City of Bellingham, WA
Assistant Communications and Community Relations Director
City of Bellingham, WA, Bellingham, Washington, us, 98227
Salary :
$101,292.00 - $123,120.00 Annually Location :
City of Bellingham, WA Job Type:
Full Time Job Number:
25-Asst.Comms&CommunityRel Dir Department:
Executive Opening Date:
03/07/2025 Closing Date:
3/28/2025 4:30 PM Pacific FLSA:
Exempt Bargaining Unit:
Eteam
Nature of Work The City of Bellingham is seeking an innovative and adaptable Assistant Communications and Community Relations Director to play a key role in shaping communication and public engagement strategies that keep Bellingham informed and connected. If you're an expert at creating strategic communications, designing meaningful ways to engage with community members, and thoughtfully managing community relations, and you are ready to help us tackle exciting challenges with integrity, we want to hear from you! Join our growing, dynamic team and make a real impact on how we serve the people who matter most-our community. JOB SUMMARY:
Assists in establishing, managing and implementing effective communications, community relations and public involvement strategies to achieve Citywide goals of fostering meaningful public engagement and providing timely, accurate, understandable information to the residents of Bellingham and others. Serves as an internal consultant, advising the Mayor, department heads and other staff on communication strategies and implementation methods based on internal and external communication policies, needs and best practices. Assists the Communications Director in developing and managing the City's communications and related policies and procedures and overseeing communications Citywide, including both external and internal mass communications, public information and outreach, public involvement, public opinion research and media relations. Develops and facilitates strategic approaches to emerging issues. Serves a direct role in emergency response within the incident command system. Participates in ensuring the City's commitment to Accessibility, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (ADEI) is incorporated in communications and public involvement initiatives and actively contributes to an inclusive City government. A high level of discretion and sensitivity is required in performing the work.
SALARY AND BENEFITS:
The current full salary range for this position is $8,441 /month - $10,260/month.
Employees receive step increases annually in accordance with the and City policy. Research has demonstrated that salary negotiation can further inequality due to bias across gender and race. To prevent negotiation bias, the City places new employees within the published salary range based on qualifications and professional experience as listed on the application material, in accordance with City policy. This is in line with the City's commitment to accessibility, diversity, equity, and inclusion. Candidates who exceed the minimum experience requirements shall be given credit for advanced step placement at the rate of one additional pay step for each two full years of directly related or equivalent professional experience beyond the minimum requirements. Candidates who meet minimum qualifications or have experience that is not directly related or in a lower-level position will be placed at step one in the salary range. For positions that require a bachelor's degree, one additional step may be granted for applicants with a master's degree in a related field when the master's degree is not required to meet minimum qualifications. The City's HR Department regularly evaluates minimum qualifications to provide equitable employment opportunities.
