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Web Content Specialist

City of Santa Clara Santa Clara, CU
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Job description

The mission of the Community Development Department is to enhance the community's safety, welfare, quality of life, and economic opportunities by providing advanced planning, development review, permitting, inspection services, and administration of programs related to affordable housing. Every member of the department plays an important role in this mission.

The Community Development Department is also investing strategically in technology to improve the user experience and streamline services. These projects require informative and engaging content for internal and external stakeholders to communicate improvements and investments made.

The Community Development Department launched a new permit tracking system using the Accela Civic Platform (Accela) in late summer of 2021. This enabled the department to transition from a manual, paper process to a fully digital workflow using automation to streamline the permitting process. Many lessons were learned during the implementation, and there is still much to do to improve the user experience. The department is creating an internal Accela Knowledge Base to capture those lessons learned and make onboarding and training staff easier. Plus, the department is looking to revamp its public-facing Accela website (Permitting Online Portal) and needs a strong content writer to help explain the permitting process to the public.

The Position: 

This position would be responsible for researching, creating, and developing articles for the internal Accela Knowledge Base using notes, instructions, and training materials from staff and various resources. They would also be responsible for the general information architecture and building out of the knowledge base structure.

The Community Development Department is investing heavily in improving the permitting experience, and this position would be a key resource in achieving that. This position will be a part of the implementation of this project and will write content for the revamped Permitting Online Portal using OpenCities. OpenCities is a content management system (CMS) that integrates with the Accela Civic Platform to provide a modern user experience and present information intuitively. 

The ideal candidate would have a proven track record of writing for the web in a clear and conversational tone. The ideal candidate would also have CMS experience and needs to be comfortable learning and navigating new technology and applications.

This recruitment may be used to fill multiple positions in this, or other divisions or departments. If you are interested in employment in this classification, you should apply to ensure you are considered for additional opportunities that may utilize the applicants from this recruitment.  

As an as-needed employee, this is an "at-will" position and there is no guarantee of hours. Hours are limited to 999 in a fiscal year or 960 hours in a fiscal year for retired CalPERS annuitants. 

Typical Duties

  • Develop an internal knowledge base for the Accela Civic Platform using team notes and training materials as the basis for content.
  • Conduct internal research on technical and complex business processes.
  • Conduct internal research on the permitting process and develop website content for the public to understand and navigate City policies.
  • Identify needs and gaps in our current content and recommend new topics and ideas.
  • Write clear and concise copy for the knowledge base and website.
  • Coordinate with internal teams, consultants, and stakeholders to verify the accuracy of website copy.
  • Proofread and edit articles before publication.
  • Create and design graphics to accompany the knowledge base and other content articles.
  • Submit work to editors for input and approval.
  • Develop and manage the underlying knowledge base and website information architecture.
  • Update the knowledge base as needed.
  • Uses content strategy principles for persuasive and effective communication

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience: 

A Bachelor's degree in Communications, English, Marketing, Public Relations, Journalism, Information Technology, User Experience (UX) Design, or a closely related field.

Acceptable Substitution: 

Additional full time professional experience in public relations, public information, or other related experience may be substituted for the education on a year-for-year basis up to two years with one year full time experience being equal to 30 semester (45 quarter) units of college.

License/Certifications: 

None

Desirable Qualifications: 

  • Basic understanding of technical concepts such as web applications (you don't need to perform technical tasks or write code, but you should understand our tools and explain them effectively)
  • 3 years or more of relevant experience
  • Experience working in public sector communications
  • Experience with website accessibility and website analytics
  • Experience with or knowledge of permitting and development activity
  • Experience with SharePoint, Accela, and OpenCities

Meeting the minimum qualifications does not guarantee admittance into the examination process. Only the most qualified candidates who demonstrate the best combination of qualifications in relation to the requirements and duties of the position will be invited to test. 

Federal law requires all employees to provide verification of their eligibility to work in this country. Please be informed that the City of Santa Clara will not sponsor, represent, or sign documents related to visa applications/transfers for H1B or any other type of visa which requires an employer application.  

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

  • Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing
  • Content writing, especially for a website. Bonus for internal writing.
  • Knowledge of web design layout and formatting
  • Web accessibility
  • Web analytics concepts and applications (e.g., Google Analytics, Siteimprove)
  • Identify, research, and gather relevant information from a variety of sources
  • Hands-on experience with Content Management Systems (e.g., SharePoint, WordPress, OpenCities, Granicus govAccess, Drupal, SquareSpace)
  • Use and stay current with technology and applications.
  • Understanding of basic graphic design concepts and applications (e.g., Canva, Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop)
  • Basic understanding of HTML and CSS.

 Additional Information: 

You must answer all job-specific questions in order to be considered for this vacancy or your application will be deemed incomplete and withheld from further consideration.Applications must be filled out completely (i.e. do not write "see resume or personnel file.”) To receive consideration for the screening process, candidates must submit a 1) Cover Letter and 2) Resume. Incomplete applications will not be accepted. Application packets may be submitted online through the "Apply Now" feature on the job announcement at www.santaclaraca.gov. Applications must be submitted by the filing deadline of June 9, 2023, at 4:00 PM

The City of Santa Clara is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants for all job openings will be considered without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status or any other consideration made unlawful under any federal, state or local laws. The City of Santa Clara is committed to offering reasonable accommodations to job applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please contact us at (408) 615-2080 or HumanResources@santaclaraca.gov.

Salary range USD $49 to $60 hourly
Date posted 6th June 2023
Commitment Temporary
Place of work Santa Clara, CA
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