Job Details

Graphic Designer (Graphic Designer II)
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Position Number: 1723608
Location: Rohnert Park, CA
Position Type: Fine and Applied Arts - Graphic Design

Graphic Designer (Graphic Designer II)
Sonoma State University

Job ID: 104947
Location: Sonoma State University (Rohnert Park, CA)
Full/Part Time: Full-Time
Regular/Temporary: Regular

Department Name
Marketing, School of Extended and International Education

Salary and Benefits
Starting salary placement depends on qualifications and experience and is anticipated to be in the range of $3,717 to $4,716 a month.

This position is eligible for a broad range of benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurances, retirement (CalPERS), tuition waiver, vacation and sick leave. In addition, 14 paid holidays are offered each year; 13 scheduled on specific days and a Personal Holiday that may be taken any time during the year.

A comprehensive benefits summary for this position is available online by clicking the View Benefits Summary link or by request from SSU Human Resources.

Application Deadline
This position is open until filled. For full consideration, please submit application, along with cover letter and resume, by 8am on December 16, 2019. Please refer to the Application Process section of this posting for additional details.

Conditions of Employment
This is a full time, non-exempt position, which will lead toward permanent status following the successful completion of a probationary period.

Responsibilities
Sonoma State University is committed to achieving excellence through teaching, scholarship, learning and inclusion. In line with our Strategic Plan and our Seawolf Commitment, our values include diversity, sustainability, community engagement, respect, responsibility, excellence and integrity. We strive to cultivate a community in which a diverse population can learn and work in an atmosphere of civility and respect. We encourage innovation, experimentation and creativity, as well as contributions to equity and inclusion, in the pursuit of excellence for all members of our university community.

Reporting to the Executive Director of Operations for Programs and Business (EDOPB) and working collaboratively with the Marketing Coordinator, the Graphic Designer is responsible for independently producing a variety of complex instructional and/or promotional communication materials using traditional and emerging tools(e.g., web site design and interactive technologies)to meet the diverse communication needs of the School of Extended and International Education (SEIE) graphic communication efforts. The incumbent coordinates and executes various graphic material, including print and digital advertisements, as well as on-site wayfinding and digital signage, all print and direct mail pieces, website/social content, mass emails, merchandising, and development design needs.

Duties involve identifying department needs, developing graphic content to enhance and create cohesion with the overall look and feel of the SEIE's branding. The incumbent manages multiple projects and priorities while providing expertise in the development, evaluation, and creation of effective SEIE communication strategies. The incumbent prepares layouts and produces materials using strong skills and comprehensive knowledge related to design, creation and display of both visual print and multimedia materials. The incumbent incorporates the latest practices, technologies, and trends in higher education and related industries. The incumbent often consults with program directors, faculty coordinators and campus partners to determine communication concepts and design. Duties also involve providing some lead work direction to less experienced staff.

Working independently with very limited artistic direction, major duties of the position include, but are not limited to, the following: collaborating with the EDOPB, Marketing Coordinator, program directors, faculty coordinators and other campus partners to develop communication and marketing themes and materials. The incumbent is responsible for day-to-day graphic operations and for the execution and coordination of complex projects and assignments. Typically, the incumbent works with members of SEIE or other campus clients to achieve an optimal visual solution that meets both University identity and communication requirements, as well as the objectives of the client. The incumbent consults with clients to determine communication concepts and design; ensures that design concepts are tailored to the intended audience; selects the visual materials to be used in the communication of information; creates visual material including original designs; designs the placement and appearance of visual material; selects typographical format; designs and plans the effective use of color, tone, and harmony; and designs, produces, and coordinates various materials required in the production of final products. Other duties may include but are not limited to:

- Create designs, concepts and sample layouts of a variety of marketing and communications materials including the following, but not limited to: printed and electronic brochures/communications (such as constant contact), posters, fliers, programs, and advertisements; web sites; social media collateral; and identity/brand development.
- Research, evaluate, and determine new and traditional graphic design approaches to create the most effective marketing and communications materials, projects and priorities.
- Work with clients to determine needs, and create and implement materials to reach intended audiences.
- Research, evaluate, and recommend creative graphic strategies for advertising in support of department needs.
- Uses appreciable creativity to create and execute graphic art and designs, as well as ingenuity to devise new solutions to challenges.
- Create and maintain timelines and prioritizes to meet deadlines for all materials.
- Provide design maintenance of websites and other electronic publications, ensuring that all design elements, templates and finished solutions work within a variety of browser types and meet required accessibility requirements.
- Assist with photography and video projects for the department, and other administrative duties as assigned.
- Assist with the conceptualization and implementation of new webpages using Content Management System such as Drupal and Adobe Dreamweaver while adhering to the University standards and templates.
- Assist with making necessary updates, modifications and additions to webpages upon request.

Performs other secondary duties as assigned.

