Part-Time Production Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Part-Time Production Graphic Designer

Company: Park District of City of Fargo

Location: Fargo, North Dakota, United States

Job Type: Part-Time

Category: Creative & Media / Art & Design / Marketing / Government & Public Sector

Date Posted: 2026-08-28

Experience Level: 2-5 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is a crucial support function within the Community Relations Department, focused on bringing Fargo Park District brands to life across various mediums.

• The position emphasizes production design, marketing collateral execution, and the creation of high-quality visual assets for programs, events, facilities, and community initiatives.

• The Graphic Designer will work collaboratively with the Brand & Creative Specialist and Marketing team, ensuring brand consistency and efficient revision incorporation.

• This part-time role (up to 20 hours per week) requires a detail-oriented individual passionate about the Fargo community and parks and recreation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The job title "Part-Time Production Graphic Designer" and the description's focus on "production design, marketing collateral execution, and creating high-quality visual support assets" strongly indicate a role centered on the execution of established brand guidelines and campaign elements rather than high-level creative concept development. The emphasis on "preparing production-ready artwork for commercial printing and digital deployment" further solidifies this production-centric aspect.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design and produce a wide range of marketing collateral, including flyers, posters, brochures, digital advertisements, email graphics, and social media assets for diverse community programs and events.

• Create visual assets for event and community initiatives, such as signage, banners, A-frames, and promotional display materials, ensuring they align with campaign objectives and brand standards.

• Develop designs for merchandise and apparel, including T-shirts, stickers, and other branded promotional items, maintaining aesthetic appeal and brand integrity.

• Prepare production-ready artwork for commercial printers and digital platforms, meticulously ensuring all files meet exact vendor specifications and technical requirements for optimal output.

• Maintain and enforce established Fargo Park District and sub-brand identity standards across all created materials, contributing to a cohesive and professional brand image.

• Organize and manage digital design assets, update and maintain design templates to streamline future design processes and ensure brand consistency.

• Collaborate closely with the Brand & Creative Specialist and Marketing team, actively incorporating stakeholder feedback into design revisions efficiently and effectively.

• Provide assistance with occasional photography capture and perform basic image editing and retouching tasks as needed to support marketing materials.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities clearly delineate a production-focused graphic design role, emphasizing the execution of established brand guidelines and the preparation of files for various output vendors. The mention of "maintaining established Fargo Park District and sub-brand's identity standards" and "updating/maintaining design templates" highlights a need for meticulous adherence to brand guides and efficient workflow management.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Pursuing or having completed a Degree in Communication, Graphic Design, Marketing, Public Relations, Multimedia Journalism, or a related field is preferred.

Experience: Minimum of 2 years of professional design experience is required, with a demonstrated ability to excel in a fast-paced environment, manage multiple projects, and maintain strong attention to detail and strict brand consistency.

Required Skills:

• Proficiency in graphic design principles and practices.

• Strong understanding of brand identity and consistency management.

• Experience in preparing production-ready artwork for print and digital media.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills for effective collaboration and feedback incorporation.

• Strong organizational skills to manage multiple projects and deadlines.

• Ability to actively participate as a team member in projects and contribute to a collaborative environment. Preferred Skills:

• Experience with social media content creation and visual strategy.

• Familiarity with media writing, editorial skills, and content creation best practices.

• Demonstrated experience with design programs such as Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) and Canva.

• Experience with photo/video editing software, including Premiere Pro and Photoshop, for basic retouching and asset preparation.

• Familiarity with the Fargo/Moorhead area and a passion for parks and recreation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for "at minimum 2 years of professional design experience" combined with preferred skills in specific software like Adobe Creative Suite and Canva, along with a preferred degree in a related field, positions this as an entry-to-mid-level production graphic designer role. The emphasis on "strict brand consistency" and "preparing production-ready artwork" points towards a need for technical proficiency in design execution and file management.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 5-7 diverse design projects, with a strong emphasis on marketing collateral production (e.g., flyers, brochures, social media graphics, signage).

