Graphic Designer II (Subject to Board Approval of FY 27 Budget)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer II (Subject to Board Approval of FY 27 Budget)

Company: South Texas College

Location: Pecan Campus, McAllen, Texas, United States

Job Type: Full time

Category: Creative & Media / Marketing / Education

Date Posted: 2026-07-27

Experience Level: 2-5 years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This role focuses on creating compelling visual assets that support the strategic communication and marketing objectives of South Texas College.

• It involves the end-to-end design process for a variety of print and digital collateral, ensuring brand consistency and high-quality output.

• The position demands strong technical proficiency in design software and excellent project management skills to meet demanding timelines within an academic environment.

• Successful candidates will contribute to the college's public image and recruitment efforts through impactful visual design solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job title is "Graphic Designer II," the context of "Subject to Board Approval of FY 27 Budget" indicates a potential for budget-dependent hiring, which candidates should be aware of. The role's placement within "Communication and Creative Services" and its responsibilities in designing for "College catalog," "advertising, information, development and recruiting efforts" strongly align it with a GTM (Go-To-Market) support function within an educational institution, requiring a focus on clear messaging and audience engagement.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Research, conceptualize, and design original artwork for a wide range of college and departmental publications, marketing campaigns, and event collateral.

• Collaborate closely with the creative services team to produce external special edition publications and major college publications, including the annual college catalog.

• Develop designs for various collateral materials such as advertisements, brochures, flyers, reports, and other essential items for the college's advertising, information dissemination, development, and recruiting initiatives.

• Create engaging event collateral for college-wide events, ensuring alignment with event themes and college branding.

• Manage multiple design projects simultaneously, ensuring critical deadlines for marketing information are consistently met.

• Engage directly with requesting departments to understand project requirements, scope, and objectives for publication projects.

• Maintain detailed status reports for all ongoing design projects, providing clear updates on progress and milestones.

• Support the supervisor with project requests, obtaining quotes from vendors, and ensuring adherence to Public Relations and Marketing approval processes.

• Stay current with emerging trends, developments, and best practices in graphic design, print publication, and relevant software technologies.

• Present and propose innovative design solutions to the supervisor and departmental clients, articulating the rationale behind design choices.

• Review and approve vendor progress by meticulously proofing systems and design outputs to ensure quality and accuracy.

• Monitor and oversee printing production processes, ensuring final products meet design specifications and quality standards.

• Consult and collaborate with photographers on photographic shoots, ensuring visual elements align with project specifications and overall design concepts.

• Perform other duties as assigned to support the Communication and Creative Services department's objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a blend of creative design work and project management, common in operations support roles for marketing and communications. The need to "document status reports," "assist supervisor with project requests, quotes," and "monitor printing production" highlights an operations-oriented approach to managing creative workflows and vendor relationships.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Associate’s Degree in Graphic Design, Art, or a closely related field is required. A Bachelor’s degree is preferred.

Experience: A minimum of three (3) years of relevant professional work experience is required, preferably gained within a higher education institution or an advertising/marketing agency setting.

Required Skills:

• Exceptional oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills, essential for client interaction and team collaboration.

• Proficiency in the use of graphic design software, specifically Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign, and Adobe Acrobat Pro.

• Strong computer skills including a solid understanding of Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and the Windows environment.

• Demonstrated expertise in desktop publishing with a well-developed sense of design principles and aesthetics.

• Proven ability to prioritize, organize, and manage multiple tasks effectively, with meticulous attention to detail and a commitment to meeting stated deadlines.

• Capacity to work both independently and collaboratively as a team player within the department and across other college divisions.

• Adaptability to constant change and the ability to thrive in fast-paced, high-intensity work situations.

• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from diverse groups, including students, employees, managers, clients, and the general public.

• A demonstrated commitment to upholding and advancing the vision and mission of South Texas College. Preferred Skills:

• Experience with motion graphics or video editing software.

• Familiarity with web design principles and UI/UX concepts.

• Knowledge of content management systems (CMS) for web content integration.

• Experience in managing external creative vendors and negotiating contracts.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for "at least three (3) years of relevant work experience in higher education or ad/marketing agency" suggests a need for candidates who understand the pace and client dynamics of these sectors. The emphasis on "Desktop publishing knowledge with a strong sense of design" and proficiency in core Adobe Creative Suite applications are critical for success in this design-focused, yet operationally managed, role.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrate a strong portfolio showcasing a range of design projects, including publications, marketing collateral, and event materials, with a clear emphasis on higher education or agency work.

