Senior Employee Communications Specialist IV

Salary

$52.24 - $66.21 Hourly

Location

Seattle, WA

Job Type

Career Service, Full Time, 40 hrs/week

Job Number

2025JKD23906

Department

MTD - Metro Transit

Division

General Manager

Opening Date

03/24/2025

Closing Date

4/7/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

FLSA

Exempt

Bargaining Unit

Z3 : KC Personnel Guidelines

Full- or Part-Time

Full Time

Hours/Week

40 hours/week

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions
  
  

Summary

Learn how Metro connects you with what matters

This recruitment is ONLY open to current King County employees.

King County Metro Transit’s General Manager’s Office (GMO) seeks to hire a Senior Employee Communications Specialist IV. We are looking for a strong communicator and storyteller who can translate data, agency priorities, and complex information into clear, engaging, and accessible messages for employees. As a Senior Employee Communications Specialist IV, you will design and facilitate processes that engage people in shaping decisions and transforming policies and practices, support senior leadership’s communications about Metro’s priorities, values, and long-term vision, manage content and production of Metro’s newsletter, copy edit division newsletters and division messages from leadership, design and implement communications plans, and help build meaningful employee engagement opportunities that advances Metro’s values and commitment to safety, equity, and sustainability.

This recruitment will create an eligibility pool to fill future career service positions that may occur in the next six months at the discretion of the hiring authority.

Job Duties

Applying equity and social justice principles is a daily responsibility and a foundational expectation for all King County employees. All employees are expected to model and apply our equity and social justice shared values, behaviors, and practices.

As The Senior Employee Communications Specialist IV, You Will

• Provide strategic communications counsel and advice to senior management, people leaders, and other internal customers; advise on communications implications, risks, and outcomes of proposed policies, trainings, and actions in support of the Employee Services Division, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Team, Equitable Employment Office and General Manager’s Office.
• Formulate communications plans, programs, strategies, and products (i.e. talking points, employee messages, newsletters) in support of the Employee Services Division - specifically Organizational Health and Development (OHD), and the General Manager’s Office - specifically Equity, Inclusion and Belonging, and the Office of Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO).
• Research, design, write, edit, and coordinate the production of employee communications products, such as the Metro Layover monthly newsletter and Metro-wide communication from Division Directors and other senior leadership.
• Utilize journalism principles to research, write, edit, and publish clear, accurate, and engaging content for various communication channels.
• Work with internal customers or key stakeholders to assess communications and employee engagement needs, target audience, and objectives; design special activities to meet those needs.
• Review, provide guidance, and edit agency-wide messages, talking points, newsletters and other content as needed.
• Plan and implement production schedules to achieve project timelines; manage and evaluate projects and/or programs.
• Design and facilitate inclusive employee engagement opportunities to co-create, share information, and improve two-way communications with individual contributors and management; ensure the diverse voices of marginalized populations are equitably heard and considered
• Establish and maintain communications standards including an editorial style guide.
• Participate in consultant and vendor-selection process; oversee the work of consultants and vendors for branding, editorial content, and style to align with Metro’s values and initiatives.
• Develop editorial calendar for equity months and holidays, organizational health initiatives and training, and employee engagement opportunities.
• Coordinate review of editorial content and approval from stakeholders, subject matter experts, the General Manager’s Office, and the Executive Office as needed.
• Evaluate and develop new communication platforms using emerging technologies.
  
  

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

We are looking for candidates who have the following:

• Five years of increasingly responsible experience in communications and employee engagement OR any equivalent combination of experience and education which provides the applicant with the desired skills, knowledge, and ability required to perform the work.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to communicate technical information to non-technical audiences.
• Ability to follow style guides and branding guidelines in written and graphic communications. Ability to work under pressure, meet deadlines, organize work assignments, and set priorities. Ability to manage and evaluate projects and programs.
• Ability to act in a tactful and diplomatic manner, and work on sensitive issues with diverse groups.
• Ability to comprehend community and employee issues related to the organization.
• Ability to participate in developing communications strategies.
• Experience coordinating the work of graphic design professionals.
• Knowledge of know how to build relationships and treat all employees and customers equitably, with respect and dignity, as well as solve problems for the good of all.
  
  

The Following Skills Are Desirable (not Required)

• Experience in writing and preparing clear, concise, and impactful communications for senior leadership, including reports, presentations, and strategic documents.
• Experience working in public transit, including familiarity with industry standards, policies, and operational challenges. Knowledge of transportation issues and Metro’s operational practices, values, and culture.
• Experience with SharePoint and SharePoint site administration.
• Knowledge and experience with photography, video production, and graphic design.
  
  

Supplemental Information

Who May Apply

This recruitment is ONLY open to current King County employees.

