Title: Marketing Specialist Entry
Sacramento, CA, US, 95817-1899
Minimum Pay Rate: $81,244.80
Maximum Pay Rate: $107,577.60
Apply by Date: 10/14/2025
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.
We're looking for an upbeat, talented, entry-level marketing professional to join our marketing team. This position requires the ability to plan, design and implement all manner of customer-facing branded marketing communications across a variety of digital and traditional channels. This position requires close teamwork and collaboration with both immediate teammates and others in cross-functional project teams. We are looking for someone who is eager to learn, can work on a variety of projects at once and represent the marketing discipline as a marketing subject matter expert for the projects they work on. A successful candidate is a thoughtful and critical thinker who will work with people in all parts and levels of SMUD as well as with external partners and vendors. Does this sound like you? Apply today and join our amazing team!
This is a hybrid position with a minimum two days per week on site at SMUD and the remaining remote.
Application Requirements
Please prepare your responses to the following prompts in advance, as you will be required to submit answers during the application process. Failure to respond to the questions may preclude you from moving forward in this process.
- Explain your experience developing materials for a range of audiences and any projects requiring multi-language materials.
- Describe your experience working with multiple clients or stakeholders at the same time. How do you prioritize their needs and ensure your success?
Purpose
To perform advertising, publication and marketing services for various SMUD departments to enhance customer awareness of the organization's programs and maintain its positive image.
Nature and Scope
This classification is comprised of two levels: Level "I" is the entry-level where incumbents are provided formal training and/or certification for progression to the journey-level "II" of the classification. The incumbent is promoted/progressed to the journey-level upon successful completion of all training and/or certification requirements for the classification. Incumbents hired at the entry-level are required to successfully progress to the journey-level within 18 to 60 months, depending on the length of the training and/or certification program. If an employee is unsuccessful with progressing to the journey-level they will return to last class held or separate from SMUD.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Develops strategic advertising, media and communications plans to increase customer awareness and participation in programs and services offered by SMUD and maintain the organization's positive image in the community.
- Designs, develops, writes, produces, and manages the printing, distribution and production of social media, print, radio, and television advertisements, media buys for advertising and advertising communications tools of all types to overcome language, education, income, and ethnic barriers.
- Writes, develops, produces, and prints rate notices, customer notifications and other customer communications to meet requirements of SMUD's Board of Directors resolutions and local, state and federal laws and regulations.
- Recommends topics for market research for selected SMUD programs and services to identify market potential, saturation rates, market opportunities, market barriers or objections, customer satisfaction, and effectiveness of current program and service methodologies.
- Reviews and reports advertising area expenditures to support assigned programs and services, program status and business planning processes.
- Participates in budget formulation and administration by preparing and administering advertising purchase orders; preparing and monitoring budgets for assigned programs; allocating limited funds and resources for required services in accordance with department priorities; and building, administering and monitoring schedules and work plans to meet program goals and deadlines.
- Participates in aspects of contract administration and contractor and consultant supervision by assisting in the preparation of purchase requests and bid specifications for graphic design, advertising services and related media/marketing services; administering contracts, work plans, schedules, and billing; reviewing contractor or consultant submittals of copy, graphic designs, proposals, and artwork; and supporting the training and orientation of outside contractor personnel on awarded SMUD projects for assigned programs.
- Assists in planning, reviewing and conducting work activities and researching required project information associated with department internal/external projects in accordance with established task objectives and schedule as outlined in the project plan/contract.
- Performs other related duties as needed; schedules, hours and locations may fluctuate based on business needs.
Required Education
- High school diploma or equivalency.
Required Experience Qualifications
- One or more (1+) years of experience writing copy and producing advertising/marketing materials.
Required Licenses/Certificates
- A valid California driver's license.
Knowledge Of
Fundamentals and practices of marketing and advertising; practices of industry standards for graphic development, print, radio, social media, and television ads, radio buys and print and media production techniques; techniques of evaluation and research; fundamentals and practices of grassroots advertising; fundamentals and practices for budget administration and accounting; methods and techniques for planning, organizing, directing, and controlling work activities; techniques and practices for negotiating; fundamentals and practices of program evaluation; procedures and practices for overseeing contractors/consultants work activities; safety policies, practices and procedures; standard operating procedures for modern office equipment including a computer and applicable software; English grammar, punctuation and vocabulary standards.
Skills To
Provide marketing, advertising and customer communications products; write and edit advertising and information brochure copy; develop advertising plans and advertising strategies; develop and implement media plans and schedules; evaluate market research results; define targets including demographic or psychographic profiles of potential customers for proposed programs; prepare technical reports and presentations; interact with others to influence, motivate and challenge; assess situations, documents and data for conformance to established policy and procedures; interpret, assess and apply pertinent policies, procedures, regulations, and requirements; assist in budget preparation and administration; plan, oversee and review the work of others, including outside graphic designers, advertising agencies or other outside consultants; utilize a personal computer and/or computer terminal, systems and software relevant to the job; communicate effectively orally and in writing internally/externally; establish and maintain effective working relationships internally/externally.
Desirable Qualifications
- BA/BS degree from an accredited college or university majoring in English, communications, marketing, business administration or related field or equivalent experience.
- Proven ability to work on cross-functional teams with multiple clients/customers concurrently.
- Excellent written communication skills.
- Ability to work with customers/clients from a range of different areas and backgrounds.
- Experience coordinating collateral development for a range of audiences including multi-language translations.
- Knowledge/awareness of brand principles and brand management.
- Experience supporting clients in a fast-paced, ever-evolving environment.
Physical Requirements
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 currently requires working on campus at SMUD a minimum of two days per week, sometimes more depending on the workload, and may be 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.