Salary: $49,361.00 – $87,419.00 Annually
Location : Wheaton, MD
Job Type: Career
Job Number: 12908
Department: MC Planning
Division: MCPL Communications Division
Opening Date: 07/21/2023
Closing Date: 8/21/2023 11:59 PM Eastern
Description
Are you a strategic, creative, problem solver with the passion to create and execute exciting ideas for new content? If so, we would love to meet you! If so, the Montgomery County Planning Department is where you want to be! We are currently seeking a Graphic Designer Ito develop high quality presentation-style maps and cutting-edge graphics for different media. As a member of Montgomery Planning’s Communications Division, the Graphic Designer I position will work alongside other graphic designers, web professionals and mapping and graphics professionals.
Montgomery County Planning Department is part of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC). For 95 years, M-NCPPC has had a national reputation for excellence in planning, and today serves a culturally diverse population of over one million people on the border of Washington, D.C. in Montgomery County. We provide county-wide planning functions including long range planning, as well as reviews of development applications in diverse built environments of downtown urban districts, suburban communities, and agricultural areas. We have pioneered nationally modeled programs in agricultural preservation, inclusionary housing, and transit-oriented design. To learn more about who we are and what we do, we encourage you to watch this brief video and visit our website at
In this role, the Graphic Designer I will be responsible for the creation of presentation-style planning maps for planning projects, creating graphics, and assisting in the document creation as well as special projects as assigned. The Graphic Designer I’s work will serve to advance Montgomery Planning’s brand and mission as well as build positive awareness in the Montgomery County community. Work created will appear on presentations, master plan documents, reports, videos, social media, webpages and more.
Montgomery Planning has a firm graphical foundation with recently revamped websites, established presence on social media and integrated tools such as video, graphic recordings, GIS and paid advertising. We have a proven track record with the community using our tools to further transparency, engagement and awareness of the department’s plans and projects. This position offers an opportunity to advance the tools we use and improve the effectiveness of our communications.
Examples of Important Duties
- Support Communications Chief, Communications Manager, and other graphic designers on design tasks.
- Help to design and develop visual communications for the organization that follow approved branding standards and guidelines which further the mission of Montgomery Planning.
- Use audience-oriented design practices which include understanding the goals of the project and how design can help to meet those goals.
- Work with project team members to create maps, graphics, visuals and other materials.
- Create graphics that are compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).Complete other duties as assigned.
Mapping Responsibilities
- Create geographically accurate presentation style maps for print and digital consumption.
- Work with planning teams to achieve mapping goals and provide guidance on the creation of maps that are compliance with accessibility laws and Montgomery Planning Branding.
Print Design Responsibilities
- Design a wide variety of print materials, including report covers, briefs, posters, direct mail, conference/event materials (including exhibit design) and more.
- Aid the document layout out process, including conducting photo research/acquisition, as well as designing using data, such as infographics.
- Work with in-house Xerox Copy Shop and outside printers to print materials.
- Work with other graphic designers and mapping professionals to achieve communication goals.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s Degree in Graphic Design, Graphics, Studio, Commercial Art or any related field.
- An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted, which together total four (4) years.
- Pass Commission medical examination.
Supplemental Information
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience creating presentation style and print maps
- Experience working with GIS collateral to produce graphics and maps
- Knowledge of the Adobe Creative Suite, particularly Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Acrobat Professional and Adobe InDesign including the use of styles (i.e., paragraph, character, object and table styles).
- Knowledge designing in Microsoft Office, including Word and PowerPoint.
- Experience with producing graphics for print, web and video as well as experience with printing and web preparation (color modes, file formats, file sizing).
- Basic knowledge of 508 compliance and designing for accessibility.
- Ability to execute the design and vision of the publications as established by senior communication staff, including the ability to quickly adapt to changes in design direction.
- Experience working in a collaborative environment amongst multiple designers with various levels of critique and feedback.
- Excellent communication skills.
- Self-Starter and multi-tasker.
