King County
Salary
$1,812.00 - $2,297.20 Weekly
Location
Chinook Building 401 5th Avenue Seattle, WA
Job Type
Term Limited Temporary, Full Time, 40 hrs/wk
Job Number
2025SWJH24049
Department
EXEC - Executive's Office
Division
Administration
Opening Date
02/28/2025
Closing Date
3/14/2025 11:59 PM Pacific
FLSA
Non-Exempt
Bargaining Unit
Z3 : KC Personnel Guidelines
Full- or Part-Time
Full Time
Hours/Week
40 hours/week
Summary
The King County Executive Department is seeking a dynamic and skilled Communications Specialist to support the Economic Development Director and Creative Economy Director in the Office of Economic Opportunity & Creative Economy (OEOCE). This position will play a key role in developing and executing internal and external communications strategies that promote OEOCE's initiatives and elevate King County's commitment to equitable economic development and the creative economy.
The ideal candidate is a creative storyteller, detail-oriented project manager, experienced content manager, and strategic communicator with experience managing digital platforms, media relations, and community outreach. They should be passionate about public service and have a strong interest in economic development and the creative industries. ABOUT THE OFFICE: OEOCE was established in 2023 to coordinate King County's efforts to develop a strong, equitable economy that creates opportunities for all residents. The office: - Develops and implements strategies for economic revitalization and equitable development. - Assists communities and businesses in creating economic opportunities and promoting family-wage jobs. - Develops countywide strategies, aligns policy priorities, and unifies economic development work across executive branch departments. - Promotes key industry sectors, with an intentional focus on the creative economy, including film and music production.
The vision of OEOCE is to build an anti-racist, equitable, resilient, and sustainable regional economy where every person can thrive. ABOUT THE ROLE: The Communications Specialist will be an essential member of the OEOCE team, supporting co-directors and advancing the visibility of OEOCE's programs and initiatives. This role requires creativity, adaptability, and a commitment to equitable storytelling.
The position reports to the Office of Economic Opportunity and Creative Economy directors and works closely with internal and external stakeholders, including County agencies, the Executive Office Communications team, community organizations, and media partners.
Job Duties
Content Development & Strategy: - Develop and implement internal and external communication strategies to advance OEOCE's mission and goals. - Create compelling content for newsletters, press releases, social media, websites, and other digital platforms. - Manage OEOCE's website content and updates, ensuring accessibility and alignment with King County's communications standards. - Draft speeches, talking points, and presentations for OEOCE leadership. Media Relations & Outreach: - Serve as the primary contact for media inquiries and develop relationships with local media outlets. - Develop and distribute press releases, op-eds, and media advisories. - Monitor news coverage and provide daily or weekly media reports to leadership. Community Engagement: - Manage OEOCE's social media channels, creating engaging content to inform and interact with the community. - Collaborate with community partners to amplify local initiatives and promote public engagement opportunities. - Plan and coordinate public events, workshops, and community forums. Project & Administrative Support: - Maintain the OEOCE newsletter mailing list and other communications databases. - Assist with the creation of visual materials, including flyers, infographics, and presentations. - Support the development of the OEOCE annual report and other publications. - Provide communications support for telework meetings, including technical support and note-taking.
Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills
- Proven experience in communications, public relations, or a related field. - Strong writing and editing skills, with proficiency in grammar, punctuation, and style. - Experience managing social media accounts and digital content creation. - Working knowledge of website content management systems (CMS). - Ability to effectively manage multiple projects and deadlines. - Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build relationships with internal and external stakeholders. - Experience with graphic design tools (e.g., Canva, Adobe Creative Suite) is a plus. - Proficiency in using email marketing platforms (e.g., Mailchimp) and CRM systems. - Familiarity with King County's values of equity and social justice. DESIRED EXPERIENCE, QUALIFICATIONS, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS: - Experience in public sector or nonprofit communications. - Knowledge of the local economic development and creative industries landscape. - Bilingual or multilingual proficiency is a plus. - Experience with video production or podcasting. - Familiarity with accessibility standards for digital communications.