Duties will primarily take place in an office setting however additional duties may be performed in various locations on the Sonoma State University campus, including working both indoors and outdoors to support and participate in university activities and events. The normal work schedule is Monday through Friday aligned with regular campus hours. Your specific start time is determined by your Appropriate Administrator. As a non-exempt employee, any request for overtime will be specified and pre-approved by Appropriate Administrator. Evening and weekend hours may be required and will be specified only by the supervisor to meet operational needs. The incumbent must maintain regular and acceptable attendance at such levels as is determined by the Appropriate Administrator. The position may require occasional travel, by automobile and airplane, and the incumbent must be able to work some night and weekend hours with overnight stays.

Qualifications
This position requires comprehensive knowledge of graphic design and production principles and communication theory including a basic understanding of marketing and promotion concepts. This knowledge and skill normally is obtained through a college degree in graphic design, fine arts, or a related field or through technical experience and/or relevant coursework. A minimum of two years of electronic, print design and graphic production, two years of solid professional practice as a designer preferred. Advanced proficiency with computers and Microsoft Office (Word, Excel) required. Knowledge of Google Suite, working knowledge of content management systems, specifically Drupal, and PeopleSoft preferred. Solid working knowledge of the Adobe Creative Cloud core programs (Illustrator, InDesign and Photoshop), understanding of web design, including, but not limited to: designing webpage layout, determining technical requirements, updating websites, and creating back up files, and experience in a variety of digital delivery and print formats on both Mac and PC platforms preferred. In addition, strong communication skills and the ability to use and maintain currency with applicable computer software packages and systems are essential.

The incumbent must possess strong graphic design skills and artistic ability in order to translate communication needs into an artistic design. Solid working knowledge of applicable graphic de-sign software packages and hardware systems and peripherals. Ability to use interactive technologies and to create new methods for combining software and graphic packages to address communication and visual product goals. Ability to understand university level curriculum concepts and convey them graphically. Thorough knowledge of current campus documents and university-wide publication needs. Thorough understanding of printing and other vendor services to prepare specifications for printing and other services. Ability to prepare camera-ready materials and a working knowledge of design and electronic prepress processes used in the production of complex publications. Working knowledge of applicable copyright laws applicable to design work and creative properties. Work requires a high level of creativity to produce a wide range of materials for various departments and audiences. Ability to consult and communicate effectively with faculty, staff and students and to interpret and translate their needs into effective visual formats

The incumbent must be highly detail oriented and possess strong project planning and management skills in fast paced environments with short deadlines; excellent written and oral communication skills with the ability to communicate with all levels within the university and establish and maintain productive and effective, inclusive working relationships amongst diverse populations including staff, faculty, administration, students, and other internal and external constituents; excellent customer service skills and presentation skills; strong analytical and problem-solving skills. Must excel at working independently and successfully complete multiple and highly complex projects concurrently, diplomatically with accuracy and detail, and collaborate with colleagues on design projects and web-based publishing. Must be able to accept constructive feedback and work cooperatively in group situations.

Application Process
Click the "Apply Now" to apply to this position, materials submitted with your application will not be returned. For questions related to the application process, please reach out to Human Resources (hr@sonoma.edu | 707.664.3100).

Qualified candidates must submit the following to be considered:
1. Cover Letter and Resume - application system only allows one document to be uploaded, so cover letter and resume must be included in the same MS Word or PDF file (file name should not contain any spaces or special characters)
2. Online Employment Application (complete entire application, resume/cover letter will not substitute for any part of the application)

A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate can be offered a position. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the application status of applicants or continued employment of current employees who apply for this position.

The ADA Coordinator is available at 707.664.2664, to assist individuals with disabilities in need of accommodation during the hiring process.

Other Information
Equal Employment Opportunity: The University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, medical condition, disability, marital status, or protected veteran status.

Mandated Reporting: This position may be considered a "mandated reporter" under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.

About Sonoma State University
Sonoma State University, located 48 miles north of San Francisco, is one of the 23 campuses of the California State University. Sonoma State University is a liberal arts institution with an enrollment of approximately 10,000 students and 530 full-time and part-time faculty. Our beautiful campus is located in Rohnert Park, at the foot of the Sonoma hills in the Wine Country.

Sonoma State University is proud to be a smoke-free campus, where smoking and other uses of tobacco products, such as smokeless tobacco, the use of e-cigarettes and similar devices, are prohibited.

Sonoma State University's Jeanne Clery Act Annual Security Report is available at http://www.sonoma.edu/ps/about/jeanneclery.html; Annual Campus Housing Fire Safety Report is available at http://www.sonoma.edu/housing/general-info/emergency-prep/fire-safety.html.

Contact Information
Sonoma State University
Human Resources
Main (707) 664-3100
Fax (707) 664-3196
1801 East Cotati Avenue
Rohnert Park, CA 94928
hr@sonoma.edu