Communications Coordinator

 

 

 

 

Per Governor Inslee’s Proclamation 21-14.2 (Download PDF reader), Washington State employees must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. As a condition of employment, the successful candidate will be required to provide proof of their COVID-19 vaccination as part of the hiring process, prior to their start date. Requests for medical and religious exemptions will be considered. If you have questions, please contact Careers@ecy.wa.gov with “COVID-19 vaccination” in the subject line.  

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

 

The Nuclear Waste Program  (NWP) within the Department of Ecology is looking to fill a Communications Coordinator (Communications Consultant 4) position. This position is located in our Richland Field Office (RFO) in Richland, WA. 

In this role, you will be the primary lead on the program’s social media and web pages and have the opportunity to take part in the team’s outreach and public involvement work to help tell the story of our work at Hanford overseeing cleanup of one of the most contaminated nuclear sites in the world. To accomplish this, you will collaborate with the program and agency-wide communications teams to create a variety of communications products for the public, Tribes, media, stakeholders, other governmental entities, and the regulated community. You will also serve as a backup to the program’s Communications Manager.

The Nuclear Waste Program's mission is to ensure sound management of nuclear waste statewide and to promote the sound management and protection of the environment at, and adjacent to, the U.S. Department of Energy's Hanford Site. 

Ecology’s Communications Program's mission is to provide clear, accurate, and timely communications to explain the work Ecology does, why it matters, and the science behind it. The program supports and advises Ecology leadership, regions, and programs to help address some of the toughest environmental challenges of our time. 

The Nuclear Waste Program (NWP) communication team’s mission is to ensure that the public, Tribes, stakeholders, and other government agencies understand the status of and issues facing Hanford cleanup and the roles of our agency and program in overseeing activities both on Hanford and other regulated mixed waste facilities under our jurisdiction.  

During Healthy Washington Roadmap to Recovery, employees are working a combination of in-office and/or telework based on position and business need. Currently, the position can telework with the option to come into the office. Ecology is following current state guidance regarding mask requirements, health screening questions before entry, and social distancing. Looking ahead, Ecology has recently updated the agency policies on telework and flexible and compressed work schedules. Applicants with questions about position location options, telework, and flexible or compressed schedules are encouraged to reach out to the contact person listed below in “other information.”

Protecting Washington State's environment for current and future generations is what we do every day at Ecology. We are a culture that is invested in making a difference. Join a team that is highly effective and collaborative, with leadership that embraces the value of people.

 

Ecology cares deeply about employee wellness; we go beyond traditional benefits, proudly offering:

 

A healthy life/work balance by offering flexible schedules and telework options for most positions.

An Infants at Work Program that is based on the long-term health values of infant-parent bonding and breastfeeding newborns.

Continuous growth and development opportunities. 

A wellness program that offers education, fitness classes, and an agency-wide fondness for outdoor meetings.

Opportunities to serve your community and make an impact through meaningful work.

Diversity, equity, inclusion, and respect (DEIR) are core values central to Ecology’s work. We strive to be a workplace where we are esteemed for sharing our authentic identities, while advancing our individual professional goals and collaborating to protect, preserve, and enhance the environment for current and future generations.
 

Diversity: We celebrate and appreciate diversity; our unique perspectives and abilities enrich us all and lead to innovative approaches and solutions.   Equity: We champion equity, recognizing that each of us need different things to thrive.   Inclusion: We intentionally create and hold space so that we all have meaningful opportunities to participate and contribute to Ecology’s work.   Respect: We treat each other with respect and dignity, acknowledging the inherent worth of our diverse perspectives and lived experiences, even in times of uncertainty and disagreement.

 
We believe that DEIR is both a goal and an action. We are on a journey, honoring our shared humanity and taking steps to demonstrate our commitment to a vision where each of us is heard, seen, and valued. 

Application Timeline: This position will remain open until filled, with an initial screening date of April 15, 2022. In order to be considered for initial screening, please submit an application on or before April 14, 2022 . The agency reserves the right to make an appointment any time after the initial screening date.  