For internal candidates, placement within the range is based on City Pay Placement Procedures. At the City of Bellingham, we offer a comprehensive benefits package that helps you thrive in both your career and personal life. Join our team and enjoy peace of mind knowing that you and your loved ones are well cared for. Here's a closer look at the outstanding benefits that come with being part of our team. You can and 13.33 hours of vacation leave per month, with increased accrual over time 12 paid holidays + 1 floating holiday per year 40 hours of sick leave upon hire + 8 hours accrued monthly Medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and their families Life insurance and long-term disability coverage Flexible spending accounts and medical insurance opt-out program Access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Washington State Retirement plan (DRS) for retirement security Optional 457 deferred compensation savings plan and 401(a) Retirement Savings Plan with employer match Leave accruals are based on 1.0 FTE, accruals are pro-rated if part-time and require employees to be in paid status at least 120 hours/month. Closing Date/Time: Fri. 3/28/2025 4:30 PM Pacific Time ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE JOB: Under the guidance of the Communications Director, establishes, manages and implements effective communications, media relations and public involvement strategies Citywide to foster meaningful public engagement and provide timely, accurate, understandable information to the residents of Bellingham and others. Responsible for the organization, scheduling and production of community information activities. Serves as an advisor to the Mayor and executive management staff on communications strategies, policies, procedures and issues. Consults with department directors, program managers and other staff on communications, community relations, public engagement and related needs. Develops, recommends, facilitates and implements strategic approaches to emerging issues. Develops, recommends, and implements plans to increase awareness of City programs and participation in the City's decision-making processes. Works with other City staff in the development of outreach programs to encourage public engagement and participation in City government and to encourage use of public programs and facilities. Participates in strategic planning and manages content and scheduling for City homepage, television programs, social media, newsletters and other mass communications, according to City policies, procedures, and communications best practices. Convenes City communications staff teams, interdepartmental project teams, and other internal stakeholder groups to support and inform policy development, strategies and projects Represents the City's communications, community relations and public engagement interests in interagency and/or partner efforts. Plans, develops, coordinates and produces public information products including brochures, fact sheets, news releases, audio/visual and television programs, website and other informational, educational and promotional materials using current communications technologies. Serves as a public information officer and disseminates prompt, accurate public information during emergency and disaster situations. Actively participates in ensuring accessible and inclusive communication and public engagement strategies are utilized Citywide. Assists with forming, convening and facilitating advisory boards, commissions and other stakeholder groups. Plans and coordinates and/or supports the planning and coordination of events such as celebrations, public forums and community activities. ADDITIONAL WORK PERFORMED:
May be assigned special project work. May prepare requests for proposals and scopes of work for solicitation of consultants and manage consultant contracts and intergovernmental agreements. May oversee public opinion research efforts. Performs related duties of a similar nature and level.
WORKING ENVIRONMENT:
Generally works in an office environment with extensive time spent at a computer workstation. Work involves frequent interaction with City staff and the public. Duties are frequently performed under the stress of information deadlines, pressure from the public, and/or the press for information on sensitive issues. The conditions encountered will vary depending on the sensitivity and complexity of the information to be disseminated. Requires attendance and participation in evening and weekend meetings and events. May require occasional travel to professional seminars and meetings. Physical ability to perform the essential functions of the position including:
Frequently operate a computer and other office machinery such as a keyboard, mouse, phone and fax machine; Ability to communicate accurate information and ideas to City employees and the public; Move between work sites Ability to transport objects weighing up to 25 lbs. Experience and Training
Bachelor's degree in communications or related field required. Master's degree preferred. A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in communications, community relations, public engagement or related fields, with responsibility for advising senior management staff, is required. Significant government experience preferred. Demonstrated ability to work with cross-functional teams and manage multiple projects simultaneously required. Demonstrated excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills required. Demonstrated experience developing and implementing communications and outreach strategies to achieve defined objectives required. Demonstrated experience in working with print, broadcast and digital media is required. A combination of experience and training that provides the candidate with the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the responsibilities of this position will be considered.
Necessary Special Requirements
Employment contingent upon passing a criminal background check. (See Fair Hiring Practices) Valid Washington State driver's license and good driving record. Candidates must submit a three-year driving abstract prior to hire. Verification of ability to work in the United States by date of hire. Requires evening and weekend work to attend meetings, respond to emergent issues, and meet time-sensitive deadlines. Certificate of completion from Federal Emergency Management (FEMA) /Emergency Management Institute (EMI) Independent Study Courses within 12 months of hire: IS-29.A Public Information Officer Awareness; E/L0105 Public Information Basics. Selection Process **You are encouraged to print a copy of this job announcement for your reference as the process moves along**
We require a cover letter as part of the application process. Your letter should be no longer than one page.
