Communications Specialist (Bilingual Spanish)

Communications Specialist (Bilingual Spanish)

Salary

$56,865.00 - $96,672.00 Annually

Location

Frederick County Public Libraries - Frederick, MD

Job Type

Full-time Regular

Job Number

FY26-00663

Department

Public Libraries

Opening Date

07/28/2026

Closing Date

8/18/2026 4:00 PM Eastern

FLSA

Exempt

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

JOB INFORMATION

Join the vibrant, community-minded team at Frederick County Public Libraries (FCPL)! We are seeking a creative, energetic, and visionary individual to become part of our team.

Located in Central Maryland between Washington D.C. and Baltimore, FCPL is a rapidly developing system of nine libraries and two bookmobiles. Our mission is to facilitate the publics freedom to explore, to invent, and to transform. FCPL connects people to ideas and to each other, helping to foster individual and community growth.

Exempt; full-time; 40 hours per week; full-benefits; varied days and hours during FCPL regular operating schedule; full-benefits

This position is responsible for ensuring accurate and up-to-date information is available to customers and staff via the library's social media, email newsletters, website, and intranet. As part of FCPL's Communications Team, the Communications Specialist (Bilingual Spanish) assists the Communications Workgroups and Contact Us Team, supports FCPL's virtual programming and community outreach, and collaborates with library departments and staff to tell FCPL's story and promote our resources within the Spanish speaking community of Frederick County, working to strengthen FCPL's reputation in the community with innovative, engaging online content, and outstanding customer service. Supervision is received from the Communications Manager.

NOTE: The upper pay range reflects possible wage rates for internal County transfers and promotions, which are calculated per County policy. For external hires, offers are made at the base wage rate, with no exception.

TOTAL COMPENSATION PACKAGE:

Frederick County offers an extensive compensation package to reflect how highly we value our employees. The following is what you can expect in your first year as a full-time benefited Frederick County Government employee.

• 11 days of Vacation leave with increase after 2 years of employment

• 15 days of Sick leave with unlimited annual carryover

• 11 paid holidays, plus 2 additional floating holidays (10 and 11 month employees may not receive all holidays)

• Day 1 coverage of comprehensive Medical Insurance Plan options to include generous County Health Savings Account (HSA) contribution (if enrolled in the high-deductible plan). This is part of a full range of benefits including Dental, Vision, and Flexible Spending

• Employee Health Center with no or low-cost primary and urgent care

• 100% County paid 2x annual salary Group Term Life Insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) benefit

• County and Employee funded Defined Benefit Pension Plan

• Vesting after 5 years of service

• Additional service credit for eligible previous public service, military service, etc.

• Work/Life balance programs include: Employee Assistance Program and Employee Wellness Program

• Generous Tuition Reimbursement Program

• Other employee-paid benefits such as Deferred Compensation Plan, Legal Resources, Supplemental Life Insurance, Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital Indemnity Insurance, Lifetime Benefit with Long Term Care plan

NOTE: Benefited employees will accrue service and leave based on the FTE and/or hours worked per calendar year.

For more information, visit our benefits page on the Frederick County Government job opportunities webpage

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Write and translate a range of communications for the Spanish-speaking community across various media including but not limited to web content, news releases, marketing emails, social media content, and various print materials including but not limited to program flyers, posters, signage, and Bookmarks - a quarterly magazine
• Write clearly in English for a range of audiences
• With direction from Communications Manager, work collaboratively with Community Engagement Department staff to facilitate outreach events and programs to promote library services to Spanish-speaking audiences.
• Working cooperatively with Communications Manager and Community Engagement Department staff, develop strategic relationships with organizations and individuals to enhance FCPL's connection to Spanish-Speaking members of the community.
• Co-lead Communications Workgroups as needed
• Monitor social media and Contact Us inbox for customer questions, complaints, and suggestions
• Author content, edit staff and department-provided content, and post on fcpl.org, social media, and staff intranet
• Provide project coordination for communications campaigns and initiatives
• Provide technical advice on web and social media related standards and trends in maintaining an up-to-date and responsive online presence
• Maintain a working knowledge of current library communications and web-related trends, issues, and technology
• Assist in developing and delivering training for staff and library customers
• Assist in planning public relations events such as press conferences, ribbon cuttings, community meetings, groundbreaking ceremonies, etc.
• Create visual graphics ensuring adherence to the library's style guide and maintain brand identity across platforms and content
• Create audiovisual media including but not limited to videos, slideshows, webinars, and presentations
• Proof and copyedit print and digital material in English and Spanish
• Participate in department and system-wide work teams
• Utilize project management tools to create and manage workflows
• Attend workshops, meetings and learning opportunities
• Provide strong and effective customer service, responding to customer questions, complaints, and suggestions
• Perform other related duties as required

To perform this job successfully, an employee must be able to perform all essential functions satisfactorily. Any employees position may not be assigned all functions or equipment listed above, and the examples may not cover all functions or equipment that may be assigned. Reasonable accommodations may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform their essential functions.

