Public Relations Specialist

Public Relations Specialist

The City of Seattle is an authority in advancing fair wage, labor, and workforce practices that promote equity and economic well-being. The Office of Labor Standards (OLS) enforces labor laws through strategic enforcement, policy development, and community engagement, with a commitment to race and social justice.

The Office of Labor Standards has an opportunity for a Public Relations Specialist to join our highly skilled, innovative communications team in a fast-paced, dynamic work environment. This position will work on projects that further the visibility and public knowledge of the development, implementation, and outreach of Seattle's existing and future labor standards. Our forward-thinking work focuses on empowering workers and businesses with the knowledge of Seattle's labor standards and policies that advance economic justice, workplace equity, and worker well-being, and centers on our City's most vulnerable workers.

This position will report to the Communications Division Director.

Job Responsibilities

The public relations specialist plays an important role in promoting workplace equity, protecting the rights of low-wage workers, helping employers comply with labor standards, and advancing race and social justice. This position will work in an independent, self-directed manner with collaboration across the OLS team.

The public relations specialist is a much-needed member of the Communications Team that will support external and internal messaging projects that advance the office's mission to advance labor standards through thoughtful community and business engagement, strategic enforcement, and innovative policy development, with a commitment to race and social justice to predominantly low-income workers.

Your top 3 priorities in this role will be:

• Supporting and/or generating content from within the department that highlights the work of staff, partners, and the Department.
• Maintaining internal and external webpages, drafting department reports and other written materials.
• Applying race and social justice lens to all work and engage in office efforts to eliminate racial disparities and achieve racial equity in City government and broader community.

Your responsibilities will include:

Website:

• Maintaining OLS' internal and external websites (SharePoint and Ingenuix CMS).
• Maintaining OLS' digital media assets, including external and internal webpages, and social media platforms, exercising good judgement in decision about content and messaging.
• Crafting OLS blog posts, media releases, online newsletters, and funding announcements; publish and distribute when approved.

Design:

• Collaborating on development of OLS annual reports, compiling written content and images, and creating the online report.
• Designing and illustrating material to visually convey complex issues in documents, web, and other media
• Updating and editing informational material, including posters, listserv announcements, reports, presentations, and other materials.
• Helping to build and execute earned and ethnic media strategy

Internal & External Communication:

• Developing and executing communication plans as assigned by the Communications Manager; report status and results when requested.
• Ensuring accurate representation of OLS service portfolio and programs via internal and external channels; update all relevant information portals and calendars as needed; and maintain OLS brand integrity.

Event Planning:

• Collaborating on event planning with other internal teams as well as other City departments on event planning and design promotional products for publication.
• Conferring with department subject matter experts to help guide and shape content for community and business outreach and external affairs.
• Liaising with City department counterparts on communications and community and business outreach and engagement projects.

Public Disclosure:

• Serving as backup for Communications Manager responsibilities, including but not limited to constituent communications, responding appropriately with minimal guidance from management, and maintaining repositories for all communications and public records requests.

You will be most successful in this role with a combination of the following:

• Graphic design, illustrating infographics, and creating engaging informational videos.
• Social media content management and public facing messaging
• Working with Adobe InDesign and Photoshop software.
• Working with Ingenuix CMS and SharePoint to update and maintain internal and external websites.

• Demonstrate high degree of discretion in handing controversial projects and tasks with public audience.
• Work independently in a self-directed manner and collaborate with a team.

Qualifications

In addition to the ability to complete the tasks mentioned above, you will need to possess the following required qualifications (or a combination of education, training or experience that provides an equivalent background required to perform the work of the class):

• One year of professional experience in public relations, marketing, journalism, or other fields involving the preparation and distribution of public information materials.
• A bachelor's degree in English, Journalism, Marketing, Communications, Public Relations or a related field is preferred.

OR

• Two years of professional experience in public relations, marketing, journalism, or other fields involving the preparation and distribution of public information materials.
• An AA degree in English, Journalism, Marketing, Communications, Public Relations or a related field is preferred.

OR

• Three years of professional experience in public relations, marketing, journalism, or other fields involving the preparation and distribution of public information materials.

Additional Information

This full-time (1.0 FTE) civil-service position is eligible for overtime, is classified as Public Relations Specialist BU, and is governed by a collective bargaining agreement between the City and the union, PROTEC17 – Professional Unit.

Pay: The full pay range for this step-progression position is $40.76 - $47.39 per hour. New employees typically begin at Step 1 of the pay progression, which is $40.76 hourly. Current City employees' starting rate of pay will be based on Personnel Rules regarding promotions.

Working Schedule: This position offers the flexibility of a hybrid work schedule. Employees will be expected to be in-office three times a week. This position will require the ability to work a flexible schedule, as there may be occasional travel that is required. Individual schedules will be based on agreement between the employee and their supervisor.

Hiring Timeline: First round interviews for this position are tentatively scheduled for the week of August 17-21, 2026. Second round interviews are tentatively scheduled for August 31 – September 11, 2026.

Accommodations: We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided with reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact Sandra Wong at View email address on click.appcast.io to request accommodation.

Benefits: 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: . Please select an option under the heading "Most Employee Benefits."

Why Work at the City? At the City of Seattle, public service is more than a job; it's a chance to shape the future and make a meaningful difference in the lives of everyone who works, lives, or plays in our city. With 12,000 employees across 40+ departments and 1,100 job titles, we are united by a common purpose: to create a Seattle that is vibrant and welcoming for all. Whatever your role, you'll help power a forward-looking city that leads by example — inclusive, innovative, equitable, and community-focused — while joining a diverse team committed to solving challenges and making a lasting impact together. Join us in building a Seattle where everyone thrives!

Please submit your application at no later than 4:00 PM Pacific Time on Tuesday, July 28, 2026. To be considered for this position, in addition to completing your application fully