Communications Consultant
Full Time
Shoreline, WA
$60,190 - $80,879 a year
Posted Today
Job description
Description
About WSDOT
Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is the steward of an integrated, multimodal transportation system that helps to ensure that people and goods move safely and efficiently throughout the state. In addition to building, maintaining, and operating the state highway system, WSDOT operates the largest ferry system in the nation, manages the world's longest floating bridge, and recently completed the world's widest tunneling project.
The Opportunity
WSDOT is eager to hire a communications professional looking to advance their career to serve as our next Communications Consultant in support of our Northwest Region (NWR) Transportation Management Center (TMC). This position performs communication work for WSDOT Traffic, Maintenance and Operations as well as construction projects throughout the region. As the Communication Consultant, this position is responsible for responding to frequent inquiries from the media and the public and must coordinate messaging for internal and external audiences in a timely, effective, professional, and creative manner. The successful candidate will serve a vital role in support of WSDOT’s mission to provide safe, reliable, and cost-effective transportation options to improve communities and economic vitality.
What to Expect
What to Expect
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Communication Consultant will:
- Translate policies and program goals into strategies, work plans, and key messages.
- Perform frontline communications work in the Traffic Management Center working with WSDOT staff and the media during emergencies and roadway incidents.
- Participate in live, taped and print media interviews.
- Distribute regularly updated information to the media and the general public via social media, webpages, emails and phone calls.
- Provide on-call communications on nights and weekends on a rotating basis.
- Develop and implement communications plans for maintenance, traffic operations and construction issues as they arise. This will include creating blogs, videos, webpage content, folios, briefing papers, newsletters, brochures and media/stakeholder lists.
- Edit and maintain agency websites ensuring appropriate and consistent formatting, content, style, language and messaging.
- Manage closure information for maintenance, operations and construction.
- Coach WSDOT staff to be successful in media interviews.
- Draft public correspondence and content for other customers with explanations for highly technical issues using plain talk standards.
Qualifications
To be considered for this opportunity, the following are required:
- A Bachelor’s degree in English, Journalism, Communications, Public Relations, or related field and three years of writing/editing experience.
- (Additional professional experience will be substituted, year for year, for education.)
- Three (3) years of experience reviewing and editing social media content, media communications, videography and written materials, including press releases, project webpages, and communication plans.
- Ability to speak clearly and comfortably during a live interview setting.
- Ability to understand complex technical transportation issues and translate them into clear, understandable information.
- Ability to obtain FEMA ICS 100, 200, 300, 400, 700, 800, L0105 certifications required for WSDOT Incident Management Team within 18 months of employment.
- Ability to work occasional nights and weekend hours when needed.
- Ability to serve as part of an on-call rotation for one week at a time for up to 12 times a year.
It is preferred that qualified candidates also have:
- The ability to develop and implement WSDOT strategic messaging in a variety of materials including webpages, newsletters, brochures, press releases, interviews, correspondence, and communications plans.
- Knowledge and background in public speaking, graphic arts and printing methods and materials.
- The ability to use a variety of software including CMS/Drupal. Ability to use still cameras and video cameras to further WSDOT messages and goals.
- The ability to independently identify a problem, develop strategies and implement solutions with progressively less oversight.
- Ability to foster and maintain excellent working relationships even in time of stress and conflict. They will have the ability to organize and prioritize work despite tight deadlines, multiple customers and competing priorities.
- Knowledge of public relations, public involvement, marketing, customer service, highway transportation systems, construction, media relations, and community relations (including working with historically excluded communities).
- Background in and thorough understanding of high-risk/high-stress communications, media relations, and politics.
- Knowledge of WSDOT's Northwest Region and transportation system.
Important Notes
- Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 357-16-197 mandates that all employees who work for executive cabinet agencies (which includes the Department of Transportation) must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Compliance with this mandate is a condition of employment with WSDOT. Exemption may be granted for religious or medical purposes; however, accommodations will be subject to approval based on the essential functions required of the position.
- This recruitment may also be used to fill additional positions per business needs.
- This position offers significant flexible/hybrid work options but will need to work onsite in the region Transportation Management Center up to 2 – 3 days per week.
- The salary listed includes the legislative approved 5% salary premium for positions in King County.
- This position requires the ability to serve as part of an on-call rotation for one week at a time for up to 12 times a year.
- In addition to base salary, employees may be entitled to other forms of compensation depending on the type, duties, or location of the position. For union-represented positions, more information on other forms of compensation can be found in the applicable Collective Bargaining Agreements. Information on other compensation types for non-represented positions can be found in Chapter 357-28 of the Washington Administrative Code.
- The recruiting efforts for this position may be extended beyond the displayed closing date for as long and until a sufficient candidate pool has been established. The Appointing Authority reserves the right to make a hiring decision at any time thereafter. It is to your benefit to submit your application as soon as possible.
- WSDOT does not use the E-Verify system. For more information, please visit www.uscis.gov
Why WSDOT
- Work-Life Balance – We offer flexible work schedules that allow you time for your life outside of this excellent opportunity.
- Paid Leave – In addition to 12 paid holidays, full-time employees earn a minimum 14 paid vacation days per year!
- Plan For Your Future – WSDOT offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes a variety of healthcare options, and free dental coverage! Employees also have their choice of state retirement programs, and much more. Go to State Benefits for more information.
- Tuition Assistance – Permanent employees have several options for assistance with education expenses, including tuition reimbursement programs, government discounts at participating colleges throughout the state, and eligibility for federal student loan forgiveness.
Check out this video to learn more: Why WSDOT?
How to Apply
Applications for this recruitment will be accepted electronically. Your relevant experience may be evaluated to determine salary. Therefore, it is very important that the “Work Experience” portion of the application be completed in as much detail as possible. In order to be considered for this opportunity, please include the following with your online application:
An attached Resume outlining (in reverse chronological order) your experience to date.- An attached Cover Letter that further details your qualifications, and indicates why you believe you are a viable candidate for this role.
- Contact information to be included in the “References” section of the online application for a minimum three (3) individuals who can attest to your work performance, technical skills, knowledge base, and job-related competencies.
Please click the "APPLY" button to proceed. Note that you will be prompted to either sign in, or create an account. This step is required in order to submit an application to this opportunity.
WSDOT is an equal opportunity employer. We value the importance of creating an environment in which all employees can feel respected, included and empowered to bring unique ideas to the agency. Our diversity and inclusion efforts include embracing different cultures, backgrounds and viewpoints while fostering growth and advancement in the workplace. All persons, regardless of race, ethnicity, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, and/or gender identity, are encouraged to apply. Persons with disabilities needing assistance in the application process, or those needing this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the listed Recruiter via email.
Contact us:
For inquiries about this posting, you may contact the assigned Recruiter,
Eric Saniatan, at SaniatE@wsdot.wa.gov. Please be sure to reference
23DOT-NWR-11382e in the subject line.
Persons with disabilities needing assistance in the application process, or those needing this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the listed Recruiter.
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