Social Media Specialist: (Full-Time)

The deadline to apply for this position is September 28, 2026

Job Summary

The Social Media Specialist is responsible for the day-to-day creation, publishing, and management of content across the Visit South Padre Island social media platforms. Under the supervision of the Chief Marketing Officer, this role builds brand awareness and drives visitor engagement by producing authentic, high-quality content and by actively monitoring and responding to online conversations.

This role requires strong attention to detail, creativity, and the ability to work collaboratively with internal team members to keep social content consistent, timely, and aligned with the overall marketing and content strategy.

Essential Job Functions

• Create and maintain social media content calendars across platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, YouTube, and others, ensuring consistency with brand voice and content pillars.
• Handle day-to-day publishing, scheduling, and management of all Visit South Padre Island social media accounts, including through project management tools such as Trello.
• Create engaging photos, video, and written storytelling content for publication across social channels.
• Collaborate with social media influencers for leisure and events.
• Assist with photography and videography projects as needed to support social content.
• Monitor social media platforms, engage with visitors and followers, and respond to comments, messages, and inquiries in a timely and on-brand manner.
• Monitor social media trends, tools, platforms, and applications; recommend new content ideas and engagement strategies.
• Execute social media campaigns supporting key organizational initiatives, partnerships, holidays, festivals, and collaborations.
• Produce and publish content including website content, e-newsletters, video scripts, and graphics.
• Apply search engine optimization (SEO) strategies and best practices to social and content development.
• Coordinate digital content projects with external vendors such as SimpleView, Crowdriff, Cision, Trello, and others.
• Assist in contributing to the SPI CVB blog on various tourism-related subject matters.
• Manage event submissions and business listings on relevant platforms and directories.
• Assist with maintaining the digital asset management (DAM) library, keeping photos, videos, and galleries well-organized.
• Generate regular social media performance reports for the Chief Marketing Officer and other stakeholders.
• Collaborate with the Chief Marketing Officer to track and report on organic and paid social media advertising efforts.
• Assist the marketing team, sales team, and PR and Brand Manager with content needs for FAM tours, press initiatives, activations, events, and itineraries as needed.
• Maintain a marketing calendar with upcoming events, campaign deadlines, and reminders for key activities.
• Take notes during marketing meetings to help ensure action items and questions are followed up on promptly.
• Stay informed about developments in the hospitality industry and local events in South Padre Island.
• Stay up to date on the latest social media and destination marketing trends by attending conferences, webinars, and workshops.

Secondary Job Functions

• Performs other related duties as assigned.
• Travel to attend industry events and to promote the destination to potential visitors.
• Attend staff and board meetings as needed.
• Assist with working activations (booths) and events when needed.

Fiscal Budget Responsibility

• Responsible for adhering to all City of South Padre Island purchasing policies while performing purchasing tasks.

Qualifications

Education:

• Requires a bachelor's degree from a four-year college or university in marketing, communications, journalism, or a related field preferred; equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.

Experience:

• One to two years of experience in social media, marketing, or communications, equivalency to be determined by the City.

Licenses or Certifications:

• A valid state driver's license.

Special Requirements:

• Bilingual: Spanish and English preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Technical knowledge and understanding of social media platforms, metrics, and tracking.
• Have a keen eye for design and be a creative, forward-thinking content creator.
• Skill in distilling complex ideas into compelling, on-brand social content.
• Ability to create content copy with accurate format, grammar, completeness, and clarity.
• Proficiency in soft design skills, including photography and video editing.
• Must be a self-starter showing initiative and proactive in performing all associated duties.
• Must be highly organized and able to handle multiple projects and deadlines.
• Ability to learn quickly and remain flexible in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work under pressure, in crowded conditions, and/or with frequent interruptions.
• Ability to build and maintain relationships and work well with others as part of a team.
• Professional image representative of the organization.
• Ability and willingness to work evening and weekend hours as needed for events and coverage.
• Ability to travel up to 10% of the time annually.
• Ability to operate a motor vehicle, either personal or company, for various Visit South Padre Island business purposes.

Tools And Equipment Used

Personal computer system, specialized software, phone, copy machine, digital camera, motor vehicle, telephone, and more.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit and talk or hear; use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is frequently required to walk; lift and/or move up to twenty-five (25) pounds. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Work is normally performed inside an air-conditioned office. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderately quiet.

Selection Guidelines

Formal application, rating of education and experience; oral interview and reference check; job related tests may be required. Writing samples and portfolio of past work may be requested.