Communications Specialist - Communications Consultant 3 - Permanent - *03973-25

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Description

Working Title- Communications Specialist Classification- Communications Consultant 3 Job Status- Full-Time/Permanent WDFW Program- Director's Office - Communications and Public Engagement Division Duty Station- *Olympia, Washington - Thurston County

• Although this is a hybrid opportunity, the successful candidate must be available to report to the duty station located in Olympia, Washington as needed or approximately three (3) days per week.

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW ! Photo Caption - WDFW staff and outreach booth at a community event on the Washington Coast - Photo Credit: WDFW Are you passionate about telling effective stories through written articles, reports, social media, blogs, factsheets, infographics, photography, and video? Do you like the idea of partnering with coastal communities , Native American tribes, shellfish growers and maritime industry, U.S. Coast Guard and NOAA Fisheries, scientific organizations, and universities, including through communications, outreach, and public engagement. Be a central figure in coordinating communications and outreach efforts supporting Washington's European green crab (EGC) emergency response and ballast water management. In this impactful role, you will explore targeted social marketing strategies to positively change behaviors and measure effectiveness. With your experience, you will write and edit written reports, articles, and updates; draft social media and web content; develop materials, messages, marketing, and advertising; and support community engagement efforts such as attending public events, planning meetings, and increasing awareness around invasive species identification and reporting. Join a dynamic team in WDFW's Communications and Public Engagement (CAPE) division, collaborating with other Director's Office staff, Fish Program and Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) division leadership, and other state and federal agencies, tribes, partners, and coastal community, scientific, and business leaders. WHAT TO EXPECT Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, this position will:

Craft communications and public relations content to support Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) division objectives related to European green crab and ballast water management.

• Preparing or reviewing regular European green crab emergency reports, legislative reports, public updates, and other communications to support community and stakeholder engagement in coordination with supervisor and AIS division.
• Performs writing and editing duties relative to communication projects; gathers information and writes, edits, lays out, and proofreads materials for reports, updates, newsletters, news releases, web content, social media, speeches, advertising, and marketing materials.
• Edits copy for a wide variety of work submitted for printing and e-publishing; reviews copy for correctness, clarity, form of presentation and suitability for submission; confers with departments regarding faults and rewrites as necessary.
• Writes and edits speeches, talking points, fact sheets, and other strategic documents, supporting CAPE team and AIS Division leadership.
• Reviews, plans, drafts, and publishes online content for EGC Hub, EGC species management webpage, and EGC identification and information webpage in coordination with supervisor, WDFW web master, and AIS Information Technology lead.
• Supports email updates, reports, and web content advancing science communications on ballast water and biofouling management, in coordination with AIS staff, U.S. Coast Guard, and commercial vessel inspectors.

Coordinate community outreach and public engagement on behalf of European green crab management, crab identification and reporting, ballast water management, and other AIS efforts.

• Collaboration with other agencies, Washington Sea Grant, WSU Extension, and Northwest Straits Foundation, shellfish and aquaculture growers, fishing and shellfishing clubs, Marine Resource Committees, waterfront/tidal landowners, tribal representatives, beach cleanups, and marine and conservation organizations.
• In coordination with the AIS Division, Washington Invasive Species Council (WISC), and partners, supports planning and hosting annual events, summits, and symposiums.
• Attending relevant events, fairs, festivals, farmers markets, webinars, and other opportunities to educate the public about invasive European green crabs in Washington.

Other duties as assigned supporting communications, public affairs, and public engagement for CAPE and AIS, with a focus on Western Washington.

• Supporting campaign planning, brochures and graphic design, outreach materials development, or social media on other relevant aquatic invasive species topics.
• Coordinates and strategizes with other team members to solve problems or resolve unexpected challenges.
• Takes on assignments as needed to support the Communications Division, Department-wide initiatives, and various executives; and
• Evaluates the results of completed projects in collaboration with other staff.

