Sacramento Municipal Utility District is hiring: Senior Graphic Designer in Sacr

Overview

Senior Graphic Designer - Sacramento, CA

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Department: Graphic Design

Location: Sacramento, CA, US 95817-1899

Posting Type: Open

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

One or more regular full-time positions. This posting also establishes an eligibility list to fill future regular full-time or limited term vacancies over the next two 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 supporting our clean power vision for the future.

As a vital part of our graphics team, you will collaborate with the 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 from an award-winning advertising agency, graphic design firm, or in-house design department. A strong portfolio demonstrating 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, and strong verbal and written communication skills. Proficiency in hands-on production tasks, including large-format printing, mounting, and trimming, is also required to support 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 exercise significant judgment in selecting work methods and handling 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 daily scheduling of work requests by prioritizing and processing new 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 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 software (Adobe Creative Suite: 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; 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; use smart phone and digital cameras to shoot photos for comps; consult with clients on graphic needs; interact effectively with SMUD staff and others in a team environment; understand instructions; work under tight deadlines; work with various computer applications; communicate effectively internally and externally; work independently.

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.
• Strong knowledge of branding and how to evolve it.
• A portfolio demonstrating creativity, versatility, and solid understanding of design principles and branding.
• Three (3+) or more years of professional graphic design experience across diverse media.
• Experience managing multiple projects, timelines, and stakeholders while maintaining quality and deadlines.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Physical Requirements

Applicants must be able to perform essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation.

SMUD - Who We Are

SMUD is the nation\'s sixth-largest community-owned electric service provider. We are committed to diversity and inclusion, and strive to be a workplace where you can be yourself, achieve your best, and thrive.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

SMUD is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of protected characteristics. SMUD complies with applicable laws governing non-discrimination in employment.

Why Sacramento?

The capitol of California is Sacramento, offering a vibrant community with access to higher education, culture, and outdoor activities.

Hybrid Work

This position requires onsite presence one or more days per week on a regular basis.SMUD\'s remote work policy may evolve; contingencies may require onsite work.

Additional Notices

Req ID: 2421