Class/Specification: Graphic Designer I (1733)
About Us
The M-NCPPC offers competitive salaries, excellent benefits, generous leave plans, an employee pension plan, and a deferred compensation plan. Positions may qualify for public service student loan forgiveness. Montgomery Planning is conveniently located minutes from Washington, DC in downtown Wheaton, MD next to the Wheaton Metro Station, several bus lines, and bikeshare. A commuter stipend is available. Telework opportunities (up to two days a week) and tuition assistance are also available. We work in the only LEED Platinum-rated government building in the state of Maryland. Check it out !
Diversity Statement
The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate a workplace culture of diversity, equity and inclusion without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, gender identity, or any other non-merit factor. We will do what we can to provide reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us at 301-495-4525 to request accommodation.
The salary range listed above represents the earning potential for this position. Salary is commensurate with experience. This position is eligible for a sign-on bonus (external candidates only).
THE MARYLAND-NATIONAL CAPITAL PARK AND PLANNING COMMISSION
2023 BENEFIT SUMMARY FOR MERIT SYSTEM EMPLOYEES
The following benefit summary is provided for informational purposes only and is not, nor should be construed as an employment agreement with the M-NCPPC, implied or actual. It is not all-inclusive and is subject to change. Benefits listed are extended to all Merit System employees of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC). All plans are optional except the Defined Benefit and Long-Term Disability plans.
Eligibility
You have 45 days from your hire date to elect your benefits. Your coverage begins on the first of the month following receipt of your enrollment forms and required documentation.
Retirement Programs
- Defined Benefit Plan (Mandatory Participation) – Plan E excludes FOP members.
Plan: Employee Contribution
Plan C: 9%* of base salary (FOP members only) – *9.5% Effective 4/1/2023
Plan E: 4% of base salary up to maximum Social Security Wage Base (SSWB) and 8% in excess of SSWB.
- Deferred Compensation MissionSquare 457 plan (Optional)
- Traditional and Roth IRAs (Optional)
Health Insurance Plans (FOP Members Pay 23% for Medical, Prescription and Dental and same as all other employees for Vision.) All other employees pay percentage below.
- Medical
- Kaiser Permanente Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) with Prescription Plan – (15%)
- UnitedHealthcare Select Exclusive Provider Organization Health Plan (EPO) – (20%)
- UnitedHealthcare Choice Plus Point of Service (POS) – (20%)
- Low, moderate, and high options are available. Frequency of covered services differs.
Flexible Spending Accounts (Employee Pays 100%)
- Medical Account – Maximum annual contribution: $2,850
- Dependent Care Account – Maximum annual contribution: $5,000
Long-Term Disability Insurance (Mandatory Participation)
- Employee Pays 20%: Commission Pays 80% (FOP Members Pay 100%)
- Benefits paid at 66 2/3% of base salary, maximum of $6,000/month
Supplemental Long-Term Disability Insurance (Employee Pays 100%)
- Benefits paid at 66 2/3% of base salary that exceeds $108,000; capped at $216,000
Basic Life and AD&D Insurance (Employee Pays 20%: Commission Pays 80%)
- Two (2) times base salary; maximum benefit is $200,000 for each
- Automatic coverage with opt-out provision
Supplemental and Spouse/Dependent Life Insurance (Employee Pays 100%)
- Supplemental – 1,2,3,4, or 5 times base salary; maximum benefit is $750,000
- Spouse/Dependent Combination – $10,000/$5,000, $20,000/$10,000, or $30,000/$15,000
Sick Leave Bank (Contribution and Benefit hours prorated for part-time employees)
- Employees have 60 days from date of hire to enroll.
- Employee contributes 8 leave hours each year
- Annually covers up to 688 hours for own serious medical condition, and 480 hours for parental responsibilities (birthadoption or foster care), and 80-160 hours for serious medical condition of an immediate family member
Leave Programs
- Annual: 15 days per year
- Personal: 3 days per year (12-month waiting period)
- Sick: 15 days per year
- Holidays: 11 days per year
Other Benefits
- Credit Union
- Employee Assistance Plan
- Legal Services Plan
- Tuition Assistance Program
- Wellness Program
- Work-Life Program
For a more detailed description of benefits, please contact the Commission’s Health and Benefits Office at benefits@mncppc.org or 301-454-1694.