• Include case studies or detailed project descriptions that highlight your role in the design process, from concept to final output, and the problem-solving approach taken.

• Showcase your ability to maintain brand consistency across various platforms and media, adhering to established style guides.

• Provide examples that illustrate your proficiency in layout design, typography, and color theory, demonstrating an understanding of visual hierarchy and impact. Process Documentation:

• Exhibit examples of how you've managed project timelines and deliverables, potentially through project plans or status reports.

• Include any documentation or examples of your process for client consultations, intake, and feedback incorporation.

• Showcase your understanding of print production processes, including pre-press checks and vendor coordination.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role like this, the portfolio is paramount. It serves as a direct demonstration of the candidate's technical skills and creative problem-solving. The "process" aspect refers to how they manage their work, interact with stakeholders, and ensure quality, which are key operational considerations for a creative role.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: The minimum compensation is listed as $21.00 per hour. Based on industry benchmarks for a Graphic Designer II role with 3+ years of experience in the McAllen, Texas area, a typical hourly range could be between $21.00 and $30.00 per hour, depending on the depth of experience and specific skills.

Benefits:

• Full-time Employment: As a full-time position, candidates can expect eligibility for a comprehensive benefits package.

• Health Insurance: Typically includes medical, dental, and vision coverage options.

• Retirement Plan: Participation in a state-sponsored retirement plan (e.g., Teacher Retirement System of Texas - TRS) is common for public institutions.

• Paid Time Off: Includes vacation days, sick leave, and observed holidays.

• Professional Development: Opportunities for training, workshops, and potentially tuition assistance for further education, aligning with the "Bachelor's degree preferred" and "Keeping current on trends" requirements.

• Other Potential Benefits: Life insurance, long-term disability, and access to employee assistance programs.

Working Hours: The position is designated as full-time, typically implying a 40-hour work week. While standard business hours are expected, the role may require flexibility to work evenings and/or weekends as needed to meet critical deadlines for marketing information and event collateral.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary of $21.00/hour is stated as minimum. For a Graphic Designer II with 3+ years of experience, especially in a higher education or agency context, the salary could realistically go higher. Researching local Texas salaries for similar roles and considering the "Bachelor's degree preferred" aspect would help candidates negotiate. The mention of "willing to travel throughout the college district using own means of reliable transportation" implies reimbursement for mileage might be a benefit.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Education (Higher Education). South Texas College operates within the public higher education sector, serving a diverse student population and contributing to regional economic development through workforce training and academic programs. This context means a focus on student success, community engagement, and efficient resource management.

Company Size: South Texas College is a large institution. Typically, community colleges and state colleges of this nature employ hundreds to thousands of individuals, indicating a structured organizational hierarchy and a variety of departments and services. This size suggests ample opportunities for cross-functional collaboration and exposure to diverse projects.

Founded: South Texas College was founded in 1993. Its relatively recent establishment means it has likely adopted modern operational practices and technologies, while still maintaining the established traditions and governance structures of public education.

Team Structure:

• The Graphic Designer II will be part of the Communication and Creative Services department, likely a central hub for all institutional marketing and communications. This team is expected to be composed of various creative professionals (writers, designers, photographers, web specialists) and administrative support.

• The reporting structure will place the Graphic Designer II under a supervisor or manager within Communication and Creative Services, with potential collaboration with other department heads and faculty across the college district.

• Cross-functional collaboration is a key aspect, requiring interaction with departments such as Admissions, Student Services, Academic Affairs, and external partners for specific projects related to recruitment, information dissemination, and development efforts. Methodology:

• Data Analysis: While not a primary data analyst role, design decisions should be informed by an understanding of target audiences and communication goals, implying an informal use of audience data.

• Workflow Planning: The role requires managing multiple projects, necessitating structured workflow planning, task prioritization, and adherence to project management principles.

• Automation and Efficiency: While the core is design, understanding how to leverage software efficiently and coordinate with print vendors to optimize production speaks to an operational efficiency mindset.

