Communications Specialist II

Everett, WA Everett, WA Full-time Full-time $75,973 - $92,430 a year $75,973 - $92,430 a year 14 hours ago 14 hours ago 14 hours ago Description Help spread the news about all the Public Works services and projects offered throughout Snohomish County! Join us as our Communications Specialist II and become part of an award winning, strategic, and creative Communications team, a workgroup within the Transportation and Environmental Services (TES) Division.Public Works is hiring a self-starter with strong writing skills, innovative thinking, and resourceful client management capabilities.The ideal candidate will demonstrate a positive, collaborative attitude and the ability to work effectively in a team environment.The Communications Specialist II is responsible for a broad variety of duties including:Strategic critical planning - providing communications guidance and developing a broad spectrum of campaigns and events such as:ribbon cutting and groundbreaking celebrations, meetings to introduce upcoming projects and gather public input, and online open houses.Various types of writing - composing press releases, communications plans, news or publication articles, brochures, webpages, fact sheets, social media postings, and more.Client and project management - on each assigned project, acquiring an understanding of the project scope, developing a communications plan, and updating information delivered to the public.Media relations and management - developing and maintaining media relationships, coordinating media requests, pitching stories to reporters, and providing county staff with media training.Social media and analytical metrics - developing social media campaigns, responding to public postings, and monitoring the metrics used to measure the success of all planned outreach.Webpage development and management - creating project webpages, ensuring all project information is accurate and updated in a timely manner, and monitoring webpage metrics.Video creation and editing - creating storyboards, and composing scripts and film, and editing short videos for use on the county website, social media, and in-person events.The Communications group is responsible for providing transportation and solid waste information to the public via various platforms.Other divisional responsibilities include traffic operations and maintenance, planning and prioritizing county road activities, and performing environmental reviews of projects.Visit the Transportation and Environmental Services webpage 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, 201 bridges and 202 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 www.snohomishcountywa.gov/PublicWorks 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.Benefits Snohomish 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:Retirement:County employees participate in the Washington State Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) administered by the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems (DRS).MedicalBenefits:The County offers a choice of three comprehensive medical insurance plans 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 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 11 paid legal holidays per year and provides employees with two floating holidays annually.Benefits:The County offers a wide range of benefits including medical and dental, vision, life insurance, Long Term Disability, deferred compensation and more.Deferred Compensation: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 Options The 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, north of Seattle, is located in northwest Washington between the Puget Sound and the Cascade Mountains.The county has rich scenery, numerous activities, and a thriving economy.Snohomish County is a great place to live, work, play, and raise a family.Snohomish County - The Future We Choose - video 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 advanced skills in one or more specific disciplines in the communications field or in project-related subject matter, and may be assigned to work primarily or exclusively in that area as needed, such as, journalistic writing and editing, public education, group-process facilitation, Internet production, media relations, etc.STATEMENT OF ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES Produces professional-quality communications products in support of a variety of County projects and programs; generally serves as a resource of advanced expertise in one or more specific skill areas.Works with project managers to develop and implement overall public involvement and communications strategies for County programs and projects.Coordinates, schedules, sets up and conducts County public involvement, educational, informational programs, meetings and events.Writes and edits communication materials for clients, including press releases, newsletters, brochures, special presentations, advertising and other education and outreach materials.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.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 citizens' input into county projects and programs.May manage project budgets and assist in the preparation of budget estimates for work requested by directors and project managers.Works with other departmental staff as needed to design, produce, distribute and present informational material to the public.Recruits and coordinates citizen volunteers and participants for County outreach and education activities.Prepares monthly report of activities and accomplishments.Develops substantive educational programs in support of program-related objectives.STATEMENT OF OTHER JOB DUTIES Performs related duties as assigned by a group lead or Supervisor.Supervises the work of temporary employees and outside vendors.Minimum Qualifications A Bachelor's degree in communications, English, journalism, public relations, education or related field AND, four (4) years of experience in public relations, education or similar communications field; OR, any equivalent combination of training and experience that provides the required knowledge and abilities.Must pass job related tests.PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS 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 financial and project management Ability to:demonstrate advanced proficiency in one or more communications disciplines 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 manage projects through work plan development and implementation, financial management, project evaluation and reporting use a variety of technologic equipment and software SUPERVISION The employee reports to and receives direction from an Administrative Superior as assigned.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.Occasional field trips to view projects will be required.Occasional 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.EEO policy and ADA notice.Estimated Salary: $20 to $28 per hour based on qualifications.