Communications Specialist
Please Note: The pay listed above includes the 3.25% pay increase that will go into effect on July 1, 2022.
Per Governor Inslee’s Proclamation 21-14.2 (Download PDF reader), Washington State employees must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. As a condition of employment, the successful candidate will be required to provide proof of their COVID-19 vaccination as part of the hiring process, prior to their start date. Requests for medical and religious exemptions will be considered. If you have questions, please contact Careers@ecy.wa.gov with “COVID-19 vaccination” in the subject line.
Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen
The Shorelands and Environmental Assistance (SEA) program is looking hire a Communications Specialist (Communications Consultant 3). The position will be located in our Headquarters Building in Lacey, WA.
In this role, you will manage web content, develop communications plans and strategies, provide social media, visual, and graphic content, and craft written materials in a manner that effectively tells our story to Washington residents and other critical stakeholders.
Agency Mission: Ecology's mission is to protect, preserve and enhance Washington's environment and to promote the wise management of our air, land and water for the benefit of current and future generations.
Program's Mission: The mission of the Shorelands and Environmental Assistance (SEA) Program is to work in partnership with communities to support healthy watersheds; help provide emergency response support during natural disasters and other incidents; and promote statewide environmental interests.
The mission of the Office of Chehalis Basin (OCB) is to provide sound science, as well as financial and policy support to the Chehalis Basin Board to develop and implement the Chehalis Basin Strategy to reduce damage from major floods while restoring aquatic species habitat in the 2,700 square-mile Chehalis River basin.
During Healthy Washington Roadmap to Recovery, employees are working a combination of in-office and/or telework based on position and business need. Ecology is following current state guidance regarding mask requirements, health screening questions before entry, and social distancing.
Application Timeline: This position will remain open until filled, with an initial screening date of July 12, 2022. In order to be considered for initial screening, please submit an application on or before of July 11, 2022. The agency reserves the right to make an appointment any time after the initial screening date.
About the Department of Ecology
Protecting Washington State's environment for current and future generations is what we do every day at Ecology. We are a culture that is invested in making a difference. Join a team that is highly effective and collaborative, with leadership that embraces the value of people.
Ecology cares deeply about employee wellness; we go beyond traditional benefits, proudly offering:
- A healthy life/work balance by offering flexible schedules and telework options for most positions.
- An Infants at Work Program that is based on the long-term health values of infant-parent bonding and breastfeeding newborns.
- Continuous growth and development opportunities.
- A wellness program that offers education, fitness classes, and an agency-wide fondness for outdoor meetings.
- Opportunities to serve your community and make an impact through meaningful work.
Our commitment to DEIR
Diversity, equity, inclusion, and respect (DEIR) are core values central to Ecology’s work. We strive to be a workplace where we are esteemed for sharing our authentic identities, while advancing our individual professional goals and collaborating to protect, preserve, and enhance the environment for current and future generations.
Diversity: We celebrate and appreciate diversity; our unique perspectives and abilities enrich us all and lead to innovative approaches and solutions.
Equity: We champion equity, recognizing that each of us need different things to thrive.
Inclusion: We intentionally create and hold space so that we all have meaningful opportunities to participate and contribute to Ecology’s work.
Respect: We treat each other with respect and dignity, acknowledging the inherent worth of our diverse perspectives and lived experiences, even in times of uncertainty and disagreement.
We believe that DEIR is both a goal and an action. We are on a journey, honoring our shared humanity and taking steps to demonstrate our commitment to a vision where each of us is heard, seen, and valued.
Duties
In this role, you will independently translate complex scientific, policy, procedure, or technical information for a wide range of audiences, lead the web content strategy for the program, and promote the Shorelands and Environmental Assistance (SEA) Program, the Office of the Chehalis Basin (OCB), and Ecology by producing, writing, and editing blogs, social media, publications, and other communications materials.