Within the cover letter, please indicate why you are interested in the City of Bellingham's Assistant Communications and Community Relations Director position and why this position is the next right step for you in your career. Please ensure your application is complete and all required information has been provided. Standard completeness means all application fields (contact information, personal information, education, work experience, references, and supplemental questions). Application materials should comprehensively document your experience and skills related to the position responsibilities and experience/training requirements. As part of the City's commitment to reducing bias in the hiring process, Human Resources redacts personally identifiable information for reviewers. Only the documents listed as required will be reviewed. Interviews for the most qualified candidates are tentatively scheduled for April 23, 2025. Invitations to participate in the interview process will be sent via e-mail on or around April 14, 2025.
Please Note: Candidates will receive updates regarding application status via email. Please be sure to check your email frequently, including your spam folders for messages filtered by your email providers. Equal Opportunity:
Our environment is characterized by respect for cultural backgrounds, belief systems, and ethnic diversity. The City of Bellingham is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in its work force. We do not make decisions on the basis of an individual's race, religion, creed, color, national origin, sex, marital status, age (40+), disability, retaliation, sexual orientation or gender identity, honorably discharged veteran or military status, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking, use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, or any other basis prohibited by local, state, or federal law. All are encouraged to apply for employment.
Fair Hiring Practices
The City provides individuals who have been arrested or convicted of a criminal offense an equal and fair opportunity to obtain employment. The City will not inquire about an applicant's criminal history until after a conditional job offer has been made. The City will disregard the prior arrest and conviction record of an otherwise qualified individual unless the offense is directly related to the job position for which the individual has applied. The City will notify an otherwise qualified applicant about a potentially disqualifying conviction and give the applicant an opportunity to submit information regarding the accuracy of the criminal records as well as evidence of mitigation or rehabilitation, as appropriate. There are many good reasons for working at the City of Bellingham. The work is rewarding and you have an opportunity to serve your community. Another good reason is the great benefits that the City offers its employees. See our for additional information. This position is unrepresented. Specific benefit information including Holidays, Vacation Accruals, Health, Dental and Vision Plans with cost sharing and Deferred Compensation Match can be found in the This position is covered by the State of Washington Department of Retirement Systems PERS plan. PERS requires mandatory
employee
and City contributions. Please visit the for more information on PERS. 01
Thank you for your interest in this position at the City of Bellingham! To ensure a consistent review, only the City of Bellingham job application and required supplemental documents will be reviewed. Cover letters and resumes are not reviewed unless they are
required
as part of the process. When applying for this position, you must thoroughly complete each section of your application, and provide a thorough response to each of the supplemental questions. Please do not indicate "see resume" or copy content that is unrelated to the position being applied for from your resume when answering these questions. Have you read and understood the information listed above?
Yes No
02
We require a cover letter as part of the application process. Your letter should be no longer than one page. Within the cover letter, please indicate why you are interested in the City of Bellingham's Assistant Communications and Community Relations Director position and why this position is the next right step for you in your career. Have you included your cover letter with your application? Applications without a cover letter will be considered incomplete.
Yes No 03
Do you have a Bachelor's degree in communications or a related field?
