Salary: $66,361.00 – $77,421.00 Annually
Location: Thurston County – Olympia, WA
Job Type: Exempt
Closing Date: 9/12/2023 11:59 PM Pacific
**The funding for this position is scheduled to end in two and a half calendar years beginning from the appointment date of employment.* 

Who We Are
The Puget Sound Partnership is a non-regulatory state agency leading the region’s collective effort to restore and protect the Puget Sound natural ecosystems. We are also one of the Executive Cabinet agencies under Governor Inslee’s Office. The Partnership brings together hundreds of partners to mobilize action around a common agenda, advance Sound investments, and advance priority actions by supporting partners. For more information, visit their website: www.psp.wa.gov.

Position Details
This full-time unrepresented position is exempt from civil service law and has an official duty station at our Headquarters building in Olympia, Washington. Within the organizational chart, this position is a member of the External Operations Division, and reports to the Communications Manager. As the Communication Specialist, you will be responsible for assisting interactions with the news media, as well as assisting in implementing a variety of communication projects aligned with the agency’s communication strategies and plans. You will work with the Communications team to develop, manage, and implement agency-wide strategic communications plans. You will focus on coordinating with partners across the Puget Sound region to document notable recovery accomplishments within state, local, federal, tribal and NGO efforts. Accomplishments could include items such as significant projects receiving funding, completion of significant projects, research findings released, changes to laws and regulations, and progress on important efforts.

A little bit about the Communications Team 
The Communications Team fosters the networks and relationships through the which the Puget Sound recovery community can come together to create and deliver effective, decision-critical communications. The Communications Team engages partners in Puget Sound recovery to build trust, reinforce relationships, and foster commitments, enabling key decision-makers to have the tools, information, and support needed to make policy and funding decisions that support Puget Sound recovery

Work Location
The Partnership offers a modern hybrid work environment, which includes both remote and office settings in Olympia and Tacoma. Although it’s not an official duty station of the Partnership, the agency currently utilizes a co-work space at a location in Seattle as a drop-in work environment option for staff. All staff are required to report for in-person work in group settings or for in-person work at an office building at least once a week or for a specific number of hours monthly, including this position. You may be required to work more frequently in an office setting than others if you’re unable to effectively conduct work remotely or as business needs arise. You will be expected to report to the Olympia office on your first day of employment for onboarding. Travel throughout the Puget Sound area occasionally will likely be necessary and may not be eligible for mileage reimbursement depending on where you reside and the destination of the meeting. The Partnership offers agency vehicles for all staff when traveling to meetings, conferences, or other work-related events that are not part of the employee’s regular commute. Use of the vehicle and a gasoline card for fueling is at no cost to the employee.

Salary
The annual salary range of compensation for this position is between $66,361 – $77,421 depending upon qualifications, although the expected hiring salary will typically be less than the top of the range to allow for growth and development movement. Bonuses, benefits, and/or additional pay may be available based on recruitment, retention, and incentives approved through legislative acts.

Who should apply
We are looking for someone that meets the experience and education requirements listed below, but we also are looking for lived experience. Please consider applying if your lived experience meets the competencies of the requirements. We encourage applicants from outside of Washington to apply! The successful candidate would be required to relocate to Washington state within 30 days of the appointment date. The expectation of this position’s starting appointment date is in the mid to late fall of 2023.

Some of duties include:

  • Participating in the development and implementation of effective communication strategies and plans aligned with the agency’s mission and vision.
  • Supporting the communications spokesperson to the news media and general public.
  • Supporting the Communications Team in organizing and conducting meetings, workshops, and seminars; promoting knowledge of and use of Communications Program services.
  • Supporting the development, implementation, and measuring of effective internal communications plans and social media plans.
  • Writing and posting messages to agency social media channels.
  • Monitoring relevant news sources and maintaining a database of news story links and identify emerging issues related to public perception of Puget Sound recovery.
  • Providing substantial edits to all communication products, including the agency website and print materials, in accordance with the house style guide and agency standards.
  • Mentoring agency program staff in the development of effective content for communication products.
  • Fostering relationships with internal and external partners and audiences.
  • Providing communications support to the Legislative Policy Director during legislative sessions, including drafting testimony and legislative updates and researching issues.
  • Maintaining the agency’s brand and publication standards; ensure adherence to agency design standards. 