Some of the key work activities you will get to work on in this role are:
Program web coordinator:
- Develop content and strategy for the SEA Program and OCB's web presence.
- Write, review, edit, develop, coordinate, and maintain user-centered web content.
- Plan, organize, schedule, and carry out web communication strategies for program activities.
- Make decisions and resolve complex issues about web content, design, and organization. This includes using web analytic tools to assess effectiveness of web strategies.
- Collaborate with staff and managers on web content strategies.
- Train and develop subject-focused web authors throughout the program. Set and maintain website update schedules.
- Advise program web authors about effective web content strategies and web writing skills as needed.
- Enforce agency web governance and style guide to ensure web standards are met.
- Stay current and informed on information technology methods, standards, publications processes (protocols and policies), and tools.
- Consult and advise SEA / OCB staff on creation of web content.
- Answer web content questions from members of the public and other government entities.
Writing and editing:
- Produce written content for blogs, Inside Ecology stories, social media, outreach materials, publications, and internal communications.
- Translate complex scientific, policy, procedure, or technical information for a wide range of audiences.
- Develop, edit, and proofread content to ensure it meets agency style standards and is appropriate for the intended audience.
- Plain-talk technical or scientific information.
- Take in media inquiries, fact-check information with staff, manage traditional media interest for routine topics, and occasionally fill in for the program Communications Manager.
- Consult and advise SEA staff on the creation of blog posts, social media, publications, and other communications.
Communications tool administrator:
- Provide technical support and communications assistance for public events and hearings, including staff and management support and training for webinars, conference calls, and other audio-visual tools.
- As SEA's SharePoint Site Collection and Partner Web Administrator, serve as subject matter expert and first line of contact for SEA Program staff, and support staff in managing and updating SharePoint Site Collection and Partner Web, including creating and managing pages, troubleshooting, and collaborating with business experts to create and maintain publicly-accessible SharePoint sites so SEA staff can collaborate with partner agencies.
- Assist partner agency employees in setting up or troubleshooting Secure Access Washington (SAW) accounts.
- Act as program administrator for Ecology's Public Involvement Calendar and eComments tools.
- Determine and respond to special accommodation requests (e.g., Americans with Disabilities Act standards) and provide documents in alternative formats.
Graphic, video, and audio storytelling:
- Produce dynamic communications content for digital media, print media, video, and audio to help tell program / OCB stories.
- Take and edit photos to support program outreach objectives.
- Design social media graphics, infographics, publications, and posters for digital and print media.
- Record and edit video/audio/interviews to tell program stories through podcasts, staff messages, and workshop/public hearing recordings.
- Use Adobe products such as Photoshop, lnDesign, and Acrobat Pro.
- Plan, produce, edit, and publish photo, video, and podcast products to support program stories.
- Use Adobe editing products such as Premiere and Audition.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications:
Experience for both required and desired qualifications can be gained through various combinations of formal professional employment, educational and volunteer experience. See below for how you may qualify.
Six (6) years of experience and/or education:
Experience: Journalism, public relations/information, news media, digital/social media, marketing, digital accessibility, writing/editing or related field.
Education in: Journalism, communications, public relations, news media, digital/social media, English, marketing, humanities, or closely allied field.
All experience and education combinations that meet the requirements for this position:
Desired Qualifications:
We highly encourage you to apply even if you do not have some (or all) of the desired experience below.
- Proficient use of SharePoint Site Collection and Partner Web.
- Experience developing web content strategy, writing / editing, and managing web content.
- Experience using Adobe creative products such as Photoshop, InDesign. Premiere, Audition, and Acrobat (or similar graphic production software).
- Experience with video/audio recording and editing.
- A team player with excellent customer service skills and a calm, helpful manner under pressure.
- Ability to work effectively both as part of a team and independently.
- Experience managing multiple deadlines and working with many teams concurrently.
Note: Having some (or all) of this desired experience may make your application more competitive in a highly competitive applicant pool.
