Photographer/Graphic Designer (Part-Time)

Are you good at telling stories with images and graphics? Are you passionate about brand strategy and style guides? Do you love staying on top of social media trends? If so, join our team! The Mount Prospect Public Library seeks a creative individual with excellent photography and design skills to create content for our various marketing channels. 

SCHEDULE: Approximately 25-28 hours per week; weekday hours with the availability to work nights and weekends.

BENEFITS

• Paid time off (vacation, sick, holiday, and birthday)
• Dental, life, and pet insurance 
• Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF) participation
• 457 retirement savings plan

PURPOSE

Under the direct supervision of the Assistant Department Head of Marketing, the Photographer/Designer produces photography and basic graphic design work for the library’s promotional channels. This position supports the department by creating visual content which adheres to the library’s brand and identity. In addition, this position maintains appropriate marketing displays on-site. 

SUMMARY OF DUTIES:

This position comprises of the following essential duties: 

• Photography and related production (approx. 60%) 

• Graphic design and related production (approx. 40%) 

Other non-essential job duties include various tasks related to departmental support.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Photography

1. Captures high-quality photographs of library programs, events, staff, and facilities for use in engaging social media content and other promotional or archival materials. 
2. Handles all aspects of photo production and post-production, including planning, shooting, editing, and organizing related digital assets.
3. Maintains an organized library of photographic assets for easy retrieval and reuse.
4. Provides creative input to enhance visual storytelling across both print and digital platforms.
5. Ensures all photography aligns with the library’s brand identity. 
6. Prepares photo files for production, including resizing, exporting, and ensuring adherence to print specifications. 
7. Recommends and maintains photographic equipment, ensuring readiness for scheduled shoots.

Graphic Design

1. Creates and adapts visual content for print and digital channels, including social media, newsletters, flyers, and signage. 
2. Ensures all design work aligns with the library’s brand identity and accessibility standards. 
3. Assists with the development of templates and visual assets for staff use. 
4. Collaborates with other department staff on visual concepts for library initiatives and campaigns. 
5. Prepares graphic design files for production, including resizing, exporting, and ensuring adherence to print specifications. 

Production 

1. Performs basic production tasks such as printing, trimming, mounting, and assembling visual materials. 
2. Coordinates the planning, installation, and maintenance of marketing displays throughout the library. 
3. Maintains and organizes creative asset libraries and templates for staff use. 

Other

1. Attends appropriate meetings, workshops and seminars
2. Serves on committees as assigned
3. Other duties as assigned

EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE

Bachelor’s degree in related field (or the equivalent education and/or work experience) required. Experience with professional photography and/or graphic design. Additional experience with social media content creation and familiarity with video editing tools desirable. 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & WORKING CONDITIONS

Knowledge & Ability

• Ability to access, input and retrieve data from the computer
• Knowledge of basic business and marketing concepts
• Knowledge/skill with Adobe Creative Cloud Suite
• Knowledge/skill with Canva
• Knowledge/skill with Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom
• Familiarity with style guides and brand identity
• Familiarity with designing for social media
• Familiarity with project management software

Behavioral Skills

1. Communication. Able to clearly present information through the spoken or written word; read and interpret complex information; talk with customers or clients; listen well.
2. Customer Focus. Able to demonstrate a high level of service delivery; do what is necessary to ensure internal and external customer satisfaction; deal with service failures and prioritize customer needs.
3. Flexibility. Able to remain open-minded and change opinions on the basis of new information; perform a wide variety of tasks and change focus quickly as demands change; manage transitions effectively from task to task; adapt to varying customer needs.  
4. Innovation. Able to challenge conventional practices; adapt established methods for new uses; pursue ongoing system improvement; play with concepts and ideas to create novel solutions to problems; evaluate new technology as potential solutions to existing problems.  
5. Planning, Prioritizing, & Goal Setting. Able to prepare for emerging customer needs; manage multiple projects; determine project urgency in a meaningful and practical way; use goals to guide actions and create detailed action plans; organize and schedule people and tasks. 
6. Supporting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Able to adapt behavior to others' styles; interact effectively with people who have different values, cultures, or backgrounds; optimize the benefits of having a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workforce.
7. Teamwork. Able to share due credit with coworkers; display enthusiasm and promote a friendly group working environment; work closely with other departments as necessary; support group decisions and solicit opinions from coworkers; display team spirit.

Working Conditions

• Work is performed in a typical library environment.