Communications Consultant 5 (CC5) DOH8538

State of Washington • Multiple Locations Statewide, WA

366d

About The Position

The Communications Consultant 5 works within the Communications Center serving as the primary communications consultant for the Executive Office of Innovation and Technology (OIT) and the Executive Office of Strategic Partnerships (OSP). This position represents DOH to the public, other DOH employees, and the media. The position advises staff on communication strategies related to both routine and high-profile public health issues. The consultant partners with colleagues across DOH to deliver clear, effective public health messages to a wide variety of audiences. Additionally, they serve as an adviser, coach, and trainer for DOH staff, enhancing the overall capacity to effectively communicate about public health. Their work plays a crucial role in supporting DOH's mission to protect and improve the health of Washingtonians, ensuring the department is seen as a trusted source of health information and a leader in public health communications.

Requirements

• Seven (7) years of full-time professional writing/editing experience, with writing and/or editing as a principal job responsibility.
• Bachelor's degree or higher in English, Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, or a related field; and four (4) years of full-time professional writing/editing experience, with writing and/or editing as a principal job responsibility.

Nice To Haves

• Writing and editing for diverse audiences, including hard-to-reach communities and those most affected by health disparities.
• Developing communication strategies and plans.
• Adapting communication products to ensure they are culturally and linguistically appropriate for diverse audiences.
• Applying plain language principles and an equity lens to all communication products.
• Managing multiple complex issues and projects simultaneously while meeting deadlines.
• Collaborating with organizational leaders, subject matter experts, and communicators at all levels.
• Effectively communicating complex or controversial issues to a variety of audiences.
• Experience in public relations within an agency environment or similar client-service setting.

Responsibilities

• Anticipate communication needs, opportunities, and impacts related to public health issues for the agency and its partners.
• Advise OIT and OSP leadership on communication strategies to address division policies, programmatic issues, and key initiatives related to data modernization and data storytelling.
• Build and maintain relationships with DOH leadership, staff, media, local health agencies, and other key partners to ensure accurate and consistent messaging.
• Lead and coordinate communication efforts, including media outreach, information distribution to state agencies, DOH staff, and key partners.
• Develop communication plans and create content to support communication goals, including reports, presentations, press releases, media advisories, social media posts, FAQs, fact sheets, and web content.
• Provide media relations support by advising agency leaders and staff on media strategy, preparing them for media events, and coordinating with PIOs on communication initiatives.
• Serve as spokesperson or liaison for public health priorities, representing DOH in media interactions and public engagements while advising leadership on media relations.
• Collaborate with subject matter experts, program staff, and partners to develop strategies and tools for addressing controversial or emerging public health issues.
• Participate in OPAE and Strategic Communications team meetings, supporting the ongoing development of communication strategies.

Benefits

• Competitive benefits package tailored to support your lifestyle.
• Work-life balance with the option to work remotely.
• Opportunities for in-person collaboration scheduled in advance.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Industry: Administration of Economic Programs
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree