Communications Specialist I

Salary : $72,385.32 – $87,943.32 Annually

Location : Everett, WA

Job Type: Full-Time

Job Number: 2023-PWK4202R-AUG

Department: Public Works

Division: Public Works TES Communications

Opening Date: 09/06/2023

Closing Date: 9/20/2023 11:59 PM Pacific

Description

Are you looking to build your career while helping a team of professionals communicate with and serve a county-wide audience? Do you have creative energy, whether it is in the context of 280 or 2,800 characters? Snohomish County Public Works is hiring a key Communications Specialist Iposition to join an award winning, strategic, and creative Communications Team within the

The Communications Specialist I position will assist in public outreach regarding our projects and programs while also promoting all the various services the department offers.

Qualified candidates:
The position requires a self-starter with strong writing skills, innovative thinking, and resourceful project management capabilities. A necessity is possessing a positive, collaborative attitude and the ability to work effectively in a team environment. Some of the specific duties include:

• Social media platforms and management tools – generate social media content; oversee social media platforms, calendar, and public responses; and monitor/analyze metrics to measure success.
• Photo depository – oversee organization and management of photo depository’s files and folders; add tags and descriptive text for incoming photos.
• Various types of writing – compose press releases, communications plans, news or publication articles, social media postings, and more. Writing style must be grammatically correct, creative, concise, informational, and layman friendly.
• Media relations – pitch stories to industry publications and local media reporters.
• Public engagement – communicating with the public through submitted inquiries and comments via social media, Road Information email, Adopt-A-Road program, and by phone.
• Public events – support public open houses and other public events with researching venues, generating mailing lists, handouts, displays, ads, signage, nametags, and logistics such as packing, loading, setting-up, refreshments, etc., as needed.

The Communications Team is responsible for creating public awareness about Public Works projects and services, through various forms of media communications. Other responsibilities within the Transportation and Environmental Services (TES) division include traffic operations and maintenance, planning and prioritizing County road activities, and performing environmental reviews of projects.

Visit the to learn more about our division.

Join Snohomish County Public Works and enjoy these perks:

• Make a contribution in shaping one of Washington’s fastest growing counties.
• Join an award-winning organization well known for excellence and commitment to high-quality public service.
• Advancement opportunities.
• Employee development and training opportunities.
• Excellent medical, dental, and other benefits.
• Earn a Pension! Start vesting for a Washington Department of Retirement System (DRS) PERS pension.
• Security, stability, and a lifelong career!

About Snohomish County Public Works Department
Snohomish County Public Works is responsible for more than 1,650 miles of county roads, 200 bridges and 200 traffic control signals, as well as processing nearly 600,000 tons of garbage per year. Its mission is to focus on safety and mobility while practicing fiscal responsibility and preserving the environment. Public Works has won numerous state and national honors for its work and is the largest department within Snohomish County government with approximately 500 employees plus seasonal staff. Its main office is located at 3000 Rockefeller Ave., Everett, WA 98201.

Visit for more information about Snohomish County Public Works.

When joining Public Works, you will work in an environment where innovation, collaboration and continuous improvement is highly encouraged and supported. We strive to not only provide a meaningful job, but a lifelong career at Snohomish County.

BenefitsSnohomish County is a great place to live, work, play, and raise a family and will be invested in your success and growth. We are proud to offer an outstanding benefit package to employees and their dependents. We offer competitive wages; job flexibility and stability; pension opportunities; and employer paid ORCA cards. Snohomish County will be invested in your success and growth and offers the following benefits to our employees. Your salary is only part of your Total Compensation Package:

• : County employees participate in the Washington State Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) administered by the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems (DRS).
• benefits: The County offers a choice of three comprehensive medical insurance plan with low deductibles. The county’s contribution to this benefit is significant.
• Flexible work schedules for some positions.
• Career development training
• Sick leave: You will accrue eight (8) hours of sick leave per month.
• Vacation Leave: You will start out accruing 8 hours of vacation leave per month totaling 2.4 weeks of vacation in your first year. Your leave accruals increase based on your years of employment with the County.
• Holiday Pay: The County observes eleven (11) paid legal holidays per year and provides employees with two (2) floating holidays annually.
• Benefits: The County offers a wide range of benefits including, medical, and dental, vision, life insurance, LTD, deferred compensation and more.
• : If you choose to participate in the Deferred Compensation Plan (DCP), the County will match your contributions up to 1 percent of your base monthly salary.
• Pay Increases: Each year you will be eligible for a step increase until you reach the top step.
• Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA): County employees typically receive yearly cost of living adjustments.

Teleworking OptionsThe work associated with this position can be performed with a hybrid of remote work and in-office work as needed and assigned. For employees who prefer to work in the office full time, that option is also available.

Employees will be provided with a County issued laptop and must maintain a home workspace with an internet connection where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours. Snohomish County has a robust collection of tools and resources to support working remotely. A Snohomish County Telework agreement is required for employees assigned to telework.

Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their Snohomish County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.

About Snohomish County
Snohomish County, , is located in northwest Washington between the Puget Sound and the Cascade Mountains. The county has rich scenery, numerous activities, and a thriving economy. is a great place to live, work, play, and raise a family.

Snohomish County The Future We Choose

For information about this job opportunity and posting, please email: SPW-Recruitment

Job Duties

BASIC FUNCTION
To support the County’s public relations and communications efforts performing general skills and abilities in journalistic writing and editing for print and electronic media, graphic design and production, group process methods, public outreach, education, citizen participation and media relations.

