Sheriff's Office Communications Manager
King County
Seattle, WA
Full-time
Advertising / Marketing / PR
Posted on March 7, 2025
Salary
$125,268.00 - $158,784.70 Annually
Location
Renton, WA
Job Type
Civil Service, Full Time, 40/hrs Wk
Job Number
2025MK24093
Department
KCSO - Sheriff's Office
Opening Date
03/06/2025
Closing Date
3/21/2025 11:59 PM Pacific
FLSA
Exempt
Bargaining Unit
Z3 : KC Personnel Guidelines
Full- or Part-Time
Full Time
Hours/Week
40 hours/week
WHO MAY APPLY: This civil service position is open to King County employees.
SUMMARY:
King County Sheriff's Office has an outstanding opportunity for a civilian Communications Manager. This position works within the Community Services and Programs Division.
This position will directly support the Sheriff's Office by communicating, drafting and distributing information to the public, providing strategies and recommendations to senior leadership for routine and emergent external communication needs. This role requires strong communication and public speaking skills.
This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced, self-starting communications professional seeking a rewarding role for the King County Sheriff's Office.
This position will work collaboratively with the Community Programs & Services Division (CPSD) Sergeant to develop and implement communication services for the Sheriff's Office (which align with the KCSO Strategic Plan, mission, and goals). This position will also manage communications to external customers, media relations and to the public.
The responsibilities and functions of this position include but are not limited to the following duties:
• Oversee/lead development and implementation of communications strategies across internal and external communications, including news media relations, digital media, website management, multimedia, and internal departmental information sharing.
• Partner with the Executive's Office to develop and execute strategic communications countywide on Sheriff's Office issues and media opportunities.
• Write or supervise writing of speeches, op-eds, news releases, online content, and other external and internal communications.
• Identify media opportunities, facilitate interviews and serve as liaison to the media.
• Develop and solidify best practices for media outreach, follow-through and follow up. This will include assisting media personnel with incident communication and conveying routine news stories, including live interviews.
• Provide the news media updates at critical incidents.
• Respond to media inquiries; research and provide accurate information.
• Provide communications strategies and recommendations to the Sheriff's Office leadership for routine and emergent external communication needs.
• Manage internal and external communications, which may include print, media, web, multi-media, public relations or other areas.
• Recommend or revise public-relations and communications policies and procedures.
• Edit or monitor editing of department publications for content, style and message and to assure they comply with county standards.
• Brief upper management on media and public relations issues.
This position requires skill in supporting an operational department with a wide variety of strong communication skills. Required demonstrated qualifications include:
• Minimum of 5 years of experience with proven success in communications, media relations or community relations.
• Comprehensive understanding of communication principles, tools and strategies.
• Strong analytical mindset, critical thinking and writing skills.
• Convincing communication and interpersonal skills, both verbally and in written form.
• Maturity, confident pose and presence necessary to interface effectively with command staff as well as the public, elected officials and community stakeholders.
• Familiarity with print, media and/or public relations.
• Ability to work under pressure, managing priorities in a high-performance environment while meeting non-negotiable deadlines.
• Skills in resolving conflict, making decisions, being a resourceful problem solver, collaborating and negotiating.
• Skills in understanding and translating technical subject matter and terminology into crisp, compelling communications.
• Skills in reading and interpreting laws, regulations and guidelines written by federal, state and local agencies.
• Skill in thinking strategically and in listening effectively.
• Ability to research and analyze.
HIGHLY DESIRED EXPERIENCE:
• On-camera experience: Proficiency in presenting news, conducting interviews, and enhanced storytelling and communication skills
• Media connections: Established relationships and connections with media outlets and key individuals within those organizations
• Knowledge of local government and the political process, including applicable laws, regulations, policies and procedures.
WORK LOCATION: Black River Building in Renton, WA; work location could vary depending on the need.
WORK SCHEDULE: Typical work schedule is 40 hours per week, Monday - Friday, but will also be on-call during nights and weekends, as needed. This position is not eligible for overtime.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
• Must pass thorough background investigation, including a polygraph.
• You may need to have a vehicle to be able to drive between work locations.
TO APPLY: Please carefully review the list of required materials before submitting your application. Review the list of KCSO Automatic Disqualifiers and verify your qualification for employment with King County Sheriff's Office. Submit:
• King County Application (applying online satisfies this)
• Cover letter adressing how you meet or exceed the qualifications
• Complete answers to the supplemental questions.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Michelle Kobuki, Civil Service Human Resources Analyst
206-477-4740
michelle.kobuki@kingcounty.gov
UNION MEMBERSHIP: This position is non-represented.