Required Application Materials

• An online employment application, to include all relevant employment history and experience related to this role as well as responses to supplemental questions.
• A one-page cover letter focusing on your writing experience, including the types of content you’ve created, your ability to tailor messaging for different audiences, and any experience with strategic communication.
  
  

Union Membership

This position is not represented by a labor union.

Work Schedule

This position is exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is not eligible for overtime pay. Work schedule is normally Monday through Friday, 40-hour work week.

Work Location

This is a hybrid role and involves a mix of remote work and on-site responsibilities, with an expectation of being in the office for meetings, tasks, and assignments as needed. The primary onsite location is King Street Center, 201 S. Jackson, Seattle, Washington 98104.

For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact: Jalynn Davis, HR Analyst, at jalydavis@KingCounty.gov.

Teleworking Requirement

The work associated with this position is currently being performed in a hybrid fashion including teleworking, complemented with onsite work and meetings as needed. Frequency of onsite work will vary based on business and operational needs. Employees must reside in Washington State and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.

King County has a robust collection of tools and resources to support working remotely. The individual selected for this opportunity will join an innovative and progressive team that is redefining how we work as we transition to the department's hybrid environment. EmployeeswillbeprovidedwithaCountyissuedlaptopandmustmaintainahomeworkspacewithaninternet connection where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours.

Forbes named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.

Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.

Guided by our "True North", we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles - we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ , people living with disabilities, and veterans.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer

No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.

To Apply

If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions, please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement.

Benefits

King County offers a highly-competitive compensation and benefits package designed to meet the diverse needs of our employees and support our employees' health and well-being. Eligible positions receive the following benefits and have access to the following programs:

• Excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage options: King County provides eligible employees with options, so they can decide what’s best for themselves and their eligible dependents
• Life and disability insurance: employees are provided basic coverage and given the opportunity to purchase additional insurance for both the employee and eligible dependents
• Retirement: eligible King County employees may participate in a pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and a 457(b) deferred-compensation plan
• Transportation program and ORCA transit pass
• 12 paid holidays each year plus two personal holidays
• Generous vacation and paid sick leave
• Paid parental, family and medical, and volunteer leaves
• Flexible Spending Account
• Wellness programs
• Onsite activity centers
• Employee Giving Program
• Employee assistance programs
• Flexible schedules and telecommuting options, depending on position
• Training and career development programs
  
  

For additional information about employee benefits, visit our Benefits, Payroll, and Retirement Page.

This is a general description of the benefits offered to eligible King County employees, and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. If any information on this document conflicts with the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), the CBA prevails.

NOTE: Benefits for Term Limited Temporary (TLT) or Short Term Temporary (STT) positions, including leave eligibility and/or participation in the pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems, will vary based upon the terms and details of the position. Short Term Temporary positions are not eligible for an ORCA transit pass.

For inquiries about the specifics of this position, please contact the recruiter identified on this job posting.

01

How many years of progressively responsible experience do you have in communications and employee engagement, or any equivalent combination of experience and education?

• No experience, but I am willing to learn.
• One to less than two years.
• Two to less than three years.
• Three to less than four years.
• Four to less than Five years.
• Five or more years.
  
  

02

Which of the following choices most closely describes your skill level with Sharepoint?

• None experience, but willing to learn.
• Very Limited. I have completed training, but have not used it much.
• Beginner. I am able to create, open, save and print documents; cut, copy, paste and delete text; format text; set paper size and orientation.
• Intermediate. In addition to the beginner-level skills, I am also able to create page breaks; adjust line spacing; insert page numbers; use auto text; create and edit templates; insert headers and footers; insert and edit tables; use search and replace.
• Advanced. In addition to the beginner and intermediate-level skills, I am also able to set up data sources for mail merge; create macros; use track and review; protect documents; convert tables to text; create hyperlinks, create columns.
  
  

03

How many years of experience do you have in writing and preparing clear, concise, and impactful communications for senior leadership?

• None experience, but willing to learn.
• One to less than two years.
• Two to less than three years.
• Three to less than four years.
• Four to less than Five years.
• Five or more years.
  
  

04

Are you applying to this position as an eligible current or previous King County Employee Priority Placement Program Participant? AND Is this position the same or lower percentage of full-time when compared to the position held at the point of the notification of layoff? AND Do you possess the skills and abilities to qualify for this position?

• Yes, I was given a layoff notice from my Career Service role at King County and I am within two years of the effective date of my layoff. Additionally, the position I was laid off from was the same or a higher percentage of FT status when compared to this one.
• No.
  
  

05

If you answered yes to the question above and you are applying for this position as a Priority Placement Participant, to be considered, you must provide the following three pieces of information in the space provided: 1. The title you held when you received your layoff notice 2. The department you worked in 3. The effective date of your layoff

Required Question

Employer King County

Address King Street Center

201 South Jackson Street

Seattle, Washington, 98104

Phone 206-477-3404

Website http://www.kingcounty.gov/