Company Website: https://www.southtexascollege.edu/

📝 Enhancement Note: Understanding South Texas College's mission and its role in the community is crucial for aligning design work with institutional goals. The "Security Sensitive position" note suggests a high level of trust and responsibility associated with the role.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This position is classified as a Graphic Designer II, indicating an intermediate level of expertise. It's beyond an entry-level role, requiring a solid foundation of practical experience (3+ years) and the ability to work with some autonomy. The scope involves handling core design tasks for significant college publications and marketing materials, demonstrating a capacity for managing complex projects and client relationships.

Reporting Structure: The Graphic Designer II will report to a supervisor or manager within the Communication and Creative Services department. This structure provides guidance and oversight while allowing for independent execution of design tasks. Collaboration will extend to various departments across the college district, offering exposure to different operational needs and strategic initiatives.

Operations Impact: The visual content produced by this role directly impacts the college's external perception, student recruitment, and enrollment figures. Effective graphic design is a critical component of the Go-To-Market (GTM) strategy for educational institutions, influencing how prospective students, parents, and the community view the college's offerings, brand, and professionalism. Strong visual communication can enhance engagement with marketing materials, improve understanding of complex information (like the college catalog), and contribute to fundraising efforts.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Progression to Senior Graphic Designer or Art Director roles, focusing on leading larger creative projects or developing specific design specializations (e.g., branding, digital design).

• Skill Development: Opportunities to deepen expertise in specialized design software, explore new design trends (e.g., UX/UI, motion graphics), and gain experience in project management methodologies. The preference for a Bachelor's degree suggests potential support for further academic advancement.

• Leadership: Transition into team lead or management positions within the Communication and Creative Services department, overseeing design workflows, mentoring junior designers, and contributing to strategic creative planning.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "II" designation and the preference for a Bachelor's degree suggest this role is a stepping stone. Candidates should consider how their experience and skills align with potential advancement within the college's creative services department or related operational functions.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is an on-site position at the Pecan Campus of South Texas College. The work environment is likely a professional office setting within a higher education institution.

Office Location(s): The primary work location is the Pecan Campus in McAllen, Texas. The role also requires willingness to travel throughout the college district using personal transportation, indicating potential work at other college campuses or locations for meetings, events, or project-specific needs.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace will likely be a dedicated desk or cubicle within the Communication and Creative Services department, designed to facilitate creative work. It will be equipped with standard office furniture and likely a high-performance computer workstation.

• Access to necessary design software (Adobe Creative Suite, etc.) and hardware will be provided. Collaboration spaces or meeting rooms within the department or college will be available for team meetings and client presentations.

• Opportunities for regular interaction with fellow designers, writers, marketing specialists, and other creative professionals will be available, fostering a collaborative and supportive creative atmosphere.

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is full-time, implying approximately 40 hours per week. However, the job description explicitly states the need to "work evenings and/or weekends as needed" to meet critical deadlines. This flexibility is common in creative roles, especially within academic calendars that have peak periods for publications and events.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for reliable personal transportation and willingness to travel within the district is a practical consideration for candidates applying from outside the immediate area. Understanding the pace of academic cycles (e.g., catalog production, semester start/end events) is key to anticipating workload fluctuations.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Application Submission: Submit a complete application, ensuring all required fields are filled and any requested documents (transcripts, portfolio link) are included. Pay close attention to the special instructions regarding redaction of sensitive personal information.

• Initial Screening: Applications will be reviewed by HR and the hiring department to assess qualifications against the job requirements, with a particular focus on education, experience, and essential skills.

• Portfolio Review: Candidates who pass the initial screening will likely be asked to submit a link to their online portfolio. This is a critical step where designers showcase their work.

• Interviews: Successful candidates will be invited for one or more interviews. This may include a panel interview with the hiring manager and team members, and potentially a presentation of their portfolio.

• Skills Assessment/Challenge: A practical design exercise or a case study may be administered to evaluate problem-solving abilities, design process, and technical proficiency under timed conditions.

• Final Interview & Offer: Successful candidates will undergo a final interview and, if selected, receive a job offer contingent on budget approval and background checks.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Selectively: Showcase your best and most relevant work. For this role, prioritize projects that demonstrate experience in higher education, marketing collateral, publications, and brand consistency.

• Tell a Story: For each project, briefly describe the challenge, your role, the process you followed, the tools you used, and the outcome or impact of your design.

• Highlight Technical Proficiency: Ensure your portfolio clearly demonstrates mastery of Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and Acrobat Pro.

• Showcase Versatility: Include a mix of print and digital design examples if applicable, and demonstrate your ability to adapt to different brand guidelines or project requirements.

