Communications Consultant 5 - Washington State Ferries

State of Washington • King County - Seattle – Belltown, WA

3d

About The Position

Washington State Ferries (WSF), a division of the Washington State Department of Transportation, is seeking a Communications Consultant 5 to lead strategic construction communications supporting a major transformation of Washington’s ferry system. The role connects customers, communities, and agency partners with the purpose and progress of investments in vessel electrification and essential infrastructure improvements. Through clear, proactive communication, the position builds public trust, prepares passengers for construction impacts, and supports safe, reliable ferry operations.

The consultant advises WSF leadership and construction managers, co-leads communications for assigned projects, and coordinates public, employee, media, digital, and crisis communications. The role works with engineering and community engagement teams, represents the agency at meetings and events, manages construction web content, and may provide rotating 24-hour on-call coverage. Work may be remote, hybrid, or in-office, with occasional travel to project locations, field sites, and in-person meetings.

Requirements

• Demonstrated ability to serve as a strategic communications advisor or embedded partner to technical professionals, project managers, and executive leadership on public infrastructure or transit initiatives.
• Applied experience in proactive risk communication, reputation management, and issue mitigation during high-visibility construction or operational impacts.
• Demonstrated skill translating complex engineering, construction, and design concepts into clear, accessible language for the public, media, and elected officials.
• Knowledge of public information policies and methods for evaluating communications program effectiveness.
• Competence in traditional media practices, serving as an official spokesperson, managing crisis communications, and conducting rapid fact-finding research under pressure.
• Advanced writing, editing, feature story development, and public speaking skills across print, digital, and broadcast channels.
• Ability to build productive relationships, navigate sensitive situations, and resolve conflicts during high-stress scenarios.
• Ability to manage competing priorities under tight deadlines, independently and collaboratively, across remote, office, and active field or maritime sites.
• Proficiency in web content management systems such as Drupal, social media platforms, and basic visual design software.
• Ability to exercise professional discretion when handling security-sensitive and confidential information.
• Ability to travel independently to project locations, field sites, and community meetings.
• Progressive professional experience applying strategic communications, public relations, journalism, marketing, or related practices; relevant practical experience and professional achievements may substitute for formal post-secondary education.
• Demonstrated commitment to learning and growth through examples of acquiring knowledge, applying feedback, or adapting communications practices.
• Ability to identify the needs of others and take action to meet those needs.

Nice To Haves

• Familiarity with emergency communications principles, demonstrated through FEMA Public Information Officer training or experience within an Incident Command System framework.
• Experience directly interfacing with senior agency executives, government officials, and local communities, including neighborhood outreach strategies.
• Experience serving as an official spokesperson during construction impacts or service disruptions.

Responsibilities

• Advise WSF leadership and construction managers on public relations, reputation management, risk communication, and public information policies.
• Co-lead communications for terminal electrification, new vessel construction, and other assigned projects, integrating messaging, community impacts, and reputational risks into project planning and decision-making.
• Track construction schedules and coordinate with engineering and community engagement teams to communicate milestones, service disruptions, and community commitments.
• Serve as a project spokesperson, manage media and social media responses, highlight WSF investments, and represent the agency at public meetings and events.
• Develop and coordinate reviews of project messaging, communications materials, executive briefings, and crisis communications.
• Oversee consultant deliverables for timeliness, scope, and quality.
• Coordinate system-wide public and employee communications, including emergency and crisis communications, and provide rotating 24-hour on-call coverage as assigned.
• Monitor media, customer feedback, and community input to identify emerging issues and misinformation, evaluate communications effectiveness, and refine strategies.
• Edit and manage construction webpages in Drupal and provide backup web support, ensuring accuracy, plain language, accessibility, and compliance with WSF web standards.
• Coordinate web content with Americans with Disabilities Act staff and subject-matter experts.
• Uphold WSF’s strategic priorities and values, embedding them in the agency’s culture through leadership actions.

Benefits

• Work-life balance commitment.
• Up to 25 paid vacation days per year for full-time employees.
• 12 paid holidays.
• Tuition assistance options for permanent employees, including tuition reimbursement programs, government discounts at participating colleges, and eligibility for federal student loan forgiveness.
• Comprehensive benefits package with a variety of healthcare options.
• Choice of state retirement programs.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed