9G05

PAY RANGE:  N22

GRAPHIC DESIGN ADMINISTRATOR

GENERAL DEFINITION

            This is administrative graphic design and art work planning, researching, developing, designing, directing and producing a wide variety marketing design concepts for the Philadelphia Free Library or the Water Department. The employee in the Free Library assignment is responsible for supervising graphic design employees responsible for creating and producing promotional, informational, and educational material for the Free Library programs, publications and exhibitions.  The employee in the Water department assignment is responsible for supervising graphic design employees responsible creating educational and marketing material to maintain and promote the department’s brand and visual identity. Employees in this class supervise and participate with a small group of graphic designers and may oversee reprographics staff in designing, laying out and printing written, drawn, and photographed materials publicizing programs and activities.  Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with subordinates, administrators, collectors, outside organizations, printing and graphic consultants, and publication vendors and coordination of graphics and design activities, are significant aspects of the work.  Work is performed under the direction of an administrative superior.

ALLOCATING FACTORS:  (The following conditions must be met for a position to be approved for this class.)

1. Positions must be located in the Graphics Arts office of the Free Library or the Public Affairs unit of the Water Department.
2. The single position in the Free Library assignment must plan, administer and design a wide variety of informative educational materials for exhibitions and displays.
3. The single position in the Water Department assignment must oversee graphic designers responsible for the creation of marketing material to maintain and promote the department’s brand and visual identity.
4. Employees must be responsible for researching and designing a wide range of informative educational and marketing materials for printing production.
5. The employees must supervise the activities of graphic designers.

TYPICAL EXAMPLES OF WORK (ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY)

All Assignments

            Plans, assigns, reviews and evaluates the work of graphic designers engaged in designing and laying out brochures, pamphlets, flyers, posters, and other graphic materials; designs and lays out the more complex graphic material by creating sketches, drawings, photographs, and graphs and arranging these illustrations with associated text; utilizes graphic design software, including image optimization and image editing applications; ensures projects meet deliverables by monitoring production times and costs.

            Prepares and supervises the preparation of technical specifications and cost itemizations for printing and publication services indicating such requirements as colors, size, type paper, and other features to be adhered to in the printing of the materials; reviews galley and page proofs and determines quality and texture of paper, illustrations, and type for conformance to standards; confers with printer to discuss and overcome printing problems prior to runoff; checks printed materials received from the printer for conformance to prescribed quality standards.

            Determines and communicates work priorities; establishes production standards, and reviews the quality of art and print work produced; determines which materials should be produced in-house or through contract according to departmental needs.

            Confers with contractors and vendors to determine their suitability for providing graphic design, printing and publication services or art supplies and equipment; estimates needs for material and prepares requisitions for artists' materials and supplies; develops budgetary data and justification for the graphics unit.

            Performs related work as required.

Free Library Assignment

            Plans Free Library exhibitions and displays; maintains the Free Library’s brand architecture and style rules to guide the creation of promotional pieces for the Free Library’s citywide system; works with librarians and unit heads to plan, install, and obtain materials for displays and exhibitions; makes recommendations on exhibition and display design and concepts using source materials from the library's collections and those loaned by private individuals or outside organizations; works within parameters ensuring the preservation of rare and valuable materials; provides direction to maintenance personnel in setting up displays and exhibitions; consults and collaborates with subject matter experts on the design and development of specialized books and pamphlets; oversees reprographic staff engaged in offset-printing, microfilming, and photocopying materials for library collections, publications, and departmental use.

Water Department Assignment

            Maintains the Water Departments’ brand architecture and style rules to guide the creation of promotional and educational material; reviews environmental and display graphics to ensure alignment with the overall visual and brand identity; provides guidance and consultation for a system of web manuals that spans across several units within the Water Department; meets regularly with key stakeholders to understand needs and requirements to ensure that marketing deliverables meet timelines, brand guidelines and quality standards; makes final review of all work product; collaborates with and provides recommendations to the Public Affairs Manager to set goals and objectives; establishes and maintains all creative standards, including processes, specifications and documentation to ensure quality, consistency and executional efficiencies; develops and executes annual creative plans.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• the graphic design and arts industry
• Adobe Creative Suite, including Photoshop, Illustrator, and/or other image optimizing and editing applications
• the principles and practices of graphic design, especially as applied to the preparation of graphics for reproduction
• Windows, iOS and Android operating systems as its relates to graphic design
• the fundamentals of design, color, harmony and composition
• sources and uses of research materials available to express a wide variety of design concepts
• the principles, practices, materials, tools, and techniques employed in the design and installation of large scale library exhibitions and displays if required by assignment
• typography and the media techniques employed in the field of graphic arts
• the methods and practices utilized in planning, designing, estimating, and procuring materials and supplies for graphic and reprographic projects
• the principles of conservation, lighting, perspective and the utilization of exhibition space if required by assignment
• research methods and sources of reference materials related to library collections if required by assignment
• computer graphics production

SKILL IN:

• the use of graphic design/art tools and equipment
• designing, estimating and procuring materials and supplies for projects within prescribed budgetary limitations for graphic design and reprographics

ABILITY TO:

• display creative imagination as an artist and designer
• plan and design printed materials for promotional and educational purposes
• apply supervisory methods and techniques in overseeing graphics production
• direct graphic designers and participate in the installation of large scale displays
• oversee the operations of the reprographics department
• supervise the activities of a staff of subordinate graphic design specialists
• establish and maintain effective working relationships with outside organizations, individual collectors, graphics professionals, consultants and representatives of the printing trade
• prepare contracts for graphic and reprographic services
• prepare operational budget for graphic and reprographic office

MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE (The following statement represents the minimum training and experience standards which will be used to admit or reject applicants for tests.  Applications submitted by candidates for this class will be reviewed based on training and experience requirements as approved on 7/16.)

EDUCATION:

            Completion of a four-year diploma or degree program at an accredited art school, college or university, with major course work in graphic design, visual communication design or a closely related field.

AND

GENERAL EXPERIENCE:

            Two years of experience in graphic art or graphic design work.

AND

SPECIFIC EXPERIENCE:

            Three years of technical graphic design experience with responsibility for the design and production of educational, developmental, promotional or informational material for a wide variety of thematic or environmental projects.

OR

            Any equivalent combination of education and experience determined to be acceptable by the Office of Human Resources which has included the specific experience as listed above.

NOTE: Selective Factor Certification may be utilized, as needed, to fill specific positions.  In accordance with Civil Service Regulation 11.032 - Selective Factor Certification – the appointing authority may request certification of eligible candidates with the specified education, training and/or experience to fill specific positions in this class. Certification to fill such position will be made from the two highest ranking eligible candidates on the eligible list who possess the specified experience.

PHYSICAL AND MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS

            Ability to physically perform the duties and to work in the environmental conditions required of a position in this class.

Class Established: 6/53

Spec. Revision: 6/91

Latest Spec. Revision:

CSC – 6/16, Ad. Board – 7/16

CW