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.
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:
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.
$125,268.00 - $158,784.70 Annually
Location
Renton, WA
Job Type
Civil Service, Full Time, 40/hrs Wk
Job Number
2025MK24093
Department
KCSO - Sheriff's Office
Opening Date
03/06/2025
Closing Date
3/21/2025 11:59 PM Pacific
FLSA
Exempt
Bargaining Unit
Z3 : KC Personnel Guidelines
Full- or Part-Time
Full Time
Hours/Week
40 hours/week
Summary
WHO MAY APPLY: This civil service position is open to King County employees.
SUMMARY:
King County Sheriff's Office has an outstanding opportunity for a civilian Communications Manager. This position works within the Community Services and Programs Division.
This position will directly support the Sheriff's Office by communicating, drafting and distributing information to the public, providing strategies and recommendations to senior leadership for routine and emergent external communication needs. This role requires strong communication and public speaking skills.
This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced, self-starting communications professional seeking a rewarding role for the King County Sheriff's Office.
Job Duties
This position will work collaboratively with the Community Programs & Services Division (CPSD) Sergeant to develop and implement communication services for the Sheriff's Office (which align with the KCSO Strategic Plan, mission, and goals). This position will also manage communications to external customers, media relations and to the public.
The responsibilities and functions of this position include but are not limited to the following duties:
• Oversee/lead development and implementation of communications strategies across internal and external communications, including news media relations, digital media, website management, multimedia, and internal departmental information sharing.
• Partner with the Executive's Office to develop and execute strategic communications countywide on Sheriff's Office issues and media opportunities.
• Write or supervise writing of speeches, op-eds, news releases, online content, and other external and internal communications.
• Identify media opportunities, facilitate interviews and serve as liaison to the media.
• Develop and solidify best practices for media outreach, follow-through and follow up. This will include assisting media personnel with incident communication and conveying routine news stories, including live interviews.
• Provide the news media updates at critical incidents.
• Respond to media inquiries; research and provide accurate information.
• Provide communications strategies and recommendations to the Sheriff's Office leadership for routine and emergent external communication needs.
• Manage internal and external communications, which may include print, media, web, multi-media, public relations or other areas.
• Recommend or revise public-relations and communications policies and procedures.
• Edit or monitor editing of department publications for content, style and message and to assure they comply with county standards.
• Brief upper management on media and public relations issues.
Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills
This position requires skill in supporting an operational department with a wide variety of strong communication skills. Required demonstrated qualifications include:
• Minimum of 5 years of experience with proven success in communications, media relations or community relations.
• Comprehensive understanding of communication principles, tools and strategies.
• Strong analytical mindset, critical thinking and writing skills.
• Convincing communication and interpersonal skills, both verbally and in written form.
• Maturity, confident pose and presence necessary to interface effectively with command staff as well as the public, elected officials and community stakeholders.
• Familiarity with print, media and/or public relations.
• Ability to work under pressure, managing priorities in a high-performance environment while meeting non-negotiable deadlines.
• Skills in resolving conflict, making decisions, being a resourceful problem solver, collaborating and negotiating.
• Skills in understanding and translating technical subject matter and terminology into crisp, compelling communications.
• Skills in reading and interpreting laws, regulations and guidelines written by federal, state and local agencies.
• Skill in thinking strategically and in listening effectively.
• Ability to research and analyze.
HIGHLY DESIRED EXPERIENCE:
• On-camera experience: Proficiency in presenting news, conducting interviews, and enhanced storytelling and communication skills
• Media connections: Established relationships and connections with media outlets and key individuals within those organizations
• Knowledge of local government and the political process, including applicable laws, regulations, policies and procedures.
WORK LOCATION: Black River Building in Renton, WA; work location could vary depending on the need.
WORK SCHEDULE: Typical work schedule is 40 hours per week, Monday - Friday, but will also be on-call during nights and weekends, as needed. This position is not eligible for overtime.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
• Must pass thorough background investigation, including a polygraph.
• You may need to have a vehicle to be able to drive between work locations.
TO APPLY: Please carefully review the list of required materials before submitting your application. Review the list of KCSO Automatic Disqualifiers and verify your qualification for employment with King County Sheriff's Office. Submit:
• King County Application (applying online satisfies this)
• Cover letter adressing how you meet or exceed the qualifications
• Complete answers to the supplemental questions.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Michelle Kobuki, Civil Service Human Resources Analyst
206-477-4740
michelle.kobuki@kingcounty.gov
UNION MEMBERSHIP: This position is non-represented.
Supplemental Information
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.
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
- 12paid holidays each year plus twopersonal 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
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.
