Communications Consultant 3 | Shoreline, WA
About WSDOT
Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is the steward of an integrated, multimodal transportation system that helps to ensure people and goods move safely and efficiently throughout the state. In addition to building, maintaining, and operating the state highway system, WSDOT operates the largest ferry system in the nation, manages the world's longest floating bridge, and recently completed the world's widest tunneling project.
The Opportunity
WSDOT has an exciting opportunity for a highly motivated communications professional to join the Northwest Region Communications Team. This is a key role tasked with informing the traveling public about road closures, incidents, and maintenance. The ideal candidate is a self-starter that can effectively identify, research, and respond to issues that arise and become progressively more independent as the knowledge base increases. The successful incumbent will create transparency for the agency, helping to build trust, maintain public confidence, and support people and goods traveling safely.
What to Expect
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Communications Consultant 3 will:
- Perform frontline communications work in the Traffic Management Center working with the media during emergencies and roadway incidents.
- Participate in Live, taped and print media interviews.
- Distribute regularly updated information to the media and the general public via social media, webpages, emails and phone calls.
- Provide on-call communications on nights and weekends on a rotating basis.
- Develop and implement communications plans for maintenance, traffic operations and construction issues as they arise. This will include creating blogs, videos, webpage content, folios, briefing papers, newsletters, brochures and media/stakeholder lists.
- Edit and maintain agency websites ensuring appropriate and consistent formatting, content, style, language and messaging.
- Manage closure information for maintenance, operations and construction.
- Coach WSDOT staff to be successful in media interviews.
- Draft public correspondence and content for other customers with explanations for highly technical issues using plain talk standards.
Qualifications
To be considered for this opportunity, the following are required:
- A Bachelor’s degree in English, Journalism, Communications, Public Relations, Political Science, Social Science or related field AND at least three years of journalism and/or public relations experience. (Additional professional experience in information, journalism, or public relations will be substituted, year for year, for education.)
It is preferred that qualified candidates also have:
- A bachelor’s degree or a combination of four years of education and relevant media/communications experience. This person will excel in writing, social media, media communications, videography and non-linear editing. They will use their experience in project management to review and edit written materials that include press releases, project webpages, communication plans and correspondence.
- Ability to understand complex technical transportation issues and translate them into clear, understandable information to the public that casts WSDOT in a positive and accountable light and is consistent with WSDOT strategic messages.
- Ability to develop and implement WSDOT strategic messaging in a variety of materials including webpages, newsletters, brochures, press releases, interviews, correspondence, and communications plans.
- The ability to speak clearly and comfortably during a live interview setting.
- Knowledge and background in public speaking, writing, editing, English grammar, punctuation, spelling and diction, graphics arts and printing methods and materials.
- Ability to use a variety of software including CMS/Drupal. Ability to use still cameras and video cameras to further WSDOT messages and goals.
- Experience working independently by identifying a problem, developing strategies and implementing solutions with progressively less oversight.
- Ability to foster and maintain excellent working relationships even in time of stress and conflict. Proven experience organizing and prioritizing work despite tight deadlines, multiple customers and competing priorities.
- Knowledge of public relations, public involvement, marketing, customer service, highway transportation systems, construction, media relations, and community relations (including working with disadvantage, minority and non-English speaking communities).
- Background in and thorough understanding of high-risk/high-stress communications, media relations, and politics.
Important Notes
- The salary listed for this position includes a legislative approved 5% premium for workers in King County.
- The Communications Consultant 3 will work occasional nights and weekends during high-impact construction season. This position is part of an on-call rotation for one week at a time for up to 10 times per year, including, working one or more holidays.
- Due to the COVID-19 restrictions, this position will be remote in a telework capacity full-time. Once the restrictions are lifted, WSDOT supports a flexible work schedule with partial telework opportunities, depending on business needs and prior supervisor approval.