The King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks Director’s Office is a searching for a high-performing, talented Deputy Public Affairs Manager who will reinforce our reputation as a trusted environmental steward.

This is a new position in our Public Affairs team that is responsible for delivering a clear, consistent message to external audiences, including constituents, utility ratepayers, Tribes, local governments, community-based organizations, regulatory agencies, environmental advocates, partners, and more. They will help our team earn the public trust we must have to achieve clearly defined goals that improve the quality of life for all living things in our region.

Our 1,800 dedicated professionals have inspiring stories to tell about creating livable, sustainable communities, achieving clean water and healthy habitat, and protecting our region’s spectacular natural environment. We want a creative team leader who will put us at the forefront of innovative communications, helping us reach diverse audiences and better connect with the BIPOC communities we serve. In addition to outstanding storytelling ability, we need a public affairs professional who understands how effective communications is critical to advancing transformative change.

The successful candidate will contribute to the work we do each day to making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive, which starts by dismantling systemic racism that persists here in the nation’s only county named in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King. Come help us build a more just, more equitable, more sustainable King County.

Duration: The anticipated duration of this assignment will be up to 2 years. Special Duty Assignment and Term Limited Temporary (TLT) assignment durations are subject to change and may either be ended earlier or extended as needed.

This position will remain open until filled but the screening process will move quickly. To be considered for the first round of interviews please submit your application materials no later than April 12th, 2021.

To learn more about the Department of Natural Resources and Parks click on the below links:
https://www.kingcounty.gov/depts/dnrp.aspx
https://www.kingcounty.gov/depts/dnrp/about/vision-mission-goals.aspx

Who is Eligible:  This position is open to all qualified candidates.

Permanent Telecommuting Requirement
The work associated with this position will be performed remotely on a permanent basis.  There will be situations where the employee is required to report to a County worksite. 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 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.

To support employees during this time 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: Primarily 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 full-time position works a 40-hour work week.

The successful candidate will have passion for the environment and sound judgment, works collaboratively and think strategically, can embrace ambiguity and ramp up quickly on complex issues, and is energized by juggling priorities.

Help us deliver on our commitments

• Uphold King County’s commitment to equity and social justice
• Fulfill Tribal treaty rights guaranteed by the United States
• Protect what we love about this place and restore what has been lost

Here’s how you will contribute

• Create and implement communication plans for initiatives, operations, and programs that include strategies for earned media, social media, web content, infographics, and video
• Provide direction, support, and training to the communication leads for each of our four Divisions – Wastewater Treatment, Solid Waste, Water and Land Resources, and Parks and Recreation – to help the public understand how our talented employees and trusted partners protect and restore the natural environment that defines our region
• Serve as a liaison to the Executive Office and other executive branch Departments on the Public Affairs Manager’s behalf
• Assist with event planning for media events
• Review and edit news releases produced by our Divisions
• Manage requests for video production
• Review projects proposals and make recommendations
• Cultivate relationships with members of the media, including reporters, journalists, bloggers and other media outlets, and understand the interest of each contact.
• Serve as a spokesperson or liaison for the agency; brief management and elected officials.

Required Qualifications:
A bachelor’s degree in environmental science, communications, journalism, political science, public administration, or closely related field and experience in environmental/sustainability programs, media relations, corporate communications, or public relations; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Our Ideal Candidate Will Have The Following Competencies:
Balances Stakeholders: Understands internal and external stakeholder requirements, expectations, and needs. Balances the interests of multiple stakeholders. Considers cultural and ethical factors in the decision-making process. Acts fairly despite conflicting demands of stakeholders.

Instills Trust: Follows through on commitments. Is seen as direct and truthful. Keeps confidences. Practices what they preach. Shows consistency between words and actions.

Collaborates: Works cooperatively with others across the organization to achieve shared objectives. Represents own interests while being fair to others and their areas. Partners with others to get work done. Credits others for their contributions and accomplishments. Gains trust and support of others.

Communicates Effectively:  Is effective in a variety of communication settings: one-on-one, small and large groups, or among diverse styles and position levels. Attentively listens to others. Adjusts to fit the audience and the message. Provides timely and helpful information to others across the organization. Encourages the open expression of diverse ideas and opinions.

Values Differences: Seeks to understand different perspectives and cultures. Contributes to a work climate where difference are valued and supported. Applies others’ diverse experiences, styles, backgrounds, and perspectives to get results. Is sensitive to cultural norms, expectations, and ways of communicating.

The Most Competitive Candidates Will Have:

• Ability to brief senior leadership on high-profile, fast-moving issues, events, and incidents
• Ability to produce communication plans that advance transformative initiatives
• Ability to produce exceptional written materials
• Ability to guide talent, helping them achieve their full creative potential
• Ability to thrive in a bureaucracy
• Ability to make the underlying science that guides our work accessible to the public
• Principles and best practices in strategic communications planning, tools, and policies including emerging social media and communications trends.
• Principles and methods for analyzing research data to develop and implement effective communication strategies.
• Knowledge of local government and the political process.
• Dynamic public speaking skills.
• Skill in working collaboratively with other departments, agency officials, citizen groups and external partners.
• Ability and willingness to listen to our constituents, our partners, our customers, and our staff.
• Sound judgment that aligns with county and departmental goals and objectives, sensitivity to political realities and contentious or controversial issues.

License/Certification:
A Valid Washington State Driver’s License

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.

• King County application

• Resume

• Cover Letter detailing your background and what you can bring to this position

• Responses to supplemental questions

• We’d like to see examples of how you have applied your communication skills to advance an organization’s mission.
  • A communications plan that you developed and implemented
  • A news release that you wrote

Union Representation: This position is not represented by a Union

For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact:

Diana Eberly
Senior Human Resource Analyst
206-477-6899
Diana.eberly@kingcounty.gov

Forbes recently named King County as one of Washington State’s best employers. 

Together, with leadership and our employees, we’re changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation’s best places to live, work and play. 

Guided by our “True North“, we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles–we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer
No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.

To Apply
If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact your recruiter listed on this job announcement.