Senior Communications Specialist

Job Description

Description

Under general supervision, performs a variety of professional communications and creative content duties in the development and implementation of First 5 Alameda County's social media presence and communications strategy. Owns day-to-day management of the Agency's social media platforms and newsletters; develops a wide variety of content elements including copywriting, graphic design, and short-form video; provides responsible and creative support to Agency management staff in building community engagement and telling the Agency's story to families, partners, and the public, creates written content for use across various platforms; drafts narratives to help uplift First 5 branding and for executive use.

• Working directly with F5 staff to help create and produce responsive communications deliverables including presentations, social media content, talking points, brand identity etc.
• Takes ownership of First 5 Alameda County's social media platforms - content planning, creative direction, posting cadence, and platform strategy - shaping what the Agency's voice looks and sounds like online.
• Writes, designs, and produces original content - graphics, short-form video, reels, stories, and campaign creative - that makes early childhood policy and programs feel human, visual, and shareable.
• Drives follower growth, engagement, and reach across platforms; stays ahead of platform trends and formats and brings fresh ideas to how a public agency shows up on social media.
• Owns the Agency's day-to-day conversation online - responds to comments and messages in real time, sparks engagement, and builds genuine relationships with parents, providers, and community partners. Produces and helps grow the Agency's email newsletters, keeping content fresh, visual, and aligned with social campaigns.
• Builds and runs an editorial and social content calendar tied to program milestones, community events, and Agency priorities; pitches campaign concepts rather than simply executing a schedule.
• Develops platform-native content (video, graphics, copy) tailored to each channel's audience and format, from Instagram and Facebook to emerging platforms.
• Supports website content updates, the Newsroom and resource pages, and maintenance of a clean, organized library of photos and video for the team to draw from.
• Sets the tone for the Agency's social voice, acting as first-line quality control on brand consistency before routing content for final review.
• Tracks and reports on social and email performance (engagement, reach, growth, click-through) through a regular digital metrics report, and uses the data to continuously sharpen strategy.
• Keeps a pulse on social media trends, best practices, and what's working for peer organizations, and brings recommendations back to the team.
• Supports executive communications by drafting talking points, remarks, or other content for Agency leadership as assigned.
• Partners with program staff to translate policy and program updates into content people actually want to engage with.
• Acts as communications generalist when needed to help fill needs on comms team, including but not limited to: drafting content, staffing events and principles, coordinating with outside vendors, reviewing and producing invoices for work, sharing opinions and reviewing staff needs/work etc.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. Additional experience and/or education can be substituted to meet typical qualifications. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

• Minimum of three (3) years of progressively responsible professional experience developing and producing digital content, managing social media platforms, supporting communications campaigns, and creating written and visual materials for diverse audiences, preferably for a brand, agency, non-profit or public facing organization
• bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Communications, Marketing, Public Relations, Journalism, Digital Media, Graphic Design, or a closely related field.
• Additional relevant work experience may be substituted to meet college coursework/training standards.

Additional Requirements

Travel within Alameda County as necessary to carry out job duties. Some travel outside Alameda County occasionally required.

Knowledge of:

• Social media platforms and analytics tools, and familiarity with social scheduling platforms.
• Email marketing and newsletter platforms (e.g., Constant Contact, Mailchimp, GovDelivery, or similar tools).
• Content creation and design tools (Canva/Adobe Creative Suite) and video editing/short-form content production.
• Digital engagement metrics (e.g., reach, impressions, engagement, click-through rates) and using data to inform content decisions.
• Best practices with website and content management.
• Techniques and methods for developing persuasive written and visual communications.
• Attributes and characteristics of various styles of writing, such as Associated Press style, and the appropriate adaptation of communication style for targeted audience.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service, by effectively dealing with the public and Agency staff.
• The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.

Ability to:

• Write, design, and produce original visual and video content that makes early childhood policy and programs feel human, visual, and shareable.
• Independently own a social media content calendar and platform strategy with real creative direction.
• Grow follower engagement and reach, staying ahead of platform trends and formats.
• Build community online, responding to comments and messages and building genuine relationships with parents, providers, and partners.
• Produce and help grow email newsletters aligned with social campaigns.
• Prepare clear and effective written and visual material independently.
• Effectively explain complex policies and objectives to non-technical audiences.
• Analyze situations and identify pertinent problems/issues; evaluate realistic options; recommend and implement an appropriate course of action.
• Organize and prioritize a variety of projects and multiple tasks in an effective and timely manner; set priorities and meet critical deadlines.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Effectively use computer systems and software applications, including graphic design, photo and video editing, and other systems and applications relevant to work performed.
• Observe and comply with all Agency and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.

Please note:

• We are currently working a hybrid 2 day per week in-office schedule and employees also come to the office to attend meetings and as requested.
• All First 5 employees must live and work in California.
• The salary range for this position is $126,000 to $182,000 and as an independent government agency, the posted salary is the set salary range for this position. We cannot offer salaries above this posted range.
• We conduct reference and background checks for all potential employees.

About First 5 Alameda County

First 5 Alameda County believes every child in Alameda County should have optimal health, development, and well-being to reach their greatest potential. Through innovative programs and policy advocacy, we help provide children and their families access to resources that support their first five years of development.

Join our mission-driven team that in partnership with the community, supports a county-wide continuous prevention and early intervention system that promotes optimal health and development, narrows disparities, and improves peak years of child development.

First 5 Alameda County Benefits

We offer a comprehensive benefits package with health care options to meet the diverse needs of our employees and their families. These benefits include but are not limited to Medical, Dental, & Vision Coverage, $1,500 credit per year to spend on benefits, Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs), Employer Paid & Voluntary Life & AD&D Insurance, Long-Term Disability Insurance, Retirement Plans including the ACERA Pension Plan, Commuter Benefits, Employee Assistance Plan and more.

We also offer paid vacation, paid time off and sick time. We have 17 paid holidays including the week between Christmas Day and New Year's Day as paid time off.