Communications Specialist III - Best Starts for Kids
- Summary
- Public Health – Seattle and King County values diverse perspectives and life experiences. The Department encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, and veterans.
Best Starts for Kids (BSK) is King County's initiative to improve the health and well-being of our residents by investing in promotion, prevention and early intervention programs and services for children, youth, families and communities.
BSK emphasizes the promotion of positive development of children and youth, with the largest investments in pre-natal to children age five and continuing with early intervention services at critical milestones throughout childhood to early adulthood to reduce and prevent negative outcomes later in life. The initiative encourages innovation and multiculturalism built on the experiences and priorities of our community partners and residents, with multi-generational approaches planned to capitalize on strengths within families and communities.
In support of the Best Starts for Kids initiative, a Communications Specialist III position is being recruited for Public Health - Seattle & King County Communications Team for a Term-Limited Temporary (TLT) / Special Duty (SD) position, to work alongside a similar position in the Department of Community and Human Services. The incumbent will carry out a wide range of external and internal communications functions for BSK.
The projected end date of this Term Limited Temporary / Special Duty position will be through the end of 2020 with possibility of extension.
As the only jurisdiction in the world named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., one of the most influential civil rights leaders in our nation's history, King County is a vibrant international community with residents that represent countries from around the world. It is a region with increasing diversity that cherishes the traditions of many cultures.
We have a deep commitment to equity and social justice and advancing practices, strategies and policies that promote fairness, justice and opportunity for all – in our workplaces and our communities. With this commitment, King County has adopted a pro-equity agenda to advance regional change and ensure that residents from vulnerable communities are incorporated into our emergency planning and public outreach efforts.
The selected candidate will integrate King County's Equity and Social Justice principles into the daily functions of this position.
Who May Apply: This position is open to all qualified internal and external candidates. To be considered as a Special Duty applicant, you must be a current Career Service, King County employee who has successfully passed probation.
Application Process:- Complete Applications Include:
- NeoGov Application (completed)
- Cover Letter (outlining how you meet / exceed qualifications for this position)
- Resume
- Supplemental Questions (completed)
Your application may be rejected as incomplete if you include relevant information only on the resume or cover letter, or if you reference "see resume" on your application. Cover letters, and/or resumes are not accepted in lieu of a completed application, but all are required.
Work Schedule: Typical work schedule for this role is Monday through Friday, 8am-5pm. This position is exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is not overtime eligible.
Work Location: Chinook Building, 401 5th Avenue, 13th Floor, Seattle, WA 98104.
Contact: For questions relating to this recruitment, contact Ma-Eyongerie Frambo, HR Analyst at 206-263-3587 or mframbo@kingcounty.gov. - Complete Applications Include:
- Job Duties
The Communications Specialist III will bring exceptional writing and editing skills, creativity and enthusiasm, and strong interpersonal skills to lead a wide range of communications activities related to the provision of Best Starts of Kids programs and services for children, youth and families residing in King County.
May include but not limited to:- Research, plan, write, and edit various documents in draft and final form, including reports, newsletters, blogs, correspondence, op-ed articles, news releases, fact sheets, education materials, website content and other materials. Develop graphics as needed. Manage translation of written materials. Collect and develop stories about clients and services.
- Provide support for digital media activities to sustain and build department capacity to effectively use social media such as Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, department blogs and other emerging strategies. Plan, develop stories, write and edit the public facing blog. Solicit and develop content from program staff; write original content focused on BSK programs and services and other department activities; and utilize photos and videos to engage audiences in content.
- Serve as a public information officer. Write news releases and speaking points, coordinate media events, and field media inquiries. Develop strategic messaging and approaches to address emerging media issues. Use innovative and traditional means to promote story ideas.
- Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills
Sucessful candidates will demonstrate the following at minimum:
- Background in education, communications, English, journalism, marketing, public health, public administration, or a related field or comparable experience.
- Knowledge of equity and social justice principles and practices, and understanding of the effects of place, race, policy and systems-based inequities on marginalized communities and populations.
- Skilled in producing reports, news releases, fact sheets and education materials utilizing 2010 Microsoft Office Suite products, WordPress and other platforms.
- Skilled in synthesizing, communicating, and presenting technical information in writing, orally, and visually to a variety of audiences including policy makers, diverse ethnic-cultural populations, employees and the general public.
- Demonstrated ability to identify and assess the communication needs of targeted audiences and determine the best communications methods and tools to reach them.
- Knowledge and experience working with social media, including Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, blogs, content-rich websites, and other outlets.
- Demonstrated ability to use graphics, photography and/or videography to effectively engage audiences in content.
- Demonstrated experience working effectively with news media, including developing key messages.
- Proven ability to prioritize workload, work under pressure with tight timelines and changing priorities, and simultaneously work on multiple assignments.
- Ability to act in a tactful and diplomatic manner on sensitive issues with diverse groups and individuals and experience working with diverse communities.
- Ability to build and foster collaborative relationships across many levels of staff and disciplines within and outside of county government.
The most competitive applicants will also have the following desired experiences and qualifications:- Advanced skills in producing graphics and illustrations using a variety of graphics software.
- Bilingual in Engish and one of the following languages: Spanish, Vietnamese, Russian, Somali, Chinese, Korean, Ukrainian, Amharic, Punjabi, Tagalog, Cambodian, Laotian, Japanese, Hindi, Arabid, Farsi, Tigrinya, Oromo, French or Samoan.
- Recent professional experience developing communications materials in a government environment.
- Two or more years of public communications or journalism experience in a human services, public health or health-related field.
- Advaned degree in communications, public relations, journalism, public policy or related field and/or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Supplemental Information
- You must completely fill out the application with your relevant education and work experience.
- The selected candidate must be able to pass a thorough background investigation
- For more information on our selection process, please refer to www.kingcounty.gov/depts/health/jobs/hiring. For tips on interviewing, please visit https://www.kingcounty.gov/~/media/audience/employees/learning-and-development/Interview_Tips.ashx?la=en.
- Employees are required to protect the privacy and security of protected health information as defined in State and Federal Law.
- Employees are required to adhere to OSHA/WISHA guidelines including but not limited to completing their mandatory trainings on time and obtaining required immunizations.
- Regular and reliable attendance, effective communication skills, and development of effective working relationships are requirements of all Public Health positions.
- Staff may be required to play an active role in the event of a public health emergency, which may include changes in responsibilities and working hours.
- If you need a disability accommodation in the application or testing process, please call the contact number listed on the job announcement.
Union Membership: This position is not represented.
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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01Do you have experience developing, writing and editing a wide range of communication materials in a clear and concise manner?
- Yes
- No
02If you answered yes, please describe your experience developing, writing, and editing a wide range of communication materials in a clear and concise manner. If you answer no, then type N/A.03Do you have professional experience using social media, such as Facebook, Twitter, and blogs for strategic communication purposes?- Yes
- No
04If you answered yes, please describe your professional experience using social media, such as Facebook, Twitter, and blogs for strategic communication purposes. If you answer no, then type N/A.05Do you have skills in producing graphics and illustrations using a variety of graphics software?- Yes
- No
06If you answered yes, please describe your professional experience in producing graphics and illustrations using a variety of graphics software. If you answer no, then type N/A.07King County has transformed its work on equity and social justice from an initiative to an integrated strategic plan. What is the most important equity or social justice issue to you?Required Question