New

Senior Graphic Designer

Sacramento Municipal Utility District
remote work
United States, California, Sacramento
Sep 15, 2025
Apply now Title: Senior Graphic Designer Department: Graphic Design Location: Sacramento, CA, US, 95817-1899 Category: Minimum Pay Rate:$39.46 Maximum Pay Rate:$48.08 Limited Term Position:No Civil Service Status:Civil Service Apply by Date:09/26/2025 Posting Type:Open This posting intends to fill one (1) regular full-time position. We will also establish an eligibility list from this hiring process which may be used to fill future regular full-time or limited term vacancies over the next two (2) years. Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) is excited to offer a rare opportunity for an exceptional Senior Graphic Designer to join our in-house graphics department. Our small but highly skilled team brings extensive experience in executing SMUD's brand through impactful marketing collateral and internal visual communications that support our clean power vision for the future. As a vital part of our graphics team, you will collaborate closely with the larger Communications, Marketing & Community Relations (CMCR) group, delivering creative design solutions that adhere to brand guidelines while showcasing individual creativity. Our team is passionate about design excellence and committed to providing outstanding customer service across the organization. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience acquired through working at an award-winning advertising agency, graphic design firm, or in-house design department. A strong portfolio that demonstrates creativity, mastery of design fundamentals, and the ability to develop unique concepts within brand standards is essential. This role requires the ability to work efficiently and independently under tight deadlines, alongside excellent verbal and written communication skills. Proficiency in hands-on production tasks, including large-format printing, mounting, and trimming, is also required to support our internal clients effectively. This full-time hybrid position requires a minimum of two days per week onsite at our headquarters campus. SMUD offers a supportive work environment, excellent work-life balance, and a comprehensive benefits package. Note: Please include a link to your portfolio in your cover letter or resume, or attach an electronic file of your portfolio with your application. Failure to do so will preclude you from moving forward in the selection process. Purpose Under limited supervision, the Senior Graphic Designer creates complex design materials to visually communicate SMUD's goals, programs and events, both internally and externally, with printed and digital materials. Provides training and guidance to other employees on computer software techniques and knowledge by acting as a lead on work assignments. Nature and Scope The Senior Graphic Designer is an advanced journey/lead classification responsible for completing a variety of the more complex graphic arts and document design projects such as advanced artist renderings, full color illustrations, and multi-color maps. Incumbents in this classification exercise a significant amount of judgment in the selection of specific work methods and handling of non-routine matters. Duties and Responsibilities Assists the Art Director in assigning, directing, training, and monitoring the work of the Graphic Design department's projects, computer operation, layout/type design, illustration, and printing specifications. Assists the Art Director in the daily scheduling of work requests by assigning, prioritizing and processing new work requests; reviews completed projects. Plans, designs, arranges, and creates comps for presentation and final art files for full color copying from in-house and outside printing vendors. Creates advanced designs using a wide variety of inspiration and style to the appropriate computer applications. Coordinates graphic work with in-house and commercial printers; establishes overall printing specifications such as the appropriate paper specs, dimensions, ink, and colors; performs press checks. Designs and coordinates construction or production of freestanding displays. Consults with clients and prepares graphics to support training, lectures, seminars, and meetings. Creates advertising, charts, graphs, flyers, signs, brochures, reports, and other materials. Operates Mac-based computer and uses advanced-level related software (such as the Adobe Creative Suite, specifically Illustrator, Photoshop and InDesign). Takes photographs using a smart phone or digital camera for comps. Required Education High school diploma or satisfactory completion of an acceptable General Education Development (GED) Test Required Experience Qualifications Three (3+) or more years of related experience. Knowledge Of Materials, techniques, tools, and equipment used in graphic design; fundamentals and techniques of design, mockups, layouts, and electronic files for printing; advanced color theory and typography; advanced production and freehand drawing and lettering techniques; photographic procedures and techniques, including the use of cameras, reproduction, design best practices, and graphic design software including current versions of Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign. Skills To Plan, direct and review the work of others on a project or day-to-day basis; develop and consolidate design ideas and presentations; select methods, media