Communications Consultant 4 (CC 4) DOH8976

About the role

This position offers a hybrid work arrangement, with work performed remotely or from the office located in Tumwater, WA, based on business need and employee preference.

The Agency Services Communications Support Team (ASCS) provides communications guidance and hands-on support to the Executive Office of the Chief of Staff (OCOS) leadership team, as well as agency services programs and strategic initiatives in human resources, inclusion, facilities, risk management, financial services, and IT. The team also serves as the editorial team for the agency’s daily e-newsletter, sent to roughly 3,000 people.

Responsibilities

• Content Production and Editing
  • Edit, fix links, and apply templates to existing content.
  • Serve regularly as a producing editor of Daily Dose.
  • Produce, edit, and distribute ad hoc content for various requests.
  • Provide basic graphic layout, design, and video development as needed.
• Intranet and Self-Service Support
  • Support the development and continuous improvement of intranet content.
  • Maintain self-service guidance, instructions, and similar info for employees.
  • Support OCOS team communications with broad employee audiences.
• Storytelling and Employee Engagement
  • Develop and promote employee interest stories and articles.
  • Highlight the value that OCOS teams bring to the agency.
  • Make proactive internal story pitches to colleagues and perform interviews.
• Communications Planning and Strategy
  • Develop and execute communications plans for large-scale and complex projects.
  • Lead development and maintenance of high-level plans with each office.
  • Track execution and effectiveness of plans and give feedback to leaders.
• Consulting, Training, and Best Practices
  • Guide colleagues on available internal communications options, tools, and approaches.
  • Help non-communications specialists plan and execute their own work.
  • Help increase the ability of program leaders to apply key standards related to content usability, accessibility, and use of Plain Language.

Why You’ll Love This Role

You’ll get to be a part of realizing DOH’s vision of equity and optimal health for all. Specifically, you’ll work with Financial Services and IT support staff supporting thousands of DOH employees with a wide variety of needs and preferences. You’ll be a key part of ensuring these teams develop and regularly share clear, helpful, thorough information and self-service content that builds employee trust in agency services programs and the employees who run them. You’ll facilitate the success of changes agency services teams lead, encourage appropriate use of tools agency services teams provide, and increase the transparency, user-friendliness, and customer orientation of agency services programs to benefit all DOH employees. You’ll highlight work agency services teams are doing to continuously improve and respond to employee concerns, anticipate and proactively address employee information needs, and comply with agency requirements and best practices.

Required Qualifications

There are multiple pathways to qualify for this position. You must meet one of the options provided and any additional criteria listed. Experience may have been gained through paid or unpaid activities.

• Option 1: Five (5) or more years of experience writing and editing in a communications role, such as public relations, media outreach, or corporate communications.
• Option 2: An associate degree with a focus in English, communications, journalism, public relations, or related field AND four (4) or more years of experience writing and editing in a communications role.
• Option 3: A bachelor's degree or higher in English, communications, journalism, public relations, or related field; AND three (3) or more years of writing and editing in a communications role.

To include experience in the following:

• Managing numerous complex issues and projects simultaneously.
• Collaborating on projects with organization leaders, subject matter experts, other communicators, and staff at various levels.
• Identifying and recommending communications strategies that meet client needs.
• Writing and editing for diverse audiences.
• Applying Plain Language principles and an equity lens to communications.
• Applying problem solving and project management skills to manage difficult or unexpected situations.

Additional Required Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Experience

• Cultural Humility: Demonstrates the ability to take action to learn and grow, facilitating the development and integration of diverse perspectives, and honoring the different cultures represented in our agency.
• Equity and Inclusion: Demonstrates the ability to take action to meet the needs of others, removing barriers to accessing shared resources, and promoting a culture of equity, social justice, and belonging.
• People Impact Orientation: Demonstrates an ability to take action to adapt and adjust work and behaviors to increase positive impact on others. Holds themselves accountable for having a positive impact on others to the greatest extent possible.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in a public relations agency environment or similar client-service setting.
• Demonstrated commitment to equity and promoting and following antiracism practices in the workplace.
• Working-level fluency in English and at least one other language.
• Demonstrated proficiency with the following:
  • Building and/or maintaining an intranet for a large organization.
  • Hosting and facilitating webinars for large, engaged audiences using Zoom and/or Teams Webinar.
  • Supporting executive leaders of a large organization with employee relations messaging.
  • Producing a regular internal e-newsletter for a large organization using software such as GovDelivery and SharePoint Online.
  • SharePoint Online site collection creation and management.
• An interest in and respect for the subject matter covered by OCOS teams (operational and administrative leadership of a large organization in the areas of human resources, employee inclusion, finance, public records requests, facilities management, IT support and similar).

Employee Benefits

We offer a solid benefits package that supports you and your family’s health, financial security, and work-life balance. You’ll have access to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, life and long-term disability insurance, flexible spending and health savings accounts, and retirement plans that help you plan for tomorrow while you’re living today. Paid holidays, vacation and sick leave help you recharge, and additional programs like dependent care assistance and professional development opportunities add value beyond basic coverage.

About The Washington State Department Of Health

We're nearly 2,700 professionals across Washington working together to protect and improve community health. Guided by our values of Equity, Innovation, and Engagement, we address health disparities, respond to emerging challenges, and strengthen systems that support resilience. At DOH, we help reduce barriers, collaborate with diverse communities, and champion equitable health outcomes. We're passionate people who are driven to make a difference in public health.

Our work depends on people who take action to learn and grow and who take action to meet the needs of others every day, in service of a healthier Washington. Explore more about the Department of Health, our programs, and our impact by visiting our website.