Graphic Designer - Temporary Part Time (June 2026 - April 2027)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer - Temporary Part Time

Company: Mohawk College

Location: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

Job Type: Temporary Part Time

Category: Creative & Media / Art & Design / Marketing / Education

Date Posted: May 14th, 2026

Experience Level: 2-5 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Designs and produces a comprehensive suite of marketing collateral, encompassing both print and digital formats, to support integrated campaigns and strategic departmental goals.

• Ensures all created materials strictly adhere to established college brand guidelines, accessibility standards, and optimal visual communication principles to maintain brand consistency and inclusivity.

• Collaborates with the web team to update and maintain website content and overall site architecture within the college's Content Management System (CMS), ensuring content aligns with design, brand, and accessibility requirements.

• Manages and refines photographic assets for both print and web applications, optimizing them for various uses and organizing them within digital asset management systems or shared servers.

• Utilizes advanced graphic design software and productivity tools to create, edit, and deliver high-quality assets, responding to departmental requests via a ticketing system.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is critical for the Marketing department, requiring a blend of creative design skills and technical proficiency in digital content management and accessibility standards. The temporary nature and part-time hours suggest a need for efficiency and the ability to quickly integrate into ongoing projects.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design and produce a wide range of marketing materials, including graphics, brochures, print and online ads, Microsoft Office documents, posters, billboards, eBlast assets, and digital content, following established design principles and techniques.

• Create unique mock-ups and concepts for new ideas or campaigns, or meticulously follow existing brand aesthetics and templates to ensure consistency.

• Assist the web team with content updates and general site maintenance (HTML) within the college’s Content Management System (CMS), ensuring content presentation aligns with site goals, design, brand, and accessibility standards.

• Refine, modify, and optimize photos for print or web use using advanced software, and organize, edit, tag, and upload images into the Digital Asset Manager or Marketing Server.

• Apply accessibility principles and techniques to new and existing documents to create files consumable by most end-users in print or digital formats, including PDF remediation.

• Manage workload and respond to requests via the department’s online ticketing system (e.g., Zendesk), prioritizing tasks to meet departmental and college objectives.

• Ensure all created material meets the established Brand and Guidelines of the college, maintaining a consistent look and feel across all communications.

• Follow established workflows for proofing, spell-checking, review, and approval processes before any material is printed or distributed.

• Understand and incorporate accessibility features into all media types for end-user consumption and for streamlining repurposing of documents for online use.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a need for a designer who can manage diverse output types and work within a structured marketing environment. The emphasis on accessibility and CMS integration indicates a modern digital marketing focus.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: A minimum of two years of post-secondary education in Graphic Design or an equivalent combination of relevant educational and practical experience.

Experience: Minimum of two years of graphic design and production experience, including a wide range of document and medium types (catalogues, flyers, advertisements, brochures, reports, digital ads, digital content, Office document production) and sizes (1 page up to 100+ pages).

Required Skills:

• Advanced proficiency in graphic design software for print and digital applications, including Adobe InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, and Acrobat Professional.

• Expertise in document production using Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint).

• Strong understanding of accessible document principles, including how to build accessible files and proficiency with PDF remediation tools and techniques.

• Excellent spelling and grammar skills for high-quality content creation and review.

• Experience working within a Mac operating system environment.

• Demonstrated commitment and understanding of human rights, equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility (IDEA).

• Ability to communicate and work effectively with diverse students, employees, and communities.

• Experience with Content Management Systems (CMS) for web content updates and site maintenance.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with Digital Asset Management (DAM) systems.

• Familiarity with online ticketing systems such as Zendesk for request management.

• Knowledge of photo editing and optimization techniques for various media.

• Understanding of project management principles for prioritizing workload.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements emphasize a strong foundation in core design software and a crucial understanding of accessibility, which is increasingly important in educational and public sector environments. The blend of print and digital, along with web content management, points to a versatile role.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a diverse range of design projects that demonstrate proficiency across various media, including print collateral (brochures, posters, ads) and digital assets (web graphics, eBlasts, social media content).

• Include examples of Microsoft Office document design (e.g., well-formatted Word reports, engaging PowerPoint presentations) to reflect the requirement for these tools.

• Present at least one project that clearly illustrates the application of accessibility standards in document design or remediation, highlighting how inclusivity was achieved.

• Feature projects that demonstrate an understanding of brand guidelines and how to maintain consistency across different campaign materials for an organization.

Process Documentation:

• Be prepared to discuss your personal workflow for design projects, from initial brief and concept development through to final production, proofing, and delivery.

• Outline your approach to incorporating feedback from stakeholders and managers, and how you manage revisions and approvals.

• Detail your process for ensuring file quality, including pre-flighting for print and optimization for web, as well as adherence to brand and accessibility checks.

• Describe your experience using ticketing systems for managing project requests and communicating task status.

📝 Enhancement Note: A strong portfolio will be crucial for demonstrating practical application of the required software and principles, especially accessibility. The ability to articulate design processes and project management will be key.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $24.09 per hour.

Benefits:

• 6% in lieu of vacation pay, provided on each pay period.

