Communications Specialist

Office of Sustainability & Environment, City of Seattle

Seattle, WA

Date Posted: 4/25/2024

THE DEPARTMENT

The Office of Sustainability & Environment (OSE) develops and implements citywide environmental policies and programs that propel our city toward a sustainable, equitable, and carbon neutral future. OSE is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. The sustainability and environmental fields have often failed to reflect the experiences and identities of people affected by their decisions and outcomes, including Black, Indigenous, People of Color, Immigrants, Refugees, People with Disabilities, and LGBTQ+ people. We strongly encourage people with these identities or from other marginalized communities to apply. 

THE JOB

Have you been looking for a job that links both your personal drive to combat environmental injustice and slow the impact of climate change with your broad professional communication skills? OSE is recruiting a Communication Specialist to join our team in a Sunset role (full-time budgeted position until 12/19/26). This is a small team where you will wear many hats and your drive and ability to create content will be valued. We are looking for an innovative thinker with lived or learned experience with environmental justice inequity. You will support OSE staff and leadership, leaders from other City departments as well as the Mayor’s Office and City Council.

Your work will focus on three key areas:

Strategic Communications – Using a racial equity lens, you will develop and implement consistent communication strategies to educate the public about key City policies and programs related to environmental justice and climate change.

Public Engagement – Represent OSE and the City publicly on matters related to environmental justice and climate change policies and programs, such as events, media inquiries, complaints, and to promote OSE programs.

Program Management – Develop, implement, and evaluate OSE’s communications program using key performance indicators and analytics to track and measure communication campaign effectiveness. Provide strategic advice to OSE staff regarding communications strategy and program implementation.

Job Responsibilities

To be successful in this role, you are committed to:

• Applying a racial equity and social justice lens to all communications and strategies.

• Listening and sharing information based on the needs of OSE and the audience.

• Supporting language access, video, infographics, and other means to share information with audiences whose first language is not English.

To be effective in this role, you have displayed your ability to:

• Write and edit communications for a variety of audiences and based on time available.

• Create and use graphic design to enhance engagement and understanding.

• Serve as OSE’s subject matter expert on digital outreach, mobile optimization, and platform management.

• Understand the “big picture” and manage an editorial calendar, strategically forecasting and planning communications to synchronize with events, announcements, and opportunities to boost OSE programs. 

• Build relationships with City communications professionals and local media.

• Function agilely when priorities change and/or deliverables require quick action.

Qualifications

In addition to the skills and abilities listed above, this job requires the following or a combination of experience, training, and education that provides an equivalent background to perform the job:

Three years of experience in outreach, public relations, marketing, journalism, or a related field involving the preparation and distribution of presentations and collateral

OR

Two years of experience in outreach, public relations, marketing, journalism, or a related field involving the preparation and distribution of presentations and collateral and an associate degree in English, Journalism, Communications, Marketing, Public Affairs or a related field

OR

One year of experience in outreach, public relations, marketing, journalism, or a related field involving the preparation and distribution of presentations and collateral and a bachelor’s degree in English, Journalism, Communications, Marketing, Public Affairs or a related field

Additional Information

This is a Sunset position (full-time benefited job which is budgeted until 12/19/26) and is classified as Public Relations Specialist, the salary range is $34.47 – $ 40.08 per hour. 

Starting November 1, 2022, City employees will work two days a week in the office.

The City of Seattle recognizes that every City employee must play a role in ending institutional and structural racism. Our culture is the result of our behavior, our personal commitments, and the ways we courageously share our perspectives and encourage others to do the same. To cultivate an antiracist culture, we seek employees who will engage in the Race and Social Justice Initiative by working to dismantle racist policies and procedures, unlearn the way things have always been done, and provide equitable processes and services.

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at: https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits/employees-and-covered-family-members/most-employees-plans.

Please complete the online application fully and attach:

• A pdf of your current resume

• A cover letter highlighting your interest in this job and the work you have done that aligns most closely with it.

• Please also include 2-5 examples of the following 

  • Concise writing for the public

  • Social media communications

  • Writing on behalf of an organization or using another person’s voice

  • Graphic design or video

  • Communications plan

  • Do not include academic research

Questions? Contact Kate Moore at kate.moore@seattle.gov

This position is open to all applicants that meet the minimum qualifications. The City of Seattle values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, medical condition, or pregnancy. The City of Seattle encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LBGTQ, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experiences.