• Include examples of projects where brand guidelines were strictly adhered to, demonstrating an understanding of brand consistency and visual identity management.

• Present at least one project that required preparing final artwork for a specific vendor (print or digital), detailing the technical specifications and challenges overcome.

• Highlight projects that demonstrate the ability to manage multiple design assets for a single campaign or initiative, showcasing organizational and project management skills.

• Include examples of digital assets designed for social media or email campaigns, demonstrating an understanding of platform-specific design best practices. Process Documentation:

• For each portfolio project, provide a brief description of the design process, including initial concepting (if applicable), design execution, revisions, and final file preparation.

• Detail the steps taken to ensure brand consistency and adherence to specific project requirements or vendor specifications.

• Explain how feedback from stakeholders or team members was incorporated into the design process.

• Document any template creation or modification undertaken to streamline future design efforts.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the "Production Graphic Designer" title and emphasis on execution, a portfolio should prioritize examples of well-executed designs that adhere to established branding and technical specifications. The ability to demonstrate a structured design process, particularly in file preparation and brand management, will be key.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Based on the part-time nature (up to 20 hours/week), the experience level (2-5 years), and the location in Fargo, North Dakota, a competitive hourly wage is anticipated. Industry benchmarks for production graphic designers in similar roles and regions suggest an hourly range of $18 - $25 per hour. This estimate considers the specific responsibilities, the need for proficiency in design software, and the part-time commitment.

Benefits:

As a part-time position, benefits may be limited but typically include:

• Paid Time Off (PTO) accrual based on hours worked.

• Potential for participation in retirement savings plans (e.g., 401k or 403b) with possible employer match, depending on policy.

• Access to employee assistance programs (EAP).

• Opportunities for professional development and training in design software or marketing trends.

• The intrinsic benefit of contributing to a valued community organization and supporting local parks and recreation initiatives. Working Hours:

• Up to 20 hours per week.

• Flexible scheduling is possible, but core hours may be required for team collaboration and meetings.

• The role operates within standard business hours, with potential for some flexibility based on project deadlines and team needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary is estimated based on national averages for part-time production graphic designers with 2-5 years of experience, adjusted for the cost of living and typical compensation structures in Fargo, North Dakota. Benefits for part-time roles are often less comprehensive than full-time positions and are therefore presented as typical offerings, subject to specific company policy.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Government & Public Sector / Sports & Recreation. The Park District of City of Fargo operates public parks, recreational facilities, and community programs, serving the residents of Fargo. This context implies a mission-driven environment focused on community well-being and public service.

Company Size: The Park District of City of Fargo is a significant municipal entity. While exact employee numbers aren't provided, municipal park districts typically employ a substantial number of full-time, part-time, and seasonal staff across various departments. This suggests a structured organization with established processes and a diverse workforce.

Founded: The Park District of City of Fargo has a long history of serving the community, established to provide and maintain public parks and recreational opportunities. This longevity indicates a stable organization with a deep-rooted commitment to its mission and a well-established presence in the community.

Team Structure:

• The Graphic Designer will be part of the Community Relations Department, working closely with the Brand & Creative Specialist.

• This department likely collaborates extensively with other functional areas such as Recreation, Golf, Facilities Management, and Special Events to support their respective marketing and communication needs.

• The reporting structure will be to the Brand & Creative Specialist, who in turn likely reports to a Director or Manager of Community Relations or Marketing. Methodology:

• Design work will likely follow established brand guidelines and project briefs, with an emphasis on accurate execution and adherence to specifications.

• Collaboration will involve regular communication with internal stakeholders to gather requirements and incorporate feedback.

• Processes will focus on efficient workflow management, asset organization, and timely delivery of design materials.

• Data-driven insights may inform design choices, particularly for digital assets, though the primary focus is on production.

