• English usage, spelling, punctuation, and grammar.

Ability to:

• On a continuous basis, know and understand all aspects of the job; read, identify, interpret, understand, analyze, apply, recall, and explain complex and technical policies and procedures, numerical information, work papers, technical reports, special projects, and pertinent laws, rules, and regulations; work under time pressure and complete a high volume of tasks with frequent interruptions; analyze situations and determine proper course of action; manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously and quickly switch between tasks; focus on a single task for long periods of time.
• On a continuous basis, sit at a desk or in meetings for long periods of time; Intermittently walk, stand, bend squat, climb, kneel, or twist to reach equipment surrounding desk or when in the field; perform simple and power grasping and fine manipulation; speak, use a telephone, write, and use a keyboard to communicate; see and hear with sufficient acuity to perform essential job functions; lift moderate weight.
• Lift and move moderately heavy or awkward camera equipment and camera support equipment.
• Research and identify the latest equipment methods and trends for photo and video production.
• Evaluate and oversee new equipment purchases or rentals on a project basis.
• Inspect, maintain, service, and calibrate digital and physical equipment, including media management and storage, computer and camera operating systems, and firmware upgrades.
• Develop, organize, and maintain digital media asset systems.
• Prepare, operate, and troubleshoot media A/V presentation systems.
• Manage a diverse set of project assignments simultaneously.
• Provide visual communications-related support for special events and projects which may occur during evenings and/or on weekends.
• Interpret and apply county policies, procedures, rules, and regulations.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing.
• Work with various cultural and ethnic groups in a tactful and effective manner.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.