Communications Specialist 2

Salary : $81,144.00 – $98,904.00 Annually

Location : 1055 South Grady Way Renton WA 98057, WA

Job Type: Regular Full-Time

Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid

Job Number: 23-00070

Department: ES – Communications & Engagement

Opening Date: 08/21/2023

Closing Date: 9/11/2023 11:59 PM Pacific

Job Description

The City of Renton’s Executive Services team is recruiting to fill a Communication Specialist 2 vacancy. The Communication Specialist 2 will play an active role in producing and filming content in support of the City’s wide variety of initiatives. Contribute to the City’s vision, mission, and goals in the performance of all job duties. This classification is part of a series and incumbents may also perform duties at the entry level.

Working for the City of Renton comes with an excellent benefits package, including:

• Deferred compensation with the City contributing 3% of the employee’s salary.
• VEBA Plan with the City contributing 1% of the employee’s salary.
• Medical, dental, vision and life insurance at affordable rates
• Paid leave for vacation, sick, eleven holidays and two “personal” holidays a year
• State of Washington Department of Retirement Systems Public Employee Retirement Systems (PERS) plan enrollment

Telework Program:

The City of Renton supports workers performing in a hybrid capacity (partial telework/in-office) where job responsibilities can be performed remotely. This position may be eligible for a telework arrangement, working certain days/times remotely, based on the operational needs of the City and specific Department. Regardless of job title or telework arrangement, City of Renton employees must reside in Washington State and within a reasonable distance to their worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Produce public information content for web, video, electronic, social media, and other formats.
• Record and broadcast weekly Council meetings to public access Channel 21. Manage broadcast uploads to public access Channel 21.
• Research, recommend, and develop new technology or programming to better achieve citywide communication goals.
• Provide technical guidance as part of the communications team for various citywide projects.
• Assist with the dissemination of prompt and accurate emergency information during emergency and disaster situations.
• Provide emergency communications support during activation of the City’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC).
• Assist emergency management staff in developing and implementing comprehensive communications plan for disaster and emergency preparedness.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external contacts and resources.
• Create regular reports to measure and track communications indicators and performance, including website analytics.
• Actively maintain and update information on City’s website and City’s Website Content Management System.
• Work in partnership with external production consultants on City specific programming.
• Responsible for live broadcasts of City Council meetings.
• Assist in preparing and implementing surveys and other public opinion tools.
• Contribute to an environment of teamwork and respect.
• Foster a culture of equity and inclusion by recognizing the diverse needs and perspectives of groups and individuals.
• Remain current with relevant technological advancements as it relates to field.
• Participate in and help provide cross-training in processes as directed by management to ensure a well-rounded team for coverage purposes.
• Maintain regular, reliable, and punctual attendance.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• May be assigned to support City priorities during emergencies.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND LICENSE REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s degree in Visual Arts, Video/Digital Production, Film Studies or Communications or closely related field.
• Minimum 4 years progressively responsible experience in communications, broadcasting, or video/digital production.
• Or minimum 8 years of relevant education and experience.
• Video and audio editing (Adobe Premiere/Adobe Audition) required.
• Valid Drivers’ License.
• Successful passing of a required background check.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Drive to offsite locations to perform essential functions.
• Move throughout City facilities and buildings.
• Operate a computer and other office equipment.
• Communicate with City employees and residents.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Work is performed in an office environment and outdoors in all weather conditions.
• Noise level out in the field is moderately loud.
• Noise level in the office is moderately quiet.
• Work evening and/or weekend hours as needed.
• Night meetings may be required.

Approved reasonable accommodation requests will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.
Selection Procedure
The City of Renton embraces a diverse and inclusive workforce and prides itself on promoting collaboration and teamwork in a positive environment while providing high quality services to the community. For more information about the City of Renton, please visit the following website:

The City has adopted an anonymous application process that prevents hiring managers from seeing personal identifiers, including candidates’ names, addresses, and other similar information. This eliminates the possibility of unintentional or implicit bias during the screening of applications. For that reason, you will not have the ability to attach any documents to your application, including a cover letter or resume. Please make sure to submit a complete, detailed, and updated job application.

Communication from the City of Renton:We primarily communicate via e-mail during the application process. E-mails from rentonwa.gov and/or governmentjobs.com should be placed on your safe domain list to ensure you receive notifications in a timely manner. As a precaution, you may also want to check your junk e-mail folders. We also communicate via text and encourage you to sign up for text alerts when completing your job application.

