Creative Services Producer

POSITION DESCRIPTION: This position will be open until filled. The initial screening of applications will occur the week of June 16, 2019.


Job Summary:
The Creative Services Producer assists in envisioning, producing, editing, social generating, analyzing, supporting, optimizing and communicating video-product messages to a variety of audiences, including residents, businesses, members of the media, City employees and community groups.  The Creative Services Producer serves as an operational assistant to the Creative Services Manager in the work of the department.

Scope of Responsibility:
The Creative Services Producer is responsible for transforming high-level ideas into engaging stories through the creation, production and maintenance of animated and live action videos.  This individual will collaborate with the Communications & Public Affairs team and other cross-functional departments to plan, create and produce vivid and impactful public service announcement (PSA), educational videos, short videos designed for viral consumption that showcase the City of Fargo's services, features and share the City of Fargo's story in a unique and engaging way. The incumbent is expected to engage in creative thinking, script creation, designing and producing video materials, all while exercising initiative and judgement. PRIMARY RESPONSIBLITIES:

1. ENVISIONING – Act as a contributing conceptualizer for the City's internal and external video communication efforts.
   1. Function as an exceptional communicator with the ability to effectively translate technical information, City policies or programs to disseminate it to the public in a receptive manner.
   2. Generate ideas, write, research, coordinate and distribute gathered information through video production to showcase City services, programs and events.
   3. Collaborate with the Communications and Public Affairs Department staff and cross-functional departments to write video scripts.This will include visualization efforts in ensuring the script and video shots accurately convey the intended project scope.
   4. Creatively execute the vision of video projects from pre-production process to storyboard completion.Also included will be updating existing videos as needed. 
2. PRODUCING – Create high-quality video and voice recordings to engage desired audiences.
   1. Drive creativity and efficiency in each project while adhering to brand guidelines and project vision(s).This includes working with voice talent to produce high quality, professional-sounding voiceovers.
   2. Assist in the production of the live broadcast and rebroadcast of the City of Fargo's meetings on and off-site, across cable access television channels and social media platforms.
   3. Work with departments to record campaign videos for PSAs, educational videos and short videos designed for viral consumption.
   4. Assist with organization photography, including event photos for use on social media, public websites, publications and other marketing materials.
   5. Independently organize video creation concepts capturing the City, its residents, businesses, events and naturalistic features.
3. EDITING – Assist in conceptualization and design of compelling and informative videos.
   1. Produce a variety of video types from concept to completion, including live-action marketing videos, animated videos and testimonial videos.
   2. Develop flat designs, motion graphics and animated visuals to incorporate into videos and other creative projects.
   3. Edit and disseminate the City's recorded meetings of its boards, commissions, committees to various platforms.
   4. Support the Communications and Public Affairs Department staff with video creation for use in advertisements, email campaigns, social media and other channels.
   5. Create video layouts to showcase civic storytelling of the organization's missions, programs and employees to present to the public.
   6. Produce video presentations for departments, City events and others as requested by the Creative Services Manager.
4. SOCIAL GENERATING – Strive to create higher rates of engagement and increased numbers of followers/subscribers across the City's various social media platforms through graphics.
   1. Act as a content contributor among the City's social platforms by providing digital content.
   2. Provide content to include on a publication calendar for regularly reoccurring and programmed content through video campaigns.
   3. Collaborate with the Creative Services Manager, Social Media Strategist & Graphic Designer and the Public Information Coordinator (PIC) to create short videos for social media consumption, as well as broadcasting events live over social media channels.
   4. Work across departments to cross-promote the events and activities occurring throughout the City.
   5. Assist in uploading City's public meetings and event videos to the Content Management System (CMS) for the City's website and distribute the content across appropriate website pages.
5. ANALYZING – Using various methods and measurement tools, gather and provide datasets to the Manager of Communications and Public Affairs as part of the on-going evaluation of the effectiveness of current communication strategies.
   1. Monitor trends and provide technical expertise regarding the communication industry to ensure content and style are contemporary, while maintaining conformity with established brand guidelines.
   2. Research new and innovative strategies of communicating information graphically by surveying peer government agencies and the private sector.
   3. Routinely evaluate the various departmental videos accuracy of presentation and that the contents are integrated with the City's overall communication initiatives.This involves ensuring that ADA standards are being utilized.
   4. Produce reports on the consumption of video content across the City's various platforms to be analyzed by City staff.
6. SUPPORTING – Serve in a supportive capacity to the Creative Services Manager and act as a comprehensive, secondary point of contact. 
   1. Assist the Creative Services Manager in ensuring all forms of video communications are coordinated, timely, accurate and on-message to promote credibility, public trust and awareness of the City of Fargo.
   2. Assist with coordinating production activities with vendors or consultants.
   3. Support non-departmental City employees with the execution of City meetings.This may include technical assistance and troubleshooting, along with offering clear instructions and assistance.
7. OPTIMIZING – Work across departments to encourage effective familiarity with, and utilization of, the City's various citizen engagement applications including the public access television channels, digital platforms and departmental social media channels.
8. COMMUNICATING- Courteously and professionally maintain working relationship with others in carrying out job functions.
   1. Communicate with others to provide information relating to work assignments and replay progress and challenges.
   2. Interact with the public, vendors or across departments to exchange detailed and/or technical information where an explanation of concepts is needed, such as conducting a video interview and adapting to the situation.
   3. Schedule meetings with other departments and attend trainings to gain a better understanding of different roles throughout the organization.With known functionality, interviews can take place to successfully extract employee expertise and knowledge.
9. PRIORITIZING SAFETY – Perform all job duties in compliance with safety guidelines and with an on-going awareness of safety practices.
   1. Know and follow department and City rules, as well as quality work and safety practices in order to accomplish the job objectives and avoid injury or loss.
   2. Recognize digital security concerns and adhere to polices established by the City.
   3. Utilize protective equipment when required and proper body mechanics and ergonomics while performing work.
   4. When potentially unsafe conditions are observed, report them to the Creative Services Manager in a timely manner.
10. ADAPTING – Perform other duties and activities as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: This position requires graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in digital media, video production, multimedia design, mass communications or a closely related field; at least 1.5 years of prior video production experiences or internships or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job.  A valid driver's license is also required.  
 