STATEMENT OF ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES

1. Works with project managers to implement public involvement and communications activities for County programs and projects.
2. Coordinates, schedules, set up and conduct public involvement, educational, informational programs, meetings and events.
3. Writes and edits communications materials for clients, including press releases, newsletters, brochures, special presentations, and other education and outreach materials.
4. Develops plans for public meetings and presentations; works with project managers and other presenters to plan and rehearse presentations; acts as group facilitator as needed.
5. Makes presentations at public meetings and to various organizations, service clubs, and other groups to explain county projects and programs; works to engage the public and stakeholder groups and to capture citizen input into county projects and programs.
6. Assists in the preparation of budget estimates for work requested by directors and project managers.
7. Works with other departmental staff as needed to design, produce, distribute and present informational material to the public.
8. Recruits and coordinates citizen volunteers and participants for County outreach and education activities.
9. Prepares monthly report of activities and accomplishments.

STATEMENT OF OTHER JOB DUTIES

1. Performs related duties as assigned by group lead or Supervisor.

Minimum Qualifications

A Bachelor’s degree in communications, English, journalism, public relations, education or other discipline in which the course work emphasizes communications, writing, or the dissemination of information; AND two (2) years of experience in public relations, education or similar communications field. Work related experience may be substituted for the required education or training on a year for year basis; OR, any equivalent combination of training and experience that provides the required knowledge and abilities. Must pass job related tests.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Previous experience with public projects is preferred.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
A valid Washington State driver’s license is required for employment.

Additional Information

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES
Knowledge of:

• concepts and techniques of public involvement and group process
• methods and techniques used in the production and presentation of press releases, brochures and pamphlets
• electronic media
• internet and computer-based communications
• audiovisual presentation methods and equipment
• graphic art techniques, methods, and materials
• photographic techniques and equipment
• consumer/market research methods
• attitude and opinion survey techniques

Ability to:

• communicate effectively both orally and in writing
• speak convincingly in public and before groups
• anticipate public concerns and interests and develop involvement efforts to meet citizens’ and the County’s needs
• establish and maintain effective work relationships with supervisors, peers, associates, media representatives, and the general public
• use a variety of audiovisual and presentation equipment

SUPERVISION
The employee reports to and receives direction from a Lead or Supervisor. Work is reviewed through meetings and periodic status reports and by evaluation of results obtained.

WORKING CONDITIONS
The work is performed in the usual office environment. Frequent field trips to view projects will be required. Frequent night meetings and occasional work on weekends and holidays may be required.

Snohomish County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer.
Accommodations for individuals with disabilities are provided upon request.

Snohomish County offers a comprehensive benefits package to employees that receive a regular appointment who work at least 20 hours a week.
Visit to learn more about the following benefits.

County Benefits

• Medical Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Retirement
• Basic Group Term Life Insurance/ Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance
• Long Term Disability (LTD)
• Commuting Benefits
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Partners for Health Employee Wellness Program
• Leave & Holidays

Voluntary Benefits

• Deferred Compensation 457(b)
• Supplemental Group Term Life Insurance
• Additional Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance (AD&D)
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Supplemental Individual Insurance Policies

Healthcare Premiums

• Regular full-time employees: If you work 35 or more hours per week, you will pay these for medical insurance. The County pays the for vision, dental, and basic life insurance.
• Regular part-time employees: If you work between 20 and 34 hours per week, you will pay for medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance. The County’s contribution toward the premium for an employee in a regular part-time appointment will be pro-rated in an amount equal to the F.T.E. percentage the employee is assigned.

Note: Temporary employees, seasonal employees and paid interns may be eligible for medical insurance benefits. Review the County’s to learn more.

01

Following is a series of supplemental questions designed to assess your job related experience and qualifications. Please note that as part of the screening process your responses will be reviewed in conjunction with your general online application. The employment history and education detailed in your general application must validate/support your responses to the supplemental questions. If your responses cannot be validated, you will not proceed to the next steps of the review/selection process.
A resume will not substitute for the general online application or supplemental questions; responses such as “see resume” or “see application” will not be considered.

Do you agree to answer each question truthfully and that your responses can be supported by your general application/work history and by your references?

• Yes
• No

02

What is your highest level of completed education in communications, English, journalism, public relations, education or other discipline in which the course work emphasizes communications, writing, or the dissemination of information?

• No degree
• Associates degree
• Bachelor’s degree
• Master’s degree or higher

03

How many years of experience do you have in public relations, education or similar communications field?

• No experience to less than two (2) years of experience
• Two (2) years to less than four (4) years of experience
• Four (4) years to less than six (6) years of experience
• Six (6) or more years of experience

04

Do you have a valid Washington State Driver’s License or the ability to obtain one within thirty (30) days of employment?

• Yes, I have a valid Washington State Driver’s License
• No, but I have the ability to obtain one within thirty (30) days of employment
• No, I do not have the ability to obtain one

05

Describe your professional experience in creating, maintaining, and measuring social media platforms for an organization or business.

06

How have your organizational skills helped you succeed with ongoing tasks that require quick turnaround and continual monitoring? Example: public inquiries on social media during an emergency event or requests for support from numerous staff members.

07

How many years of professional writing experience do you have and for what type of organization(s) or business(es)? Please include details of the specific writing mediums you have used (i.e., press releases, communications plans, news or publication articles, brochures, webpages, fact sheets, social media, and other mediums).

08

Describe your professional experience working in news media management and/or for a news media. Please include your role and level of responsibility.

Required Question