Communications Consultant 4 (CC 4) DOH8976

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

The Opportunity

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

This Communications Consultant 4 position primarily supports the development and distribution of communications to broad DOH employee audiences, tools, templates and self-serve guidance from the Office of Financial Services and the Center for Technology Operations. It also helps maintain and improve DOH’s intranet and agencywide newsletter platform and content.

Key Responsibilities Include:

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. 
• Facilitates the success of changes agency services teams lead. 
• Encourages appropriate use of tools agency services teams provide. 
• Increases the transparency, user-friendliness, and customer orientation of agency services programs to benefit all DOH employees.
• Highlights work agency services teams are doing to continuously improve and respond to employee concerns.
• Anticipates and proactively addresses employee information needs. 
• Complies 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. Please ensure any relevant experience defined below is outlined in your cover letter, resume, and/or applicant profile.

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

While these aren’t required, having them can help you stand out as a candidate.

• 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. Join us and enjoy benefits designed to care for you as much as you care about public health. Learn more about DOH benefits and see how we support your life at work and beyond by visiting Work@Health. 

The Office of Communications and Health Education (OCHE) leads our agency’s strategic initiatives related to communications, health promotion, and health education. We provide agencywide guidance and hands-on support in these areas.

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.

Working Conditions:

The following describes the working conditions of this position, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Work Setting:

• The official duty station for this position is the DOH Office in Tumwater, WA. The position requiresoccasional in-person attendance to perform duties on-site at the Tumwater facility. When not working on-site, this position may work from home, a DOH office, or an alternate location.

Schedule:

• Standard DOH business hours are Monday to Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; however, an alternate or flexible work schedule may be considered at the employee's request, subject to supervisory approval. The position would not normally require working in excess of 40 hours per week, but if it became necessary for business needs, your supervisor would notify you in advance.

Travel Requirements:

• Infrequent travel is required to meet with customers and conduct community outreach. When traveling for work, the position may require traveling alone or with another employee for multiple days and nights in or out of state.
• When driving for state business, the employee must be able to legally operate a state or privately-owned vehicle; OR provide alternate transportation while on state business.

Tools & Equipment:

• This position uses standard office furniture and equipment such as a desk, office chair, cell phone, computer, monitor(s), keyboard, and mouse; and when in the office, the position may also require the use of a printer, phone, fax machine, and/or copy machine.

Customer Interactions:

• The position frequently requires engaging with internal and external customers and partners in a variety of settings, including other state agencies and local health jurisdictions.

Other:

• This position is covered by a bargaining unit for which the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) is the exclusive representative.
• The DOH campus is a smoke-free, drug-free, alcohol-free, scent-neutral environment. 
• This position may be required to conduct and/or participate in public health emergency preparedness and response activities. 

APPLICATION DIRECTIONS:

We’re committed to a fair and equitable hiring process. Only materials submitted through the official application will be considered. Emailed resumes or documents won’t be accepted or shared with the hiring manager.

Click “Apply” to complete your application. Attach your resume, cover letter, and DD-214 (if applicable). List at least three professional references, directly in your Applicant Profile or as a separate attachment, including a supervisor, a peer, and someone you’ve supervised or led (if applicable).

DO NOT INCLUDE private details like your SSN or birth year, personal photos, transcripts, certifications, diplomas, projects, portfolios, or letters of recommendation.

Veterans Preference: Applicants wishing to claim Veterans Preference must attach a copy of their DD-214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22, or a signed verification of service letter from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs to their application. Please remove or cover any personally identifiable data such as social security numbers and birth year

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion: We regard diversity as the foundation of our strength, recognizing that differing insights and abilities enable us to reflect the unique needs of the communities we serve.  

DOH is an equal-opportunity employer. We prohibit discrimination based on race/ethnicity/color, creed, sex, pregnancy, age, religion, national origin, marital status, the presence or perception of a disability, veteran’s status, military status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender expression, or gender identity. 

Questions and Accommodations: If you have questions, need assistance with the application process, require an accommodation, or would like to request this posting in an alternative format, please contact Kristina Coxat employment@doh.wa.gov and reference DOH8976.

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