Communications Manager

This position is open until filled with a first review date of 12/20/24.

A cover letter and resume are required with your online application in order for your application to be considered complete. Uploading your resume to auto-fill portions of the application does not automatically attach it to your application.

We will require all applicants to submit a document with the following questions answered:

1. Describe your experience in strategic communications to educate and inform residents about topics related to your previous role (s). For example, this role would be communicating Public Health topics to Snohomish County residents.

2. Describe your experience in creating content or overseeing communications that are culturally appropriate, information that is essential to be communicated and putting technical information into clear and compelling terms.

Please attach the answered questions as a document along with your cover letter and resume. Incomplete applications will not be considered for this position.

Definition:

Under direction of the Department Deputy Director, or designee, this position manages the department’s internal and external communications and graphic design work and serves as the department’s public information officer (PIO), as well as a communications backup to regional partners in the event of emergencies.

The incumbent is responsible for program management, including personnel, contract deliverables, and fiscal data for quality, efficiency, and appropriateness. The individual assigned to this position is expected to apply professional knowledge and expertise to develop effective proactive and reactive communication and public involvement strategies around matters of significance to department initiatives. The incumbent works with internal interdisciplinary team(s) and with community groups, agencies, businesses, and regional partners to develop, recommend, and implement research-driven marketing and communications plans to augment outreach activities and initiatives delivered across a variety of platforms including digital properties, newsletters, print and broadcast collateral. As the PIO, the incumbent will develop and conduct media briefings to make public health information available, and monitor broadcast and print media and use information gleaned to produce follow up news releases, briefing papers, and correct misinformation.

Work is performed under limited management and requires independent judgment and discretion. The Deputy Director or designee sets the overall objectives and resources available. The incumbent develops the specific tasks necessary to complete the work within the timelines given, and is responsible for the work performed, prepares, and carries out the work plans, resolves most conflicts that may arise, coordinates work with others and uses independent judgment concerning appropriate methods and procedures. Incumbent will keep the Deputy Director regularly informed of progress, potentially controversial matters, and issues with far reaching implications. Work is reviewed in terms of feasibility, compatibility with other work and effectiveness of results.

Job Duties

Examples of Work Performed:

• Manages the department’s internal and external communications functions.
• Oversee department media relations (print and live-broadcast) functions and serves as the department’s public information officer and liaison:
• Develops effective strategies for media engagement.
• Receives and responds to inquiries from the media, public officials, and the public.
• Produces media advisories and news releases.
• Research information and provides clarification on issues of particular interest to the public.
• Provides strategic advice and guidance regarding messaging, timing, and develops talking points for department spokespersons.
• Coordinate with Snohomish County communications staff and other local health jurisdictions, as needed, on joint communications and emergency communications,
• Create and carry out strategic communications, in accordance with Public Health Accreditation Standards and health promotion actions, to educate and inform residents about public health related topics.
• Track, assess, and adapt program goals and projects to meet desired outcomes and objectives.
• Ensure the department’s web and social media presence is user-orientated, culturally relevant and responsive, and maintained with content curation and design support; review, monitor and adapt to website and social media analytics.
• Provide leadership, supervision, and coordination for assigned staff to carry out program functions in accordance with the county’s policies and procedures and applicable laws.

1. Responsibilities include interviewing; hiring; planning, assisting, directing, and evaluating work in progress and upon completion; appraising performance; communicating the need for corrective or disciplinary action to appropriate county personnel and, along with the deputy director, initiating or approving disciplinary action for staff; addressing complaints; resolving problems; and approving/scheduling leave time.
2. Assigns, monitors, and adjusts workloads as appropriate;
3. Provides coaching, mentoring, and training.

• Ensure consistency among department staff in the use of communication rules, regulations, policies, standards, and procedures. Such as health literacy standards, brand standards, and media conventions and standards.
• Design and implements program within approved budget; obtain grants as appropriate to fund ongoing or new programs; prepare contract work statements as appropriate and assume responsibility for monitoring of program contracts and grants.
• Collaborate with department staff to identify effective and culturally appropriate communications strategies and methods, determine essential information to be communicated, and put technical information into clear and compelling terms.
• Create and use inclusive and equitable public involvement, marketing, and branding strategies to increase information understandability, engagement, and accessibility.
• Assures communications support for accurate and timely annual reports, fact sheets and brochures and other written materials.
• Writes or edits speeches, presentations, and talking points for Health Officer, Department Director, and other spokespeople, including Board of Health members.
• Develop and support processes for obtaining community feedback on department services and needs.
• Develop and implement an emergency communication response plan.
• During an emergency, serve as liaison to the Snohomish County Joint Information Center.
• Serve as, or designate, the lead public information officer in a joint emergency response when the department is the lead agency.
• Serve, as needed, in other areas of the department’s response.
• Regularly attends local jurisdiction and partner meetings, city council meetings and study sessions, hearings, and workshops to assure public health input and provide department presence.
• Participates in and supports emergency preparedness and response activities, including preparedness for the division, agency, and community.
• Represent the department in intra-agency, interagency and regional meetings and projects as assigned.

Represent management during labor negotiations.

Associated Duties:

• Shares in the monthly rotation of the 24-hour Health Department duty phone.
• Performs other related duties as requested.

Minimum Qualifications

Qualifications: Skills for the position may be gained through education, certification, relevant job experience or a combination, such as:

Education: Bachelor’s degree in communications, Public Relations, Marketing, Business or a related field;

Experience: Six (6) years of progressively responsible and relevant professional experience, with at least four (4) years in a supervisory capacity or any combination of educations and experience which demonstrates competency.

Licenses, Certifications, and Other Information:

• Master’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, Business, preferred
• Valid Washington State Driver’s license or ability to obtain one within 30 days of hire and a driving record which meets the requirements of Snohomish Health District’s insurance carrier.
• Successful completion of a background check pursuant to RCW 43.43.830.