The Solid Waste Division’s Strategy, Communication and Performance section is currently seeking a creative self-starter with 3-5 years of communication planning experience to join the team as a Communications Specialist III. As part of a multi-disciplinary team, the candidate will be a strategic thinker and storyteller who can foster public understanding of the division’s environmental mission and goals; lead multijurisdictional communication efforts; and increase employee engagement in a racially diverse workforce that includes many employees who don’t work at a desk. Experience or interest in environmental services such as waste reduction, recycling, and resource recovery is a plus. 

Context of the role

This position provides communication services for the Solid Waste Division in support of its mission, vision, goals, and values. The successful candidate will lead development of creative content on a variety of topics for both internal and external audiences through video, social media, multimedia, photography, graphic design and print. The person must possess exceptional verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills; the ability to anticipate and quickly respond to emerging issues; the ability to prioritize multiple tasks with competing deadlines; and a solid understanding of communication best practices such as strategic planning and Associated Press writing style. Media relations experience and a proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite applications such as Adobe Premier and After Effects are highly desired skills.

Who May Apply:  This position is open to all qualified applicants. King County and the Solid Waste Division values diverse perspectives and life experience. The Division encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, women, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, and veterans.

FORMS AND MATERIALS REQUIRED: 

Applicants must submit a (1) King County Application, (2) resume, (3) letter of interest, and (4) at least 2 recent, relevant writing samples (excerpts from longer documents are acceptable), up to 6 pages total. The letter of interest should describe how your education and experience meet the qualifications and have prepared you to perform the essential functions of the job. Applications without the required materials may not be considered for this position.
 

SELECTION PROCESS:  Applicants that possess the most competitive background in directly related experience, knowledge, and training may be called for interviews and a writing test.

•  Participate in developing, executing and evaluating communication strategies and plans; Identify key audiences and messages, and the appropriate communication methods and tools to effectively reach them.

•  Write press releases, reports, web content, newsletters and other materials. Provide occasional writing and/or editing in support of other division projects or programs as needed.

•  Support media relations and outreach; act as Public Information Officer (PIO) backup in emergencies, including after hours. 

•  Develop communications that help drive employee engagement for an occupationally and racially diverse workforce, and improve employees’ workplace experience and connection to the division’s mission and goals that include Equity and Social Justice.

•  Help plan and create visual communication products coordinated with graphic designers, project and program managers, and multimedia specialists. 

•  Support content creation and management of the division’s social media channels, including video and multimedia in coordination with DNRP public affairs, and assist in the coordination and execution of campaigns and social media ad buys.
•  Plan and facilitate monthly meetings for a regional recycling communication consortium.
•  Occasionally participate in meeting and event planning and staffing, including press events. 

•  Oversee the work of consultants and other staff.

OUR IDEAL CANDIDATE WILL HAVE:

•  Strong project management skills and the ability to effectively track and manage competing deadlines while producing high quality work.
•  Ability to understand and anticipate communication needs in the workplace, especially for employees who do not typically sit at a desk.
•  Skills in identifying and assessing the communications needs of target audiences, internal and external, and creating audience-specific communications.
•  Demonstrated ability in relating well to an occupationally and racially diverse group of employees and building trust.
•  Outstanding research, presentation, and interviewing skills; ability to form excellent working relationships with staff, partners, consultants, and other stakeholders.
•  Experience or interest in the environmental field, especially solid waste management.
•  Ability to use data and research as a rationale for creative decisions.  
•  Exceptional copywriting skills and demonstrated skills in accurate, clear, and concise writing and editing.

 
 THE MOST COMPETITIVE CANDIDATE WILL HAVE:
•  Professional experience in public relations, journalism, government public affairs or a similar field.
•  Experience driving, tracking, evaluating and reporting out communication efforts.
•  Emergency response experience.
•  Event planning and project management skills.
•  Photography, video, graphics skills.
 
 NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
•  The candidate must have a valid Washington State Driver's License or other evidence of mobility.
 •  The candidate must be able to occasional work in a field environment, which may include walking on uneven slopes, surfaces, grades and terrain in inclement weather, and in the presence of adverse conditions such as noise, dust, and traffic.
•  Competitive candidates will be asked to take a writing test as part of the interview process.

UNION MEMBERSHIP: This position is represented by Teamsters Local 117–Professional and Technical
 
CONTACT INFORMATION: Please direct questions about this recruitment to Roxanne Malatesta, Human Resource Analyst at Roxanne.Malatesta@kingcounty.gov.

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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.

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement

King County Executive Branch employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. If you are the successful candidate for the position you applied for, the County will send you a conditional offer letter.

As a condition of employment, prior to a final offer of employment, you will be required to:

• submit proof of vaccination, or
• have an approved request for medical or religious exemption and an approved accommodation. Philosophical, political, scientific, or sociological objections to vaccination will not be considered for an exemption or accommodation.