Communications Consultant 4

State of Washington•Clark County – Vancouver, WA

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is a multimodal agency with a global reputation for excellence. Our dedicated workforce plans, designs, builds, and operates an integrated transportation system that safely and efficiently moves people and goods throughout the state. In addition to maintaining over 20,000 lane miles of state highway and 4,100 bridges, WSDOT manages the world's longest floating bridge, leads an award-winning Active Transportation Plan, holds the record for the world’s widest tunneling project, and operates the largest ferry system in the nation! WSDOT is currently seeking a Communications Consultant 4 to serve as one of Southwest Region’s senior communication leaders supporting transportation programs, projects, and operations. In this role, you will develop and deliver strategic communications that keep the public, partners, and stakeholders informed while promoting transparency, trust, and meaningful engagement. Serving as a trusted communications advisor, you will provide timely, accurate and accessible information that helps shape public understanding of complex transportation issues. Your work will support safe and reliable transportation, informed decision-making, and effective emergency communications. Join WSDOT in advancing our mission to improve communities and strengthen economic vitality through clear, impactful communication.

Requirements

Demonstrated ability to develop and implement communications strategies, public information efforts, stakeholder engagement activities, or outreach programs that support organizational objectives.
Advanced ability to create, edit, and deliver clear, effective written, verbal, digital, and multimedia communications for diverse audiences, including communicating complex, technical, or sensitive information.
Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
Actively demonstrates a commitment to learning and growth.
Takes action to meet the needs of others.

Nice To Haves

Advanced skills in professional writing, editing, and message development using plain language principles and audience-focused communications.
Demonstrated ability to plan, develop, and implement communications strategies for transportation, construction, infrastructure, public works, or government programs.
Ability to serve as an agency media spokesperson.
Experience or training in emergency communications.
FEMA Public Information Officer (PIO) certification.
Proficiency in web, social media, and digital communications.

Responsibilities

Lead strategic communications for Southwest Region transportation programs, projects, and operations by developing, implementing, and evaluating communication plans, messaging, and outreach strategies that support agency priorities and informed decision-making.
Advise regional leadership, project teams, and agency partners on communications strategy, stakeholder engagement, media relations, public involvement, and communications risks; coach staff for media interviews, public meetings, and speaking engagements.
Serve as the regional communications representative and agency spokesperson by responding to media inquiries, coordinating interviews, and delivering timely, accurate, and consistent information to the public and media.
Develop, write, edit, and distribute communication materials, including news releases, presentations, speeches, briefing materials, website and social media content, and other public-facing communications using agency standards and plain language principles.
Build and maintain relationships with community organizations, tribal governments, local governments, elected officials, transportation partners, businesses, and the public while planning and facilitating public meetings, presentations, workshops, and stakeholder engagement activities.
Research, analyze, and monitor transportation issues, stakeholder concerns, public sentiment, and communication trends to identify risks and opportunities, evaluate communication effectiveness, and recommend improvements.
Develop, manage, and maintain digital communications, social media, web content, multimedia products, and analytics to ensure information is accurate, accessible, engaging, and compliant with agency standards.
Manage communications consultant contracts and coordinate communication activities across internal and external stakeholders to ensure quality deliverables, consistent messaging, effective customer responses, and alignment with WSDOT priorities.
Serve as a Public Information Officer by coordinating emergency communications, developing timely and accurate public messaging, advising leadership during incidents and supporting incident response through a rotating standby communications role.