Working Conditions: Work setting: Primarily a home office or office setting. Approximately once a month, this position will support community outreach, speaking engagements, tabling at events, in-person group meetings, or other public engagement, periodically on evenings and weekends. Approximately bi-monthly, this position may accompany WDFW field staff to beaches, estuaries, tidelands, marinas, and nearshore waters to observe invasive species management and gather communications and multimedia content. Personal floatation device (PFD) will be provided for all activities on or near water. Rubber boots will be provided for visits to beaches and tidelands. Additional personal protective equipment (PPE) (example: hard hat) and training will be provided for infrequent visits to other areas, such as ports, commercial vessels, or aquaculture facilities. Must be able to negotiate water in emergency situations. Schedule: Typically, Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM. Travel requirements: Some travel within state to attend public meetings, trainings, or community events. Primarily to locations and communities on Washington Coast and around Puget Sound. Customer Interactions: Frequent interactions with the media and public. QUALIFICATIONS: Required Qualifications: Experience in/with: At least three (3) years of professional experience in public relations, public affairs, news media, marketing, community outreach, or a related communications field. And At least two (2) years of experience working independently and interacting with the public, ideally in a communications, public affairs, marketing, or natural resources role. License: Valid driver's license. Proficiency in/with: Verbal and written communications skills. Proficiency in the use of standard office equipment, including a computer and telephone system. Proficiency in all Microsoft Office programs, in particular Outlook, Word, PowerPoint and Excel. Ability to: Conduct outreach in diverse rural and urban communities throughout Western Washington, with an emphasis on Washington Coast, Puget Sound, and Olympic Peninsula/Strait of Juan de Fuca. Interface with the public, stakeholders, tribes, and partners professionally and respectfully, including on challenging issues. Preferred Qualifications:

In addition to the required qualifications, our ideal applicant will possess some or all the following:

• Bachelor's degree in communications, marketing, public relations, public affairs, political science, biology, marine science, fisheries, or related field.
• Excellent writing and editing capabilities.
• Experience using social media, preferably Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram.
• Familiarity with science communications, natural resources, maritime industry, economic development, conservation, and outdoor recreation organizations and issues.
• Proficiency in photography, videography, graphic design, and/or web content management.
• Event or project management experience.
• Experience working with Washington state agencies, local governments, universities, or statewide natural resources associations.

Your application should include the following:

• A completed online application showcasing how your qualifications align with the job requirements.
• An up-to-date resume.
• A cover letter detailing your interest in the position, your relevant skills and experience, and why you are the ideal candidate.
• At least three (3) professional references with current contact information.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION: In addition to pay and other special employee programs, there are other benefits that WDFW employees may be eligible for. Click the “Benefits” tab at the top of this announcement to learn more. Important Note: All new employees must complete an Employment Eligibility Verification Form (I-9 Form) on their first day of work. If hired for this or any position at WDFW, you will be required to provide documentation proving you are eligible to work in the United States. For a list of acceptable documents, please use the following link: Union - WFSE: This position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement between the State of Washington, Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE). This recruitment may be used to fill positions in addition to those listed. Veteran and Military Spouse Preference Notice: Per RCW 73.16.010 Veterans and qualifying spouses who meet the minimum qualifications of a position are eligible for preference during the initial application review stage. To receive this benefit, please do the following:

• Notify us of your veteran or military spouse status by email at View email address on us.fitly.work.
• Veterans only - Attach a copy of your DD214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22, or USDVA signed verification of service letter.
  • Please redact any PII (personally identifiable information) data such as social security numbers.
• Subject line must include recruitment number, position, and spouse/veteran (example: 2024-1234 - Biologist 1 - Veteran)
• Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Employer As part of WDFW's efforts to advance respectful and inclusive work environments, the Agency expects inclusivity as part of our professional interactions and communications. Therefore, we want to ensure that all individuals feel welcome, are treated fairly and respectfully. All staff are empowered to fully contribute to serving their work unit, Agency, and the citizens of Washington. The Department of Fish and Wildlife 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, disabled and Vietnam era veterans, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply. Request an accommodation: Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format please contact Jayme Chase by phone View phone number on us.fitly.work or View email address on us.fitly.work, or the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) at View phone number on us.fitly.work. Technical Difficulties: If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing, or completing your application, please call NEOGOV toll-free at View phone number on us.fitly.work or View email address on us.fitly.work. Other questions: If you have other questions regarding this position, please reach out to View email address on us.fitly.work reference job #2025-03973. Follow us on social media: LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram cp