Communications Specialist III
- Summary
The Communications Specialist III (CSIII) will serve as part of Public Health - Seattle & King County's Communications Team, which is a unit of the Office of the Director. S/he will carry out a wide range of external and internal communications functions related to communicable disease outbreaks and other health-related urgent and emergency events that protect and improve the community's health.
The candidate selected for this position will be an outstanding public health writer and editor, and a creative and innovative communications strategist with experience using innovative tools to promote health. Successful candidates will demonstrate interpersonal savvy, ability to work independently and with multiple stakeholders both inside and outside the department, composure, and ability to learn on the fly and produce quickly in a fast-paced environment. Integrity, trustworthiness, a commitment to countywide equity and social justice principles and quality peer relationships are important values we seek in our next Team member.
This position will last for one year, with a possibility of extension.
Who May Apply: This 100%-time, Term Limited Temporary / Special Duty Assignment (12 calendar months from date of hire) position is open to all qualified applicants.
Work Location: Chinook Building, 401 Fifth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104
Work Schedule: The person selected for this position will be required to work 5 days a week, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. This position is exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is not overtime eligible. Occasional weekend/afterhours work will be required, depending on outbreak and emergency events.
Application Process (submit electronically):- Job Application with completed supplemental questions and a cover letter.
Your application may be rejected as incomplete if you do not include the relevant information in the online application and include the requested information only on the resume. Applications and/or Supplemental Questionnaires that state "see my resume" or "see my personnel file" are considered incomplete and will not be accepted. Cover letters and/or optional resumes are not accepted in lieu of a completed application.
Contact: For more information about the application process, please contact Erika Yanak, Human Resource Analyst, at Erika.Yanak@kingcounty.gov.- Job Duties
- Provide communicable disease outbreak and emergency event communications preparedness and response. Use press releases, web content, social media and our blog, among other channels, to reach and engage priority audiences; develop multimedia content; coordinate communications efforts across King County government and divisions; create talking points and messaging for PH leadership and staff; Inform and coordinate internal communications plans with sister agencies; provide technical support to help programs effectively communicate with audiences they're serving.
- Develop communication strategies for various audiences on a wide range of communicable disease outbreaks, and other urgent public health topics. Enhance and establish procedures, protocols, methods and metrics for communicating with the public and employees. Work in cooperation with subject matter experts throughout the department and in other agencies. Oversee and/or connect staff with communications vendors as needed to support project work. Work to ensure that department policies for translating communications materials into additional languages are followed.
- Research, plan, write, and edit various documents in draft and final form, including reports, newsletters, correspondence, op-ed articles, news releases, fact sheets, education materials, website content and other materials. Use visual communications tools and techniques to increase effectiveness of messages. Ensure that department and county policies and guidelines are followed for development of written materials and reports.
- Help effectively use social media (e.g., Facebook, Instagram, Twitter). Plan, develop stories for, write and edit our public facing blog. Solicit and develop content from on a variety of Public Health topics program staff; write original content focused on current public health issues; utilize images, photos and videos to engage audiences in content.
- Serve as a public information officer on occasion. Write news releases and speaking points, coordinate media events, field media inquiries and serve as spokesperson. Develop strategic messaging and approaches to address emerging media issues. Use innovative and traditional means to promote story ideas.
- Enhance employee communications. Enhance employee communication activities and practices. Produce and disseminate department-wide messaging for staff from department leadership. Develop and edit content for employee website.
- Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills
- Skills in synthesizing and communicating technical information in writing, orally, and visually to a variety of audiences including policy makers, diverse ethnic-minority populations, public health employees and the general public. Knowledge of public health goals, concerns, and approaches.
- Experience in health promotion via new media, social marketing and strategic communications, including social media tools such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, blogs and emerging social media tools. Ability and desire to problem solve and independently seek solutions to technical questions regarding social media.
- Demonstrated ability to identify and assess the communication needs of targeted audiences and determine the best communication methods and tools to reach them;
- Demonstrated ability to use graphics, photography and videography for story-telling and to effectively engage audiences in content; Experience with MS Publisher.
- Skilled in producing reports, news releases, fact sheets and education materials utilizing Microsoft Office Suite products, WordPress and/or other blogging platforms;
- Knowledge of crisis and risk methods and techniques;
- Ability to act in a tactful and diplomatic manner on sensitive issues with diverse groups and stakeholders; highly tuned interpersonal savvy, some coaching and mentoring skills.
- Experience working in diverse communities; demonstrated passion for public health, equity and social justice and our mission to improve the health and well-being of our residents.
Desired Qualifications:- Fluency in language(s) other than English;
- Experience in working effectively with news media, including developing key messages and acting as a spokesperson;
- Audience research skills;
- Background in education, communications, English, journalism, public health, public administration, or a related field or comparable experience. The most qualified candidates will have a Master's Degree in a related field or will have at least two years of public communications or journalism experience, preferably in a public health or health-related field.
- Supplemental Information
The selected candidate will be required to pass a thorough background investigation.
This selection process may include but is not limited to: evaluation of application materials and supplemental questions, testing and interviewing. For more information on our selection process, please refer to https://www.kingcounty.gov/depts/health/jobs/hiring.aspx
Public Health relies on office automation (Microsoft Office) and web-based enabled tools, therefore candidates must be proficient and comfortable with computer use to perform functions associated with on-going work.
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.
Employees are required to protect the privacy and security of protected health information as defined in State and Federal Law.
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 Affiliation: 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 in public health communications?
- Yes
- No
02If you answered yes to question #1, please describe your experience in public health communications. If you answer no, then type N/A.03Do you have experience working in emergency response?- Yes
- No
04If you answered yes to question #3, please describe your experience in emergency response. If you answer no, then type N/A.05Do you have experience working with blogs and social media for strategic communications?- Yes
- No
06If you answered yes to question #5, please describe your experience working with blogs and/or social media for strategic communications. If you answer no, then type N/A.07Are you proficient in speaking, writing, and reading a language other than English?- Yes
- No
08If you answered yes to question #7, please describe your abilities in speaking, writing, and reading a language other than English. If you answer no, then type N/A09Please tell us about your understanding of and commitment to promoting equity and social justice in the workplace.Required Question