Communications Associate - Writer / Multimedia Storyteller, temporary
Salary $831.90 Weekly
Location Portland, OR
Job Type Temporary
Department Property and Environmental Services
Job Number 2018-2339-PES-COMM
Closing 2/9/2018 5:00 PM Pacific
Position Summary
Work schedule and assignment: This position will average 30 hours per week, with some flexible hours, such as evenings and weekends, required. One temporary position is available. Temporary employees are limited to 1040 hours in a 12-month period.
Salary: The stated weekly salary is based on a 30 hours per week schedule.
Do you think in stories? We are looking for a writer and multimedia storyteller to join our news team, to provide journalism-style multimedia content for Metro News (oregonmetro.gov/news) and Metro's social media channels (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram). This position will focus on topics related to garbage and recycling and will serve on the team responsible for all public communication on behalf of Metro's Property and Environmental Services (PES) department.
The Communications Associate – Writer/Multimedia Storyteller, temporary will join a team of highly capable communications professionals. The successful candidate will be directly responsible for developing quality multimedia news stories that are shareable across multiple Metro media channels. The successful candidate must have demonstrated professional experience researching and interviewing, writing and editing, and producing multimedia news-based stories that include a minimum of good writing and photos, but may also include audio, video, and/or infographics. Strong consideration will be given to a candidate's demonstrated skills collecting and reporting stories that represent and resonate with diverse audiences around greater Portland.
The successful candidate will be a self-starter and fearless seeker of the truth no matter what topic or community they cover.
A journalism background is preferred; however marketing and communications writers and content producers should consider applying if their portfolio of experience writing and creating multimedia content includes storytelling that follows journalistic guidelines.
The Communications Associate – Writer/Multimedia Storyteller, temporary reports to the communications supervisor. The daily work will be led by the senior content specialist on the team. The storyteller role often involves working independently inside and outside of the Metro Regional Center and may entail working non-traditional hours, including evenings and weekends. The work plan for this position will benefit from flexible scheduling and work location to manage the pressures of researching, interviewing, and producing content to meet deadlines on a prescribed timeline.
Application preferences
1) Electronic application, 2) a resume, 3) a cover letter describing your qualifications as they relate to the duties of this position, and 4) answers to supplemental questions and 5) an attached portfolio with representative writing samples.
We hire a workforce representative of the communities we serve, understanding that a diverse workforce strengthens our organization. We value diversity and support a positive and welcoming environment where all of our employees can thrive.
Essential Job Duties
An employee in this position must be able to perform the essential job duties listed below with or without reasonable accommodation; however, this list is not intended to include all of the specific tasks which an employee in this position may be expected to perform. A temporary position typically will not perform all job functions associated with the classification.
The person joining this team is expected to carry out their individual responsibilities as a creative leader, strategic thinker, and a resourceful problem-solver.
The position will work directly with the communications supervisor (team lead) and senior content specialist to develop and implement a variety of tasks.
- Works directly with senior content specialist to research, write, publish and produce written stories and/or photos, video, audio and infographics.
- Collaborates with staff or contracted videographer to develop and edit videos for news stories.
- Connects with department staff and external stakeholders to complete interviews and research for the assignment list.
- Serves as point person for translation services (with contractor in place) for news content that will be provided in multiple languages.
- Provides quality assurance (QA) of a range of written material, which could include editing, copy editing and proofing of copy written by others.
- May be assigned to create content related to garbage and recycling that is not news-based such as how-to information for web pages or print pieces.
This position is not represented and is classified as an Associate Public Affairs Specialist (click to read the full classification). Classification descriptions are typically written broadly and do not include the specific duties and responsibilities of the positions.
Minimum Requirements
Two years professional level experience in a journalism or storytelling capacity and a bachelor's degree in journalism, communications, or public affairs or any combination of experience and education which provides the applicant with the necessary skills, knowledge and ability required to perform the job.
This position requires a valid driver's license and the ability to work occasional evenings and weekends.
This position requires knowledge of:
- structure and content of the English language, including diction, grammar and composition.
- journalism principles and practices.
- Associated Press style.
This position requires skill in using:
- tools needed to edit and produce story content, including Word and Word editing tools, Photoshop or other photo editing software, and other related tools.
- excellent interpersonal skills.
This position requires the ability to:
- write engaging copy and translate technical topics and numbers into accessible language for general audiences.
- establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, Metro staff, other organizations, supervisors and the public and to work effectively with individuals and formal and informal teams with members from diverse communities and cultures.
- accurately tell stories about historically marginalized communities traditionally not covered.
- conduct balanced reporting, including cold calls, in-person and phone interviews and internet research.
- shoot, edit, caption and catalog photos, and ability to select the best photos to tell the story.
- capture people well in photos.
- post stories, photos and videos to the Metro website after receiving training on the Drupal content management system.
- create interesting multimedia posts for Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
- work independently.
- fulfill Metro's employee values of public service, excellence, teamwork, respect, innovation and sustainability.
In addition to these requirements, the following abilities are expected to be developed over the course of regular work hours.
- Ability to shoot and edit video on basic equipment and/or a phone, load into Vimeo, add closed captioning and subtitles, and copy edit closed captions.
- Ability to conceptualize and work with graphic designers or use online tools to create meaningful graphics that help tell stories with numbers or timelines.
Additional Information
Online applications: Metro accepts job applications online. If you need assistance or accommodation with your application, or access to a computer, call 503-797-1570.
Accommodation: Reasonable accommodation is available to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing this application or participating in this process. To obtain confidential assistance please contact Human Resources (503) 797-1570.
Public Employees Retirement System (PERS): New employees will pay the employee portion of the PERS contribution.
Veterans' Preference: Under Oregon Law, qualified veterans may be eligible for veterans' preference when applying for Metro positions. If you are a veteran and would like to be considered for a veterans' preference for this job, please provide qualifying documents as instructed during the application process.
Criminal background check: In order to protect the well being of its employees, the public and agency assets, Metro may conduct criminal background checks on candidates selected for Metro positions. Criminal convictions do not necessarily preclude employment and will be considered on a case by case basis. A background check will only be conducted if you are selected as a finalist for a position. If selected as a finalist, you will be contacted by Human Resources prior to the initiation of a background check.
Equal employment opportunity: All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, familial status, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability for which a reasonable accommodation can be made or any other status protected by law. Assistance will be gladly provided upon request for any applicant with sensory or non-sensory disabilities.
An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer
Agency
Metro
Address
600 NE Grand Ave
Portland, Oregon, 97232.
Phone
503-797-1570
Website