Supplemental Information
Ecology seeks diverse applicants: We view diversity, equity, inclusion, and respect through a broad lens including race, ethnicity, class, age, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, immigration status, military background, language, education, life experience, physical disability, neurodiversity, and intersectional identities. Qualified candidates from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
Need an Accommodation in the application and/or screening process or this job announcement in an alternative format?
- Please call: (360) 407-6186 or email: careers@ecy.wa.gov and we will be happy to assist.
- If you are deaf or hard of hearing you can reach the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.
- If you need assistance applying for this job, please e-mail careers@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not send an email to this address to follow-up on the status of your application. You can view the latest status of your application on your profile's main page.
- If you are reading this announcement in print format, please enter the following URL to your search engine to apply: https://ecology.wa.gov/About-us/Get-to-know-us/Jobs-at-Ecology.
Application Instructions:
It's in the applicant's best interest to submit all of the documents listed below. Applications without these documents may be declined.
- A cover letter describing why you are interested in this position.
- A resume outlining your experience and education (if applicable) as it relates to the minimum qualifications of this position.
- Three professional references.
- Two writing samples.
Please do NOT include your salary history. Wage/salary depends on qualifications or rules of promotion, if applicable.
For Your Privacy:
When attaching documents to your application (such as Resume, Cover Letter, Transcripts, DD-214, etc.):
- Please be sure to remove private information such as your social security number, date of birth, etc.
- Do not attach documents that are password-protected, as these documents may not be reviewed and may cause errors within your application when downloaded.
Additional Application Instructions for Current Ecology Employees:
Please make sure to answer the agency-wide questions regarding permanent status as a classified employee within the Washington General Service or Washington Management Service. Do not forget to select Department of Ecology as a response to question 2, and type your personnel ID number for question 3. If you are not sure of your status or do not know your personnel ID number, please contact Human Resources.
Application Attestation:
The act of submitting application materials electronically is considered affirmation that the information is complete and truthful. The state may verify this information and any untruthful or misleading answers are cause for rejection of your application or dismissal if employed.
Other Information:
If you have specific questions about the position, please email Curt Hart at: Curt.Hart@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not contact Curt to inquire about the status of your application.
To request the full position description: email careers@ecy.wa.gov
Why work for Ecology?
As an agency, our mission is to protect, preserve and enhance Washington's environment for current and future generations. We invest in our employees to create and sustain a working environment that encourages creative leadership, effective resource management, teamwork, professionalism, and accountability.
Joining Ecology means becoming a part of a team committed to protecting and restoring Washington State's environment. A career in public service allows you to help solve some of the most challenging problems facing our state, while keeping your health and financial security a priority. We combine one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation with a strong commitment to life/work balance.
Ecology employees may be eligible for the following:
Medical/Dental/Vision for employee & dependent(s), Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), Vacation, Sick, and other Leave*, 11 Paid Holidays per year*, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver, Long Term Disability & Life Insurance, Deferred Compensation Programs, Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP), Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA), Employee Assistance Program, Commute Trip Reduction Incentives (Download PDF reader), Combined Fund Drive, SmartHealth *See the Benefits tab in this announcement for more information
Student debt: how working for Ecology can help
The Department of Ecology is a qualifying employer for the Public Service Forgiveness Program (PSLF). See https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/repay-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service for more details.
To learn more about The Department of Ecology, please visit our website at www.ecology.wa.gov and follow, like or visit us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or our blog.
Collective Bargaining: This is a position covered by a bargaining unit for which the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) is the exclusive representative.
Equal Opportunity Employer: The Washington State Department of Ecology is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, veterans, military spouses or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply. Persons needing accommodation in the application/testing process or this job announcement in an alternative format may call (360) 407-6186. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.
Note: This recruitment may be used to fill other positions of the same job classification across the agency. Once all the position(s) from the recruitment announcement are filled, the recruitment may only be used to fill additional open positions for the next sixty (60) days.