Job Description

Multimedia Journalist

The Multimedia Journalist is a deadline-driven, fast-paced position! It informs and engages those who live, work, visit, and play in Odessa, Texas, on various platforms while following and implementing strategic plans of the Communications Department. This position works as a team to initiate, plan, develop, and produce video, audio, marketing material, and communication projects to support community outreach. The Multimedia journalist will assist and support other members of the City's communications team with social media, newsletters, events, meetings, website, customer service, and more.

Essential Functions Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following

Graphic Design

• Produce/update graphics flyers and brochures for website, social media channels, and print.

Video/Photography Production

• Produce original video content for Government Access Television Channel and web/social.
• Maintain/update Channel programming.
• Ensure the recording of all City Council Meetings and post to the website
• Produce content for video information kiosks in City Hall.
• Produce all audio recordings for the City
• Serve as City videographer/ content creator for events and department projects.

Web/Social Media

• Strong Writer
• Helps with website, including user database, content creation, and revision as needed.
• Administrate Midlandtexas.gov user database, content creation, and revision as needed.
• Administrate City apps
• Draft social media posts and news flashes at the direction of the Communications Director.
• Monitor and route inquiries received via social media and email
• Collate analytics for City website and social media outlets.

Public Information Office

• Provide excellent customer service to internal and external clients.
• Serve as backup to Communications Director answer phone callsrequests from media, transmit information in accordance with guidelines and standards, follow the chain of command notifications, and create press releases.
• Actively participate in strategic and task-specific communication planning.
• Ability to be on call some weekends on a rotating schedule
• This position is designated as "essential personnel" and must be available for immediate call-in due to any natural or manmade disaster or any event the Director of Communications or the City Manager deems necessary. The Director of Communications manages an on-call schedule
• Must have and maintain a cell phone for City use to hold this position.
• Supports departmental operations with regular and timely attendance.
• Supports the relationship between the City of Odessa and the public by demonstrating courteous and cooperative behavior when interacting with visitors and City staff; maintains confidentiality of work-related issues and City information; performs other duties as required or assigned.

Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the representative duties, knowledge, and skills. This is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by incumbents of this class; employees may be assigned duties which are not listed above; reasonable accommodations will be made as required. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement and is subject to change at any time by the employer.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education, Training and Experience Guidelines: Bachelor's degree in mass media, broadcasting, communications, journalism, graphic design, or related field required. 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Proficiency in Adobe Premiere, Photoshop, Illustrator, Audition, and After Effects.
• Understanding of audio and video codecs; green screen/rotoscoping.
• Proficiency in using video, audio, lighting, and photography equipment.
• Ability to write, edit, and/or manipulate HTML/HTML 5, PHP and JavaScript.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office.
• Proficiency in graphic design as well as other graphic media software.
• Ability to work in Windows/OSX and Linux-based systems.
• Ability to be on camera/microphone and communicate verbally in a public setting.
• Ability to work with diverse clientele, including elected officials, members of the public, and news media.
• Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Ability to operate a motor vehicle in the State of Texas.

License and certification requirements: A valid Texas State Driver's License is required.

Submission of examples of past work is needed. Please attach a portfolio of graphic design work. 

Physical demands and working environments: The physical and work environment 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 essential functions.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to sit, use hands to operate equipment, handle or feel, reach with hands and arms, and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, and sit. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Some weekend and evening work may be required.