Temp Digital Graphic Designer (Do Not Apply) Admin Use Only

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Temp Digital Graphic Designer (Admin Use Only)

Company: City of Austin

Location: Permitting and Development Center (PDC), Austin, TX

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Marketing Operations / Digital Design

Date Posted: 2026-05-21

Experience Level: 2-5 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is crucial for maintaining and enhancing the City of Austin's brand consistency across all digital and print platforms, focusing on visual communication strategies.

• The position involves creating a wide range of design assets, from website elements and social media graphics to advertisements and promotional materials, ensuring alignment with established brand guidelines.

• A key aspect will be collaborating with various city departments and stakeholders to effectively communicate information and promote services through compelling visual design.

• The role requires proficiency in design software and an understanding of web publishing standards, including accessibility and user experience, to ensure all creative outputs are high-quality and impactful.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job title is "Digital Graphic Designer," the responsibilities, particularly those involving content management systems, web presence, and stakeholder collaboration for communication, indicate a strong overlap with Marketing Operations and Digital Content Strategy. The focus on consistent branding and dissemination of information for a large public sector organization aligns with operational marketing functions.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and execute comprehensive design strategies for various marketing materials, including websites, social media content, advertisements, and print collateral, ensuring adherence to brand standards.

• Design and produce digital assets such as websites, motion graphics, illustrations, logos, and photography to support promotional campaigns and departmental communications.

• Manage and update the city's web and social media presence, ensuring a consistent and engaging visual experience for the public.

• Oversee all stages of production for design projects, from concept to completion, coordinating with internal teams and external vendors to ensure timely delivery.

• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to effectively communicate key messages and maintain brand identity across all communication channels.

• Research and implement best practices in design, emerging technologies, user behavior, and industry trends to inform creative strategies.

• Act as a brand steward, ensuring all visual creative adheres to the highest quality standards of the City of Austin's visual identity.

• Utilize content management systems (CMS) to implement and maintain a consistent visual web presence, with a preference for Drupal experience.

• Assist in the planning and development of digital advertising, promotional campaigns, and long-range strategic marketing plans.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities listed go beyond typical graphic design tasks, emphasizing strategic planning, project management, and cross-functional collaboration, which are core to operations roles. The mention of "developing long-range strategic marketing plans" and advising on "bid specifications, documentation, and contracts for vendors" suggests a strategic operations component.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in graphic design, marketing, communications, or a related discipline.

Experience:

• A minimum of three (3) years of professional experience in graphic design, digital media creation, or a closely related field.

Required Skills:

• Proficiency in graphic design principles, including typography, color theory, and layout composition.

• Expertise in using the Adobe Creative Cloud suite (e.g., Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign).

• Strong understanding of web design principles, including CSS, HTML, and JavaScript.

• Skill in creating user-centered designs, with an awareness of accessibility and usability standards for web content.

• Ability to manage multiple design projects simultaneously, maintain attention to detail, and meet deadlines.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills for effective stakeholder collaboration and rationale articulation.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with content management systems, specifically Drupal.

• Proficiency in prototyping and wireframe creation tools.

• Experience with shooting and editing professional photography.

• Experience with video creation and editing.

• Knowledge of multimedia formats (audio, video, interactive technologies).

• Analytical and conceptual approaches to design problem-solving.

📝 Enhancement Note: The blend of technical design skills (Adobe Creative Cloud, CSS, HTML, JavaScript) with strategic elements like "design strategies," "marketing plans," and "user-centered design" suggests the need for a candidate who can not only create but also strategize and manage design projects, a common requirement in operations roles that bridge creative execution with business objectives.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a range of graphic design projects, including digital assets (websites, social media graphics, advertisements) and print collateral.

• Demonstration of ability to create cohesive design strategies and packages tailored to specific project needs or customer requirements.

• Examples of work that highlight an understanding of branding, visual identity, and consistent application across various platforms.

Process Documentation:

• Portfolio pieces should ideally reflect the candidate's process, including initial concepts, wireframes, mockups, and final deliverables, illustrating workflow from ideation to completion.

• Showcase projects where you managed multiple revisions and maintained attention to detail throughout the design lifecycle.

• Include examples demonstrating collaboration with stakeholders or project managers, highlighting communication and integration within a team.

• Demonstrate experience with content management systems or web publishing standards through relevant project examples.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role that bridges design with communication strategy and brand management, a portfolio that emphasizes process, strategic thinking, and adaptability (managing revisions, stakeholder collaboration) is crucial. This shows an operational understanding of design project lifecycle and integration beyond just aesthetic output.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• The stated pay range is $29.89 - $37.37 per hour.

Benefits:

• Generous Leave policies.

• Comprehensive Work-Life Balance Programs.

• Extensive Benefits package, typically including health, dental, and vision insurance.

• Retirement Security through the City of Austin Employees' Retirement System.

• Focus on Wellness, including Wellness Programs and on-site fitness centers.

• Support for Mental Health.

• Opportunities for Professional Development and advanced training.

• Potential for Leadership Opportunities within the organization.

Working Hours:

• Standard work week of Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, totaling 40 hours per week.