Supplemental Information
Forbes recently named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.
Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.
Guided by our " True North ", we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles--we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards.
We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.
King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer
No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.
WHO MAY APPLY : This term-limited temporary opportunity is open to all qualified applicants.
WORK LOCATION and TELECOMMUTING REQUIREMENT : The work associated with this position will be performed in a hybrid fashion of on-site and telework, including at Harbor Island Studios located in Seattle, Washington. Employees will also have access to shared workspaces at King County's Chinook Building at 401 5th Avenue in downtown Seattle. Employees must reside in WA state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.
WORK SCHEDULE : This position is exempt under the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is not overtime eligible. The typical work week is 40 hours per week, Monday - Friday. This position is not represented by a labor organization.
FORMS AND MATERIALS REQUIRED : Please submit a complete online application, resume, and cover letter describing how your education and/or experience relate to the qualifications for this position. Your options are to: Copy and paste one or more documents into the Text Resume section of the application, or Attach multiple documents/files in the Resume Attachment section. Your application may be rejected as incomplete if you do not include the relevant information in the online application and include the information only on the cover letter and resume. Applications responses stating "see my resume" or "see my personnel file" are considered incomplete and will not be accepted. CONTACT
: If you have any questions about the application requirements, please contact HR Manager Seth Watson ( seth.watson@kingcounty.gov ) or HR Analyst Dan Grant ( dan.grant@kingcounty.gov ).
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:
Excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage options: King County provides eligible employees with options, so they can decide what's best for themselves and their eligible dependents 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: eligible King County employees may 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 12paid holidays each year plus twopersonal holidays Generous vacation and paid sick leave Paid parental,family and medical, and volunteer leaves Flexible Spending Account Wellness programs Onsite activity centers Employee Giving Program Employee assistance programs Flexible schedules and telecommuting options, depending on position Training and career development programs For additional information about employee benefits, visit our Benefits, Payroll, and Retirement Page .
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.
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. recblid 3juelu08zxwvl6elpt7o6ctxi20ln6
$1,812.00 - $2,297.20 Weekly
Location
Chinook Building 401 5th Avenue Seattle, WA
Job Type
Term Limited Temporary, Full Time, 40 hrs/wk
Job Number
2025SWJH24049
Department
EXEC - Executive's Office
Division
Administration
Opening Date
02/28/2025
Closing Date
3/14/2025 11:59 PM Pacific
FLSA
Non-Exempt
Bargaining Unit
Z3 : KC Personnel Guidelines
Full- or Part-Time
Full Time
Hours/Week
40 hours/week
Summary
The King County Executive Department is seeking a dynamic and skilled Communications Specialist to support the Economic Development Director and Creative Economy Director in the Office of Economic Opportunity & Creative Economy (OEOCE). This position will play a key role in developing and executing internal and external communications strategies that promote OEOCE's initiatives and elevate King County's commitment to equitable economic development and the creative economy.
The ideal candidate is a creative storyteller, detail-oriented project manager, experienced content manager, and strategic communicator with experience managing digital platforms, media relations, and community outreach. They should be passionate about public service and have a strong interest in economic development and the creative industries. ABOUT THE OFFICE: OEOCE was established in 2023 to coordinate King County's efforts to develop a strong, equitable economy that creates opportunities for all residents. The office: - Develops and implements strategies for economic revitalization and equitable development. - Assists communities and businesses in creating economic opportunities and promoting family-wage jobs. - Develops countywide strategies, aligns policy priorities, and unifies economic development work across executive branch departments. - Promotes key industry sectors, with an intentional focus on the creative economy, including film and music production.
The vision of OEOCE is to build an anti-racist, equitable, resilient, and sustainable regional economy where every person can thrive. ABOUT THE ROLE: The Communications Specialist will be an essential member of the OEOCE team, supporting co-directors and advancing the visibility of OEOCE's programs and initiatives. This role requires creativity, adaptability, and a commitment to equitable storytelling.