Yes No
04
Do you have a minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in communications, community relations, public engagement, or related fields, with responsibility for advising senior management staff? (Note: Significant government experience is preferred)
Yes No
05
Are you able to demonstrate you meet all of the following requirements: - Ability to work with cross-functional teams and manage multiple projects simultaneously - Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills - Experience developing and implementing communications and outreach strategies to achieve defined objectives - Experience in working with print, broadcast and digital media
Yes No
06
Or in place of the above requirements, do you have a combination of relevant education and experience that provides you with the required knowledge, skill and ability to be considered? If yes, please briefly describe. 07
Please provide an overview of your professional experience in communications, community relations, or public engagement over the past five years. Specifically, describe your roles and responsibilities, including any experience advising senior management. Be sure to highlight examples where you worked with cross-functional teams, managed multiple projects simultaneously, and any government-related experience you may have. 08
Please describe your experience working with print, broadcast, and digital media in previous roles. Describe ways you've crafted and executed communication strategies across these different platforms to engage audiences, manage messaging, or respond to emerging issues. Note: Links or attachments to work samples will not be accepted. Please use the text box below to respond to the supplemental question. Required Question
$101,292.00 - $123,120.00 Annually Location :
City of Bellingham, WA Job Type:
Full Time Job Number:
25-Asst.Comms&CommunityRel Dir Department:
Executive Opening Date:
03/07/2025 Closing Date:
3/28/2025 4:30 PM Pacific FLSA:
Exempt Bargaining Unit:
Eteam
Nature of Work The City of Bellingham is seeking an innovative and adaptable Assistant Communications and Community Relations Director to play a key role in shaping communication and public engagement strategies that keep Bellingham informed and connected. If you're an expert at creating strategic communications, designing meaningful ways to engage with community members, and thoughtfully managing community relations, and you are ready to help us tackle exciting challenges with integrity, we want to hear from you! Join our growing, dynamic team and make a real impact on how we serve the people who matter most-our community. JOB SUMMARY:
Assists in establishing, managing and implementing effective communications, community relations and public involvement strategies to achieve Citywide goals of fostering meaningful public engagement and providing timely, accurate, understandable information to the residents of Bellingham and others. Serves as an internal consultant, advising the Mayor, department heads and other staff on communication strategies and implementation methods based on internal and external communication policies, needs and best practices. Assists the Communications Director in developing and managing the City's communications and related policies and procedures and overseeing communications Citywide, including both external and internal mass communications, public information and outreach, public involvement, public opinion research and media relations. Develops and facilitates strategic approaches to emerging issues. Serves a direct role in emergency response within the incident command system. Participates in ensuring the City's commitment to Accessibility, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (ADEI) is incorporated in communications and public involvement initiatives and actively contributes to an inclusive City government. A high level of discretion and sensitivity is required in performing the work.
SALARY AND BENEFITS:
The current full salary range for this position is $8,441 /month - $10,260/month.
Employees receive step increases annually in accordance with the and City policy. Research has demonstrated that salary negotiation can further inequality due to bias across gender and race. To prevent negotiation bias, the City places new employees within the published salary range based on qualifications and professional experience as listed on the application material, in accordance with City policy. This is in line with the City's commitment to accessibility, diversity, equity, and inclusion. Candidates who exceed the minimum experience requirements shall be given credit for advanced step placement at the rate of one additional pay step for each two full years of directly related or equivalent professional experience beyond the minimum requirements. Candidates who meet minimum qualifications or have experience that is not directly related or in a lower-level position will be placed at step one in the salary range. For positions that require a bachelor's degree, one additional step may be granted for applicants with a master's degree in a related field when the master's degree is not required to meet minimum qualifications. The City's HR Department regularly evaluates minimum qualifications to provide equitable employment opportunities.
For internal candidates, placement within the range is based on City Pay Placement Procedures. At the City of Bellingham, we offer a comprehensive benefits package that helps you thrive in both your career and personal life. Join our team and enjoy peace of mind knowing that you and your loved ones are well cared for. Here's a closer look at the outstanding benefits that come with being part of our team. You can and 13.33 hours of vacation leave per month, with increased accrual over time 12 paid holidays + 1 floating holiday per year 40 hours of sick leave upon hire + 8 hours accrued monthly Medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and their families Life insurance and long-term disability coverage Flexible spending accounts and medical insurance opt-out program Access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Washington State Retirement plan (DRS) for retirement security Optional 457 deferred compensation savings plan and 401(a) Retirement Savings Plan with employer match Leave accruals are based on 1.0 FTE, accruals are pro-rated if part-time and require employees to be in paid status at least 120 hours/month. Closing Date/Time: Fri. 3/28/2025 4:30 PM Pacific Time ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE JOB: Under the