• Telework may be available, suggesting a hybrid work arrangement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is specific and hourly, which is common for temporary or contract positions. The comprehensive benefits list highlights the City of Austin's commitment to employee well-being and professional growth, which are strong attractors for operations professionals seeking stability and development.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Government & Public Sector / Municipal Services

Company Size: Large (Likely 10,000+ employees, based on typical municipal structures)

Founded: The City of Austin's incorporation dates back to 1839, signifying a long-standing public service institution.

Team Structure:

• This role is within the Communications Office of the Development Services Department (DSD).

• The DSD provides services related to building, demolition, remodeling, and construction, ensuring compliance with city and building codes.

• The Communications Office likely comprises professionals focused on public outreach, information dissemination, and internal/external stakeholder engagement, with design being a critical component of their strategy.

Methodology:

• The City of Austin operates under guiding principles: Empathy, Ethics, Excellence, Engagement, and Equity. These values are expected to permeate all aspects of work, including communication and design.

• Emphasis on data-driven approaches and continuous learning to improve service delivery and public engagement.

• A structured approach to project management and adherence to established codes and regulations is fundamental.

Company Website: https://www.austintexas.gov/

📝 Enhancement Note: Working for a large municipality like the City of Austin means operating within a structured, process-driven environment with a strong emphasis on public service, compliance, and community impact. The core values (Empathy, Ethics, Excellence, Engagement, Equity) are critical for understanding the organizational culture and how decisions are made, particularly in communication and stakeholder interactions.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a temporary Digital Graphic Designer, likely an intermediate level within the design function, but with exposure to operational aspects of communication strategy.

Reporting Structure: The role reports to minimal supervision within the DSD Communications Office, implying a degree of autonomy in day-to-day design tasks. However, it collaborates extensively with various specialists, indicating a matrixed reporting or project-based reporting structure for specific initiatives.

Operations Impact: The designer's work directly impacts public perception, understanding of city services, and compliance communication. Effective design ensures information is accessible, engaging, and accurate, which is critical for operational efficiency within departments like DSD and for public trust.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Potential to deepen expertise in areas like web accessibility standards, CMS integration (Drupal), motion graphics, or professional photography/videography through project exposure.

• Cross-Functional Exposure: Opportunity to collaborate with project managers, marketing specialists, and development teams, offering insights into broader operational strategies and project lifecycles within a government context.

• Contract-to-Hire Potential: While temporary, successful performance in such roles can sometimes lead to permanent opportunities or future contract extensions, especially if the need for specialized design support is ongoing.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a temporary role, growth is more about skill acquisition and broadening experience rather than a defined promotion path. Understanding how this design role contributes to the operational goals of the DSD and the city's communication objectives is key to highlighting its impact and potential value.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The primary work location is at the Permitting and Development Center (PDC) in Austin, TX. Telework may be available, suggesting a hybrid model.

Office Location(s):

• Primary: 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Dr., Austin, TX 78752.

Workspace Context:

• The PDC is a central hub for development services, implying a professional, office-based environment.

• The hybrid work arrangement suggests access to both on-site collaborative spaces and remote work capabilities.

• The role requires collaboration with various city employees, suggesting an environment that fosters teamwork and communication.

Work Schedule:

• Monday-Friday, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm (40 hours/week).

• Flexibility for telework may be available, allowing for a balance between in-office collaboration and remote productivity.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid work possibility is a significant factor for operations professionals balancing project needs with personal flexibility. The PDC location means working within a hub dedicated to city development, likely a busy but organized environment.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Application Review: Thoroughly complete the City of Austin Employment Application, detailing all relevant experience, job titles, responsibilities, and employment dates. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

• Initial Screening: Applications will be evaluated based on qualifications.

• Interviews: Candidates selected for interviews may undergo skill/competency-based assessments. This could involve a practical design test or a presentation of their portfolio.

• Post-Interview Verification: Top candidates will have their references and previous employers contacted. Proof of education, professional licenses/certificates, and DD-214 (if claiming veteran's preference) will be required.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest projects that best align with the responsibilities outlined in the job description, showcasing digital design, branding, web presence, and strategic communication.

• Showcase Process: For each project, briefly explain the challenge, your approach, the tools used, your role, and the outcome. Highlight how you managed revisions and collaborated with stakeholders.

• Emphasize Impact: Quantify results where possible (e.g., increased engagement, improved clarity of information, successful campaign execution). For government work, focus on clarity, accessibility, and effective information dissemination.

• Tailor to Government: If possible, include projects that demonstrate experience with public sector communication, regulatory information, or community outreach, showcasing an understanding of this unique context.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared for a potential design challenge that assesses your ability to create effective visual communication under specific constraints, similar to those faced by city departments.

• Practice articulating your design rationale clearly and concisely, explaining how your creative decisions support communication objectives and brand consistency.

• Familiarize yourself with the City of Austin's core values (Empathy, Ethics, Excellence, Engagement, Equity) and consider how these might influence design choices or communication strategies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The detailed instructions for the application and verification process highlight the City of Austin's structured hiring approach. For a design role, the emphasis on a complete application and a well-presented portfolio demonstrating process and impact is paramount.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Cloud: Essential suite including Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign.

