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Senior Communications Specialist (Production Studio)

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Senior Communications Specialist (Production Studio)

Salary

$29.29 - $34.01 Hourly

Location

Houston, TX

Job Type

Full Time

Job Number

37745

Department

Houston Public Library

Division

HPL - COMMUNICATIONS

Opening Date

12/17/2025

Closing Date

12/23/2025 11:59 PM Central

+ Description

+ Benefits

+ Questions

POSITION OVERVIEW

PIN: 37745

APPLICATION ACCEPTED FROM: ALL PERSONS INTERESTED

DIVISION / SECTION: Communications

Workday & Hours: Rotating Shift - Monday - Sunday - 8a.m. - 8p.m. *includes evenings and weekends

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES/ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Public libraries are trusted community and cultural centers that serve a highly diverse populace. The Houston Public Library (HPL) is a forward-thinking library organization, situated in the nation’s fourth largest city serving a diverse population of 2.2 million people. At Houston Public Library (HPL), we understand that diversity in experiences, perspectives, knowledge, and ideas fuels creativity, broadens knowledge, and helps drive success. The Houston Public Library (HPL) seeks to link people to the world, through a broadly defined platform of educational, recreational, and cultural programs and services for persons of all ages, ethnicities, and life stages throughout Houston and the surrounding region.

HPL is seeking a highly driven, talented, and experienced professional to serve as Website Content Lead (Senior Communications Specialist) to serve in the Production Studio. This role oversees the daily operations of the library’s print shop, ensuring timely, accurate, and high-quality production of printed materials for internal departments and public-facing programs. This role is responsible for managing print jobs from intake to completion, maintaining printing equipment, monitoring supplies, and coordinating with staff across the library to meet design, branding, and distribution needs. The position requires strong technical knowledge of print production, excellent attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple deadlines effectively.

The Senior Communications Specialist (Production Studio) essential duties include:

+ Manage end-to-end production of printed materials, including flyers, posters, brochures, signage, bookmarks, newsletters, and other collateral.

+ Receive and assess print requests; provide guidance on file format, paper stock, sizing, and turnaround time.

+ Operate and maintain high-volume printers, copiers, binders, cutters, laminators, and other print shop equipment.

+ Troubleshoot and resolve minor equipment malfunctions; escalate service needs when necessary.

+ Ensure all printed materials align with the library’s branding, quality, and accessibility standards.

+ Schedule and prioritize print jobs based on deadlines, project scope, and available resources.

+ Track and maintain inventory of supplies (e.g., paper, toner, finishing materials) and place orders as needed.

+ Maintain a clean, organized, and safe print shop environment in compliance with safety and operational procedures.

+ Coordinate with external vendors for specialty or large-scale printing needs.

+ Monitor and report usage trends, costs, and production metrics to management.

+ Recommend workflow improvements or equipment upgrades to enhance efficiency, quality, or capacity.

+ Communicate effectively with management, vendors, and internal teams to support daily operations and ensure seamless coordination.

+ Demonstrate the ability to work collaboratively and diplomatically with subordinate staff, fostering a positive and productive work environment.

+ Prepare, track, and follow up on specifications, quotations, and purchase orders in collaboration with the Finance Team.

+ Manage receiving processes, verify invoices, and generate accurate reports for management review.

+ Rotating Shift - Monday - Sunday - 8a.m. - 8p.m. *includes evenings and weekends

Applicants are encouraged to submit a Cover Letter and Resume when applying. For a location listing of our 37 Neighborhood Libraries and Central Library, please visit: https://houstonlibrary.org/all-locations

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Varies depending on responsibility area; but may include: The ability to make coordinated eye/hand movements within fairly fine tolerance and/or calibration demands; or the ability to make closely coordinated eye/hand movements on a patterned response space within moderate tolerance demands. Lifting and carrying of moderately heavy items (up to 40 pounds), periods of walking with production equipment on rough surfaces. Display construction may involve heavy lifting up to 80-90 pounds. Bending and climbing on ladders. There are occasional minor discomforts from exposure to less-than-optimal temperature and air conditions. The position may involve dealing with modestly unpleasant situations, as with occasional exposure to office chemicals and/or extensive use of a video display terminal. Requires the ability to make coordinated eye/hand movements within fairly fine tolerance and/or calibration demands; or the ability to make closely coordinated eye/hand movements on a patterned response space within moderate tolerance demands.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Requires a Bachelor's degree in art, design, communications, typography or a closely related field.

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

(2) Two years of experience in media, public relations, the art field or a closely related field are required. Directly related professional experience may be substituted for the education requirement on a year-for-year basis.

PREFERENCES

+ Experience operating commercial or high-volume printing equipment, digital presses, or finishing machinery.

+ Knowledge of print production processes, including prepress workflows, color management, and file preparation.

+ Familiarity with graphic design and layout software (e.g., Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop).

+ Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet tight deadlines.

+ Strong organizational and workflow coordination skills.

+ Excellent attention to detail and experience performing quality control checks.

+ Strong customer service and communication skills for collaborating with internal stakeholders.

+ Experience with inventory management, cost tracking, or job ticketing systems.

+ Ability to troubleshoot basic mechanical or technical issues with print equipment.

+ Validate Driver's License.

+ Rotating Shift - Monday - Sunday - 8a.m. - 8p.m. *includes evenings and weekends.

