Visual Communications Specialist

Position Description

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Position Title: Visual Communications Specialist Department/Division: City Administrative Services / City Communications Reports To: Strategic Communications Director Direct Supervision: N/A Pay Grade: 110 Position Type: Full Time FLSA Status: Non-Exempt EEO Code: 3 - Technician

Technology Category : Mobile Device: N Remote Access: Y Category

Exposure Category: Category 3 NIMS Classification: Safety Sensitive: N Emergency Response: N

Last Modified: July 14, 2026

Summary/Objective The Visual Communications Specialist will serve as the City's primary graphic designer, photographer, and visual brand steward, responsible for developing and producing high- quality visual communications across print, digital, and multimedia platforms. This position will develop and maintain the City's visual identity through the design of publications, marketing materials, presentations, signage, social media graphics, and other communications materials. The Visual Communications Specialist will work closely with the Strategic Communications Director, Communications Specialist , and other departments to develop visually engaging materials that effectively communicate City initiatives and services.

Essential Functions / Responsibilities

• Responsible for driving citizen engagement by creating and developing visual communications content, including graphics and photography, that is accurate, modern, informative, engaging, and aligned with the Leawood brand.
• Develop, maintain, and enforce the City's visual identity standards while designing graphics and visual materials for City publications, websites, social media platforms, presentations, signage, and print communications.
• Will collaborate with the Communications Specialist, ensuring visual communication is integrated with written and digital content that aligns with the Leawood brand.
• Serve as the City's primary photographer by planning, capturing, editing, cataloging, and maintaining photographic assets documenting City programs, projects, facilities, employees, events, and community activities for use across print, digital, social media, website, and presentation platforms.
• Design, layout , and prepare the Leawood Loop publication for production, including graphics, photography, typography, and print -ready files.
• Produce graphic design, photography, publications, signage, promotional materials, and visual assets to be used city -wide, ensuring alignment with the Leawood brand

Position Description

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• Serve as a centralized creative services resource for all City departments, providing graphic design, photography, and visual communications support across the organization, ensuring consistency with City branding, style standards, and communication object ives.
• Provide guidance and training in graphic design and photography best practices to departmental stakeholders.
• Collaborate closely with the Communications Specialist to ensure visual communications support strategic messaging, public engagement, and communication objectives across all social media platforms .
• Collaborate with the Communications Specialist on city -wide and individual department marketing materials, public outreach campaigns, event promotions, and graphic design plans.
• Work with the Communications Specialist on capturing and editing short -form video content for social media and digital engagement efforts as needed.
• Maintain and enforce the City's brand standards, style guide, and social media policies to ensure consistency across all communications.
• Stay abreast of visual communications, design, photography, and multimedia best practices through professional associations, publications, workshops, and training.
• Act as backup to the Communications Specialist and may take on some of the duties in their absence.
• May be required to attend public meetings and events after hours and on weekends as needed.
• May be asked by supervisor to perform other duties that are not listed but are essential to the job.

Minimum Qualifications / Requirements

• Ability to read, write, and understand the English language with proper spelling and grammar to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Ability to work independently, as part of a team, and with the public.
• Ability to avoid safety hazards.
• Ability to protect and maintain the confidentiality of information.
• Ability to prioritize work and meet deadlines with effective results.
• Knowledge of the principles and best practices of graphic design.
• Knowledge of the principles and best practices of photography.
• Knowledge of visual communication and multimedia content strategies and best practices.
• Knowledge and demonstrated experience with DSLR cameras.
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office Suite.
• Proficient in the use of digital communication and graphic design tools and platforms .
• Proficient in Adobe Creative Cloud.
• Standard office procedures, systems, and practices , including the use of a computer.

Education, Training, and Certification Requirements

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• Must have an associate's degree in graphic design, visual communication , or a related field plus three (3) years of experience or equivalent experience. Equivalent experience includes a bachelor's degree in g raphic design or visual communication with one (1) year of experience or five (5) years of experience in graphic design, creating multifaceted media content, or equivalent experience.
• Must have experience in using Adobe Creative Cloud , specifically Illustrator .
• Must have experience in photography and videography.
• Experience with Premiere Pro and After Effects, basic video shooting and editing, preferred.
• Must co mplete NIMS requirement within one (1) year of hire.
• Must possess a valid driver's license and acceptable driving record per the City's drivers ' Use of Vehicles for City Business policy throughout employment with the City .

