Marketing Specialist Entry

Please prepare your responses to the following prompts in advance, as you will be required to submit answers during the application process. Failure to respond to the questions may preclude you from moving forward in this process.

• Explain your experience developing materials for a range of audiences and any projects requiring multi-language materials.
• Describe your experience working with multiple clients or stakeholders at the same time. How do you prioritize their needs and ensure your success?

To perform advertising, publication and marketing services for various SMUD departments to enhance customer awareness of the organization's programs and maintain its positive image.

This classification is comprised of two levels: Level "I" is the entry-level where incumbents are provided formal training and/or certification for progression to the journey-level "II" of the classification. The incumbent is promoted/progressed to the journey-level upon successful completion of all training and/or certification requirements for the classification. Incumbents hired at the entry-level are required to successfully progress to the journey-level within 18 to 60 months, depending on the length of the training and/or certification program. If an employee is unsuccessful with progressing to the journey-level they will return to last class held or separate from SMUD.

• Develops strategic advertising, media and communications plans to increase customer awareness and participation in programs and services offered by SMUD and maintain the organization's positive image in the community.
• Designs, develops, writes, produces, and manages the printing, distribution and production of social media, print, radio, and television advertisements, media buys for advertising and advertising communications tools of all types to overcome language, education, income, and ethnic barriers.
• Writes, develops, produces, and prints rate notices, customer notifications and other customer communications to meet requirements of SMUD's Board of Directors resolutions and local, state and federal laws and regulations.
• Recommends topics for market research for selected SMUD programs and services to identify market potential, saturation rates, market opportunities, market barriers or objections, customer satisfaction, and effectiveness of current program and service methodologies.
• Reviews and reports advertising area expenditures to support assigned programs and services, program status and business planning processes.
• Participates in budget formulation and administration by preparing and administering advertising purchase orders; preparing and monitoring budgets for assigned programs; allocating limited funds and resources for required services in accordance with department priorities; and building, administering and monitoring schedules and work plans to meet program goals and deadlines.
• Participates in aspects of contract administration and contractor and consultant supervision by assisting in the preparation of purchase requests and bid specifications for graphic design, advertising services and related media/marketing services; administering contracts, work plans, schedules, and billing; reviewing contractor or consultant submittals of copy, graphic designs, proposals, and artwork; and supporting the training and orientation of outside contractor personnel on awarded SMUD projects for assigned programs.
• Assists in planning, reviewing and conducting work activities and researching required project information associated with department internal/external projects in accordance with established task objectives and schedule as outlined in the project plan/contract.
• Performs other related duties as needed; schedules, hours and locations may fluctuate based on business needs.

• High school diploma or equivalency.

• One or more (1+) years of experience writing copy and producing advertising/marketing materials.

• A valid California driver's license.

Fundamentals and practices of marketing and advertising; practices of industry standards for graphic development, print, radio, social media, and television ads, radio buys and print and media production techniques; techniques of evaluation and research; fundamentals and practices of grassroots advertising; fundamentals and practices for budget administration and accounting; methods and techniques for planning, organizing, directing, and controlling work activities; techniques and practices for negotiating; fundamentals and practices of program evaluation; procedures and practices for overseeing contractors/consultants work activities; safety policies, practices and procedures; standard operating procedures for modern office equipment including a computer and applicable software; English grammar, punctuation and vocabulary standards.

Provide marketing, advertising and customer communications products; write and edit advertising and information brochure copy; develop advertising plans and advertising strategies; develop and implement media plans and schedules; evaluate market research results; define targets including demographic or psychographic profiles of potential customers for proposed programs; prepare technical reports and presentations; interact with others to influence, motivate and challenge; assess situations, documents and data for conformance to established policy and procedures; interpret, assess and apply pertinent policies, procedures, regulations, and requirements; assist in budget preparation and administration; plan, oversee and review the work of others, including outside graphic designers, advertising agencies or other outside consultants; utilize a personal computer and/or computer terminal, systems and software relevant to the job; communicate effectively orally and in writing internally/externally; establish and maintain effective working relationships internally/externally.

• BA/BS degree from an accredited college or university majoring in English, communications, marketing, business administration or related field or equivalent experience.
• Proven ability to work on cross-functional teams with multiple clients/customers concurrently.
• Excellent written communication skills.
• Ability to work with customers/clients from a range of different areas and backgrounds.
• Experience coordinating collateral development for a range of audiences including multi-language translations.
• Knowledge/awareness of brand principles and brand management.
• Experience supporting clients in a fast-paced, ever-evolving environment.