CONTRACT VISUAL MEDIA SPECIALIST

Position Overview

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) Office of Tourism is seeking a Contract Visual Media Specialist (Personal Services Contractor) to help showcase the people, places, and experiences that make Illinois a premier outdoor recreation destination. In this exciting role, you will lead the development and execution of a statewide multimedia program that promotes outdoor recreation, tourism, and economic growth across Illinois. From capturing stunning photos and producing compelling videos to managing a growing multimedia library and supporting statewide marketing initiatives, your work will inspire visitors, strengthen communities, and highlight the economic impact of Illinois’ outdoor recreation industry. If you thrive in a creative, fast-paced environment and enjoy turning ideas into engaging visual content, this is your opportunity to make a lasting impact on one of Illinois’ most important and growing industries. We invite you to apply today!

Essential Functions

• Plans, develops, administers, coordinates a comprehensive statewide multimedia service program to support expansion and success of outdoor recreation for the Office of Tourism at the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO).
• Researches, plans, shoots and edits photos, videos and audio interviews.
• Researches and fulfills image requests from outside the agency and within to be used for promotional and educational purposes.
• Assists the Outdoor Recreation Develop Manager to develop and implement plans to advance awareness, promote and grow Illinois’ outdoor recreation industry, including the impact of outdoor recreation industry on the state’s economy.
• Works with the Deputy Director of Tourism to develop and implement other state tourism video projects as needed.
• Meets with DCEO departments and other state agencies to establish integrated marketing strategies for visitors and attraction of economic development.
• Manages the multimedia library by uploading images, video and audio files for the office.
• Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires a bachelor’s degree with a focus in communications, public relations, marketing, photography or videography.
• Requires a minimum of two (2) years of professional experience in media management, marketing or communications.
• This position requires the ability to provide a digital portfolio as part of the application process. The portfolio must include examples of photography, videography, and related editing work that demonstrate technical proficiency, creative ability, and experience producing high quality visual content.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prefers a minimum of two (2) years of experience independently shooting, editing and producing long and short form videos and photos for promotional, educational, documentary and social media projects.
• Prefers a minimum of two (2) years of experience operating digital cameras, lenses, lighting and other equipment used in photo and video production.
• Prefers intermediate proficiency with video editing software (e.g., Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, or similar). 
• Prefers a minimum of two (2) years of professional experience creating audience-focused content for tourism campaigns.
• Prefers a minimum of two years of experience meeting deadlines while managing multiple projects simultaneously, paying attention to detail, in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
• Prefers a minimum of two (2) years of experience in corporate advertising or a creative department.
• Prefers extensive knowledge of media production processes and techniques.

Conditions of Employment

•  Requires completion of a background check and self-disclosure of criminal history.
•  Requires the candidate to provide and maintain their own professional grade photography and videography equipment, including cameras, lenses, lighting, audio recording tools, and any other gear necessary to perform the duties of the position.
•  Requires the candidate to have access to and proficiency with industry standard photo and video editing software to edit, produce, and deliver high quality digital media content.
• The conditions of employment listed here are incorporated and related to any of the job duties as listed in the job description.

About the Agency

The mission of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) is to create equitable economic opportunities across the State of Illinois. By attracting and supporting major job creators, investing in communities, strengthening Illinois’ world-class workforce, fostering innovation, and ushering in the new clean energy economy, DCEO works to fortify Illinois’ reputation as a global economic powerhouse while ensuring Illinois is the best state to live, work and do business.