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

The qualifications/requirements, knowledge/skills/abilities and physical requirements or working conditions described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, or a related field
• Minimum of 1 year of experience in communications, public relations, or journalism

Substitutions for the above-listed required education and experience are an Associate's Degree with 3 years experience as described above or a Master's Degree. Additional required or preferred qualifications may apply based on operational needs, as approved by Human Resources.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

A successful incumbent operating in this role displays the following:

• Strong and effective spoken and written (English) communication skills
• Strong writing skills to support a range of content, including website copy, social media, email communications, and reports
• Strong copy-editing skills in AP editorial style
• Proficiency in Windows operating system, Microsoft Office products, and email marketing platforms
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with customers, co-workers and the general public
• Strong internal and external customer service ability including ability to exhibit patience, tact and courtesy working collaboratively in a team environment
• Ability to work with sensitive information and maintain confidentiality
• Ability to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems
• Ability to demonstrate creativity, flexibility, positive attitude and good judgment
• Ability to act as a representative of Frederick County Public Libraries to the public
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines simultaneously
• Ability to effectively organize work, determine priorities, make decisions and complete assigned duties with minimal supervision

PREFERENCE MAY BE GIVEN FOR:

• Experience with Adobe Creative Suite
• Experience using social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
• Customer service experience working directly with the public in retail, education, community or public relations
• Spanish language skills with the ability to speak and write Spanish fluently, and to translate from Spanish to English, and from English to Spanish

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORKING CONDITIONS:

• While working in this position, the employee is required to frequently sit and walk; occasionally lift up to 20 pounds and drive; rarely push and pull up to 40 pounds
• While working in this position, the employee is required to constantly work indoors and occasionally work outdoors
• During outreach programs or events the employee is frequently working outdoors; working in hot temperatures (above 100 degrees) working in cold temperatures (below 32 degrees) and walking on uneven ground

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / EXAMINATION PROCESS

• Requires the ability to arrange and complete travel to various sites (using a car or other reliable transportation)
• Available for varied workdays and hours within the FCPL operating schedule and, as needed, to accommodate meetings and other FCPL commitments

KIND OF EXAMINATION (may include):

1) An evaluation of training and experience

2) One or more interviews

Frederick County Government is committed to providing an inclusive work environment and complies with all applicable laws and regulations regarding workplace accommodation, including for individuals with disabilities. Applicants who require reasonable accommodation during the application and hiring process may contact the Talent Acquisition section of Human Resources. Inquiries about accommodations can be sent to Recruitment@FrederickCountyMD.gov

Position is not eligible to receive benefits with exception to the 457 Plan as listed below.

Savings Plan - Deferred Compensation:

The County offers a Section 457 Plan. Deferred compensation plans allow participants to save for retirement now and pay taxes later by contributing a portion of their salaries pre-tax to the plan. Contributions are invested at the employees direction into one or more of the variety of investment options offered by the plan. Changes may be made to the contribution levels, investment options, etc. at any time.

01

Your application, which includes any associated supplemental questions, must be complete at the time of submission and must clearly articulate the required work experience relevant to the position for which you are applying. The experience you indicate in your responses to the supplemental questions must also be described, in detail, on the Work History section of this application. Your application may be considered incomplete if vague descriptions of experience are included or if you cite experience in your supplemental question response that is not included on the Work History section of this application. When considering work history, 1 year of employment = 2,080 hours. If Human Resources staff is unable to confirm your related work experience based on the information submitted, or if you state "see resume" as your response, your application may not be considered further.

• I have read and acknowledge the above instructions.

02

Which best describes your level of education?

• Less than Associates degree
• Associates degree received
• Bachelors degree received
• Advanced degree received

03

In the text box below, enter the field of study in which you earned your degree.

04

How many years of experience in communications, public relations or journalism do you have?

• Less than 1 year work experience
• 1 year work experience
• 2 years work experience
• 3 or more years work experience

05

Please provide details regarding that work history in the text area below. The work history details provided should include the employer or organization name, dates of employment/service and the duties you performed. NOTE: If Human Resources staff is unable to confirm your related work experience, based on the information submitted, you will not be granted the requirement.

06

Does your communications, public relations, or journalism work experience include experience using social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram?

• Yes
• No

07

Please provide details regarding that work history in the text area below. The work history details provided should include the employer or organization name, dates of employment/service and the duties you performed. NOTE: If Human Resources staff is unable to confirm your related work experience, based on the information submitted, you will not be granted the preference credit.

08

Do you have customer service experience working directly with the public in retail, education, community or public relations?

• Yes
• No

09

Please provide details regarding that work history in the text area below. The work history details provided should include the employer or organization name, dates of employment/service and the duties you performed. NOTE: If Human Resources staff is unable to confirm your related work experience, based on the information submitted, you will not be granted the preference credit.

10

Do you have experience with Adobe Creative Suite?

• Yes
• No

11

Please provide details regarding that work history in the text area below. The work history details provided should include the employer or organization name, dates of employment/service and the duties you performed. NOTE: If Human Resources staff is unable to confirm your related work experience, based on the information submitted, you will not be granted the preference credit.

12

Do you have Spanish language skills with the ability to speak and write Spanish fluently, and to translate from Spanish to English, and from English to Spanish?

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer Frederick County Government

Address 12 East Church Street

Frederick, Maryland, 21701

Phone 301-600-1070

Website http://www.FrederickCountymd.gov/jobs