Deputy Communications Director
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 Communications Program within the Department of Ecology is seeking a Deputy Communications Director to help lead a team of talented communication professionals. This position is located in our headquarters office in Lacey, WA, and has the ability to telework locally.
If selected, you will lead a group of highly effective communications professionals who care deeply about the work they do, are invested in making a difference, and support and learn from each other. If you share a passion for the environment, are a strong writer and communications strategist, enjoy building strong teams, and value inclusivity and respect for all viewpoints, then this is the position for you.
You will work closely with executive management to guide a statewide team of communications professionals working on strategic messaging for the most important environmental issues of our time – stopping climate change, saving Puget Sound, protecting water supplies for fish and farms, ensuring environmental justice for underserved communities, and more. You will help lead the team into new opportunities for growth as technologies evolve and audience needs change.
Our Mission at the Department of Ecology is to protect, preserve, and enhance Washington's environment, for current and future generations.
Our Communication Program contributes to the mission by providing clear, accurate and timely communications that explain the work Ecology does, why it matters, and the science behind it.
Protecting the environment 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 embrace 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.
During Healthy Washington Roadmap to Recovery, employees are working a combination of in-office and/or telework based on position and business need. Ecology is following current state guidance regarding building occupancy, mask requirements, health screening questions before entry, and social distancing.
Application Timeline: This position will remain open until filled, with an initial screening date of November 29, 2021. In order to be considered for initial screening, please submit an application on or before November 28, 2021. The agency reserves the right to make an appointment any time after the initial screening date.
Duties
What makes this role unique?
In this role, you will collaborate with the Communications Director to influence the direction and vision for the Communications Program. As the strategic operations manager, you will develop and guide the agency’s response to high-profile projects and issues. You will lead, manage, and coordinate high-profile media issues and projects across the agency.
What you will do:
- Plan, lead and manage the work of communication professionals statewide.
- Supervise five communication consultants in the regions and executive office, and coordinate the work of 10 communications consultants in environmental programs.
- Provide strategic and tactical communications direction for agency priorities, sensitive issues, news media relations, social media efforts, web presence, and internal communications.
- Develop and guide significant news announcements, briefing documents, and web and social media content for high-profile projects.
- Ensure timely coordination and effective messaging with Ecology’s Director, executive team, Governor’s Office, Attorney General’s Office, other agencies and stakeholders.
- Serve as agency spokesperson to news media, with experience in crisis communications.
- Ensure communications intentionally and effectively reach diverse audiences.
- Demonstrate an ongoing commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and respect.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications:
A total of Nine (9) years of experience and/or education as described below:
Professional level experience in: Developing and implementing multi-faceted communications for diverse audiences on complex topics.
Experience includes:
- News media relations.
- Social and digital media.
- Experience building strong collaborative relationships with internal and external partners and stakeholders.
- Experience cultivating an environment of engagement, belonging, respect, empathy, active listening and trust.
- Experience creating a workplace where differences are embraced; fostering a strong sense of team through diverse points of view, talents, and capabilities.
- Experience engaging staff in seeking and developing creative solutions.
- Experience managing multiple projects in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment and providing client or customer service.
Education involving a major study in: journalism, communications, public relations, or closely allied field.
See chart below for a list of ways to qualify for this position:
Desired Qualifications:
We highly encourage you to apply even if you do not have some (or all) of the desired experience below.
- Supervisory experience of professional level staff.
- Public sector communications experience.
- A strong working background in news media.
- Experience providing communications support during crisis and emergency response situations.
- Social and digital media enthusiast. Experienced in social media, web, and graphics strategies.
- Experience working with specialized media sources to reach diverse racial and ethnic communities and stakeholder groups.
- Experience working with historically underserved communities.
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 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 custom 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.
- Two original writing samples that reflect your work as a communications professional, such as social media posts, press releases, public statements, blog posts, or web content.
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 (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 Communications Director Dustin Terpening at Dustin.Terpening@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not contact Dustin 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.
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.