Communications Specialist III



Communications Specialist III

Salary

$66,955.20 - $84,884.80 Annually

Location

Seattle, WA

Job Type

Career Service, Full Time, 40 hrs/week

Job Number

2014-04166

Department

Department of Natural Resources & Parks - Solid Waste Division (INACTIVE)

Opening Date

08/15/2014

Closing Date

8/31/2014 4:30 PM Pacific

FLSA

Exempt

Bargaining Unit

Z3 : KC Personnel Guidelines

Summary

Summary: Reporting to the Public Affairs Manager in the Director’s Office of King County’s Department of Natural Resources and Parks (DNRP), the person in this position will have a passion for online civic engagement and be responsible for department-wide planning, execution, measurement, and refining of innovative online activities for DNRP. This includes development and coordination of digital communications, website strategy, and social media tools that support DNRP divisions and the Director’s Office, and conducting research and outreach efforts to connect with a public that is increasingly reliant on interactive media. The position will also lead or support both external and internal communications and outreach as needed for DNRP, and ensure coordination between departments, the Executive’s Office and outside partners.
Who may apply: This position is open to all qualified applicants.
 
Work schedule: The workweek is normally 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, with occasional-to-frequent evening or weekend community outreach work and membership on a team that provides around-the-clock media relations support. This position is exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act and is not eligible for overtime pay. However this position will be eligible for approved Executive Leave. .
 
Forms and Materials required: Applicants must submit a (1) King County Application, (2) resume, (3) letter of interest, and (4) writing samples and communications projects that speak to your ability to engage online audiences. The letter of interest should describe how your experience meets the qualifications and has prepared you to perform the essential functions of the job. Applications without the required materials may not be considered for this position.
About King County
With about 2 million residents, King County ranks No. 1 in population in the state and is the 14th most populous county in the nation. The County is the financial, economic and industrial center of the Pacific Northwest region. Major business and employers in the region include: Starbucks, The Boeing Company, Microsoft, University of Washington, Paccar, Amazon, King County and the City of Seattle. King County excels in livability with a wide range of housing options, outstanding educational institutions, top-rated health care systems and facilities, tremendous outdoor recreation opportunities and natural beauty.
King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks
The King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks works to advance sustainable and livable communities and a clean and healthy natural environment that support a prosperous and resilient economy. With roughly 1,400 employees, its mission is to provide regional parks and trails; protect the region’s water, air, land, natural habitats and historic properties; and reduce, safely dispose of, and create resources from wastewater and solid waste. The Department is comprised of the Parks and Recreation, Solid Waste, Wastewater Treatment, and Water and Land Resources divisions. The Director’s Office coordinates between divisions and departments, and leads or supports several countywide initiatives, including key roles in the County’s response to climate change, and in equity and social justice issues.
The Public Affairs team is comprised of specialists in strategic communications, outreach, media relations and multi-media. It plays a critical role in the department via its outreach, communications and media relations that are responsive, transparent and innovative. It works to ensure all communities, including those with limited English proficiency, receive accurate, actionable information about services, programs, projects and public safety, and also have a voice in how KCDNRP programs and projects are developed.

Job Duties

  • Lead coordination of assigned staff in online community engagement, and support digital media relations, graphics, and multimedia programming to carry out communications and community engagement plans.
  • Develop strategies for online public engagement; establish procedures, protocols, methods, timelines, priorities and metrics for community outreach, reflecting broad equity and social justice principles.
  • With other communications specialists, lead or support the planning of overall efforts to engage, inform and solicit input from the public related to DNRP issues.
  • Participate in developing, writing and implementing strategic communications materials for diverse media platforms (e.g., online and printed) including utilization of social media technologies.
  • Monitor and moderate community participation on DNRP social media and online public engagement platforms.
  • Coordinate online engagement between divisions, departments and the Executive’s Office.
  • Compile, assess and summarize community input and responses into regular reports.
  • Support or be the point person for DNRP communications at public outreach and media events as needed.
  • Act as department liaison to specific communities, providing information and education about projects, articulating departmental perspectives on relevant issues, listening to concerns, and helping to resolve problems.
  • Research community issues and develop activities to target priority areas and demographic groups; choosing appropriate media, develop communications to address diverse concerns and communities, including people with limited English proficiency.
  • Act as liaison with DNRP staff involved in service and operations planning, strategic planning and online engagement with community and civic groups.
  • Develop effective networks with agency, King County Council staff, officials and other jurisdictions and citizen groups to support development and implementation of projects.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

