Communication Specialist II
- Summary
Metro Transit has several exciting Communication Specialist II (Community Engagement Planner) opportunities. In collaboration with the Partnership & Engagement team, you will coordinate the planning and implementation of engaging the community in efforts to engage and solicit input from the public regarding Metro service and capital planning, programs, and policies. The Partnership & Engagement group within Metro Transit's General Manager's Office facilitates community engagement and government relations for King County Metro. This workgroup is part of the Chief of Staff section that provides Metro trusted leadership, coordination, and expertise in engagement and communications with employees, interested parties, partners, and the community to decide and implement equitable and sustainable regional mobility solutions.
This job posting will be used to fill One Term-Limited Temporary (TLT) position. This position is open to all King County employees and the general public. The TLT/SDA assignment is expected to last one year. This recruitment may also be used to create a pool of qualified candidates for future career service, TLT, and SDA openings for six months.- Job Duties
Applying equity and social justice principles is a daily responsibility and a 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 the work. As a Community Engagement Planner II, you will:
- Provide support in planning of overall communication efforts led by Community Engagement Planner IV and III staff to engage and solicit input from the public regarding Metro service and capital planning, programs, and policies. Work may include but is not limited to:
o Organizing projects utilizing SharePoint
o Supporting in-person engagement
o Process invoices- Research demographics, partners, and opportunities for reaching populations affected by changes to plans, policies, and programs
- Compile and summarize community input and responses for decision-makers, including King County Council, elected officials, and key internal and external partners
- Support major, multi-phase public engagement processes that allow the public to shape plans, policies, and programs that affect them
- Maintain project calendars of outreach activities, schedule outreach events and interested party briefings, coordinate the staffing of events, and prepare staff for participation in outreach activities
- Coordinate responses, including monitoring, tracking, and preparing drafts, for public and interested party comments and feedback using Contact Relationship Management software
- Support standing committees and commissions by coordinating meeting resources, drafting agendas, taking notes, and communicating with members through accessible formats
- Other duties as assigned
- Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills
The most competitive candidates will have demonstrated experience relating openly and comfortably with diverse groups of people in public engagement and community outreach, and are skilled in feedback gathering methods, including surveys, public meetings, and interested party interviews and briefings.
This position is a professional level role and in addition to professional writing skills, the successful candidate will be able to demonstrate progressive professional or equivalent experience with a combination of communications-related skills.
- Advanced skills in:
- Writing, editing, and illustrating information in a clear and concise manner
- Developing and delivering multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences
- Building networks that effectively builds formal and informal relationship networks inside and outside the organization
- A personal and professional commitment to equity and social justice, with experience engaging historically underserved people or communities in decision making
- Experience in analyzing and creating reports on public feedback for internal decision-makers and elected officials
- Experience in building relationships, being a team player, and being able to work collaboratively. Ability to treat all employees and customers equitably, with respect and dignity, as well as solve problems for the good of all
- Skill in facilitating and engaging in virtual and in-person community meetings, and experience engaging directly with members of the public by email, phone, in person, and through written correspondence
- Skill in drafting content for multi-cultural communications materials, such as FAQs, key messages, website content, handouts, mailers, posters, presentations, display boards, social media, and multi-media
- Experience working in contact relationship management software or tools to communicate, document, and maintain relationships (such as Salesforce, Constant Contact, Microsoft Dynamics, or Access) Advanced use of Microsoft Office, including Excel, Word, Visio, and Outlook
- Education (or interest) in developing professional skills in facilitation, dialogue, deliberation, organizational development, conflict resolution, community organizing, or equity and social justice
- Experience working with accessible communications and accessible communities
- Experience working in both government and community settings
- The ability to talk to community members in their native language is desired, but not required. Examples of these languages would include Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese, Korean, Russian, Somali, Ukrainian, Amharic, Punjabi, and/or other languages not listed. (King County's top languages – referred to as Tier 1 or Tier 2 languages in the County's Executive Order on Translation)
- Advanced skills in:
- Supplemental Information
Application & Selection Process
If you are ready to pursue this role, we encourage you to apply. Please submit a letter of interest that describes your skills, abilities and qualifications related to this role. Those applicants who apply by Monday, December 12, 2022 will receive first consideration in the process.
An online employment application and a cover letter describing your interest and qualifications for this position is required.
Applicants will be screened for competitiveness, completeness, and written communication skills. The most competitive candidates may be invited to participate in testing and one or more interviews.- TLT’s are open to the public. King County values diverse perspectives and life experiences.
- SDA’s are open to current King County Career Service employees who have passed their initial probationary period or King County Appointed employees, and may be given first consideration in the hiring process.
Work Location
The primary location of this position is in the King Street Center (201 S. Jackson St., Seattle, WA)
Work Schedule
The work week is 40 hours, Monday through Friday. This position is subject to the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act, and therefore is eligible for overtime pay if scheduled.
Union Representation
This position is not represented position.
Teleworking Requirement
The work associated with this position is currently being performed predominantly by teleworking; complemented with onsite work and meetings as needed. Frequency of onsite work will vary based on business and operational needs. 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. Please note that when an employee conducts work that is likely to bring them in contact with another individual, safety precautions are required, including wearing masks in some situations. King County is doing its part to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and remains committed to reducing our carbon footprint.
Forbes recently 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.
COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement
King County Executive Branch employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. If you are the successful candidate for the position you applied for, the County will send you a conditional offer letter.
As a condition of employment, prior to a final offer of employment, you will be required to:- submit proof of vaccination, or
- have an approved request for medical or religious exemption and an approved accommodation. Philosophical, political, scientific, or sociological objections to vaccination will not be considered for an exemption or accommodation.
The Executive Branch includes employees in the Executive branch, the Assessor's Office, Elections, the King County Sheriff's Office, and the Executive Office.
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.
To Apply
If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement.
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
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.
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01This position requires two years of related education or experience. Did you attach a letter of interest explaining where or how you meet this requirement? Important Note: Any education or experince indicated here must be included in your application detail.
- Yes, I attached a letter of interest with the required information.
- I don't have two years of related experience or education but I still hope to be considered.
- No, I did not attach a letter of interest with the required information. I understand that I will not be considered for this role.
02Which of the following best describes your experience developing communications? Please select all that apply.- Community Groups
- Non-Profits
- Private Business
- Groups or Clubs
- Educational Setting
03Do you have experience in developing and presenting information to various audiences such as residents, community-based organizations, multi-stakeholder groups, or elected officials?- Yes
- No
04If you answered yes to the question above, please provide at least one example including the month and year in the field below. Please type N/A if applicable.05Are you fluent/bilingual in a language other than English?- Yes
- No
06If you answered yes to the previous question, which language(s)?07I have experience working in the following systems or software (Please choose all that apply):- Salesforce, Constant Contact
- Microsoft Dynamics
- Access
- Visio
- Microsoft Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook)
08Are you applying to this position as a 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
- No
09If 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 layoffRequired Question