Home Classifieds Communications Specialist III

Communications Specialist III

The International Examiner

October 14, 2022

384

DEPARTMENT: DNRP-Natural Resources & Parks

DIVISION: WLRD -Water & Land Resources

SALARY: $78,977.60 – $100,110.40 Annually

LOCATION: Seattle – Regional area

JOB TYPE: Career Service, Full Time, 40 hrs/week

CLOSING DATE: 10/19/22 11:59 PM

APPLICATION LINK: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/kingcounty/jobs/3744609/communications-specialist-iii

SUMMARY:

The Hazardous Waste Management Program in King County (“Program” or “Haz Waste Program”) is pleased to welcome applicants for a Communications Specialist III position.

Position Summary: In this role, you’ll work full-time for the King County Water and Land Resources Division as a Communications Specialist III for the Hazardous Waste Management Program (Haz Waste Program). This position sits with the Program’s Communications Team and works under the direction of the Communications Manager. The Communications Specialist III will provide marketing, outreach, promotions, social media, community engagement, and public relations planning and support to advance the Program’s mission and goals around racial equity. The Communications Specialist III will lead communications projects, coordinate the work of project teams, and provide strategic counsel to teams throughout the Program.

Competitive applicants will bring a high level of writing and project management skills, experience working with diverse communities, and a background in marketing and outreach. They will also bring strong interpersonal skills and the ability to establish good working relationships with Program staff, partners, and community members.

About Our Program: The Hazardous Waste Management Program is one of the leading local government hazardous waste and toxic reduction programs in the United States. Its yearly budget is about $20M, with 70 staff across four host agencies. The Program provides high-quality services to residents and businesses that include hazardous waste collection, technical and financial support to businesses, education on safer products, and policy development. For more information on the Haz Waste Program, visit www.kingcountyhazwasteWA.gov.

About Our Division: The Water and Land Resources Division (WLRD) is one of Hazardous Waste Management Program’s agency partners and hosts this position on behalf of the Program. WLRD safeguards King County’s water and land resources by providing services that protect public health and yield significant environmental benefits. WLRD provides flood control services, storm water management, and other natural resource management services throughout King County. WLRD’s mission is to protect, restore, and manage King County’s water and land using the best available science, innovation, and collaborating with partners and the community. www.kingcounty.gov/depts/dnrp/wlr.aspx.

Who is Eligible: This position is open to the general public and all King County employees. First consideration will be given to current Council 2, Washington State Council of County and City Employees, Local 1652R employees.

Commitment to Equity and Social Justice:

As the only jurisdiction in the world named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., one of the most influential civil rights leaders in our nation’s history, King County is a vibrant international community with residents that represent countries from around the world. It is a region with increasing diversity that cherishes the traditions of many cultures.

We have a deep commitment to equity and social justice and advancing practices, strategies, and policies that promote fairness, justice, and opportunity for all – in our workplaces and our communities. With this commitment, King County has adopted a pro-equity agenda to advance regional change and ensure that residents from vulnerable communities are incorporated into our emergency planning and public outreach efforts. To learn more, please visit http://www.kingcounty.gov/equity.

Telecommuting Requirement

The work associated with this position will be performed predominantly by teleworking, complemented with onsite work and meetings as informed by business needs. Employees will have access to shared workspaces at various King County facilities. Employees must reside in WA state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.

Employees will be provided with a County issued laptop and must maintain a workspace with an internet connection (access may be supplemented in some situations) where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours. Please note that when an employee conducts work that is likely to bring them in contact with another individual, safety precautions are required by the department in alignment with the Public Health Directive from the Seattle & King County Public Health Officer. King County is doing its part to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and remains committed to reducing our carbon footprint.

King County has a robust collection of tools and resources to support working remotely. The individual selected for this opportunity will be joining an innovative and progressive team.

Work Location: Predominately teleworking and the King Street Center 201 S. Jackson St., Seattle WA 98104.

Work Schedule: This position is exempt from the overtime provision of the Fair Labor Standard Act (FLSA) and is not overtime eligible. This position generally works a 40-hour work week, Monday through Friday.

JOB DUTIES:

Applying equity and social justice principles is a daily responsibility and a foundational expectation for all King County employees. In this role, you will apply equity and social justice principles that exemplify shared values, behaviors, and practices to all aspects of the work. You will also:

Develop and deliver communications for internal and external audiences.
Create and implement communications plans for projects, programs, initiatives, and events.
Write, edit, and proofread content for the Haz Waste Program’s internal and external communications channels. Examples include website, social media, newsletter, flyers, and press releases.
Develop strategies to engage people of color, immigrants, refugees, and low-income residents about Haz Waste Program services and how to reduce their exposure to hazardous materials.
Work with project teams to develop communications outreach and public engagement initiatives.
Coordinate media interviews and follow-up; coach subject matter experts.
Collaborate with teams of consultants to plan and execute project work.
Develop presentations and speak publicly to stakeholders inside and outside of the organization.
Contribute to strategic planning for the Program.
Develop and implement internal communications for the Program.
Other duties as assigned.

EXPERIENCE, QUALIFICATIONS, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS:

Our Ideal Candidate Will Have the Following Competencies:

Interpersonal Savvy: Relating openly and comfortably with diverse groups of people.
Manages Ambiguity: Operating effectively, even when things are not certain or the way forward is not clear.
Manages Conflict: Handling conflict situations effectively, with a minimum of noise.
Collaborates: Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.
Planning: Accurately scopes out length and difficulty of tasks and projects; sets objectives and goals, and breaks down work into the process steps.
Manages Complexity: Making sense of complex, high quantity, and sometimes contradictory information to effectively solve problems.

Required Qualifications:

At least three (3) years of progressive experience in communications, journalism, marketing, public relations, or another related field.
Success in developing and implementing communications plans for small and large-scale projects.
Excellent oral and written communications skills.
Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with project teams and external stakeholders.
Experience working with and providing communications to racially diverse communities.
Experience communicating technical, health, safety, or prevention information to a general audience.
Proven ability to work independently and in team environments.
Skills in setting priorities, organizing work, and meeting deadlines.

Desired Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in communications.
Strong project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects and work teams.
Highly developed skills in writing, editing, proofing content for multiple audiences and channels.
Experience with marketing, promotions, and outreach projects.
Experience building partnerships with people of color, people with low incomes, immigrants, refugees, and limited English proficiency communities.
Experience working calmly and quickly under deadline.
Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving skills.
Experience with media relations, including direct experience with coordinating media interviews and coaching subject matter experts to effectively communicate with media.

Necessary Special Requirements: A valid Washington State Driver’s License or the ability to obtain within 30 days of hire (King County vehicles are provided for travel to work sites), or the ability to travel throughout King County and Puget Sound as necessary.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:

Application and Selection Process: Application materials will be screened for clarity, completeness including online application, cover letter and resume, and responsiveness to the list of qualifications, skills, and abilities. The most competitive candidates may be invited to participate in one or more panel interviews. Applications without the following required materials may not be considered for this position.