  • A bachelor’s degree in digital communications, public relations, public affairs, marketing, journalism, or a related field; or any equivalent combination of experience and education which provides the applicant with the desired skills, knowledge and ability required to perform the work.
  • Four years of increasingly responsible experience with social media platforms, including, but not limited to Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter, YouTube, Vimeo, and Google+. 
  • Familiarity with public engagement platforms such as MindMixer, GovDelivery, etc.
  • Experience in writing, editing and crafting content for online audiences.
  • Demonstrated experience in researching, adapting, developing, implementing and staying current on social media and other current communications trends.
  • Basic working skills in Microsoft Office, including Access, Excel, Word, and Outlook.
  • Experience in developing comprehensive communications plans.
  • Experience in working effectively and displaying sound judgment in highly sensitive and stressful political-type environment.
  • Skill in engaging and communicating with people of diverse backgrounds, including people with limited English proficiency.
  • Excellent analytical skills, including experience in researching issues, interpreting data and translating technical information into plain language for the general public.
  • Ability to establish and maintain effective interpersonal relations with all levels of KCDNRP management and staff, community groups, elected officials and the general public.
  • Knowledge of regulatory and legal requirements associated with position responsibilities, as well as elements involved in the public policy development process.
  • Skill and experience with presentation methods and techniques, communication tools, and project management techniques and principles.
  • Ability to work independently as well as collegially in a team environment in fast paced and stressful circumstances.
  • Excellent organizational skills and ability to prioritize and multi-task to accomplish diverse tasks under close deadlines.
  • Strong written and oral communication skills, including public speaking skills.
  • Demonstrated customer service and negotiation skills.
  • Experience and skills in group facilitation and knowledge of group process when leading community advisory groups.
  • Photography skills and demonstrated understanding of video storytelling.

Supplemental Information

Desirable Qualifications:
 
Knowledge and experience with community issues, leaders and government agencies in the Puget Sound Region and knowledge of Puget Sound issues and projects related to natural resources and parks.
 
Special Requirements
 
A valid Washington Driver License (or ability to obtain one upon hire), or alternative ability to travel in a timely manner to various locations on short notice including to sites which may not be served by public transportation.
 
Union Membership: This position is represented by Teamsters Local 117.
 
Contact Information: Please direct questions about this recruitment to Prakash Meloot, Senior Human Resource Analyst at Prakash.meloot@kingcounty.gov.  

King County offers a highly-competitive compensation and benefits package designed to meet the diverse needs of our employees and support our employees' health and well-being.  Eligible positions receive the following benefits and have access to the following programs:

  • Medical, dental, and vision coverage: King County pays 100% of the premiums for eligible employees and family members
  • Life and disability insurance: employees are provided basic coverage and given the opportunity to purchase additional insurance for both the employee and eligible dependents
  • Retirement: King County employees are eligible to participate in a pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and a 457(b) deferred-compensation plan
  • Transportation program and ORCA transit pass
  • 10 paid holidays each year (plus 2 personal holidays)
  • Generous vacation and paid sick leave
  • Paid parental leave, family and medical leaves, and volunteer leave
  • Flexible Spending Account
  • Wellness programs
  • Onsite gyms and activity centers
  • Employee giving program
  • Employee assistance programs
  • Flexible schedules and telecommuting options, depending on position
  • Training and career development programs
For additional information about employee benefits please visit our Benefits, Payroll, and Retirement Page.

This is a general description of the benefits offered to eligible King County employees, and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy.  If any information on this document conflicts with the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), the CBA prevails.  Also, in the event of any incorrect information in this document, applicable laws, policies, rules, CBAs, or official plan documents will prevail.
 
NOTE:  Benefits for Term Limited Temporary (TLT) or Short Term Temporary (STT) positions, including leave eligibility and/or participation in the pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems, will vary based upon the terms and details of the position. Short Term Temporary positions are not eligible for an ORCA transit pass.
 
For inquiries about the specifics of this position, please contact the recruiter identified on this job posting.

01
Do you have a bachelor's degree in digital communications, public relations, public affairs, marketing, journalism, or a related field?
  • Yes
  • No
02
If you said no to the above question, do you have an equivalent combination of experience and education which provides with the desired skills, knowledge and ability required to perform the work? Please describe.
03
Do you have at least four years of increasingly responsible experience with social media platforms, including, but not limited to Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter, YouTube, Vimeo, and Google+?
  • Yes
  • No
04
Are you familiar with public engagement platforms such as MindMixer, GovDelivery, etc? If yes, please describe your experience.
05
Please describe your social media experience.

Required Question

Agency
King County
Address
King Street Center
201 South Jackson Street
Seattle, Washington, 98104
Phone
206-477-3404