guidance of the Communications Director, establishes, manages and implements effective communications, media relations and public involvement strategies Citywide to foster meaningful public engagement and provide timely, accurate, understandable information to the residents of Bellingham and others. Responsible for the organization, scheduling and production of community information activities. Serves as an advisor to the Mayor and executive management staff on communications strategies, policies, procedures and issues. Consults with department directors, program managers and other staff on communications, community relations, public engagement and related needs. Develops, recommends, facilitates and implements strategic approaches to emerging issues. Develops, recommends, and implements plans to increase awareness of City programs and participation in the City's decision-making processes. Works with other City staff in the development of outreach programs to encourage public engagement and participation in City government and to encourage use of public programs and facilities. Participates in strategic planning and manages content and scheduling for City homepage, television programs, social media, newsletters and other mass communications, according to City policies, procedures, and communications best practices. Convenes City communications staff teams, interdepartmental project teams, and other internal stakeholder groups to support and inform policy development, strategies and projects Represents the City's communications, community relations and public engagement interests in interagency and/or partner efforts. Plans, develops, coordinates and produces public information products including brochures, fact sheets, news releases, audio/visual and television programs, website and other informational, educational and promotional materials using current communications technologies. Serves as a public information officer and disseminates prompt, accurate public information during emergency and disaster situations. Actively participates in ensuring accessible and inclusive communication and public engagement strategies are utilized Citywide. Assists with forming, convening and facilitating advisory boards, commissions and other stakeholder groups. Plans and coordinates and/or supports the planning and coordination of events such as celebrations, public forums and community activities. ADDITIONAL WORK PERFORMED:
May be assigned special project work. May prepare requests for proposals and scopes of work for solicitation of consultants and manage consultant contracts and intergovernmental agreements. May oversee public opinion research efforts. Performs related duties of a similar nature and level.
WORKING ENVIRONMENT:
Generally works in an office environment with extensive time spent at a computer workstation. Work involves frequent interaction with City staff and the public. Duties are frequently performed under the stress of information deadlines, pressure from the public, and/or the press for information on sensitive issues. The conditions encountered will vary depending on the sensitivity and complexity of the information to be disseminated. Requires attendance and participation in evening and weekend meetings and events. May require occasional travel to professional seminars and meetings. Physical ability to perform the essential functions of the position including:
Frequently operate a computer and other office machinery such as a keyboard, mouse, phone and fax machine; Ability to communicate accurate information and ideas to City employees and the public; Move between work sites Ability to transport objects weighing up to 25 lbs. Experience and Training
Bachelor's degree in communications or related field required. Master's degree preferred. A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in communications, community relations, public engagement or related fields, with responsibility for advising senior management staff, is required. Significant government experience preferred. Demonstrated ability to work with cross-functional teams and manage multiple projects simultaneously required. Demonstrated excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills required. Demonstrated experience developing and implementing communications and outreach strategies to achieve defined objectives required. Demonstrated experience in working with print, broadcast and digital media is required. A combination of experience and training that provides the candidate with the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the responsibilities of this position will be considered.
Necessary Special Requirements
Employment contingent upon passing a criminal background check. (See Fair Hiring Practices) Valid Washington State driver's license and good driving record. Candidates must submit a three-year driving abstract prior to hire. Verification of ability to work in the United States by date of hire. Requires evening and weekend work to attend meetings, respond to emergent issues, and meet time-sensitive deadlines. Certificate of completion from Federal Emergency Management (FEMA) /Emergency Management Institute (EMI) Independent Study Courses within 12 months of hire: IS-29.A Public Information Officer Awareness; E/L0105 Public Information Basics. Selection Process **You are encouraged to print a copy of this job announcement for your reference as the process moves along**
We require a cover letter as part of the application process. Your letter should be no longer than one page.
Within the cover letter, please indicate why you are interested in the City of Bellingham's Assistant Communications and Community Relations Director position and why this position is the next right step for you in your career. Please ensure your application is complete and all required information has been provided. Standard completeness means all application fields (contact information, personal information, education, work experience, references, and supplemental questions). Application materials should comprehensively document your experience and skills related to the position responsibilities and experience/training requirements. As part of the City's commitment to reducing bias in the hiring process, Human Resources redacts personally identifiable information for reviewers. Only the documents listed as required will be reviewed. Interviews for the most qualified candidates are tentatively scheduled for April 23, 2025. Invitations to participate in the interview process will be sent via e-mail on or around April 14, 2025.