Company Website: https://www.fargoparks.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's focus on public service and recreation suggests a culture that values community engagement, collaboration, and a passion for enhancing the quality of life for residents. The "Who You Are" section of the job description explicitly calls for individuals interested in the local area and passionate about parks and recreation, reinforcing this cultural aspect.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as an entry-to-mid-level Production Graphic Designer. It offers a solid foundation in practical design execution, brand management, and cross-functional collaboration within a public sector context. The "part-time" nature might limit immediate advancement to a full-time senior role within the same position, but it provides valuable experience.

Reporting Structure: The designer will report directly to the Brand & Creative Specialist. This provides a clear line of communication and mentorship, allowing for focused guidance on design execution and brand adherence. The Specialist will likely act as a bridge to higher-level marketing strategy and departmental needs.

Operations Impact: While not a traditional "operations" role in the sense of revenue or sales operations, this position has a significant impact on how the Fargo Park District is perceived by the community. High-quality, consistent visual communications are essential for effective program promotion, event engagement, and building community trust and participation. The designer's work directly supports the operational success of various park district initiatives by providing the necessary visual assets.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Development: Opportunity to deepen proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, and potentially Premiere Pro through hands-on project work and exposure to diverse design challenges.

• Industry Exposure: Gain experience in a public sector/non-profit environment, understanding the unique marketing and communication needs of parks and recreation organizations.

• Portfolio Enhancement: Build a strong portfolio of production design work, demonstrating competence in brand consistency, print/digital asset creation, and file preparation for vendors.

• Networking: Develop professional relationships within the Community Relations and Marketing teams, as well as with various departmental stakeholders across the Park District.

• Potential for Increased Hours/Full-Time: Depending on organizational needs and individual performance, there may be opportunities for increased hours or consideration for future full-time openings within the department or related areas.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth opportunities are framed within the context of a part-time role in a public service organization. The emphasis is on skill refinement, portfolio building, and gaining experience rather than a structured corporate career ladder. The potential for advancement is realistic for this type of position.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is on-site, implying a traditional office environment within a Fargo Park District facility. This setting likely offers a structured workspace conducive to focused design work.

Office Location(s): The primary work location is at 6100 38th St S., Fargo, ND 58104. This is a specific physical address, indicating a non-remote work arrangement.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The description highlights the need to "thrive in a collaborative, team-oriented environment" and "work closely with the Brand & Creative Specialist and Marketing team," suggesting shared workspaces or regular team interaction.

• Tools and Technology: Access to industry-standard design software (Adobe Creative Suite, Canva) and potentially photography/video editing tools will be provided, enabling efficient execution of design tasks.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for interaction with the Brand & Creative Specialist and other marketing team members will be frequent, facilitating feedback exchange and project alignment. The role also involves collaboration with stakeholders from various departments, offering exposure to different operational needs.

Work Schedule: The role is part-time, working up to 20 hours per week. While specific daily hours are not detailed, it's expected to align with standard business hours for effective collaboration and accessibility to internal stakeholders. Flexibility may be offered depending on project demands and team coordination.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement is explicit. The workspace context is inferred from the emphasis on collaboration and the provision of necessary design tools, typical for an in-house design role.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Applications will be reviewed based on qualifications, experience, and alignment with the "Who You Are" profile. A strong portfolio is crucial at this stage.

• Portfolio Review & Skills Assessment: Candidates will likely be asked to present their portfolio, discussing specific projects, their design process, and how they ensure brand consistency and meet production requirements. This may include technical questions about design software and prepress.

• Behavioral/Situational Interviews: Interviews will assess collaboration skills, problem-solving abilities, passion for parks and recreation, and ability to work effectively in a team and fast-paced environment. Questions may focus on how candidates handle feedback and manage multiple projects.

• Final Interview: Potentially with a hiring manager or department head to discuss overall fit and confirm understanding of the role's responsibilities.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate for Production: Select projects that clearly demonstrate your ability to execute designs according to brand guidelines and prepare files for print/digital output.