Post -Offer Testing / On -Going Standards

Post - Offer On- Going Aptitude Assessment / Skills Testing Background Investigation X Credit Report Review Drug Screening / Breath Alcohol Testing X Medical Evaluation / Essential Functions X Motor Vehicle Records Search X X Polygraph Examination Psychological Evaluation

General Aptitudes and Physical Requirements The Americans with Disabilities Act requires that we identify the general aptitudes and physical requirements needed to perform the position listed above. Individuals in this position must be able to perform all essential functions unaided or with reasonable accommodation.

I. Mental Abilities. General learning ability. The ability to "catch on" or understand instructions and underlying principles.

Ability to understand and follow oral instruction Ability to understand and follow written instruction Ability to guide and/or give instructions Ability to make decisions in accordance with established procedures and policies Not essential to job function

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II. Verbal Abilities. Ability to understand meanings of words and ideas associated with them to use them effectively. To comprehend language, to understand relationships between words, and to understand meanings of whole sentences and paragraphs. To present information or ideas clearly.

a. Speaking / Talking Answering telephone, radio, or switchboard Communicating with City officials Communicating with general public Communicating with vendors Communicating with supervisors and/or with other employees Communicating with others in departmental operations Not essential to job function

b. Hearing / Listening For communication with City officials, public, vendors, supervisors, and/or other employees Not essential to job function

c. Reading (ability to read and understand text) Essential to job function Not essential to job function

III. Numerical Ability to perform arithmetic operations quickly and accurately.

Ability to perform accurate two- digit calculations Ability to perform accurate calculations aided by a calculator, adding machine, or measurement device Not essential to job function

IV. Spatial Abilities Ability to comprehend forms in space and understand relationships of plan and solid objects. May be used in such tasks as blue print reading and in solving geometry problems . Frequently described as the ability to "visualize" objects of two or three dimensions, or to think visually of geometric forms.

Essential to job function Not essential to job function

V. Motor Coordination

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Ability to coordinate eyes and hands or fingers rapidly and accurately in making precise movements with speed. Ability to make a movement response accurately and quickly.

a. Manual Dexterity Ability to move the hands easily and skillfully. To work with the hands in placing and turning motions. Use a telephone Use switchboard Use radio/console Use a calculator Use a copy machine Manipulate computer keyboard and mouse Use a postage machine Use hand tools Use power tools Other: Audio equipment, lighting, video cameras Not essential to job function

b. Finger Dexterity Ability to move the fingers and manipulate small objects with the fingers rapidly or accurately. For example: electrical wiring. Essential to job function Not essential to job function Explain: __

VI. Physical Demands

a. Strength The quality, state, or property of being strong. The power to withstand strain, force, or stress Ability to manipulate materials and/or equipment (lbs) Frequency 5- 5- 10 10- 15 15- 25 25- 50 50+ Occasio nally Frequen tly Continu ously Lift X X Push/Pul l X X Hold/Car ry X X

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b. Climbing To move up or mount by using the hands and/or feet Essential to job function Not essential to job function

c. Ability to Stand, Sit, Walk, and Run

Duration (hours / day) Frequency 0 - 1 1 - 3 3 - 5 5 - 7 7 - 9 9+ Occasion ally Freque ntly Continuou sly Stan d X X Sit X X Walk X X Run

d. Stooping, Kneeling, Crouching, and/or Crawling Daily Amounts 0 - 5x 5 - 20x 20 - 50x 50+x Other ___ Not essential to job function

e. Reaching, Handling, Fingering, and/or Feeling Daily Amounts 0 - 5x 5 - 20x 20 - 50x 50+x Other ___ Not essential to job function

f. Seeing To perceive or comprehend by the sense of sight Peripheral vision Night vision Focus (distinctness or clarity) Color perception (discriminate between colors) Depth perception (discriminate distance relationship between objects)

VII. Driving The ability to transfer or convey in a vehicle

Transmission Standard Automatic Multi - Gears Car Van

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Small Truck Medium Truck Large Truck Truck w/ Equipment Heavy Bus Equipment Not essential to job function Other (list)