Salary: $4,627.00 – $6,063.00 Monthly
Job Type: Full Time – Permanent
Closing: 9/15/2021 11:59 PM Pacific

See full details at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/washington/jobs/3207797/communications-consultant-4-permanent-09188-21

Duties

Strategic Communications and Public Relations

          Tasks Include: 

  • Working in a leadership role alongside the North Puget Sound Regional Management Team as a key advisor on challenging issues and decision-making processes. 
  • Planning and executing short and long-term complex communications and outreach projects such as emerging policy issues and legislative processes on local and statewide issues.
  • Interacting with the Director’s Office, Department executives, the Governor’s Office, news media, and local, state, and federal officials on complex issues. 
  • Monitoring social media platforms and developing engaging social media posts and promotions covering a variety of topics. 
  • Representing the Department and regional director at public meetings, community events, and when meeting with agency partners. 
  • Developing and coordinating Department public engagement and information policy activities with other governmental agencies as well as various internal and external advisory boards and stakeholder groups.
  • Representing Department of Fish and Wildlife in interactions with other governmental, business, and community organizations. 

Media Relations and Emergency Media Response

Tasks Include:

  • Writing news releases, providing timely responses to inquiries from the news media and other organizations, coordinating interviews, pitching stories, and serving as a spokesperson for the Department.
  • Representing the agency and serving as the spokesperson to the media and public as needed. 
  • Planning and organizing events such as news conferences, site tours, public meetings, and project briefings. 
  • Coaching and preparing executives and subject matter experts for media interviews with print, digital, and broadcast journalists as well as presentations to elected officials and the public.
  • Maintaining FEMA emergency operations credentials to facilitate WDFW’s ability to integrate into inter-agency response emerging and emergency response issues.

 WORKING CONDITIONS

  • Work Setting, including hazards: 
    1. Work is primarily a home office or office setting with some days spent in the field under line staff guidance.
  • Schedule: 
    1. Monday – Friday – 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. with the potential for working 9 days across two weeks for an alternate Monday off every other week.
  • Travel Requirements:
    1. Some travel within the state to attend public meetings, trainings, or community events.
  • Tools and Equipment: 
    1. Standard office equipment, plus video and audio gear.
  • Customer Interactions:
    1. Frequent interactions with the media and public.

Qualifications

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

  • At least four (4) years of professional experience in the news media, public information, or public relations field.

AND

Experience in:

  1. Project management.
  2. Microsoft Office programs including Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.
  3. Social media platforms including Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram.
  4. Working independently and interacting with the public.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: 

  • Bachelor’s Degree in public relations, communications, journalism, marketing, public administration, or a related field.
  • Familiarity with natural resources, economic development, conservation, and outdoor recreation organizations and issues in Washington.
  • Proficient in photography and videography.
  • Experience working with Washington State agencies, local governments, and statewide natural resources associations.  
  • Bilingual capabilities.

Supplemental Information

Please note: Failure to follow the instructions below may lead to disqualification.

In order to successfully apply for this position, you MUST complete your profile at www.careers.wa.gov and attach the following to your profile before completing the online application:

  • A Cover letter describing how you meet the qualifications of this position (Generic cover letters will not be accepted).
  • Current resume. 
  • Three professional references. 
  • Three writing/research samples.

IMPORTANT NOTES: 

On Monday August 9, 2021, Governor Inslee enacted Proclamation 21-14 which requires that all employees of all state agencies not headed by an elected official be fully vaccinated with a recommended COVID-19 vaccine by October 18, 2021 as a condition of employment. Fully vaccinated includes the two-week waiting period after the last shot in each series, or single shot, is given. If hired for this or any position at WDFW, you will be required to provide verification of COVID vaccination. A list of acceptable documents to provide verification can be reviewed here. Vaccination acceptable documents link

All new employees must complete an Employment Eligibility Verification Form (I-9 Form) on their first day of work. If hired for this or any position at WDFW, you will be required to provide documentation proving you are eligible to work in the United States. For a list of acceptable documents, please use the following link:  https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents

The Department of Fish and Wildlife’s priority during the Covid-19 health crisis is to keep our staff, candidates, and the public safe.  We are hiring and encourage you to apply to open positions. We have transitioned to a virtual recruitment process, to include web-based interviews.