• Access to professional development opportunities to enhance skills and career growth.

• Option to enroll in the Defined Benefit pension plan (CAAT) with contributions matched by Mohawk College.

• Discounted access to the full-service athletic facility and instructor-led classes.

• Opportunities to engage in various wellness events and activities.

Working Hours: Up to 24 hours per week, with a temporary contract duration from June 2026 to April 2027.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hourly rate is competitive for a temporary, part-time graphic design role in the Hamilton area, considering the required skills and experience. The benefits, particularly the pension plan option and professional development, offer significant value beyond the hourly wage.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Education (Post-secondary Institution)

Company Size: Large (Mohawk College is a significant post-secondary institution with thousands of employees and tens of thousands of students).

Founded: 1966 (Mohawk College has a long-standing history of providing education and contributing to the community).

Team Structure:

• The Graphic Designer will be part of the Marketing department's creative team, working under the guidance of a manager and potentially collaborating with a traffic coordinator.

• The role involves cross-functional collaboration with various college departments and stakeholders who submit design requests.

Methodology:

• Design decisions are guided by the college's strategic goals and the overall mission of the Marketing & Recruitment department.

• Emphasis is placed on following established Brand and Guidelines to ensure consistency and quality.

• A data-driven approach to content presentation on the web is expected, considering site goals and user experience.

• The department utilizes an online ticketing system for managing and prioritizing workload.

Company Website: https://www.mohawkcollege.ca/

📝 Enhancement Note: Mohawk College's commitment to IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility) is a significant cultural aspect, influencing design standards and team interactions. The educational context implies a mission-driven environment focused on student success and community impact.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is an intermediate-level Graphic Designer position, suitable for individuals with 2-5 years of experience. It offers practical application of core design skills within a professional marketing team.

Reporting Structure: The Graphic Designer reports to a manager within the Marketing department and works closely with the creative team and traffic coordinator. They will also interact with various internal clients across the college.

Operations Impact: The role directly impacts the college's brand perception, recruitment efforts, and internal communications by producing high-quality, accessible, and on-brand marketing materials. Effective design supports student engagement and institutional objectives.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Develop deeper expertise in specific areas such as accessible design, digital content creation, or CMS integration.

• Project Management: Gain experience managing multiple design requests and prioritizing tasks within a departmental workflow.

• Cross-functional Exposure: Work with various departments to understand diverse communication needs and expand design problem-solving capabilities.

• Temporary to Permanent Potential: While temporary, strong performance can lead to opportunities for permanent positions within the college's creative or marketing teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: This temporary role provides valuable experience within a large educational institution, offering exposure to diverse projects and a structured marketing environment. While not a permanent role, it serves as a stepping stone for further opportunities in graphic design or marketing operations within the education sector.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid work arrangements are available, suggesting a blend of on-site work at the Fennell campus and remote work.

Office Location(s): Primary location is the Fennell campus at 135 Fennell Ave W, Hamilton, Ontario.

Workspace Context:

• The role requires access to standard graphic design software and hardware, likely provided by the college for on-site work.

• Collaboration with team members will occur both in person on campus and potentially through digital communication tools for remote work.

• The environment emphasizes adherence to brand standards and process-driven workflows, supported by a ticketing system for task management.

Work Schedule: Part-time, up to 24 hours per week. The schedule will likely be flexible within operational needs, requiring coordination with the manager and traffic coordinator to ensure timely delivery of projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid arrangement offers flexibility, balancing the benefits of on-campus collaboration with the convenience of remote work. Candidates should be comfortable with both modes of operation and capable of managing their time effectively.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of applications and resumes to assess qualifications and experience.

• Portfolio Submission/Review: Candidates will likely be asked to submit a portfolio showcasing relevant design work, with a specific focus on print, digital, and accessibility projects.

• Interview: A formal interview to discuss experience, design approach, problem-solving skills, and cultural fit. This may include scenario-based questions.

• Skills Assessment/Challenge: Potentially a practical design exercise or a review of a submitted portfolio piece to assess technical skills and creative problem-solving under time constraints.

• Final Interview: May involve meeting with additional team members or stakeholders.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 4-6 of your strongest projects that directly align with the job description's requirements: print, digital, web content, and especially accessibility.

• Showcase Process: For each project, briefly explain the objective, your role, the design process, the tools used, and the outcome. Highlight how you addressed challenges or met specific requirements (e.g., brand guidelines, accessibility).

• Highlight Accessibility: Dedicate a section or specific examples to demonstrate your understanding and application of accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG compliance, accessible PDFs).

• Quantify Impact (If possible): If you have metrics related to a project's success (e.g., increased engagement, improved conversion rates), include them.

• Professional Presentation: Ensure your portfolio is well-organized, visually appealing, and easy to navigate, whether it's a digital PDF or a website.

Challenge Preparation:

• Review Design Software: Brush up on your skills in Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator) and Microsoft Office, focusing on features relevant to creating diverse collateral.

• Understand Accessibility: Refresh your knowledge of current accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG 2.1 AA) and practical techniques for creating accessible documents.