• Showcase Variety: Include examples of flyers, posters, social media graphics, and ideally, signage or merchandise designs.

• Explain Your Process: For each piece, briefly describe the objective, your role, the tools used, and how you ensured brand consistency and met technical requirements.

• Highlight Collaboration: If possible, include examples where you incorporated feedback or worked with a team.

• Quantify Impact (if possible): While difficult for production design, mention if a design successfully increased event attendance or engagement.

• Professional Presentation: Ensure your portfolio is well-organized, easy to navigate, and visually appealing. A digital portfolio (PDF or website) is standard.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared for a practical design exercise. This might involve creating a social media graphic, a flyer, or adapting an existing design to a new format, all within a time limit.

• Focus on adhering to provided brand guidelines and technical specifications.

• Practice explaining your design choices and process concisely.

• Be ready to discuss how you would handle constructive criticism or revise a design based on feedback.

📝 Enhancement Note: The application process is inferred based on standard practices for design roles, particularly those requiring a portfolio. The emphasis on "production" and "brand consistency" will be key themes in portfolio review and potential design challenges.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Essential proficiency expected, particularly in:

  • Adobe Photoshop: For image editing, retouching, and raster-based graphic creation.
  • Adobe Illustrator: For vector graphics, logos, illustrations, and scalable design elements.
  • Adobe InDesign: For layout design of brochures, flyers, posters, and other multi-page or complex print collateral.

• Canva: Preferred experience, indicating familiarity with user-friendly, template-based design platforms, often used for quick social media graphics and simpler collateral.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not a primary focus for this production role, understanding basic digital analytics might be beneficial for social media or digital ad design, such as understanding optimal image dimensions or engagement metrics. CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to this design role, but an understanding of how marketing collateral is distributed through marketing automation platforms or CRM systems could provide context. Other Potential Tools:

• Adobe Premiere Pro: Preferred experience for basic video editing or motion graphics assistance.

• File Transfer/Management Tools: Familiarity with cloud storage (e.g., Google Drive, Dropbox) or internal asset management systems for organizing and sharing design files.

📝 Enhancement Note: The job description explicitly mentions "Adobe Creative Suite and Canva" as preferred experience, and "Premier Pro and Photoshop" for photo/video elements. This directly informs the primary tools section. The emphasis on production and prepress means a strong understanding of print-specific file preparation (resolution, color modes, bleeds) is implicitly required.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Community Focus: A strong commitment to serving the residents of Fargo and enhancing their quality of life through parks and recreation. This translates to designing materials that are clear, engaging, and relevant to the local community.

• Collaboration: Working effectively within a team, valuing input from colleagues and stakeholders, and contributing to a shared vision.

• Reliability & Precision: Ensuring that all designs are accurate, meet technical specifications, and consistently uphold brand standards, reflecting a commitment to quality and professionalism.

• Passion for Parks & Recreation: A genuine interest in the mission of the Park District, which can drive creativity and dedication to producing impactful visual communications.

• Proactiveness & Initiative: Being motivated to contribute, identify needs, and take ownership of design tasks.

Collaboration Style:

• Team-Oriented: The role requires active participation in a team, working closely with the Brand & Creative Specialist and marketing colleagues.

• Feedback Integration: A willingness and ability to receive and incorporate constructive feedback from team members and stakeholders into design revisions.

• Cross-Functional Communication: Engaging with various departments to understand their specific design needs and translate them into effective visual assets.

• Knowledge Sharing: Contributing to a collaborative environment where design best practices and insights can be shared.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Who You Are" section of the job description provides direct insights into the desired cultural fit and values, such as being "collaborative," "interested in the Fargo/Moorhead area," "passionate about parks and outdoor spaces/recreation," and "proactive and motivated." These are integrated into the team culture and values.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Multiple Projects: Managing design requests from various departments with competing deadlines requires strong time management and prioritization skills.

• Maintaining Brand Consistency: Ensuring that all designs, across different mediums and departments, strictly adhere to established brand guidelines can be demanding.

• Incorporating Diverse Feedback: Effectively synthesizing feedback from multiple stakeholders, who may have differing opinions or visions, into cohesive designs.

• Fast-Paced Environment: Adapting to a dynamic workflow where project needs can change rapidly, requiring flexibility and quick turnaround times.

• Production-Specific Demands: Meeting precise technical specifications for print and digital vendors, which can involve intricate file preparation and troubleshooting.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Software Skills: Deepening expertise in Adobe Creative Suite through practical application on diverse projects.

• Understanding Public Sector Marketing: Gaining insight into the unique marketing strategies and communication channels relevant to government and non-profit organizations.

• Production Workflow Optimization: Learning best practices for efficient file management, prepress, and vendor coordination.

• Cross-Departmental Exposure: Understanding the operational needs and marketing challenges of different Park District divisions (e.g., Golf, Recreation, Senior Services).

• Mentorship from Brand & Creative Specialist: Receiving guidance on design execution, brand strategy, and professional development within the field.

📝 Enhancement Note: Challenges are derived from the demands of a production-focused design role within a multi-faceted public organization, emphasizing the need for organizational and adaptation skills. Growth opportunities focus on skill enhancement and gaining specialized experience.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to adhere strictly to brand guidelines for a design project. What was the project, and how did you ensure consistency?" (Assesses brand adherence, attention to detail)

• "Walk us through your process for preparing a design file for a commercial printer. What are the critical steps you take?" (Evaluates production readiness, technical knowledge)

• "How do you prioritize design requests when working on multiple projects with different deadlines and stakeholders?" (Tests organizational and time management skills)

• "Describe a situation where you received constructive feedback on a design. How did you handle it, and what was the outcome?" (Assesses collaboration, receptiveness to feedback) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about working for the Park District of City of Fargo specifically, and what do you know about our mission or facilities?" (Gauges community interest and research)

• "How do you see your design skills contributing to the success of our parks and recreation programs?" (Connects role to company mission)

• "Describe your ideal work environment. How do you thrive in a collaborative team setting?" (Assesses cultural fit)

• "What are your favorite local parks or recreational activities in the Fargo/Moorhead area?" (Tests local interest and passion) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Focus on Production: Highlight projects that showcase your ability to execute designs accurately and prepare files for output. Emphasize brand consistency.

• Tell the Story: For each project, briefly explain the objective, your role, the design process (especially file prep), and any challenges overcome.

• Showcase Software Proficiency: Be ready to discuss the tools you used (Adobe Suite, Canva) and why you chose them.

• Demonstrate Problem-Solving: If a project involved technical issues or tight constraints, explain how you resolved them.

• Keep it Concise: Aim for a clear, impactful presentation that respects the interviewer's time.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview questions are tailored to assess the core requirements of a production graphic designer role, including technical skills, brand adherence, collaboration, and interest in the specific organization and its mission.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Part-Time Production Graphic Designer position:

• Submit Your Application: Complete and submit the application through the provided Paylocity link. Ensure all required fields are accurately filled.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight your 2+ years of professional design experience, emphasizing skills in Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, production design, brand consistency, and prepress. Use keywords from the job description.

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Curate a digital portfolio (PDF or website) showcasing 5-7 of your best production design projects. Focus on examples that demonstrate adherence to brand guidelines, variety of collateral types, and file preparation expertise. Be ready to discuss your process for each piece.

• Practice Your Presentation: Rehearse presenting your portfolio, focusing on clarity, conciseness, and highlighting how your skills meet the job requirements. Prepare to answer common interview questions related to design challenges, collaboration, and brand management.

• Research the Organization: Familiarize yourself with the Park District of City of Fargo's mission, programs, and current marketing efforts. Understand their commitment to the community and parks and recreation.

⚠️ 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.