Deputy Communications Manager
- Summary
The Department of Community and Human Services values diverse perspectives and life experiences. The Department encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with lived experiences.
King County's Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) provides equitable opportunities for people to be healthy, happy, and connected to community.
The Department of Community and Human Services is recruiting to hire an exceptionally talented communications professional to join our DCHS Communications Team. We are seeking an individual with a wide range of communications knowledge, skills and experience to support and provide leadership to both department-wide and program-specific goals and activities.
COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST IV/Deputy Communications Manager – Director’s Office Lead: Housing, Homelessness and Community Development
This position is assigned to the DCHS Director’s Office and will support the DCHS Department Director, the DCHS Communications Director and the DCHS Communications Team. The Deputy Communications Manager will provide leadership to media relations efforts, including providing or coordinating training for senior leadership and communications staff and provide consultation on both proactive and reactive media strategies and campaigns to support the Executive Office, the Director’s Office and the five divisions of DCHS. The Deputy Communications Manager will back up the Communications Director when the director is unavailable or away from the office.
This position is also the lead communications specialist for the DCHS Housing, Homelessness and Community Development Division (HHCDD). The HHCDD invests in the creation and preservation of affordable and permanent supportive housing, including Transit Oriented Development; homeless prevention and support services; housing repair; and community development. Funding comes from the federal government, primarily the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD); the State of Washington through the Department of Commerce; document recording fees; funding from the County’s Health Through Housing dedicated sales tax, the Veterans, Seniors and Human Services Levy property tax, and the MIDD Behavioral Health dedicated sales tax; lodging taxes; and grants from philanthropy.
Working with local cities, housing authorities, housing developers, state and federal agencies and local nonprofits, HHCDD is utilizing every possible tool to effectively and efficiently help people at risk for or experiencing homelessness, and working collaboratively to preserve and create housing countywide. In every instance possible, HHCDD is working to put local communities, particularly historically marginalized groups, at the center of investment decisions.
The successful candidate will play a lead role in developing and launching communications plans and strategies for two significant initiatives – the Health Through Housing initiative and the Eviction Prevention and Rental Assistance Program – and other programs and initiatives to create housing and supportive services for people currently experiencing homelessness and prevent others from becoming homeless. The position will also support division roles and responsibilities around preventing displacement, developing affordable and permanent supportive housing, and efforts to improve neighborhoods and community resources through the Community Development Block Grant Program.
This is a new position, funded primarily through the Health Through Housing initiative, a countywide 0.1% sales tax dedicated to providing funds to purchase hotels, motels and other single room settings that can provide immediate safe housing for people experiencing chronic homelessness beginning in 2021.
A commitment to equity and social justice principles, and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment are critical to success.
In the event of a disaster or emergency, the position will also serve as the DCHS lead for emergency communications both internal and external, including coordination of communications efforts with other departments, jurisdictions, community-based organizations, and elected officials.WHO MAY APPLY: This position is open to all qualified candidates that meet the minimum qualifications.
REQUIRED MATERIALS: Candidates who wish to be considered for this position must submit an online King County application and respond to the supplemental questions. Your application may be rejected as incomplete if you do not include the requested and relevant information in the online application and supplemental questionnaire. Applications and/or supplemental questionnaires that state, “see my resume” are considered incomplete and will not be considered to be competitive.
WORK SCHEDULE/CONDITIONS: This position is exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act, and is not eligible for overtime. Typical hours are Monday - Friday 8am - 5pm. This position is represented by PROTEC17.Teleworking Requirement
The work associated with this position will be performed predominantly by teleworking; complemented with onsite work and meetings as needed. Employees will have access to shared workspaces at various King County facilities. Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.Employees will be provided with a County issued laptop and must maintain a workspace with an internet connection (access may be supplemented in some situations) 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 the wearing of 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.
King County has a robust collection of tools and resources to support working remotely. The individual selected for this opportunity will be joining an innovative and progressive team that is redefining how we work as we transition to the department's hybrid environment.
RECRUITER: Susan Churchill, susan.churchill@kingcounty.gov
- Job Duties
The Communications Specialist IV/Deputy Communications Manager will bring exceptional skills, experience, leadership, creativity and enthusiasm to the Director’s Office and the DCHS Communications Team and lead activities and assignments related to educating and informing decision makers, key staff and stakeholders, media, and members of the public about the programs and services available to assist children, youth, adults, families and communities across King County. The position will provide communications leadership to programs and services in the Housing, Homelessness and Community Development Division.