• Web Design Technologies: Proficiency in CSS, HTML, and JavaScript is required.

• Prototyping/Wireframing Tools: Experience with tools like Adobe XD, Figma, Sketch, or similar is preferred.

• Content Management Systems (CMS): Experience with CMS platforms is required, with a strong preference for Drupal.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to this design role, but understanding how marketing campaigns are managed and tracked within a CRM context might be relevant if design assets are integrated into broader campaigns.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of specific design software (Adobe Creative Cloud) and web technologies (CSS, HTML, JavaScript), along with a preferred CMS (Drupal), clearly defines the technical skill set required. For operations professionals, understanding the tech stack is crucial for assessing their fit and potential contributions to workflow efficiency and digital presence management.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Empathy: Designing with understanding for the diverse needs and perspectives of Austin residents.

• Ethics: Upholding integrity in all design and communication, ensuring accuracy and transparency.

• Excellence: Striving for the highest quality in all creative outputs and adhering to professional standards.

• Engagement: Creating designs that foster public interaction and understanding of city services.

• Equity: Ensuring designs are accessible and inclusive, serving all members of the Austin community.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Working closely with various city departments, project managers, and communication specialists to align design with broader departmental and city-wide goals.

• Process-Oriented: Adhering to established workflows and project management methodologies for design requests and approvals.

• Feedback Exchange: Openness to receiving and incorporating feedback from stakeholders to refine designs and ensure project objectives are met.

• Brand Stewardship: A collective responsibility to maintain and enhance the City of Austin's brand identity across all touchpoints.

📝 Enhancement Note: The City of Austin's core values are central to its operational culture. For a designer, this means translating these values into visual communication, ensuring that all creative work reflects empathy, equity, and excellence in public service.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Diverse Stakeholder Needs: Juggling design requests and feedback from various city departments, each with potentially different priorities and communication goals.

• Maintaining Brand Consistency: Ensuring a unified brand look and feel across a vast array of city services and communications, which can be complex.

• Adapting to Evolving Technologies: Staying current with web publishing standards, accessibility requirements, and design software advancements.

• Working within Public Sector Constraints: Navigating procurement processes, budget limitations, and formal approval hierarchies inherent in government work.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Skill Enhancement: Opportunities to gain experience with specific CMS platforms (Drupal), advanced web technologies, or specialized design areas like motion graphics or video production.

• Industry Best Practices: Exposure to best practices in government communication, public engagement strategies, and digital accessibility standards.

• Networking: Building professional relationships with colleagues across various city departments, which can lead to future opportunities or collaborations.

• Understanding Public Service: Gaining a deep understanding of how design contributes to the operational efficiency and public trust of a major municipal government.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges highlight the operational complexities of working in a large public entity. The growth opportunities focus on practical skill development and understanding the unique operational environment of municipal government communication.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to balance competing design feedback from multiple stakeholders. How did you manage the process and arrive at a final design?" (Focus on collaboration, negotiation, and strategic decision-making).

• "How do you ensure your designs are accessible and compliant with web standards? Can you provide an example?" (Highlight knowledge of user-centered design, accessibility principles, and relevant tools).

• "Walk us through your process for developing a comprehensive design package for a new campaign or initiative." (Detail your workflow from brief to final delivery, including research, ideation, execution, and iteration).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about working for the City of Austin, and specifically within the Development Services Department?" (Connect your skills and interests to public service and the department's mission).

• "How do you embody the City of Austin's core values (Empathy, Ethics, Excellence, Engagement, Equity) in your design work?" (Provide specific examples of how these values influence your approach).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Tell a Story: For each selected project, frame it as a narrative: the challenge, your solution, and the impact.

• Highlight Process: Show sketches, wireframes, or early concepts to demonstrate your thinking and iteration process.

• Quantify Impact: If possible, use metrics to show the success of your designs (e.g., increased website traffic, improved user feedback, successful campaign reach). For government roles, emphasize clarity and accessibility.

• Demonstrate Tool Proficiency: Briefly mention the tools you used for each project, especially Adobe Creative Cloud, and any CMS or web development experience.

• Be Concise: Present your strongest work efficiently, respecting the interviewer's time.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation for this role should focus on demonstrating not just design skill, but also an understanding of operational processes, stakeholder management, and the public service context. The portfolio is a critical tool for showcasing these capabilities.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Temp Digital Graphic Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided Workday link.

• Customize Your Resume: Tailor your resume to highlight experience with graphic design, web design, CMS platforms (especially Drupal), Adobe Creative Cloud, and specific responsibilities mentioned in the job description, using keywords from the posting.

• Develop a Targeted Portfolio: Curate a selection of 3-5 projects that best showcase your digital design skills, strategic thinking, and experience with branding and web presence. Ensure it highlights your process and any relevant outcomes.

• Prepare Application Details: Complete the City of Austin Employment Application with meticulous detail, ensuring all past employment, responsibilities, and educational qualifications are accurately and thoroughly documented.

• Research the City of Austin and DSD: Understand the City's mission, core values, and the role of the Development Services Department. Consider how your design skills can support their operational goals and public service mission.

⚠️ 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.