Communications Consultant 4

State of Washington•Spokane County – Spokane, WA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is seeking a collaborative Communications Consultant 4 to contribute to the strategic communications and community engagement efforts for transportation projects and programs throughout the Eastern Region (ER), including high-profile and high-impact initiatives. Reporting to the ER Communications Manager, this position will develop and implement proactive communication strategies, inclusive community engagement plans, and culturally responsive outreach that strengthen relationships with agency partners, local communities, tribal governments, and elected officials while supporting environmental justice and WSDOT's strategic priorities. This role serves as a trusted advisor to agency leadership, providing communications expertise, evaluating outreach effectiveness, and recommending innovative approaches that build public trust and support informed decision-making. Strong candidates will possess exceptional written and verbal communication skills, relationship-building abilities, and experience fostering meaningful engagement with diverse communities.

Requirements

Demonstrated advanced competency in planning, developing, and implementing comprehensive strategic communication and public affairs initiatives for complex, high-visibility issues.
Ability to assess political, organizational, and community impacts and determine appropriate communication strategies across multiple platforms and audiences.
Demonstrated experience designing and leading inclusive, culturally responsive community engagement efforts, including engagement with historically underserved, disadvantaged, and limited-English-proficiency populations.
Ability to apply environmental justice principles and inclusive engagement requirements to transportation project communications.
Advanced skill in serving as a media spokesperson, including preparing for and responding to media inquiries, press events, and emergent issues.
Demonstrated ability to craft clear, accurate, and compelling messaging under tight deadlines and public scrutiny.
Advanced competency in professional writing, editing, proofreading, and content development across multiple formats, including web, print, digital, and presentations.
Demonstrated working knowledge of English grammar, AP style, messaging standards, and accessibility considerations, with strong attention to detail.
Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment, maintain professionalism, and adapt communication strategies in politically sensitive, high-pressure, or rapidly changing environments.
Ability to independently assess risk, recommend solutions, and advise leadership.
Ability to build trust and maintain productive working relationships with internal teams, executive leadership, partner agencies, elected officials, tribal governments, and community stakeholders.
Demonstrated experience consulting with leadership and participating in strategic decision-making processes.
Demonstrated commitment to meeting the needs of internal and external customers through responsive, solution-focused communication.
Actively seeks learning opportunities, feedback, and continuous improvement in communication practices.
Ability to maneuver and transport various materials and/or equipment weighing up to 40 pounds.

Nice To Haves

Demonstrated ability to work independently and maintain effective working relationships in high stress, politically sensitive, or conflict-driven environments.
Knowledge of or demonstrated experience using visual and digital communication tools, such as Adobe Creative Suite, GIS-based tools, Microsoft Office 365, and multimedia platforms.
Ability to apply visual storytelling principles to enhance public engagement and understanding.
Experience managing or contributing to social media platforms, using analytics and engagement data to evaluate effectiveness and inform communication strategies.
Familiarity with Online engagement tools and survey platforms.
Demonstrated skills or experience in photography, videography, and video editing to support outreach, storytelling, and public engagement activities.
Ability to organize, prioritize, and deliver high-quality work while managing multiple deadlines, competing priorities, and diverse stakeholders.
Experience or understanding of transportation and construction communications, government operations, public outreach, media relations, and political processes.
Experience coordinating or leading communication efforts during emergencies or crisis situations.
FEMA Public Information Officer (PIO) Emergency Responder certification or the ability to obtain.

Responsibilities

Conduct daily strategic communications efforts; interpret policies and drafts communications related to policy decisions.
Serve as media contact for the ER on projects, other high-profile/high-impact projects, and during emergencies.
Research, write, edit, produce, and distribute newsletters, brochures, media releases, websites, briefing papers, correspondence, mass mailings, media lists, speeches, presentations, and other communications tools as needed.
Edit and maintain agency webpages; design and direct extensive, inclusive, collaborative, and transparent community engagement communications resources and materials.
Establish and sustain professional relationships with various internal and external WSDOT partners.
Represent WSDOT in meetings with partner agencies and influential stakeholders; facilitate engagement and achieve support for agency projects, programs, and initiatives.
Consult and advise upper-level management and participate in decision-making.
Guide decision-making with internal agency teams, external organizations, and consultant team parties related to public engagement and environmental justice communications in regional projects and programs.
Act as the lead communicator at any public meeting, open house, stakeholder meeting or other events.