King County, WA

Change and Transformation Communications and Engagement Specialist

Seattle, WA (Hybrid)

Summary Come make a difference and join team Metro! Metro seeks two Change and Transformation Communications and Engagement Specialists (Communications Specialist IV) for the Internal Communications and Employee Engagement Team in the General Manager's Office. This role provides strategic internal communications, change management, employee engagement, and facilitation to ensure Metro's initiatives and programs are effectively implemented to improve business processes and transform workplace culture. Candidates will bring experience in written communications, designing and executing communications and change management plans, as well as planning and facilitating employee engagement (such as change readiness assessments, focus groups, and tabling activities). They will have a solid knowledge base around creating effective conversations to engage teams and bring proven/demonstrated ability to implement equity and social justice principles into all aspects of their work. Candidates for this role will have the ability to manage multiple and shifting priorities, be action-oriented, build strong relationships and partnerships, and work under pressure. They will be looked to as problem-solvers. Position Info: This recruitment will be used to fill two (2) Career Services vacancies for a Communications Specialist IV classification. In addition, this selection process may be used to generate an eligibility list for future Special Duty Assignment (SDA), Term Limited Temporary (TLT), and Career Service (CS) positions that may occur in this classification and work group. The eligibility pool list will be retained for 12 months from creation and may be used at the discretion of the hiring authority. Job Duties Applying equity and social justice principles is a daily responsibility and foundational expectation for all King County employees. In this role, you will apply equity and social justice principles that exemplify shared values, behaviors, and practices to all aspects of this work. This position is comprised of the following core duties: Design, produce, and implement communications and change management plans, programs, strategies and products (i.e. talking points, key messages, change readiness assessments). Facilitate individual contributors and people leaders in one-on-one conversations, small and large group settings, and through various participatory methods (i.e. surveys, focus groups, tabling at events) to provide meaningful feedback to decision-makers and ensure the diverse voices of King County and Metro's marginalized populations are heard. Provide strategic communications counsel and change management recommendations to sponsors, people leaders, and teams on work processes and employee engagement that support desired changes and policies, strengthening workplace culture and organizational change agility. Use listening, facilitation, and conflict management skills to both receive and deliver the creative ideas of others to the forefront. Prepare reports, slideshows, and other communications products summarizing findings and recommendations; present to stakeholders. Work with leaders, internal customers and/or key stakeholders and sponsors to assess communications and employee engagement needs, target audience, and objectives; design special activities to meet those needs. Research, design, write, edit, and coordinate the production of employee communications products, such as Metro-wide communications from senior leaders, division directors, or enterprise initiative sponsors. Collaborate and follow all Metro communication protocols and review processes for development and distribution of communications materials to all stakeholders. Use multiple communication methods to ensure all stakeholders receive project information in an effective, efficient, and timely manner. Use Prosci change management methodology, Bridges Transition Model, and/or King County's Organizational Change Management framework, or similar methods for change and transformation that will honor both the business mechanics and human dynamics of change and transition. Evaluate the effectiveness of project communications and adjust as needed. Perform other duties as assigned. Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills We are looking for candidates who have: A minimum of five (5) years of experience in positions dedicated to communications and employee engagement OR any combination of experience/education/training that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the work. Knowledge and demonstrated experience with change management methodology, facilitation, and conflict resolution. Experience conducting stakeholder impact analyses and change readiness assessments. Excellent organizational and project management skills and familiarity with project management methodologies. Excellent written and oral communications skills including the effective use of visuals in communications. Experience translating complex or technical information into clear, accessible, plain language- content. Demonstrated ability to work with diverse individuals with varying opinions and backgrounds. Proficiency in modern office software to perform tasks including word processing, spreadsheet management, database operations, presentation creation, basic graphic design, collaboration tools, and email communication. Highly Competitive Candidates Will Have (desired, But Not Required) Knowledge of King County Metro Transit policies & procedures. Experience working with large, unionized organizations/agencies, and/or public sector experience. Experience with data visualization tools such as PowerBI and Visio Knowledge of transit operations and optimization. Experience with SharePoint and SharePoint site administration. Proficient in a non-English language. Supplemental Information Who may apply: This recruitment is accepting applications from all qualified individuals including current King County employees and the general public. To Apply The Following Application Materials Are Required An online King County application updated with accurate contact information and relevant work history. Completed supplemental questions. Resume A letter of interest (cover letter) that addresses why you are interested in this role and how your experience, skills and/or education have prepared you for this position. Selection Process Applications that do not include all of the required materials listed above will not be considered. Only the materials explicitly requested will be reviewed—additional documents or information will not be evaluated. Application materials will be screened for completeness and competitiveness. The most competitive candidates may be invited to participate in one or more interviews and possibly other selection process elements. Final offers are contingent on successful completion of reference checks and/or a record review. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application/assessment process, or have questions, please contact: Sabrina Brazzle at sbrazzle@kingcounty.gov. Other Position Information Work Location: This is a hybrid position. The team works in a hybrid model, with days in the office as well as telecommuting. Currently the team is required to work 1 day in office each week. In office requirements are anticipated to increase to 2-3 days per week in 2026. The ratio of remote to onsite work will be dependent on business needs and is subject to change. The primary onsite location is King Street Center, 201 S. Jackson, Seattle, Washington 98104. Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements. King County has a robust collection of tools and resources to support working remotely. The individual selected for this opportunity will join an innovative and progressive team that is redefining how we work as we transition to the department's hybrid environment. Employees will be provided with a County-issued laptop and must maintain a home workspace with an internet connection where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours. Work Schedule: The position is exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is not overtime eligible. The typical workweek is 40 hours per week, Monday – Friday. Union Representation: The position is not represented by a union Class Code: 2501400, COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST IV Forbes named King County as one of Washington State's best employers. 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. King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation. Benefits 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: Excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage options: King County provides eligible employees with options, so they can decide what’s best for themselves and their eligible dependents 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: eligible King County employees may 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 12 paid holidays each year plus two personal holidays Generous vacation and paid sick leave Paid parental, family and medical, and volunteer leaves Flexible Spending Account Wellness programs Onsite 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, 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. 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 How many years of experience do you have in a position dedicated to communications and employee engagement? None, my experience does not align with the statement above. My application describes my relevant experience. Less than 1 years 1 to 3 years 3 to 5 years 5 to 7 years More than 7 years 02 Which of the following do you posses? (Select all that apply) Knowledge and demonstrated experience with change management methodology, facilitation, and conflict resolution. Experience conducting stakeholder impact analyses and change readiness assessments. Project management skills and familiarity with project management methodologies. None of the above 03 Please select the tools/software in which you have intermediate proficiency. (Select all that apply) Word Processing (e.g., Microsoft Word, Google Docs) Spreadsheet Management (e.g., Excel, Google Sheets) Database Operations (e.g., Access, Airtable, SQL basics) Presentation Creation (e.g., PowerPoint, Google Slides) Basic Graphic Design (e.g., Canva, Publisher, Adobe Express) Collaboration Tools (e.g., Teams, Slack, SharePoint, Google Workspace) Email Communication (e.g., Outlook, Gmail) None of the above 04 Which of the following desired qualifications do you possess? (Select all that apply) Knowledge of King County Metro Transit policies & procedures. Experience working with large, unionized organizations/agencies, and/or public sector experience. Experience with data visualization tools such as PowerBI and Visio Knowledge of transit operations and optimization Experience with SharePoint and SharePoint site administration. Proficient in a non-English language. None of the above 05 Are you applying to this position as an eligible current or previous King County Employee Priority Placement Program Participant? AND Is this position the same or lower percentage of full-time when compared to the position held at the point of the notification of layoff? AND Do you possess the skills and abilities to qualify for this position? Yes, I was given a layoff notice from my Career Service role at King County and I am within two years of the effective date of my layoff. Additionally, the position I was laid off from was the same or a higher percentage of FT status when compared to this one. No. 06 If you answered yes to the question above and you are applying for this position as a Priority Placement Participant, to be considered, you must provide the following three pieces of information in the space provided: 1. The title you held when you received your layoff notice 2. The department you worked in 3. The effective date of your layoff 07 Do you have any relatives employed by King County that work for King County's METRO Transit Department? YES NO 08 If you answered "yes" to having a relative that works for King County Metro Transit, please provide the Division of Metro that they currently work in. Select all that apply. a. Bus Operations Division b. Capital Division c. Employee Services Division d. Facilities Division e. Finance & Administration Division f. General Manager's Office g. Marine Division h. Mobility Division i. Rail Division (including Streetcar) j. Safety, Security & Quality Assurance k. Vehicle Maintenance l. I do not know which Division my relative works in at Metro Transit m. I do not have a relative that works for King County Metro 09 If you answered "yes" to having a relative that works for King County Metro Transit, please provide the employee's name, position, and your relationship. Required Question