• Professional Presentation: Ensure your portfolio is well-organized, easy to navigate, and visually appealing. A personal website is often preferred over generic file-sharing links.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Context: Be prepared for design challenges that reflect the needs of a college, such as designing a flyer for an upcoming event, a social media graphic for student recruitment, or a small section for the college catalog.

• Process Over Perfection: Focus on demonstrating your thought process, problem-solving approach, and ability to work within constraints (time, brand guidelines).

• Time Management: Practice working under timed conditions to simulate a design challenge. Prioritize tasks and allocate time effectively.

• Communication: Be ready to articulate your design choices and justify your decisions clearly and concisely, as if presenting to college stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Subject to Board Approval of FY 27 Budget" is a critical caveat. Candidates should be aware that the hiring timeline and finalization of the offer are contingent on budget allocations. The emphasis on "redacting confidential information" from attachments is a standard but important procedural note for applicants.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: This is the core software requirement. Proficiency is expected in:

  • Adobe Photoshop: For image editing, manipulation, and raster-based graphics.
  • Adobe Illustrator: For vector graphics, logos, illustrations, and scalable artwork.
  • Adobe InDesign: The primary tool for page layout, editorial design, and creating publications like brochures, flyers, and the college catalog.
  • Adobe Acrobat Pro: For creating, editing, and managing PDF documents, including pre-press checks and interactive elements.

• Microsoft Office Suite: Essential for general office tasks, document creation, and communication. Specifically mentioned are Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While direct analytics roles are not specified, understanding how design impacts engagement (e.g., click-through rates on digital ads, readability of reports) is beneficial. Familiarity with basic web analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics) or social media analytics could be a plus for understanding the performance of digital collateral.

• Reporting will likely involve using Microsoft Excel for tracking project status, quotes, and vendor information. CRM & Automation:

• No direct CRM or automation tools are mentioned for the graphic design function itself. However, the role interacts with departments that might use CRMs for student recruitment or marketing automation platforms to distribute collateral. Understanding how designs integrate into these broader systems is advantageous.

• Familiarity with project management software (e.g., Asana, Trello, or internal college systems) could be beneficial for managing workflow, though not explicitly listed.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and Acrobat Pro, along with Microsoft Office, forms the foundational technology stack. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their experience and comfort level with these tools, including specific features and workflows.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Service Excellence: As part of a public institution, a strong commitment to serving students, faculty, staff, and the community is paramount. This translates to responsive communication, high-quality work, and a focus on meeting the needs of internal clients.

• Collaboration: The role requires extensive teamwork within the Communication and Creative Services department and with various other college departments. A culture of open communication, mutual respect, and shared problem-solving is expected.

• Efficiency & Timeliness: Meeting critical deadlines for marketing information and publications is essential. This value is reflected in the need for strong project management, organization, and the ability to adapt to fast-paced work environments.

• Commitment to Mission: A demonstrated commitment to achieving the vision and mission of South Texas College is a core requirement, meaning design work should align with and support the college's educational goals and community impact.

• Continuous Improvement: Staying current on design trends and software development implies a value placed on ongoing learning and professional development to ensure the college's visual communications remain modern and effective.

Collaboration Style:

• Client-Centric: The designer will work closely with requesting departments, acting as a creative partner to understand their communication needs and translate them into effective visual designs. This involves active listening, clear communication, and collaborative feedback loops.

• Team-Oriented: Within the Communication and Creative Services team, collaboration likely involves brainstorming sessions, peer reviews of designs, and sharing best practices. The team aims to present a unified and professional image for the college.

• Process-Driven: While creative, the work is structured around project management processes to ensure timely delivery and quality control. This involves clear documentation, status updates, and adherence to approval workflows.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "Demonstrated commitment to achieving the vision and mission of South Texas College" is a key cultural indicator. Candidates should research the college's mission statement and values to tailor their responses and demonstrate alignment.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Creative Vision with Institutional Needs: The core challenge will be translating the diverse and sometimes specific needs of various college departments into compelling designs that also adhere to South Texas College's brand guidelines and strategic communication objectives.

• Managing Competing Deadlines: With responsibilities for multiple publications, marketing materials, and events, the designer will face constant pressure to meet critical deadlines, requiring effective prioritization and time management skills.

