Transit Marketing Specialist (Social Media Specialist), Grade 21
About the Position
Please note: The salary range above represents the earning potential for this position. The anticipated hiring range for this position will be $70,556 to $111,604, based on the candidate’s qualifications and experience.
WHO WE ARE
The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) is a public service agency dedicated to connecting people and communities through a safe, reliable, and accessible transportation system. We plan, design, build, operate, and maintain the County’s infrastructure, including roads, sidewalks, and the Ride On bus system, delivering essential services that support daily life. Through data-driven decision-making, fiscal stewardship, and community engagement, we enhance mobility, advance equity, and strengthen quality of life for all residents and visitors.
WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR
The Montgomery County Department of Transportation Communication Office is seeking a Transit Marketing Specialist (Social Media Specialist) to manage social media platforms and create relevant, engaging content to communicate projects, programs, and services to residents and to positively promote MCDOT. The position will encompass devising and implementing marketing plans and strategies to communicate information, inform, and influence residents. Transit Marketing Specialist (Social Media Specialist) functions as a key part of MCDOT’s effort to provide timely, relevant, and engaging information daily via the department's more than six social media platforms, including Bluesky, X, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, Reddit, Mastodon, Flickr, and the County’s Nextdoor account. Experience creating content in the field for live streaming. The successful candidate will need to be a creative, flexible, customer service-oriented individual with knowledge of ADA compliance protocols, including social media. Tasks will focus on influencing behavior change aligned with MCDOT’s transportation objectives.
What You'll Be Doing
MCDOT Communication Office is looking for a Transit Marketing Specialist (Social Media Specialist) who is a self-starter, able to work independently and collaboratively to develop compelling multimedia content, support public engagement activities, and enhance MCDOT’s visibility across platforms. The ideal candidate is proactive, organized, and comfortable working in a fast-paced environment with limited supervision.
- Independently collect, develop, and produce content, including videos, photos, interviews, and written materials.
- Manage and schedule social media posts; monitor platforms and address questions and concerns from residents.
- Conduct frequent project site visits to capture content for social media, press releases, and press packages.
- Highlight employee achievements and conduct consistent follow-up communication with the public.
- Plan, coordinate, and execute press conferences, special events, and outreach activities that generate interest and inspire action.
- Create persuasive, engaging content in collaboration with County and regional partners.
- Research emerging communication platforms and propose new engagement approaches.
- Gather information from MCDOT’s five divisions to support press releases, newsletters, and other written communications.
- Prepare publications, newsletter articles, display materials, and weekly social media performance reports.
- Ensure all public-facing materials meet ADA accessibility standards.
- Perform additional duties as assigned.
- Graphic design capabilities (Canva preferred).
- Strong writing and presentation skills.
- Proficiency with Hootsuite, Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.
- Ability to collect, organize, and analyze data for reporting.
- Experience preparing written materials for publication and display.
- Familiarity with major social media platforms and effective engagement practices.
- Ability to work independently, take initiative, and demonstrate reliability.
- Willingness to pitch new ideas, platform trials, and creative outreach strategies.
- Writing samples, presentation materials, and creative video examples will be requested; social media knowledge may be evaluated during the interview.
- Multilingual skills are desirable but not required.
- Ability to travel frequently throughout Montgomery County for content creation, meetings, and presentations related to MCDOT programs and projects.
- Ability to lift/carry up to 10 lbs. and perform necessary physical tasks (reaching, bending, loading/unloading) related to event setup and breakdown.
The candidate must be able to occasionally work rotating shifts on weekdays and weekends.
The candidate must be able to work off-site.
Minimum Qualifications
Experience: Considerable four (4) years of professional experience in marketing, advertising, public relations, social media, and/or related field.
Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree.
Equivalency: An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Knowledge of the principles, practices, and techniques of marketing, public relations and advertising.- Knowledge of the transit services available in Montgomery County.
- Ability to make clear and effective oral presentations to business and public officials, civic associations, and the general public.
- Ability to write creatively and to prepare publications and display materials.
- Ability to work tactfully, effectively, and equitably with others.
- Ability to attend meetings or perform other assignments at locations outside the office, if necessary.
Licenses, Registrations, Certifications, or Special Requirements:
- There will be no substitutions for this section.
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Positions in this classification may be assigned duties that require the operation of a motor vehicle:
- Employees assigned such duties will be required to possess and maintain a motor vehicle operator's license valid Class “C” (or equivalent) from the applicant’s state of residence.
Medical Protocol: This position requires completion of a pre-employment Medical History Form to assess your ability to safely perform the essential duties of the role.
Preferred Criteria, Interview Preferences
We will use preferred criteria screening questions:
- Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing, Communications, or a related field is preferred.
- Experience in creating creative social media content, including videos and reels, posting on multiple platforms, seeking answers to posed questions from platforms, engaging project teams or specialists, and responding to inquiries.
- Ability to learn and understand the organizational dynamics of the department and how the department relates to the rest of the County, including the County Executive’s Office, Council, and Public Information Office.
- Knowledge of ADA guidelines and how to remediate and generate ADA-compliant documents, videos, pictures, and webpages for government agencies.
- Experienced in developing and implementing marketing and communication plans, materials, and/or strategies to capture the attention of members of the public, deepen public trust and confidence in MCDOT.
- Experience tracking, evaluating, and reporting on social media posts and campaign performance, and trying new tactics to grow following, views, and engagement numbers.
- Experience setting up paid social media-based marketing campaigns.
- Experience writing in a customer-focused setting, for the public, and in AP style for media.
- Experience in conducting event planning and assisting in staging major communications and recognition events, including talking points and coordination.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
The Office of Human Resources (OHR) reviews the minimum qualifications of all applicants, irrespective of whether the candidate has previously been found to have met the minimum requirements for the job or been temporarily promoted to the same position. This evaluation is based solely on the information contained in the application/resume submitted for this specific position.
Montgomery County Government(MCG) is an equal opportunity employer, committed to workforce diversity. Accordingly, as it relates to employment opportunities, the County will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities, in accordance with the law. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should email OHR at Hiring@montgomerycountymd.gov. Individual determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made in accordance with all applicable laws.
MCG also provides hiring preference to certain categories of veterans and veterans/persons with a disability. For more information and to claim employment preference, refer to the Careers webpage on Hiring Preference.
All applicants will respond to a series of questions related to their education, relevant experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities required to minimally perform the job. The applicant's responses in conjunction with their resume and all other information provided in the employment application process will be evaluated to determine the minimum qualifications and preferred criteria or interview preference status. Based on the results, the highest qualified applicants will be placed on an Eligible List and may be considered for an interview. Employees meeting minimum qualifications who are the same grade will be placed on the Eligible List as a "Lateral Transfer" candidate and may be considered for an interview.
This will establish an Eligible List that may be used to fill both current and future vacancies.
If selected for consideration for this position, you may be required to provide evidence that you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities indicated on your resume.
Montgomery County Ethics Law: Except as provided by law or regulation, the County's "Public Employees" (which does not include employees of the Sheriff's office) are subject to the County's ethics law including the requirements to obtain advanced approval of any outside employment and the prohibitions on certain outside employment. The outside employment requirements of the ethics law can be found at 19A-12 of the County Code. Additional information about outside employment can be obtained from the Ethics Commission website.