Please Note: Candidates will receive updates regarding application status via email. Please be sure to check your email frequently, including your spam folders for messages filtered by your email providers. Equal Opportunity:
Our environment is characterized by respect for cultural backgrounds, belief systems, and ethnic diversity. The City of Bellingham is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in its work force. We do not make decisions on the basis of an individual's race, religion, creed, color, national origin, sex, marital status, age (40+), disability, retaliation, sexual orientation or gender identity, honorably discharged veteran or military status, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking, use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, or any other basis prohibited by local, state, or federal law. All are encouraged to apply for employment.
Fair Hiring Practices
The City provides individuals who have been arrested or convicted of a criminal offense an equal and fair opportunity to obtain employment. The City will not inquire about an applicant's criminal history until after a conditional job offer has been made. The City will disregard the prior arrest and conviction record of an otherwise qualified individual unless the offense is directly related to the job position for which the individual has applied. The City will notify an otherwise qualified applicant about a potentially disqualifying conviction and give the applicant an opportunity to submit information regarding the accuracy of the criminal records as well as evidence of mitigation or rehabilitation, as appropriate. There are many good reasons for working at the City of Bellingham. The work is rewarding and you have an opportunity to serve your community. Another good reason is the great benefits that the City offers its employees. See our for additional information. This position is unrepresented. Specific benefit information including Holidays, Vacation Accruals, Health, Dental and Vision Plans with cost sharing and Deferred Compensation Match can be found in the This position is covered by the State of Washington Department of Retirement Systems PERS plan. PERS requires mandatory
employee
and City contributions. Please visit the for more information on PERS. 01
Thank you for your interest in this position at the City of Bellingham! To ensure a consistent review, only the City of Bellingham job application and required supplemental documents will be reviewed. Cover letters and resumes are not reviewed unless they are
required
as part of the process. When applying for this position, you must thoroughly complete each section of your application, and provide a thorough response to each of the supplemental questions. Please do not indicate "see resume" or copy content that is unrelated to the position being applied for from your resume when answering these questions. Have you read and understood the information listed above?
Yes No
02
We require a cover letter as part of the application process. Your letter should be no longer than one page. Within the cover letter, please indicate why you are interested in the City of Bellingham's Assistant Communications and Community Relations Director position and why this position is the next right step for you in your career. Have you included your cover letter with your application? Applications without a cover letter will be considered incomplete.
Yes No 03
Do you have a Bachelor's degree in communications or a related field?
Yes No
04
Do you have a minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in communications, community relations, public engagement, or related fields, with responsibility for advising senior management staff? (Note: Significant government experience is preferred)
Yes No
05
Are you able to demonstrate you meet all of the following requirements: - Ability to work with cross-functional teams and manage multiple projects simultaneously - Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills - Experience developing and implementing communications and outreach strategies to achieve defined objectives - Experience in working with print, broadcast and digital media
Yes No
06
Or in place of the above requirements, do you have a combination of relevant education and experience that provides you with the required knowledge, skill and ability to be considered? If yes, please briefly describe. 07
Please provide an overview of your professional experience in communications, community relations, or public engagement over the past five years. Specifically, describe your roles and responsibilities, including any experience advising senior management. Be sure to highlight examples where you worked with cross-functional teams, managed multiple projects simultaneously, and any government-related experience you may have. 08
Please describe your experience working with print, broadcast, and digital media in previous roles. Describe ways you've crafted and executed communication strategies across these different platforms to engage audiences, manage messaging, or respond to emerging issues. Note: Links or attachments to work samples will not be accepted. Please use the text box below to respond to the supplemental question. Required Question