 

Duties

 

 

 

What makes this role unique?

Hanford represents a demanding challenge in almost every aspect. The cleanup is complex and controversial, as is the job of regulating that work – and it is all done under a national and sometimes international magnifying glass. This position requires the successful candidate to be willing to learn the technical issues and work Ecology does at Hanford and to help the communications team create messaging that is accurate, encapsulates the agency’s intent and interests, and that is easily understandable to those not involved in the complex world of Hanford.  

What you will do: 

• Work with the communications manager to plan, organize, and lead our program’s website presence as well as our profiles on social media such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and others. This will include staying current with evolving trends in social media as it relates to our specific mission, and recommending new approaches and strategies to take advantage of these developments. 
• Help develop and play a key role in implementing program communication strategy and work across a variety of communications channels and platforms, and on multiple projects and issues at the same time.
• Work in partnership with the communications manager, serving as the manager’s back-up and taking the lead on some projects, including serving as media liaison when the manager is unavailable and assisting in the development of some communications plans. 
• Develop and promote equity and environmental justice practices for meaningful public engagement and communications that are compliant with the Washington environmental justice (EJ) law and Ecology’s communication standards and protocols. Develop and promote practices that ensure nondiscrimination under state and federal civil rights laws. 
• Write and market a full range of program news communications – news releases, blogs, social media, and internal news.
• Develop videos for social media, website, blog, and internal communications. 
• Assist with public outreach and engagement, and help develop trusting relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Generate and take the lead on communications projects for major issues that advance program communications.

 

Qualifications

 

Required Qualifications:

Experience for both required and desired qualifications can be gained through various combinations of formal professional employment, educational and volunteer experience. See below for how you may qualify. 

A total of Seven (7) years of experience and/or education as described below:

Professional level Experience in: writing and editing. This experience can include writing and editing news articles, blogs, news releases, communications plans, website pages, outreach materials, advertisements, and related materials. 

Experience must include some or all of the following:

• Writing/editing experience. Applicable experience can be substituted year for year for education.
• Developing web content strategy, writing/editing and managing web content.
• Experience working with the media. 
• Using project management tools to prioritize work and meet deadlines. 
• Working effectively both as part of a team and independently.
• Proficient use of Microsoft Office, SharePoint, and Adobe products such as Photoshop, Acrobat Pro, InDesign, and Premiere Pro.
• Experience with photo, video recording and editing, and creating graphics.
• Proficient use of content management systems.
• Proficient experience in managing and posting to social media pages on numerous platforms.
• Understanding of best practices to meet language and accessibility nondiscrimination requirements.  

 

Education: involving a major study in: English, communications, journalism, public relations, or related field. 

 

See chart below for a list of ways to qualify for this position:  

Possible Combinations.

College credit hours or degree.

Years of professional level experience – as listed above.

Combination 1

No college credit hours or degree

7 years of experience.

Combination 2

I have 30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter credits.

6 years of experience.

Combination 3

I have 60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter credits (AA degree).

5 years of experience.

Combination 4

I have 90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter credits.

4 years of experience.

Combination 5 

A Bachelor's Degree or higher.

3 year of experience.

 

 

 Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment: 

• Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license. 
• Upon employment, complete Hanford General Employee Training (HGET) course and obtain Hanford Site badge. 

 

Desired Qualifications:

We highly encourage you to apply even if you do not have some (or all) of the desired experience below. 

• Bilingual preferred, being able to read, write, and speak English and Spanish proficiently.
• Experience engaging effectively and appropriately with Tribes. 
• Experience and familiarity working with and/or creating communications for the Hispanic/Latino (LatinX) community and Spanish speakers. 
• Understanding and experience creating communication materials that effectively reach and engage communities of color and underserved populations in the region.

Note: Having some (or all) of this desired experience may make your application more competitive in a highly competitive applicant pool.