• Brand Consistency: Be prepared to discuss how you would adapt your design approach to fit a specific brand identity while maintaining creative integrity.

• Time Management: Practice completing design tasks within a set timeframe, simulating a potential design challenge.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a portfolio and potential design challenge indicates that practical skills and the ability to demonstrate specific competencies (like accessibility) are highly valued for this role.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator (essential for print and digital design).

• Adobe Acrobat Professional: For PDF creation, editing, pre-flighting, and accessibility checks.

• Microsoft Office Suite: Word, PowerPoint (for document production, presentations, and internal collateral).

• Mac Operating System: The primary computing environment for the role.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Content Management System (CMS): For web content updates and site maintenance.

• Digital Asset Manager (DAM) / Marketing Server: For organizing, storing, and retrieving digital assets.

CRM & Automation:

• Online Ticketing System (e.g., Zendesk): For managing design requests, tracking issues, and documenting task completion.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in the Adobe Creative Suite and Microsoft Office is non-negotiable. Familiarity with CMS platforms and ticketing systems will be crucial for seamless integration into the team's workflow.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA): A core value driving all aspects of work, from design choices to team interactions. All materials must be accessible and representative of diverse audiences.

• Quality and Consistency: A strong emphasis on producing high-quality, polished materials that consistently adhere to brand guidelines and college standards.

• Collaboration and Communication: Effective teamwork and clear communication with colleagues, managers, and internal clients are essential for managing requests and ensuring project success.

• Efficiency and Timeliness: The ability to manage workload effectively, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines is critical, especially within a fast-paced marketing department.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Work closely with various college departments to understand their design needs and deliver tailored solutions.

• Feedback-driven: Openness to receiving and incorporating feedback from managers and team members to refine designs and ensure alignment with project goals.

• Process-Oriented: Adherence to established workflows, including the use of ticketing systems and approval processes, to ensure smooth project execution.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates who demonstrate a strong commitment to IDEA principles and can thrive in a collaborative, process-driven environment will be a good fit for Mohawk College's culture.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Multiple Projects: Managing a diverse workload with varying deadlines and creative requirements from different departments.

• Adhering to Strict Brand and Accessibility Guidelines: Ensuring all designs meet stringent institutional standards while still being creative and engaging.

• Technical Adaptation: Quickly learning and effectively using specific CMS platforms or other internal tools required for web content updates.

• Temporary Role Management: Adapting to a fixed-term contract and demonstrating impact within a limited timeframe.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Techniques: Opportunity to refine skills in specific software or design disciplines through college-provided professional development.

• Accessibility Expertise: Deepen knowledge and practical application of accessibility standards in design and document creation.

• Industry Exposure: Gain experience working within the educational sector and understanding its unique marketing and communication needs.

• Portfolio Enhancement: Build a robust portfolio with diverse projects that can support future career advancement.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents an opportunity to overcome challenges related to project management and adherence to strict guidelines, which are valuable skills for any designer. The learning opportunities, particularly in accessibility and institutional marketing, are significant.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for creating accessible documents. What specific tools or techniques do you use?" (Focus on demonstrating knowledge of WCAG, PDF remediation, and practical application.)

• "How do you ensure brand consistency across a wide range of marketing materials, from print ads to digital content?" (Highlight your understanding of brand guidelines and your systematic approach.)

• "Walk me through a project where you had to balance creative design with technical constraints or specific client requirements." (Use a case study format, detailing the challenge, your solution, and the outcome.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "Mohawk College is committed to IDEA. How do you see this principle being applied in graphic design?" (Connect your understanding of IDEA to visual representation, inclusivity, and accessibility.)

• "What attracts you to working in the education sector, specifically at a college like Mohawk?" (Show genuine interest in the institution's mission and impact.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling: For each piece in your portfolio, tell a concise story about the project's goals, your creative process, the challenges you overcame, and the final result.

• Highlight Key Skills: Explicitly point out projects that demonstrate your proficiency in Adobe Suite, Microsoft Office, accessibility, and CMS integration.

• Showcase Range: Ensure your selection represents the breadth of work required for this role (print, digital, documents, web).

• Be Prepared for Q&A: Anticipate questions about your design choices, technical skills, and problem-solving approaches.

📝 Enhancement Note: Be ready to speak extensively about your practical experience with accessibility and your ability to work within established brand frameworks. Demonstrating a clear, process-driven approach to design and project management will be key.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the Mohawk College careers portal by the closing date of May 21st, 2026, at 7:00 pm EST.

• Tailor your Resume: Highlight your 2+ years of graphic design and production experience, emphasizing skills in Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft Office, accessibility standards, and CMS. Use keywords from the job description.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select projects that showcase your range in print, digital, and document design, with a strong emphasis on accessibility. Ensure it's professional and easy to navigate.

• Prepare for Interview Questions: Practice answering questions about your design process, accessibility knowledge, brand adherence, and workload management, using specific examples from your experience.

• Research Mohawk College: Familiarize yourself with Mohawk's mission, values, and commitment to IDEA to articulate your fit with the organization's culture.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.

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