Northwest Straits Commission Communications Coordinator (Communications Consultant 4)

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.  

The Northwest Straits Commission is looking to fill a Communications Coordinator (Communications Consultant 4) position. This position is located in our Padilla Bay Office in Mount Vernon, WA. Upon hire, you must live in a proximity of the duty station that allows in-person attendance as needed.

The Northwest Straits Commission is a governmental organization housed in the Department of Ecology’s Shorelands and Environmental Assistance (SEA) program and was established to protect and restore the unique, rich marine ecosystem of the Northwest Straits region of Puget Sound through a local-based approach. The Northwest Straits Commission provides resources, coordination and technical support to seven county-based Marine Resource Committees (MRCs) and carries out marine conservation projects throughout the Northwest Straits region.

In this position, you will play a key role in implementing the Northwest Straits Commission’s communication strategy and developing and leading communications plans for emerging marine conservation issues. You will have the opportunity to connect with local communities in the Northwest Straits to develop internal and external communications while fostering relationships with a variety of communications channels and platforms. You will gain deep experience in planning and prioritizing messaging in a collaborative network. 

Please Note: This is a project position that is funded until December 31, 2023. Extension of this position is dependent upon annual funding.

The mission of the Department of Ecology is to protect, preserve and enhance Washington's environment and to promote the wise management of our air, land and water for the benefit of current and future generations.

During Healthy Washington Roadmap to Recovery, employees are working a combination of in-office and/or telework based on position and business need. This position is eligible to telework up to 90% of the time and is expected to work in the office two to three days per month. Additionally, travel throughout the Northwest Straits region will be required as needed. Ecology is following current state guidance regarding mask requirements, health screening questions before entry, and social distancing. Looking ahead, Ecology has recently updated the agency policies on telework and flexible and compressed work schedules.

Application Timeline: This position will remain open until filled, with an initial screening date of October 20, 2022. In order to be considered for initial screening, please submit an application on or before of October 19, 2022. The agency reserves the right to make an appointment any time after the initial screening date.

Ecology cares deeply about employee wellness; we go beyond traditional benefits, proudly offering:

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. 

 

Duties

What makes this role unique? 

In this role, you will be the primary communications consultant for the Northwest Straits Commission. You will provide vital communications support by identifying communications needs, often in partnership with regional partners, establishing objectives, implementing and evaluating the effectiveness of communications programs. You will navigate unique challenges as you help shape this new position and associated communications within a grass-roots driven organization.

What you will do: 

Qualifications

Experience for both required and desired qualifications can be gained through various combinations of formal professional employment, educational and volunteer experience. See below for how you may qualify.

A total of Seven (7) years of experience and/or education as described below:

Professional level Experience in journalism, public relations/information, news media, digital/social media, marketing, digital accessibility or writing/editing, or closely allied field.

Education involving a major study in journalism, communications, public relations, news media, digital/social media, English, marketing, humanities, or closely allied field.

See chart below for a list of ways to qualify for this position: 

 

Possible Combinations.College credit hours or degree – as listed above.Years of professional level experience – as listed above.Combination 1No college credit hours or degree.7 years of experience.Combination 2I have 30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter credits.6 years of experience.Combination 3I have 60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter credits (AA degree).5 years of experience.Combination 4I have 90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter credits.4 years of experience.Combination 5 A Bachelor's Degree.3 years of experience.Combination 6A Master’s Degree or higher.1 year of experience.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment: 

We highly encourage you to apply even if you do not have some (or all) of the desired experience below.

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?

It's in the applicant's best interest to submit all of the documents listed below. Applications without these documents may be declined.

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 (such as Resume, Cover Letter, Transcripts, DD-214, etc.):

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.

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. 

If you have specific questions about the position, please email Lucas Hart at hart@nwstraits.org. Please do not contact Lucas to inquire about the status of your application.

To request the full position description: email careers@ecy.wa.gov

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.

Collective Bargaining: This is a position covered by a bargaining unit for which the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) is the exclusive representative.  

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. Once all the position(s) from the recruitment announcement are filled, the recruitment may only be used to fill additional open positions for the next sixty (60) days.