• Adapting to Evolving Technologies and Trends: The field of graphic design is dynamic. Keeping pace with new software features, design trends, and digital media advancements while maintaining foundational skills is an ongoing challenge.

• Stakeholder Management: Effectively communicating design concepts, gathering feedback, and incorporating revisions from various stakeholders (who may have differing opinions or levels of design understanding) can be challenging but is crucial for project success.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Software Training: Opportunities may exist to deepen expertise in Adobe Creative Suite, explore new features, or learn complementary software for areas like UX/UI design or motion graphics.

• Industry Best Practices: Staying current with design trends, attending workshops, or participating in webinars related to graphic design, marketing communications, and higher education marketing.

• Project Management Skills: Developing skills in project planning, client management, and workflow optimization through hands-on experience and potential internal training.

• Portfolio Building: The role itself provides continuous opportunities to build a robust portfolio with diverse projects, showcasing a wide range of design capabilities and successful collaborations.

📝 Enhancement Note: Recognizing these challenges allows candidates to prepare thoughtful responses during interviews, demonstrating foresight and problem-solving capabilities. The growth opportunities highlight pathways for career advancement within the institution.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to design a marketing piece for a client with very specific and perhaps conflicting requirements. How did you approach it, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on client communication, problem-solving, and compromise.)

• "How do you prioritize multiple design projects with competing deadlines? Walk us through your process." (Emphasize organizational skills, time management, and communication about timelines.)

• "Imagine you need to create a flyer for an upcoming college event that needs to appeal to both prospective students and their parents. What would be your initial design considerations, and what key elements would you focus on?" (Test understanding of target audience, brand messaging, and effective communication design.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "Based on your understanding of South Texas College's mission and values, how would you ensure your design work reflects and supports them?" (Requires research into the college's mission statement and values.)

• "This role requires collaboration with many departments. Describe your experience working with internal clients or stakeholders who may have varying levels of design knowledge. How do you ensure clear communication and achieve project goals?" (Assess interpersonal skills and ability to manage diverse stakeholder needs.)

• "How do you stay current with design trends and software updates? Can you give an example of a recent trend you've incorporated into your work?" (Gauge proactivity and commitment to professional development.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your portfolio logically, perhaps by project type or by highlighting your strongest case studies first. For each project, clearly state the objective, your role, the process, and the results.

• Narrative: Don't just show the final images; tell the story behind each project. Explain your design decisions, the challenges you overcame, and how your design met the client's needs.

• Technical Detail: Be prepared to discuss the specific software and techniques you used. For example, if you designed a complex brochure, explain your InDesign layout process, typography choices, and print production considerations.

• Relevance: Tailor your presentation to the specific requirements of the Graphic Designer II role at South Texas College. Highlight projects that demonstrate experience in higher education, marketing collateral, and publication design.

• Conciseness: Be mindful of time during presentations. Focus on the most impactful projects and key takeaways.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will likely heavily weigh the candidate's portfolio and their ability to articulate their design process and its impact. Understanding the unique context of serving a public college is crucial for tailoring responses.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Graphic Designer II position at South Texas College:

• Submit Application: Navigate to the provided job posting URL and submit your application through the Workday portal.

• Redact Personal Information: Carefully review all attached documents (resume, cover letter, transcripts) and redact any sensitive personal information such as Social Security Number, Date of Birth, Age, Citizenship Status, Gender, Ethnicity/Race, Marital Status, and Applicant Photos, following the college's redaction guide.

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Curate and finalize your online graphic design portfolio. Ensure it showcases your best work relevant to higher education marketing, publications, and collateral design, with clear project descriptions and a demonstration of proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite. Have the direct link readily available.

• Optimize Your Resume: Tailor your resume to highlight your 3+ years of experience in graphic design, specifically mentioning experience in higher education or ad/marketing agencies. Emphasize your proficiency in Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Acrobat Pro, and Microsoft Office, as well as your project management and communication skills.

• Research South Texas College: Familiarize yourself with the college's mission, vision, values, and recent marketing initiatives. Understand the demographics it serves and its role in the community. This research will be invaluable for tailoring your application and preparing for interview questions.

• Practice Portfolio Presentation: Rehearse presenting your portfolio, focusing on your design process, problem-solving approach, and how your work aligns with the college's needs. Be ready to discuss specific projects in detail.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details, especially regarding the budget approval contingency and specific application requirements, should be verified directly with South Texas College's Office of Human Resources before making application decisions.