Senior Graphic Designer/Publications Editor

Irvine Valley College

Pay Rate Type:  Monthly

Work Days:   Monday - Friday

Work Hours:  8:00 am - 5:00 pm (Schedule and shift are subject to change in accordance with departments needs)

Hours Per Week:  40

Percentage of Employment:  100

Months of Employment:  12

Salary:  Starting at $6,319 per month

C.S.E.A Classified Bargaining Unit Salary Range 136

Initial Screening Date: June 21, 2022

Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION

Under direction from supervisory and/or management staff leads, plans, coordinates and participates in a variety of graphic design activities including photography, printing, typesetting, concept development, publication design, layout and editing; produces a variety of publications, graphic designs, and instructional graphics; assists other staff in the design of publications and materials; writes, edits, lays out, and coordinates the publishing of a variety of publications; operates and maintains a variety of equipment used in the production of graphic materials; and performs a variety of technical duties relative to assigned area.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is an advanced journey level class in the Graphic Designer series. Positions at this level are distinguished from Graphic Designer positions by the level of responsibility assumed and the complexity of duties assigned including coordinating and producing the most complex graphic design materials and serving as a lead worker on assigned projects. This classification differs from the Senior Graphic Designer classification in that incumbents in this class have the primary responsibility for writing, editing, laying out, and coordinating the publishing of a variety of publications including the college catalog, class schedule, and information card. Employees at this level are required to be fully trained in all procedures related to assigned area of responsibility.

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES

The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

•  Lead and coordinate the production of graphic designs and artwork for a variety of College and or District brochures, posters, signs and other graphic needs; schedule, prioritize, and assign projects to staff; ensure that work is completed in a timely and appropriate manner; perform the most complex graphic design work.

•  Meet and receive work orders from College and/or District departments; establish production schedules and priorities to meet deadlines; set up and plan work activities; monitor and track projects to ensure proper and timely completion.

•  Coordinate reproduction requests with departmental representatives and resolve design problems; advise departmental representatives of effective reproduction and layout techniques; prepare designs and graphics based upon verbal requests.

•  Oversee and participate in designing, composing, and producing a variety of publication, graphic design, and instructional graphic materials including brochures, posters, fliers, newsletters, logos, signs, program announcements and related materials; create and cut mats; mount and laminate artwork; assist administrative, classified, and certificated staff in designing, composing and producing graphic materials as necessary.

•  Utilize and maintain a computer and a wide variety of graphic software, graphic techniques, desktop publishing techniques, production equipment and supplies to assist in preparing and/or designing layouts and producing graphic materials; ensure proper storage and backup of computer files; recommend new systems and software to improve production quality.

•  Consult with other personnel to determine graphic design needs; assist in developing new procedures and implementing new systems to meet those needs.

•  Determine work to be completed by outside vendors; prepare job specifications and assist in selecting appropriate vendor; negotiate contracts with outside vendors for printing, binding and other necessary services; work with vendors to ensure proper reproduction quality.

•  Assist in press checks and final runs for all publications.

•  Estimate printing and graphic costs; assist personnel in determining cost effectiveness of graphic services; consult with Purchasing Department for estimate procedure when jobs are beyond minimum requisitions.

•  Write, edit, layout and coordinate the publishing of a variety of District publications including the College catalog, class schedule, information card and various other materials; in consultation with faculty and staff, recommend revisions to publications.

•  Develop production calendars for the class schedule, college catalog, and other publications; coordinate and direct production meetings with graphic design staff; set priorities and oversee workflow to ensure that work is on track to meet publishing goals and deadlines.

•  Operate a variety of graphic and printing equipment and machines including cameras, copiers, scanners, computers, and printers.

•  Train and provide technical work direction for graphic personnel and student assistants; schedule and review activities to ensure that work is completed in a timely and appropriate manner; monitor and verify timecards for processing; provide or coordinate staff training; work with employees to correct deficiencies.

•  Perform a variety of administrative duties including maintaining files and records; calculate the cost to be billed to each client after completion of publications using the department’s established price list; complete invoices for submission to clients.

•  Serve as liaison with clients, students, staff, vendors other departments, and the general public; respond to inquiries in person and over the phone; provide information within the area of assignment; resolve complaints in an efficient and timely manner.

•  Serve as staff on a variety of and committees; draft various correspondence for discussion by committees prior to their approval by the college for publication.

•  Order and maintain inventories of supplies, materials, and equipment; schedule and pick-up deliveries; requisition service and repairs form designated vendor; perform routine repairs and maintenance on equipment; arrange new product demonstrations.

•  Perform related duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS

The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the assigned duties.

Knowledge of:

•  Operations, services, and activities of visual communication, graphic design, and print production.

•  Principles of lead supervision and training.

•  Advanced principles and practices of graphic composition, design, illustration, and production.

•  Operational characteristics of desktop publishing and graphics materials and tools used in the area of assignment.

•  Advanced methods and techniques of page layout, drawing, sign layout, and photo manipulation software.

•  Operation and use of design and graphic equipment including cameras, computers, printers, plotters, and scanners.

•  Operation and use of design and graphic equipment including presses, typesetters, computers, cutting and binding equipment, enlargers, copy machines, cameras, and illustration equipment.

•  Costs and processes involved in producing a variety of brochures, posters, signs and forms.

•  Principles and procedures of recordkeeping.

•  English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation.

Ability to:

•  Lead, organize, and review the work of staff.

•  Independently perform the most difficult graphic design functions.

•  Interpret, explain, and enforce department policies and procedures.

•  Train staff in the safe and effective use of design and graphic equipment.

•  Plan and organize printing and graphic projects to ensure that quality products are completed in a timely and cost effective manner.

•  Provide assistance to District staff in developing and designing printing and graphic needs.

•  Operate a variety of printing, design, illustration and computer equipment.

•  Coordinate and plan a variety of printing and graphic activities to ensure the highest quality development of District publications, brochures, forms and similar media items.

•  Compose, design, and develop a variety of instructional graphics including posters, flyers, and signs.

•  Review content for coherence, style, logic, accuracy, completeness and corrections.

•  Revise copy to meet standards of style and good practice.

•  Evaluate publications overall for their unity of purpose and consistency of message.

•  Make logical and defensible decisions.

•  Perform desktop publishing functions utilizing applicable computer software and graphics materials.

•  Manipulate images, design, and layout printed materials.

•  Work independently in the absence of supervision.

•  Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.

•  Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE GUIDELINES

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

Education/Training:

•  Equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in graphic design, visual communications, or a related field.

Experience:

•  Three years of responsible graphic design experience and publications editorial work.

SPECIAL COVID-19 NOTICE:

Interviews may be held in-person (following all necessary precautions) or in a virtual format. Employees must reside in California while employed with the South Orange County Community College District (SOCCCD), even during remote work. Thank you for your continued interest in working at the SOCCCD.

The SOCCCD is committed to protecting the health and wellbeing of students, faculty, staff, administrators, and the communities it serves. The Board of Trustees voted to require COVID-19 vaccinations for all students, employees, and volunteers with allowances for medical exemptions and sincerely held religious beliefs as defined by law. More information can be found on our District website by visiting https://www.socccd.edu/about/about_covid-19.html.

SOCCCD IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER