Social Media Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Social Media Graphic Designer

Company: City of New York

Location: Long Island City, NY

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Creative & Media / Government & Public Sector / Healthcare / Marketing

Date Posted: 2026-05-27

Experience Level: 2-5 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is critical for establishing and maintaining the visual identity of public health messaging across all social media platforms for the NYC Health Department.

• Responsible for translating complex health data and information into compelling, easily digestible visual content that resonates with diverse New York City populations.

• Requires a unique blend of creative design skills, data visualization expertise, and the ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, high-stakes environment with rapid response needs.

• Plays a key role in the Bureau of Communications, specifically within the Design group, contributing to both proactive marketing campaigns and reactive emergency communications.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is specifically for permanent employees in the Graphic Artist title or those reachable on the civil service list, indicating a strong emphasis on established civil service qualifications and a structured career path within NYC government. The hybrid work model suggests a balance between in-office collaboration and remote flexibility.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Oversee and execute the visual design of all social media content, ensuring a cohesive and compelling look and feel aligned with agency brand guidelines.

• Collaborate closely with the Digital Communications and Social Media teams to translate messaging and campaign objectives into impactful visual assets.

• Transform raw health data into accessible and engaging infographics, charts, graphs, and illustrations for social media dissemination.

• Develop a strong understanding of typography, composition, and message hierarchy to create graphics that are both aesthetically pleasing and effectively communicate key health information.

• Support broader Creative Communications efforts by assisting with design for print, web, and video materials as needed.

• Coordinate with various internal teams, including Marketing, Language Services, Press Office, and Executive Communications, to ensure integrated and consistent public health messaging.

• Be prepared to work in a 24/7 environment, responding to urgent health situations and developing rapid-response graphics outside of standard working hours and on weekends as necessary.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibility for "rapid response design for emergency and urgent situations" highlights the high-pressure, critical nature of this role, requiring agility and the ability to produce professional work under tight deadlines. This is a key differentiator from standard graphic design roles.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree with a major in Fine or Graphic Arts from an accredited college.

• Alternatively, a four-year high school diploma or equivalent, plus two years of technical training in art media (oils, watercolors, painting, design, black and white, layout, computer graphics) from an approved institution. Experience:

• For Assignment Level I: One year of full-time paid experience as a commercial or graphic artist.

• For Assignment Level II: At least one year of experience as a Graphic Artist, Assignment Level I, OR the qualifications for Assignment Level I plus two additional years of specialized paid experience in conceptualizing and initiating graphic art projects.

• Civil Service Eligibility: Must be a permanent employee in the Graphic Artist title or reachable on the Graphic Artist Civil Service list.

Required Skills:

• Graphic Design Software Proficiency: Expertise in industry-standard design software such as Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign).

• Typography and Layout: Strong understanding of typography, composition, and visual hierarchy for effective message delivery.

• Data Visualization: Ability to translate complex data into clear, compelling infographics, charts, and illustrations.

• Brand Adherence: Meticulous attention to detail in adhering to agency brand guidelines and maintaining visual consistency.

• Social Media Content Creation: Proven experience designing engaging graphics specifically for social media platforms (e.g., Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn).

• Collaboration and Communication: Excellent interpersonal skills for effective teamwork with cross-functional departments.

Preferred Skills:

• Print & Web Design: Experience designing for both digital and print mediums.

• Video Editing/Motion Graphics: Basic understanding or experience with video editing or motion graphics for social media.

• Rapid Response Design: Experience working in fast-paced environments with short turnaround times, especially for urgent communications.

• Public Health Context: Familiarity with public health messaging, terminology, and audience engagement strategies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit requirement for civil service eligibility is a significant qualification that narrows the applicant pool and indicates a structured government hiring process. The distinction between Assignment Levels I and II suggests a potential for growth within the role based on experience.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrated Social Media Impact: Showcase a range of social media graphics, highlighting engagement metrics or campaign success where possible.

• Data Visualization Examples: Include case studies or examples of how complex health data was effectively visualized into understandable infographics or charts.

• Brand Guideline Adherence: Present projects that clearly demonstrate adherence to specific brand guidelines, showing versatility across different visual styles if applicable.

• Versatility in Design: Portfolio should reflect a broad range of design capabilities, including digital graphics, potentially print collateral, and adaptability to different project scopes.

• Rapid Response Readiness: If possible, include examples of work created under tight deadlines or for urgent communications to showcase agility.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design: Candidates may be asked to describe their process for conceptualizing, designing, and delivering social media graphics, from brief to final asset.

• Collaboration & Feedback Integration: Be prepared to explain how you incorporate feedback from stakeholders and collaborate with cross-functional teams throughout the design process.

• Quality Assurance: Detail your methods for ensuring design accuracy, brand consistency, and adherence to platform specifications before final delivery.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role involving public health communication and rapid response, the portfolio should emphasize clarity, accuracy, and adaptability. The ability to articulate one's design process, especially within a collaborative and often urgent government setting, is crucial.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $70,000 - $80,000 USD per year (based on provided salary band)

Actual Compensation: $68,377 - $78,633 USD per year (based on provided compensation figures)

Benefits:

• Premium-Free Health Insurance: A significant benefit potentially saving employees over $10,000 annually.

• Comprehensive Health, Fitness, and Financial Benefits: Additional benefits may be available depending on the associated union/benefit fund.

• Public Sector Defined Benefit Pension Plan: Offers steady monthly payments in retirement, providing long-term financial security.

• Tax-Deferred Savings Program: Options for saving for retirement with tax advantages.

• Robust Worksite Wellness Program: Resources and opportunities to support employee health and well-being.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time work week is 40 hours.

• The role operates in a 24/7 fast-paced media environment, requiring availability for work after hours and on weekends as necessary for urgent situations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary figures fall within the stated band. Given the role's specific civil service requirements and the public sector context, the salary is competitive for the New York City market for a Graphic Artist with 2-5 years of experience. The inclusion of a defined benefit pension plan is a significant advantage of public sector employment.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Government & Public Sector / Healthcare / Communications

Company Size: Large (NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene is one of the largest health departments in the U.S.)

Founded: Established in 1805, the NYC Health Department has a long and rich history of public health leadership.

Team Structure:

• Bureau of Communications: This role sits within the Bureau of Communications, specifically in the Design group.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Works closely with Digital Communications, Social Media team, Marketing, Language Services, Press Office, and Executive Communications.

• Reporting: Reports to the Director of Design, indicating a clear hierarchical structure within the design team.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Communication: Emphasis on transforming health data into accessible visual content.

• Culturally Responsive Marketing: Commitment to developing campaigns that resonate with diverse New York City populations.

• Public Health Focus: All communications are geared towards protecting and improving the health of NYC residents.

• Agile & Rapid Response: Operational readiness to adapt to urgent health situations and develop timely communications.

Company Website: [Company URL not provided, but typically nyc.gov/health]

📝 Enhancement Note: The NYC Health Department's long history and mission to protect public health provide a strong sense of purpose. The collaborative and fast-paced nature of the Bureau of Communications, especially with the need for rapid response, will define the daily work environment.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Mid-level Graphic Designer with specialization in social media and public health communications. This position requires demonstrable experience in translating complex information into accessible visuals.

Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the Director of Design, offering clear guidance and mentorship. Collaboration extends across multiple communication teams.

Operations Impact: Directly influences public health awareness, emergency response communication effectiveness, and the overall perception and accessibility of the NYC Health Department's initiatives. The visual content created has a tangible impact on public understanding and behavior.

Growth Opportunities:

• Assignment Level Advancement: Potential to move to Assignment Level II with demonstrated experience and project initiation capabilities.

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in data visualization, social media strategy, and public health communication design.

• Leadership Potential: Opportunity to contribute to design strategy and mentor junior designers as experience grows within the department.

• Broader Design Experience: Exposure to a wide range of public health campaigns and emergency response scenarios provides diverse portfolio-building opportunities.

📝 Enhancement Note: Growth within this role is likely tied to civil service progression and demonstrated impact within the department's communication efforts. Specializing in public health design within a large, established government agency offers unique career development paths not found in the private sector.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is a hybrid role, indicating a mix of on-site and remote work. The on-site component will likely be within a government office setting.

Office Location(s): Long Island City, NY (11101). This location is within the borough of Queens, offering accessibility via public transportation.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: Expect to work closely with designers, digital strategists, content creators, and potentially press officers.

• Tools & Technology: Access to standard government office infrastructure and potentially specialized design software and hardware. The role requires proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite.

• Fast-Paced Media Hub: The Bureau of Communications functions as a media hub, demanding efficiency, quick thinking, and adaptability, especially during urgent situations.

Work Schedule:

• Standard 40-hour work week.

• Flexibility and availability for urgent tasks outside of normal hours and on weekends are critical due to the nature of public health emergencies and rapid response needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature allows for flexibility, but the requirement for rapid response means on-site presence may be crucial during emergencies or critical campaign launches. The Long Island City location is a hub for various city agencies.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Civil Service Eligibility Verification: The first step will be confirming permanent employee status or eligibility on the Graphic Artist Civil Service list.

• Portfolio Review: Candidates will be expected to present a portfolio showcasing relevant design work, particularly social media graphics and data visualizations.

• Skills Assessment: Interviews may include questions about design process, problem-solving, ability to work under pressure, and experience with data interpretation.

• Behavioral & Situational Questions: Expect questions assessing collaboration skills, ability to handle urgent requests, and understanding of public health communication principles.

• Team/Manager Interview: An opportunity to discuss specific projects, cultural fit, and expectations with the Director of Design and potentially other team members.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate for Relevance: Select social media graphics, infographics, and data visualizations that align with public health themes and demonstrate strong typography and composition.

• Showcase Process: Be prepared to walk through your design process for 1-2 key projects, explaining your conceptualization, design choices, and how you incorporated feedback or data.

• Highlight Impact: If possible, provide context on the campaign goals or the data source for your visualizations and any measurable impact.

• Demonstrate Adaptability: Include examples that show your ability to work with brand guidelines and adapt to different visual styles or urgent needs.

• Clarity and Conciseness: Ensure your portfolio is well-organized, easy to navigate, and clearly communicates your skills and experience.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Challenge: You might be given a hypothetical public health scenario or data set and asked to conceptualize social media graphics or an infographic. Focus on clear communication, visual hierarchy, and adherence to potential brand elements.

• Rapid Response Scenario: Prepare to discuss how you would approach designing a graphic for an urgent public health alert with a very short deadline.

• Data Interpretation: Be ready to discuss how you would approach visualizing a specific type of health data (e.g., vaccination rates, disease prevalence).

📝 Enhancement Note: The civil service aspect is paramount. Beyond showcasing design skills, candidates must demonstrate an understanding of public service, adherence to processes, and the ability to communicate complex information effectively to a broad audience.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Essential. Proficiency in Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign is a must.

• Microsoft Office Suite: Particularly PowerPoint for presentations and potentially Word for basic document creation/collaboration.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Social Media Analytics Tools: Familiarity with basic analytics from platforms like Facebook Insights, Twitter Analytics, Instagram Insights is beneficial for understanding content performance.

• Data Visualization Libraries/Tools: While not explicitly stated, familiarity with tools or methods for creating charts and graphs (even within Adobe Suite) is key.

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable: This role is focused on content creation rather than CRM management or marketing automation platforms. However, understanding how content is deployed via social media management tools could be beneficial.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core requirement is advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite for graphic design. While direct experience with advanced analytics or automation tools isn't listed, an understanding of how designed content is consumed and performs on social media platforms is advantageous.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Public Service: A deep commitment to serving the health and well-being of all New Yorkers.

• Equity and Inclusion: Dedication to creating culturally responsive communications that reach diverse communities.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Utilizing data to inform and create impactful public health messages.

• Collaboration and Teamwork: Strong emphasis on working effectively across different departments to achieve common goals.

• Excellence and Innovation: Striving for high-quality design and innovative communication strategies within public health.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Requires seamless collaboration with digital strategists, content writers, subject matter experts, and press teams.

• Feedback-Driven Process: Openness to receiving and incorporating feedback from various stakeholders to refine designs.

• Agile and Responsive: Ability to adapt quickly to changing priorities and urgent communication needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture is rooted in public service and a mission-driven approach. Candidates should demonstrate an understanding of and alignment with these values, particularly regarding health equity and effective communication to diverse populations.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Translating Complex Data: The primary challenge is making intricate health data and scientific information accessible and engaging for a general audience.

• Rapid Response Demands: Working in a 24/7 environment requires adaptability and the ability to produce high-quality work under extreme time pressure.

• Diverse Audience Needs: Designing for the vast and diverse population of NYC requires cultural sensitivity and a deep understanding of various community needs and communication preferences.

• Adhering to Strict Guidelines: Balancing creative expression with rigid agency brand guidelines and public health messaging accuracy.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Public Health Expertise: Gain in-depth knowledge of various public health issues, campaigns, and strategies relevant to a major metropolitan area.

• Advanced Data Visualization: Hone skills in creating complex infographics and data representations for large-scale public communication.

• Crisis Communication Design: Develop specialized skills in designing effective visuals for emergency response and public health crises.

• Government Career Path: Opportunity for structured career progression within the civil service system, including potential for higher assignment levels and leadership roles.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents unique challenges tied to the public health mission and rapid response needs. The growth opportunities are substantial for those interested in a career in public service and specialized design within a mission-critical sector.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for taking raw health data and transforming it into an engaging social media graphic or infographic."

• "How do you ensure your designs are culturally sensitive and accessible to a diverse audience like New Yorkers?"

• "Walk me through a time you had to design under a very tight deadline or for an urgent situation. What was your approach and outcome?"

• "How do you stay updated on social media design trends and best practices while also adhering to strict brand guidelines?" Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about working for the NYC Health Department specifically, and what do you hope to contribute?"

• "How do you approach collaboration with non-designers, such as public health experts or communication strategists?"

• "Describe your understanding of health equity and how it might influence your design choices."

• "How do you handle receiving critical feedback on your designs?" Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each piece, explain the problem, your approach/solution, the tools used, and the outcome or intended impact.

• Emphasize Data Visualization: Clearly articulate your process for transforming data into visual stories.

• Showcase Social Media Acumen: Highlight graphics designed for specific platforms and explain why they were effective for that medium.

• Be Ready for Design Challenges: Prepare to discuss how you would approach a hypothetical public health communication challenge or data visualization task.

• Highlight Civil Service Fit: Frame your experience within the context of public service and adherence to organizational goals and processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interviewers will be looking for more than just design talent. They will assess your understanding of public health, your ability to work within a government framework, and your capacity to communicate complex information effectively and empathetically.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this graphic design position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on SmartRecruiters.

• Verify Civil Service Eligibility: Ensure you are a permanent employee in the Graphic Artist title or are reachable on the Graphic Artist Civil Service list. This is a non-negotiable requirement.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight experience with social media graphics, data visualization, Adobe Creative Suite, and any relevant public health or government work. Use keywords from the job description.

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Curate a digital portfolio that prominently features social media graphics, infographics, and examples of adhering to brand guidelines. Be ready to discuss your process for each piece.

• Research the NYC Health Department: Understand their mission, current campaigns, and commitment to public health and equity to articulate your interest and fit during interviews.

⚠️ 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.