Recruitment Process:The screening process will include a review of minimum qualifications and applicants selected for an interview will be invited via email to self-schedule a time through the Government Jobs account. At minimum, this position will be subject to a standard criminal background check and professional reference check. This position requires driving and is also subject to a driving record check from the WA State Dept. of Licensing (or other state equivalent). Driving records will be evaluated based on a points system depending on the infraction and severity.

This position is represented by AFSCME, Local 2170, and the applicable benefits are as follows:

Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance

• Employees are offered a choice of medical/vision coverage through either Kaiser Permanente or the City’s self-insured plan. Preferred Provider Option is available through the self-insured plan. Rates for both plans are available on the Benefit webpage. Please click on the link at the bottom of the page for details.
• The dental insurance plan covers services such as regular checkups, x-rays, fillings and crowns. Orthodontia coverage is also provided.

Deferred Compensation Program

• The City contributes 3% of the employee’s base wage rate into a deferred compensation retirement plan.
• Employees may also set aside a percentage of their earnings on a tax-deferred basis.

Retirement Plan

• Employees are enrolled in either the State of Washington Department of Retirement Systems Plan (PERS) or the Public Safety Employees’ Retirement System (PSERS).
• The following position is required to be enrolled in PSERS*
  • Probation Officer

*If an employee was in PERS prior to 2006, the employee had the choice to remain in the PERS plan.

• Both the employee and employer contribute to the plan.

VEBA
The City contributes 1% of base pay into individual employee VEBA accounts, which can be used to pay out of pocket medical expenses.

Life Insurance

• A group term life insurance policy is provided to each employee at a value equivalent to the annual salary, up to $50,000.
• Each eligible dependent is also provided with a $1,000 policy. There is no cost to the employee.
• Optional supplemental insurance is available for employees and their dependents at group rates.

Long Term Disability Protection

• Many employees are provided with a long term disability policy up to the equivalent of 60% of their salary.

Flexible Benefits

• The City offers employees the opportunity to open two separate tax-free accounts through salary reduction. One account is to pay for expenses not covered by health insurance and the other account is for child care costs.

Vacation

• Employees accrue vacation beginning with the first day of employment as follows: 12 days per year (0-5 years); 18 days per year (6-10 years); 21 days per year (11-15 years); 24 days per year (16-20 years); and 27 days per year (21+ years).
• Employees may access their vacation after six months of employment.

Sick Leave

• Upon employment, the employee receives a sick leave bank of 24 hours, with an additional 24 hours awarded after three months.
• Thereafter, sick leave accrues at the rate of four hours each pay period.

Employee Assistance Program

• A confidential counseling assessment and referral service is available without cost to employees and family members for help with personal, family or job-related problems.

Paydays

• The City of Renton pays employees on the tenth and the twenty-fifth of each month (24 pay periods each year).

Holidays

• The City recognizes ten holidays and offers two “personal” holidays each calendar year for most employees, unless otherwise specified in a labor contract.

Hours of Work

• Flexible work schedules are available in many departments.

Transportation

• Unlimited free rides on various bus systems as well as various carpool and rideshare options are available for City employees.

Please see the City of Renton Benefits webpage for more information.

01

Please explain why you are interested in this position and why you believe it is a good time in your career to come to the City of Renton.

02

Do you have experience in video and audio editing?

• Yes
• No

03

Do you possess a valid driver’s license?

• Yes
• No

04

This position will require filming Monday night City Council meetings (typically 5-9pm). Are you available to attend Monday night City Council meetings? Flex time is available.

• Yes
• No

05

Please explain how your skills, experience and/or education qualify you for this position.

06

Do you possess a Bachelor’s degree in Visual Arts, Video/Digital Production, Film Studies, or Communications?

• Yes
• No

07

Do you possess a minimum of four years’ experience in communications, broadcasting or video/digital production?

• Yes
• No

08

Thank you for your interest in joining the City of Renton team. We have adopted an anonymous application process that prevents hiring managers from seeing personal identifiers, such as candidates’ name, contact information, etc. For that reason, you will not have the ability to attach any documents to your application, including a cover letter or resume. You must thoroughly complete the education section (if applicable to the qualifications of this position) and work experience section in chronological order. You must also provide a thorough response to each of the Supplemental Questions.
Please make sure to submit a complete, detailed, and updated job application as described above without any personal identifiers included. Failure to do so may result in elimination from further consideration.

Have you read and understood the information listed above?

• Yes
• No

Required Question