 

Supplemental Information

Ecology seeks diverse applicants: We view diversity, equity, inclusion, and respect through a broad lens including race, ethnicity, class, age, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, immigration status, military background, language, education, life experience, physical disability, neurodiversity, and intersectional identities. Qualified candidates from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.


Need an Accommodation in the application and/or screening process or this job announcement in an alternative format?

• Please call: (360) 407-6186 or email: careers@ecy.wa.gov and we will be happy to assist.
• If you are deaf or hard of hearing you can reach the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.
• If you need assistance applying for this job, please e-mail careers@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not send an email to this address to follow-up on the status of your application. You can view the latest status of your application on your profile's main page.
• If you are reading this announcement in print format, please enter the following URL to your search engine to apply: https://ecology.wa.gov/About-us/Get-to-know-us/Jobs-at-Ecology.   

Application Instructions:

It's in the applicant's best interest to submit all of the documents listed below. Applications without these documents may be declined.

• A cover letter describing why you are interested in this position.
• A resume outlining your experience and education (if applicable) as it relates to the minimum qualifications of this position.
• Three professional references.

• Three writing samples. Samples can include news articles, press releases, social media posts, website pages, videos, or other similar work.

Please do NOT include your salary history. Wage/salary depends on qualifications or rules of promotion, if applicable.  
 
For Your Privacy:
When attaching documents to your application (such as Resume, Cover Letter, Transcripts, DD-214, etc.):

Please be sure to remove private information such as your social security number, date of birth, etc. 

Do not attach documents that are password-protected, as these documents may not be reviewed and may cause errors within your application when downloaded. 

Additional Application Instructions for Current Ecology Employees: 
 
Please make sure to answer the agency-wide questions regarding permanent status as a classified employee within the Washington General Service or Washington Management Service. Do not forget to select Department of Ecology as a response to question 2, and type your personnel ID number for question 3. If you are not sure of your status or do not know your personnel ID number, please contact Human Resources.

Application Attestation: 

The act of submitting application materials electronically is considered affirmation that the information is complete and truthful. The state may verify this information and any untruthful or misleading answers are cause for rejection of your application or dismissal if employed. 

Other Information:

If you have specific questions about the position, please email Ryan Miller at: Ryan.Miller@ecy.wa.ov. Please do not contact Ryan to inquire about the status of your application.
 
To request the full position description: email careers@ecy.wa.gov

 

Why work for Ecology?

As an agency, our mission is to protect, preserve and enhance Washington's environment for current and future generations. We invest in our employees to create and sustain a working environment that encourages creative leadership, effective resource management, teamwork, professionalism, and accountability.

Joining Ecology means becoming a part of a team committed to protecting and restoring Washington State's environment. A career in public service allows you to help solve some of the most challenging problems facing our state, while keeping your health and financial security a priority. We combine one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation with a strong commitment to life/work balance.

Ecology employees may be eligible for the following:
Medical/Dental/Vision for employee & dependent(s), Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), Vacation, Sick, and other Leave*, 11 Paid Holidays per year*, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver,  Long Term Disability & Life Insurance, Deferred Compensation Programs, Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP),  Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA), Employee Assistance Program, Commute Trip Reduction Incentives (Download PDF reader), Combined Fund Drive, SmartHealth *See the Benefits tab in this announcement for more information 

Student debt: how working for Ecology can help
The Department of Ecology is a qualifying employer for the Public Service Forgiveness Program (PSLF). See https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/repay-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service for more details.

To learn more about The Department of Ecology, please visit our website at www.ecology.wa.gov and follow, like or visit us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or our blog.

Collective Bargaining: This is a position covered by a bargaining unit for which the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) is the exclusive representative.   

 

Equal Opportunity Employer: The Washington State Department of Ecology is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, veterans, military spouses or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply. Persons needing accommodation in the application/testing process or this job announcement in an alternative format may call (360) 407-6186. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.

Note: This recruitment may be used to fill other positions of the same job classification across the agency. Once all the position(s) from the recruitment announcement are filled, the recruitment may only be used to fill additional open positions for the next sixty (60) days.