Social Media Specialist #2312-207210-01

The City of Charlotte is the largest municipality in North Carolina and the 15th largest city in the United States, with a total population of more than 897,000 citizens. A major commerce center, Charlotte hosts several of the nation’s largest banks and technology companies.

Also known as the Queen City, Charlotte is home to the Carolina Panthers, the Charlotte Hornets and the NASCAR Hall of Fame. We work hard to ensure that the community will be a winning city for everyone – a truly remarkable place to live, work, learn and play. Join us in helping to keep our City thriving, ensuring upward mobility and advancement in the workplace.

The Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) is seeking a talented Social Media Specialist to enhance its online presence. The main objectives of this role include developing and executing a social media strategy aimed at boosting awareness, ridership and education about CATS services. This role involves close collaboration with the communications team and other departments within the agency. The role demands significant public interaction and is under the supervision of the communications manager. This position is ideal for candidates with a knack for digital communication and a passion for community engagement.

• Coordinate and participate in neighborhood meetings focusing on CATS-related topics.
• Oversee and integrate social media strategies to enhance community engagement and feedback.
• Utilize social media platforms to effectively convey information about CATS services and programs while ensuring clear, engaging and informative content.
• Develop and execute social media campaigns that spotlight CATS employees, operations and major initiatives, employing creative storytelling and digital marketing techniques.
• Actively serve on various projects, providing specialized social media support and expertise to enhance campaign reach and impact.
• Take on the role of project manager for designated transit projects, focusing on using social media channels to communicate all aspects of the project effectively to the public.
• Design and develop engaging social media graphics as required, ensuring alignment with CATS branding and messaging guidelines.
• Manage, monitor and respond to comments and inquiries on CATS social media platforms, maintaining active and positive community interactions.
• Compile and present social media reports as needed for leadership or specific campaigns, analyzing engagement metrics and insights to guide future strategies.
• Manage the social media liaison and organize biweekly social media team meetings to align strategies, brainstorm content ideas and review performance metrics.
• Serve on the CATS Media on-call rotation, promptly responding to media inquiries.
• Serve as a member of the Crisis Response Team.
• Work closely with media outlets to respond to inquiries, coordinate interviews, and generate earned media, positioning CATS as a leading voice in transit services.
• Perform other duties as assigned, adapting to emerging social media trends and organizational needs to support CATS’s strategic objectives.
• As part of your responsibility to support the CATS Safety Culture, report safety concerns and issues through the various methods established by CATS as outlined in the ASP. 

• Demonstrated ability to proficiently use social media management and analytics software, like Sprout Social, for effective campaign planning, execution and analysis.
• Thorough knowledge of AP (Associated Press) format, including mastery in spelling, grammar and punctuation, ensuring all communications are professionally and accurately presented.
• Strong capability to work collaboratively as a team member, effectively engaging with diverse workgroups, and contributing positively to team dynamics and outcomes.
• Proven ability to set work priorities, organize tasks and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment, demonstrating time management and organizational skills.
• Exceptional skill in communicating effectively, both orally and in writing, with a high level of proficiency in conveying ideas clearly and persuasively to various audiences.
• Excellent computer literacy, including in-depth experience with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Outlook, PowerPoint), and the ability to quickly adapt to new technology tools and platforms.
• Competence in conducting thorough research and preparing detailed special reports, utilizing data analysis and clear presentation to inform decisions and strategies.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues, management and the general public, fostering a collaborative and respectful work environment.

Graduation from a four-year college or university with major coursework in English, Public Relations, Public Administration, Communications or related field.

Associate degree in English, Communications or a related field of study with six (6) years of relevant work experience or any equivalent combination of training and experience that provides the required knowledge and abilities.

The City’s Background Check Policy requires background checks to be conducted on final internal or external candidate(s) applying for any position with the City of Charlotte. The type of information that will be collected as part of a background check includes, but is not limited to: reference checks, social security verification, education verification, criminal conviction record check, and, if applicable, a credit history check, sex offender registry and motor vehicle records check.

Background checks must be in compliance with all federal and state statutes, such as the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). The checks must be consistent with the guidelines set forth by these laws requiring organizations to obtain a candidate’s written authorization before obtaining a criminal background report, motor vehicle records check or credit report; and to properly store and dispose of information derived from such reports.

Final candidates must pass a pre-employment drug-screening test and physical examination. During the selection process, candidates may be asked to take a skills test, and/or participate in other assessments.

The City of Charlotte is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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Anyone seeking an accommodation to apply for a job may call (704) 336-2285 for assistance or you may email questions to CityHrJobPostingsNotify@ci.charlotte.nc.us.

The City of Charlotte provides a comprehensive benefits package to all employees.

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The City of Charlotte is a drug and alcohol-free workplace.