and equipment best suited to attain desired visual effects; establish quality, color, size, and type of paper; make scale drawings in black and white and color; use smart phone and digital cameras to shoot photos for use in comps, research or reference, and in some cases, printed pieces; consult with clients on graphic needs for a variety of projects; interact tactfully and effectively with SMUD staff and others in a team environment; understand oral and written instructions; work under the pressure of tight deadlines; work with a variety of computer applications and software applications; communicate effectively both orally and in writing internally and externally; and work on one's own under minimum supervision. Desirable Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design or a related field. Membership to professional graphic design/advertising associations. Awards for work in graphic design/advertising. Understanding and development of a multi-channel campaign. A strong knowledge of branding and how to evolve it. A compelling portfolio demonstrating creativity, versatility, and a solid understanding of design principles and branding. Three (3+) or more years of professional graphic design experience, including work on diverse projects across various media. Experience managing multiple projects, timelines, and stakeholders while maintaining quality and deadlines. Excellent verbal and written communication skills to present ideas clearly and collaborate with clients, marketing teams, and other stakeholders. Physical Requirements Applicants must be able to perform the essential job functions with or without a reasonable accommodation. Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) - Who We Are As the nation's sixth-largest community-owned electric service provider, we're proud of our reputation as one of the best places to work in Sacramento. Our employees tell us in our engagement surveys they're "Happy, satisfied and engaged" which helps create a workplace that best serves our customers.Sacramento was named as the 2nd happiest place to work in America by Forbes Magazine. Lake Tahoe, San Francisco and the world-renowned Napa Valley are within easy driving distance of our locations. Our Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion SMUD celebrates diversity, and inspires an inclusive culture based on trust and respect to create belonging and connection among our employees, customers, and communities. By working together, we are powering positive, equitable opportunities for all. We aspire to be a workplace where you can be yourself, achieve your best, and thrive together. An example of our commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging is when SMUD signed the California Equal Pay Pledge in 2020. This requires equal pay for employees who perform "substantially similar work," when viewed as a composite of skill, effort, and responsibility at the time those employees started within that classification. As such, initial hiring salary range is not subject to negotiation and salaries will vary over time based on performance. SMUD is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of race, color, religion, gender (including pregnancy), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, veteran status, or any other applicable legally protected characteristic. All employment decisions are made on the basis of individual qualifications, merit, and business needs and interests. Why Sacramento, California? The capitol of California, Sacramento is the state's sixth-largest city, and the 35th largest in the U.S. Local universities include California State University, University of the Pacific's McGeorge School of Law, and the University of California, Davis and several competitive community colleges. The UC Davis Medical Center, a world-renowned research hospital, is one of more than a dozen hospitals and shared services centers in the Sacramento region. Part of the agriculturally-rich Central Valley, Sacramento is at the forefront of the farm-to-fork food movement. Northern California is home to some of the country's top technology companies, including Google and LinkedIn, and a multitude of startups in many industries. Sacramento is home to the NBA Kings, the River Cats (AAA baseball), the Republic FC (soccer) and the San Francisco Giants, NBA Warriors and NFL 49er's aren't far away. Sacramento offers an affluent liberal arts community with Broadway, Mondavi Center, Crocker Museum and summer musical theater to name a few. Hybrid Work This position will be required to work onsite one or more days a week on a regular basis; sometimes more or less, depending on the work and, at any of our SMUD locations. SMUD takes pride in powering the Sacramento region community where we live and work. We value the strong working relationships we develop with our colleagues. Our approach to remote work will continue to evolve. Please be aware that should SMUD's business needs change, emergencies occur, or various other reasons arise, you may be required to report onsite on a part-time or full-time basis SMUD provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. SMUD complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training. SMUD expressly prohibits any form of unlawful employee harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. Improper interference with the ability of SMUD employees to perform their expected job duties is absolutely not tolerated. Req ID: 2421 Apply now