Knowledge, skills and abilities should include:

• Ability to conceptualize, produce and edit videos in a business setting.
• Skills in interpersonal communication to facilitate high-level discussions with co-workers, supervisors, the general public and others to exchange or convey information, resolve disputes and receive work direction.
• The ability to multitask, with adherence to deadlines, under stressful or difficult situations.
• Skills in developing and interpreting data.
• Project management experience.
• Precise accuracy and attention to detail.
• Strong troubleshooting and problem resolution capabilities.
• The ability to quickly demonstrate effectiveness, credibility, thoroughness and collaborative skills in adhering to and advancing the City of Fargo's brand.
• Training or experience in utilizing modern graphic design techniques.
• Digital social media engagement optimization concepts and strategies for video production.
• Fluency in computer applications used by the Communications & Public Affairs office, including the Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft Office Suite and Content Management Systems (CMS).
• Experience with digital camera equipment and knowledge of manual camera functions.
• Experience positioning objects in a frame and adjusting for best lighting and audio quality.
• Strong experience understanding video aspect ratios and outputs optimized for various devices.
• Excellent visual and conceptual design skills.
• Familiarity of information dissemination techniques and regulations.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Work is performed in television studios and on location at meetings and events, resulting in a variety of settings including intermittent exposure to moving traffic, extreme weather conditions, construction or hard hat sites, rough or unstable terrain and electrical components.  Vision is required to perform and monitor essential functions, including viewing the full range of the color spectrum.
 
Activities include stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, fingering, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing/listening, seeing/observing and repetitive motions.  Also, carrying video equipment. Intermittent (once or twice per week) use of a vehicle on City business is also required. At times deadlines are very strict. 
 
On occasion there may be a need for emergency response.  In an emergency situation, the person may be required to be on-site for a prolonged period of time at a designated facility. Activities include fingering, grasping, talking, hearing/listening, seeing/observing, repetitive motions. Occasional overnight travel may be required.  The person in this position may be required to be on-call during some evenings and weekends. 
 
Medium Work:  Physical demands are normally those associated with medium work: Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or 10 pounds of force frequently or constantly.
 
Some requirements in this job description may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees.  All requirements are subject to modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.
 
Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills, and experience required.  To perform this job successfully, the worker must possess the abilities and aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently.
 
This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an "at will" employment relationship.  The City Administrator retains the discretion to add duties or change the duties of this position at any time.

Employment contingent on successful background, drug screen and pre-placement medical evaluation.