Graphic Artist

Company overview

The City and County of San Francisco is hiring for a citywide exam role in a city known for its strong blend of economic progress, innovation, urban growth, arts, entertainment, and civic change. The work contributes to improving life for the city’s diverse communities and the wider Bay Area.

Application opening: July 6, 2026
Application deadline: July 10, 2026

If you have questions about this opportunity, contact ihankins@sfwater.org.

Role summary

Reporting to the Digital Media & Website Communications Manager, the graphic artist will develop visually compelling materials that align with agency requirements and brand standards. The ideal candidate is imaginative, precise, collaborative, and comfortable managing several assignments and clients at once in a busy environment. The position supports communication of the agency’s mission, vision, values, and strategic priorities through design work.

General specialty duties

• Create layouts for reports, brochures, flyers, bookmarks, booklists, logos, newsletters, posters, forms, signs, and other print pieces, selecting suitable typography, color treatment, paper stock, and related design elements using desktop publishing, illustration, web design, photo-retouching, and other graphic software.
• Carry out specialized design, typesetting, and pre-press tasks for presentations, publications, multimedia, public information materials, and similar items using computer-aided graphics.
• Produce and edit drawings and illustrations with computer graphics tools.
• Scan, edit, and improve photographs for use in desktop publishing applications.
• Use publishing software and computer hardware to create graphs, charts, and maps.
• Coordinate with internal teams, vendors, printers, service bureaus, and color houses to ensure high-quality output.
• Prepare sketches, diagrams, exhibits, drawings, posters, charts, and photo-based materials from rough concepts or direct consultation with staff.
• Complete other related tasks as assigned.

Forensic specialty duties

• Develop freehand composite sketches of victims and witnesses to help identify, apprehend, or eliminate suspects, victims, and witnesses; where possible, produce sketches from surveillance footage and photographs and adjust likenesses as needed.
• Create three-dimensional reconstructions from physical information on decomposed or partially decomposed human remains for identification purposes.
• Prepare two-dimensional reconstructions from decomposed or partially decomposed skeletal remains and create age-progressed images to support missing-person and fugitive investigations, using computer-aided tools and relevant manuals.
• Interview victims and witnesses to create freehand drawings or sculptures of suspects while following the ethics and sensitivity standards of the Forensic Art Unit.
• Consult with criminal justice professionals and medical experts to develop accurate likenesses of suspects and victims.
• Serve as an expert witness on identification matters in criminal trials.
• Build small-scale crime-scene models with computer-assisted architectural software such as AutoCAD and Architectural Desktop.
• Partner with the community on art-based projects intended to help reduce violence and crime.
• Prepare sketches, charts, posters, diagrams, final drawings, exhibits, and photographs from rough drafts or staff consultations for court or public presentations.
• Perform additional related responsibilities as needed.

Qualifications

Applicants must have an associate degree in art or design from an accredited college or university with coursework in graphic art or design, plus one year of professional experience in either graphic art or web design for the general specialty, or one year of professional experience as an artist specializing in human portraits of diverse populations for the forensic specialty.

Selection process

Qualified candidates will need to complete a Supplemental Questionnaire examination after submitting an application. This exam carries a 100% weight and is used to evaluate the job-related experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities needed for the role.

For the general specialty, candidates are assessed on knowledge of commercial techniques and equipment, graphic design processes and methods, drawing, illustration, drafting, and typography, along with the ability to use publishing, illustration, retouching, and web design software, complete projects on deadline, prepare varied artistic media, and work effectively with many types of people.

For the forensic specialty, candidates are assessed on knowledge of drawing, illustration, drafting, and human anatomy drawing methods, plus the ability to render the human form from verbal descriptions, work with varied artistic media and software, interview victims and witnesses, maintain their comfort and safety, follow complex oral instructions, and prepare reports and other documents.

A passing score on the Supplemental Questionnaire is required to continue in the process and be placed on the eligible list. Final ranking will be based on overall score, and scores may also be used for other job titles when directed by the Human Resources Director. The hiring department may use additional job-specific selection steps before making a final decision.

Additional information

A confidential eligible list will be created for certification purposes only. An examination score report will show ranks, final scores, and the number of qualified candidates. Applicant details, including names on the eligible list, will remain non-public unless disclosure is required by law. Once the list is exhausted or expires and referrals are resolved, it may be made available for public inspection on request. The eligible list and score report may change after adoption, including changes resulting from appeals, as directed by the Human Resources Director or Civil Service Commission.

The eligible list from this exam will remain active for 12 months and may be extended with approval from the Human Resources Director. Certification will follow the Rule of the List. Additional selection steps may be used by the hiring department before final hiring decisions.

Terms and appeal rights

Applicants are responsible for following the details in this announcement unless federal, state, or local laws, rules, or regulations provide otherwise. Clerical corrections may be posted on the Department of Human Resources website. This announcement may be appealed under Civil Service Rule 110.4, and written appeals must be submitted to the Department of Human Resources at 1 S Van Ness Avenue, 4th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94103-5413 by the close of business on the fifth business day after the announcement’s issuance date. More information about Civil Service Commission rules, including appeal rights, is available on the Civil Service Commission website.

Employment information and equal opportunity

Applicants will receive a confirmation email from notification@careers.sf.gov when their online application is received. They should keep this email for their records; if it does not arrive, the application was not submitted or received.

The City and County of San Francisco encourages women, minorities, and people with disabilities to apply. Candidates are considered without regard to sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, disability, medical condition, HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military or veteran status, or any other legally protected category.

Additional city employment resources

• Information about the hiring process
• Conviction history
• Employee benefits overview
• Equal employment opportunity
• Disaster service worker
• ADA accommodation
• Veterans preference
• Seniority credit in promotional exams, where applicable
• Right to work
• Copies of application documents
• Diversity statement