Required Education, Experience, and Competencies:

  • Bachelor’s degree in English, Public Relations, Communications, Journalism, or relevant field; AND 
  • At least two (2) years of professional experience in a relevant communications position; AND
  • At least four (4) years of experience in professional-level writing and editing.

OR

  • Associate degree; AND
  • At least four (4) years of professional working experience in communications AND professional-level writing and editing.

OR

  • At least six (6) years of experience of progressive and professional working experience in communications, including professional-level writing and editing.

AND

  • Proficient with Microsoft Office.
  • Outstanding organizational and planning skills.
  • Excellent communication (oral and written) and presentation skills.
  • Adept at the use and analysis of social media platforms, particularly Facebook and Twitter, as well as blogging.

Enterprise Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Competencies:

  • Commitment to a Respectful Workplace: Willing to be exposed to, know and understanding the language and concepts of diversity, equity and inclusion and be committed to being part of creating, maintaining, and improving a diverse, equitable, respectful and inclusive workplace. 
  • Self-Awareness: Engages in self-reflection, lifelong learning and growth.
  • Cultivates Mutually Beneficial and Trusting Strategic Partnerships: Conducts self in a manner that builds trust, enhances work relationships and meaningfully partner and engage with those they serve and serve with.
  • Inclusive Excellence and Allyship: Demonstrate that all people are valued and engaged as members of the group, team, organization, or community through equitable, inclusive and respectful behavior.
  • Measuring for Success and Improvement: Develop, implement, evaluate and continually improve strategies that promote equity and inclusion.  

Conditions of the Working Environment:
   With or without accommodations, I am willing and able to:

  • Work indoors, at a desk/workstation the majority of a workday, in an open office environment with possible conversation and other noise distractions 
  • Work in a tobacco-free, drug-free, and alcohol-free environment
  • Work a 40-hour work week (A flexible work schedule may be considered upon request and supervisory approval, after an initial review period)
  • Occasionally work in excess of 40 hours per week and/or to adjust normally scheduled hours, which may include evenings and weekends, to meet program needs and critical deadlines
  • Occasionally travel throughout the state, which may include overnight stays, as required, while performing the duties of this position
  • Work in a fast-paced environment with multiple priorities and competing deadlines
  • Maintain confidentiality regarding information accessed or discussed while performing the duties of the position
  • Interact and work with partners and staff in a positive, friendly, and supportive manner that meets the needs and standards of the office and the agency.
  • Permanently reside in Washington state throughout employment and available to report in person at Puget Sound agency offices and meetings on a weekly basis. If the successful candidate is currently living outside of Washington, relocation must occur within 30 days of the appointment date. 

Preferred Education, Experience, and Competencies:

  • Three (3) years of experience in a relevant communications position.
  • Experience with the Puget Sound recovery community.
  • Experience with communication of environmental issues.
  • Videography and photography experience.
  • Proficient with HTML and WordPress.
  • Experience with the Adobe Creative Suite.
  • Passion for Puget Sound recovery.

Attach the following documents with your application in order to be considered; failure to do so may result in you not being considered for the position:

  • A letter of interest that describes why you are a compelling candidate and how you meet the specific qualifications for this position. If you’d like lived experience to be considered in lieu of any education or professional experience, please include how that lived experience is equivalent to any of the educational or professional experience requirements. You are welcome to include the name and pronouns you would like to be referred to in your materials and we will honor this as you interact with our organization. 
  • Current resume, detailing experience, education, and relevant skills or talents

For more information and to apply: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/washington/jobs/4178965/communication-specialist-exempt

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