*Preference shall be given to eligible veteran applicants provided such persons possess the qualifications necessary for competent discharge of the duties involved in the position applied for, such persons are among the most qualified candidates for the position, and all other factors in accordance with Executive Order 1-6.*

GENERAL INFORMATION

SELECTION / SKILLS TESTS REQUIRED

The selection process will involve application review and/or Interview. The department may administer skills assessment test.

SAFETY IMPACT POSITION - NO

If yes, this position is subject to random drug testing and if a promotional position, candidate must pass an assignment drug test.

PAY GRADE - 20

SALARY INFORMATION

Factors used in determining the salary offered include the candidate's qualifications as well as the pay rates of other employees in this classification.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

Only online applications will be accepted for this City of Houston job and must be received by the Human Resources Department during active posting period. Applications must be submitted online at: www.houstontx.gov

To view your detailed application status, please log-in to your online profile by visiting http://agency.governmentjobs.com/houston/default.cfm or call 832-393-0473).

If you need special services or accommodations, call 832-393-0473. (TTY 7-1-1). If you need login assistance or technical support call 855-524-5627.

Due to the high volume of applications received, the Hiring Department will contact you directly, should you be selected to advance in our recruitment process.

All new and rehires must pass a pre-employment drug test and are subject to a physical examination and verification of information provided.

Applicants are encouraged to attach a cover letter and resume along with their completed application when applying.

EOE Equal Opportunity Employer

The City of Houston is committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.

The city offers a competitive benefits program, including competitively priced health coverage and a defined contribution pension plan. Benefits include:

+ Medical

+ Dental

+ Vision

+ Wellness

+ Supplemental Insurance

+ Life insurance

+ Long-term disability

+ Retirement pension

+ 457 deferred compensation plan

+ Employee Assistance Program

+ 10 days of vacation each year

+ 11 city holidays, plus one floating holiday

+ Compensable Sick Leave

+ Personal Leave

+ Flexible schedules

+ Hybrid-Telework for eligible positions

+ Professional development opportunities

+ Transportation/parking plan

+ Section 125 pretax deductions

+ Dependent Care Reimbursement Plan

+ Paid Prenatal, Parental and Infant Wellness Leaves

+ Healthcare Flexible Spending Account

For plan details, visit http://www.houstontx.gov/hr/benefits.html

01

Are you a veteran who served on active duty in the Armed Forces (United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard) for more than 90 consecutive days and received either an honorable discharge or a general discharge under honorable conditions?

+ YES

+ NO

02

Are you a current Houston Public Library employee?

+ YES

+ NO

03

Please indicate your "highest" level of education: (select one)

+ High School Diploma/GED

+ Associate Degree

+ Bachelor and beyond

+ None of the above.

04

Which print shop job-management or customer-facing tasks have you handled? Check all that apply.

+ Preparing print estimates, quotes, or job tickets.

+ Managing deadlines for multiple concurrent projects.

+ Coordinating with vendors or outside print providers.

+ Handling customer complaints or reprint situations.

+ None of the above.

05

Which software tools or systems are you comfortable with? Check all that apply.

+ Print MIS systems (e.g., EFI, Pace, Print Smith).

+ Prepress/RIP software (e.g., Fiery, Onyx, Heidelberg Prinect).

+ File verification tools (preflight, PDF proofing, imposition software).

+ Project or workflow management systems (Trello, Asana, Monday).

+ Basic IT troubleshooting for printers, drivers, networks.

+ None of the above.

06

Which of the following production-related skills do you have? Check all that apply.

+ Experience calibrating and maintaining print equipment.

+ Ability to troubleshoot print quality issues (color, registration, banding)

+ Knowledge of finishing/bindery processes (cutting, folding, laminating, binding)

+ Experience with wide-format printing or specialty substrates.

+ Understanding of color management and ICC profiles

+ None of the above

07

Please indicate your proficiency level in Microsoft Word & Excel, and PowerPoint:

+ BASIC Microsoft office suite: create a new document, enter text, and save it; navigate in a document and perform a search; format cells, rows, and columns; modify a database and insert data from another; application; create title and bullet slides; work with text, drawn objects, and drawing tools.

+ INTERMEDIATE Microsoft office suite: create mail merges, sort and filter them; customize toolbars; run and record macros; filter data and manage a filtered list; create and modify some macro commands; create, modify, and format charts; create basic macros to automate forms and data entry; customize the appearance and functionality of reports; use hyperlinks and perform data integration.

+ ADVANCED Microsoft office suite: manage macro commands, create dialogue boxes, and understand the notions of visual basic application programming; use advanced functions (names, vlookup, if, is); work with pivot tables; manage macro commands: concepts, planning, operations, execution, modification, interruption; use visual basic to create a public function or event procedures, or add general procedures in a form module; plan and examine an application, develop a distributed application design.

+ No experience

08

Please indicate languages, other than English, in which you are fluent (reading, writing, and/or speaking). Check all that apply:

+ Spanish

+ Chinese

+ Vietnamese

+ Arabic

+ Other Languages

+ I am not bilingual

09

Are you willing to work the following schedule: a rotating shift - Monday - Sunday - 8a.m. - 8p.m. *includes evenings and weekends?

+ YES

+ NO

10

Are you willing to obtain a validate Texas Driver's License within 30 days of being hired?

+ YES

+ NO

11

What interests you in this position?

12

How many years of experience do you have in the following: media, public relations, the art field or a closely related field are required?

+ Less than two years.

+ At least 2 years but less than 4 years

+ 4 years but less than 6 years

+ 6 years and beyond of experience.

13

What is your degree concentration in?

+ Design

+ Art

+ Communications

+ Typography

+ Other

+ I have no degree

Required Question