Essential functions:
- Lead development and implementation of communication plans, strategies and products to reach various and diverse audiences. Establish procedures, protocols, methods and metrics for communicating with the public and key stakeholders, in collaboration with subject matter experts throughout the department and in other agencies. Oversee projects with communications vendors as needed, e.g., translation services, videographers, photographers, etc. Knowledge and experience in developing strategies and materials to reach and serve Black, indigenous, and other communities of color and access for limited or non-English speaking residents is an essential role and responsibility.
- Serve as lead for media relations. Serve as strategic advisor on media relations and communications plans. Develop and coordinate media events, news releases and speaking points. Field media inquiries. Develop story ideas and pro-active media. Update department wide protocols and procedures for media relations. Develop a training plan for building expertise for staff on public speaking and crisis communications.
- Lead the DCHS communications response activities during emergencies, participate and assist in the development of emergency exercises to prepare for disaster response events, and participate in reviews of department responses to emergencies.
- Lead the formulation of targeted communication strategies and plans for Housing, Homelessness and Community Development Division. Work with department and division staff to develop and implement targeted communications plans and strategies; develop key messages, infographics and other materials in support of those plans for policy and decision-making presentations; lead implementation of the approved communications plan.
- Research, plan, write, edit and publish various documents including annual reports, newsletters, blogs, correspondence, features, op-ed articles, fact sheets, education materials, website content and other materials. Ensure that county and department policies and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) guidelines are followed for all written materials, including the translation of documents into other languages and formats.
- Develop and design visually compelling materials, including web content, written and oral presentations, and other products using established design tools and skills.
- Build a digital media presence for the division. Plan, develop, write and edit blog and other social media posts. Develop and edit content from program staff; write original content focused on current issues or department activities; and utilize photos and videos to engage audiences. Promote social media to the public.
- Develop and maintain engaging and informative web content. Work with division and department staff to develop interesting and accessible web content appropriate to key audiences and ensure division pages are kept current.
- Engage in effective story telling. Develop and foster relationships with service providers and community to gather and share compelling stories about programs and services providing by DCHS and King County that are making a difference in people’s lives and improving the livability of our region.
- Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills
- Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, journalism, public policy or related field and/or equivalent experience and education.
- Deep 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. Professional experience working in and with diverse communities.
- Demonstrated expertise and leadership in establishing communications principles, methods and metrics for success.
- Demonstrated ability to use graphics, illustration, photography and videography to effectively engage and inform audiences (InDesign, Adobe, Photoshop, other).
- Demonstrated experience in all aspects of media relations and working effectively with news media of all types. Demonstrated experience in developing effective communications plans and strategies for both proactive and reactive media situations.
- Exceptional written communications skills and experience creating a broad range of communications materials. This should include experience in synthesizing and successfully communicating technical or dense information to a variety of audiences including policy makers, employees, service providers, service recipients and the public.
- Demonstrated ability to identify and assess the communications needs of target audiences and determine the best communications methods and tools to reach them.
- Social media and social marketing knowledge and professional experience on multiple platforms.
- Experience and skill in developing content specifically for websites.
- Proven ability to prioritize workload, work under pressure with tight timelines and changing priorities, and simultaneously work on multiple assignments.
- Ability to build and foster collaborative and respectful relationships.
- Passion for human services and improving the health and well-being of our residents and communities.
Desired Qualifications:
- Fluency in languages other than English.
- Knowledge and experience in disaster response and crisis communications fundamentals.
- Recent professional experience developing communications materials in a government, nonprofit or related environment focused on public policy.
- Personal or professional knowledge and experience with issues related to housing and homelessness, health or human services.
- Knowledge of Sitecore content management system and/or html web coding.
- Supplemental Information
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.
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 your 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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01Are 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 role at King County AND I am within two years of the effective date of my layoff. AND The position I was laid off from was the same or a higher percentage of FT status when compared to this one.
- No.
02If 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 layoff03Describe your experience developing, writing, editing and designing a wide range of communication materials. Please be specific as to the variety of products you have created and your role in the final product.04Describe your media relations knowledge and experience, including fielding and responding to media inquiries, pitching stories, crisis communications, and serving as a spokesperson. Please be specific.05Describe your experience developing and implementing effective communications plans to achieve strategic goals and objectives. Share at least one example of a communications plan you were responsible for writing and implementing.06Describe your professional experience using social media (Facebook, twitter, Instagram, blogs, etc.) for strategic communication purposes. Give an example of a social media campaign you developed and include how you measured your success.07King County has transformed its work on equity and social justice from an initiative to an integrated effort that applies the principle of "fair and just" intentionally in all that the county does in order to achieve equitable opportunities for all people and communities. What is the most important equity and social justice issue to you and why?Required Question