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Senior Strategic Communications Specialist-Photographer/Videographer

City of Fort Lauderdale
3 days ago
Full-time
On-site
Fl 33301, Florida, United States
$76,902.59 - $119,214.36 USD yearly

POSITION SUMMARY


Step behind the lens and into the heart of one of Florida’s most vibrant cities. The City of Fort Lauderdale is seeking a full-time Photographer/Videographer to lead visual storytelling with a strong emphasis on still photography. From sunlit shoreline ceremonies to dynamic downtown festivals, you’ll be the creative force capturing the people, places, and pulse of our community.

Our ideal candidate thrives on flexibility and will often cover City events that take place in the evenings and on weekends. While this role extends beyond a traditional 8-to-5 schedule, it also includes a steady presence during regular business hours.

Your schedule will adjust each week, requiring adaptability and offering the opportunity to share Fort Lauderdale’s story with the community. You’ll work with City officials, departments, and neighbors in a professional and personable way, while confidently giving direction to capture the perfect shot.
 
The employee in this class is expected to establish and maintain effective working relationships with City staff, the media, and representatives of other governmental jurisdictions, private businesses, civic organizations, non-profit entities, residents, and the general public. Under the direction of the Strategic Communications Manager, the employee exercises considerable initiative and independent judgment in performing work assignments.

NOTE: The duties of this position will include all of those duties set forth in the official job description.

This job classification is in Management Category III for benefits purposes, which includes Six (6) additional management vacation days per calendar year and a monthly vehicle allowance of $250.00.

This is a non-classified "at-will" position and is not subject to Civil Service Rules or any collective bargaining agreement.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Essential functions are the basic job duties that an employee must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation. The list of essential functions, as outlined herein, is intended to be representative of the tasks performed within this classification.   The omission of a function does not preclude management from assigning essential duties not listed herein if such duties relate to the position.
 
  • Captures high-quality photography and video of City events, programs, services, projects, employees, facilities, and community activities.
  • Produces, edits, and delivers short- and long-format videos for social media, websites, presentations, broadcast, public service announcements, and other City communications.
  • Photographs events, ceremonies, press conferences, public meetings, community programs, ribbon cuttings, emergency response activities, and other assignments.
  • Edits photos and videos using Adobe Creative Cloud or similar professional editing software.
  • Creates motion graphics, animated text, lower thirds, title cards, transitions, and other visual elements to enhance videos, social media content, presentations, and public information campaigns.
  • Creates visual content optimized for social media platforms, websites, newsletters, presentations, and other digital channels.
  • Assists with planning and producing original multimedia content that highlights City services, initiatives, programs, and strategic priorities.
  • Operates cameras, audio equipment, lighting, stabilizers, tripods, drones where applicable, and other production equipment.
  • Sets up, tests, and breaks down audiovisual, photography, and video production equipment for field and studio assignments.
  • Provides creative and technical support for interviews, public service announcements, promotional videos, training videos, and informational campaigns.
  • Assists with livestreams, recorded meetings, press events, and public-facing broadcasts as needed.
  • Organizes, labels, archives, and maintains photo and video files in a clear and accessible digital asset management system.
  • Ensures all visual content meets City brand standards, accessibility expectations, and communications goals.
  • Coordinates with departments, elected officials’ offices, public safety personnel, community partners, and staff to capture timely and accurate content.
  • Transports and maintains multimedia equipment, ensuring it remains in good working condition.
  • Monitors trends in photography, videography, motion graphics, social media, and digital storytelling to recommend new approaches and improvements.
  • Responds to urgent communications needs, including emergency operations, weather events, public safety incidents, and other time-sensitive assignments.
  • Works evenings, weekends, and off-hours as needed to support events, emergencies, and time-sensitive assignments.
  • Performs other duties as assigned.

Video

  • Creation of video content (shooting, editing, uploading, optimizing, effects generation) for use on the City’s video distribution channels.
  • Coordinate with Program Manager I to develop videos that support messaging and bring awareness, relevance, and prompt call-to-action to viewers.
  • Leverage interviews, testimonials, storytelling styles to meet the needs of target audiences.  Strategically plan distribution of videos through social media marketing tools.
  • Optimize videos for search engines and ensure videos have ADA compliance attributes.
  • Tag, organize, and archive video and media in coordinated folder structure for ease of future accessibility.
  • Write scripts, storyboards, coordinate shooting schedules, and programming of videos.
  • Develop efficient strategies and tactics to ensure that programs deliver outcome desired by the department and City
  • Develops and maintains process improvement strategies, identifying, managing, and improving core processes
  • Performs related work as required

JOB REQUIREMENTS, PREFERENCES & WORK ENVIRONMENT

MINIMUM JOB REQUIREMENTS:

  1. Bachelor’s degree in communications, media production, photography, videography, journalism, marketing, public relations, digital media, or a related field; or equivalent work experience.
  2. Three years of experience in photography, videography, video editing, multimedia production, or a closely related field.
  3. Experience using professional camera equipment and editing software.
  4. Possess or be able to obtain a valid State of Florida driver’s license within 30 days of hire
  5. On-call availability to work nights, weekends and holidays
  6. High proficiency in writing, editing and verbal communication
  7. Prior relevant marketing and communications experience for a government entity preferred
  8. If claiming Veterans' Preference, you must attach a copy of the DD214 Member 4 form (or other supporting claim documents) to your on-line application.
As public servants, employees may be required to work immediately before, during, and/or after an emergency. All employees must be available and able to work assigned shifts as determined by their Department Heads.    

PHYSICAL STANDARDS REQUIRED TO PERFORM ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: 
The position is generally sedentary. Employees sit most of the time but may walk or stand for extended periods of time.  The position involves light physical demands, such as exerting up to 20 lbs. of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 lbs. of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.
 
Ability to lift, carry, climb, bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, reach, walk, push, pull, grasp, stand and access heights or areas where limited space is available.
 
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

HOW TO APPLY & SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

Applications will be reviewed, and the hiring authority will contact those applicants whose application reflects the best match of experience for the position.

Applicants who qualify will be subject to an extensive selection process and screening program, which may include, but not be limited to evaluation of training and experience; written test; interview; employment record, background check; medical examination; and drug screen. The expected duration of the selection process varies by position.

The City of Fort Lauderdale is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action, inclusive employer and a Drug Free Workplace. The City of Fort Lauderdale does not discriminate based on age, citizenship status, color, disability, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. Veterans' preference per Florida law.

For technical support with your on-line application, contact GovernmentJobs.com from 9 am to 9 pm EST, Monday to Friday, at (855) 524-5627 oremailsupport@governmentjobs.com.