Responsibilities

• Strategic communications leadership and agency priorities
• Advise agency director and leadership on communication strategies to advance agency priorities, including legislative, rule, and policy work affecting multiple programs and divisions.
• Serve as communications specialist and professional consultant to agency and division heads in communications and public relations, ensuring alignment and impact across the agency.
• Develop and coordinate agency public information policy and activities with other governmental agencies and boards.
• Make policy decisions pertaining to communication issues.
• Partner with Executive Team to manage external risks, issue management, and reputational risk.
• Develop, deploy, and measure strategic outreach plans and narratives for agency initiatives, legislative priorities, budget requests, and high-stakes policy development across all agency programs and divisions.
• Use data and analytics to inform and advise management of communications strategies and outcomes.
• Agency online presence. content creation, and technical administration
• Lead agency website, email delivery system, social media platforms, and survey software as technical administrator and front-end developer. Provides training and support for group topic administrator and contributors.

Requirements

• Demonstrated ability through previous roles or education to meet the competencies below. Roles could be experience gained through military service, volunteer leadership, consulting, self-employment, previous roles in strategic communications, public relations, and media management, certifications, or non-traditional jobs.
• The required competencies include:
• Strategic communications and Public Relations:
• Ability to plan, organize, lead, and direct comprehensive communications and public relations programs.
• Skilled in developing information and public relations strategies that support agency mission, vision, and values.
• Skills in analyzing public understanding of agency programs and evaluating effectiveness of communications.
• Research skills to determine cost-effective outreach strategies and proper communications outlets.
• Analytical & Critical Thinking:
• Ability to conduct environmental scanning to anticipate and respond to public information needs.
• Skill in analyzing public understanding of programs and evaluating effectiveness of communications.

Preferred

• In-depth and proficient computer skills, including knowledge of the Microsoft Office applications (Outlook, Excel, Word, & PowerPoint).
• Knowledge of GovDelivery platforms and newsletter setup and production
• Knowledge of news media operations and experience working with reporters and editors.
• Experience working independently or in a team environment.
• Understanding and application of disability laws and regulations (ADA, Rehab Act, WAC 67-25).

Benefits

• Insurance Benefits
• Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.
• Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses.
• Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.
• To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website.
• The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.
• Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.
• Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.
• The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.
• Retirement and Deferred Compensation