The position reports to the Office of Economic Opportunity and Creative Economy directors and works closely with internal and external stakeholders, including County agencies, the Executive Office Communications team, community organizations, and media partners.
Job Duties
Content Development & Strategy: - Develop and implement internal and external communication strategies to advance OEOCE's mission and goals. - Create compelling content for newsletters, press releases, social media, websites, and other digital platforms. - Manage OEOCE's website content and updates, ensuring accessibility and alignment with King County's communications standards. - Draft speeches, talking points, and presentations for OEOCE leadership. Media Relations & Outreach: - Serve as the primary contact for media inquiries and develop relationships with local media outlets. - Develop and distribute press releases, op-eds, and media advisories. - Monitor news coverage and provide daily or weekly media reports to leadership. Community Engagement: - Manage OEOCE's social media channels, creating engaging content to inform and interact with the community. - Collaborate with community partners to amplify local initiatives and promote public engagement opportunities. - Plan and coordinate public events, workshops, and community forums. Project & Administrative Support: - Maintain the OEOCE newsletter mailing list and other communications databases. - Assist with the creation of visual materials, including flyers, infographics, and presentations. - Support the development of the OEOCE annual report and other publications. - Provide communications support for telework meetings, including technical support and note-taking.
Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills
- Proven experience in communications, public relations, or a related field. - Strong writing and editing skills, with proficiency in grammar, punctuation, and style. - Experience managing social media accounts and digital content creation. - Working knowledge of website content management systems (CMS). - Ability to effectively manage multiple projects and deadlines. - Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build relationships with internal and external stakeholders. - Experience with graphic design tools (e.g., Canva, Adobe Creative Suite) is a plus. - Proficiency in using email marketing platforms (e.g., Mailchimp) and CRM systems. - Familiarity with King County's values of equity and social justice. DESIRED EXPERIENCE, QUALIFICATIONS, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS: - Experience in public sector or nonprofit communications. - Knowledge of the local economic development and creative industries landscape. - Bilingual or multilingual proficiency is a plus. - Experience with video production or podcasting. - Familiarity with accessibility standards for digital communications.
Supplemental Information
Forbes recently named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.
Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.
Guided by our " True North ", we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles--we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards.
We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.
King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer
No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.
WHO MAY APPLY : This term-limited temporary opportunity is open to all qualified applicants.
WORK LOCATION and TELECOMMUTING REQUIREMENT : The work associated with this position will be performed in a hybrid fashion of on-site and telework, including at Harbor Island Studios located in Seattle, Washington. Employees will also have access to shared workspaces at King County's Chinook Building at 401 5th Avenue in downtown Seattle. Employees must reside in WA state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.
WORK SCHEDULE : This position is exempt under the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is not overtime eligible. The typical work week is 40 hours per week, Monday - Friday. This position is not represented by a labor organization.
FORMS AND MATERIALS REQUIRED : Please submit a complete online application, resume, and cover letter describing how your education and/or experience relate to the qualifications for this position. Your options are to: Copy and paste one or more documents into the Text Resume section of the application, or Attach multiple documents/files in the Resume Attachment section. Your application may be rejected as incomplete if you do not include the relevant information in the online application and include the information only on the cover letter and resume. Applications responses stating "see my resume" or "see my personnel file" are considered incomplete and will not be accepted. CONTACT
: If you have any questions about the application requirements, please contact HR Manager Seth Watson ( seth.watson@kingcounty.gov ) or HR Analyst Dan Grant ( dan.grant@kingcounty.gov ).
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:
Excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage options: King County provides eligible employees with options, so they can decide what's best for themselves and their eligible dependents 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: eligible King County employees may 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 12paid holidays each year plus twopersonal holidays Generous vacation and paid sick leave Paid parental,family and medical, and volunteer leaves Flexible Spending Account Wellness programs Onsite activity centers Employee Giving Program Employee assistance programs Flexible schedules and telecommuting options, depending on position Training and career development programs For additional information about employee benefits, visit our Benefits, Payroll, and Retirement Page .
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.
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. recblid 3juelu08zxwvl6elpt7o6ctxi20ln6