Communications Specialist I - West Point

King County•Seattle, WA

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

This opportunity is open to current King County employees. We are not accepting external applications at this time. This recruitment aims to fill a Special Duty Assignment (SDA) position with an anticipated duration of up to three (3) years. SDA's are filled by a King County employee who has successfully completed their initial probation. In 1966, West Point Treatment Plant was commissioned to protect public health and the natural environment of Puget Sound. Now, WTD is replacing and updating critical plant systems that have been in continuous operation since the facility’s original construction. These are not your usual construction projects – crews will replace raw sewage pumps, engines and support systems while operators continue to run the plant 24/7. Engines will be replaced, one per year, until West Point reaches firm capacity with new pumps, scheduled to occur in three years. We are seeking a Communications Specialist I - Technical Writer to assist in producing reference documents and media that will help train staff and update facility manuals and/or operating procedures that will be impacted by construction changes. This is an opportunity to learn and develop technical writing skills, which can lead to higher level career service positions. The Communications Specialist I will work with members of the Technical Communications and Training teams, as well as staff in other WTD workgroups, to update manuals and procedures, and develop training materials. The goal is to help wastewater treatment plant operators better understand new systems. The Communications Specialist I will assist in documentation projects, working in a supportive and collaborative environment alongside team members who will be working on similar or related projects. Our team is intellectually curious, collaborating with operators, scientists, engineers, and crafts people to develop a dynamic, accessible knowledge base. We are committed to enhancing professional growth and workplace safety while protecting public health and the environment. Commitment to Equity, Racial, and Social Justice: King County, named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., is a diverse and vibrant community that represents cultures from around the world. Our True North is to create a welcoming community where everyone can thrive. We prioritize equity, racial, and social justice, making it a foundational and daily expectation for all employees. As a Communications Specialist I, you will actively apply these principles in all aspects of your work. Learn more about our commitment at http://www.kingcounty.gov/equity . Apply now for a rewarding career at the Wastewater Treatment Division of King County Department of Natural Resources & Parks (DNRP). Join our talented workforce in protecting and restoring the natural environment and promoting more resilient, sustainable, and equitable communities. Enjoy training, comprehensive benefits, and growth opportunities.

Requirements

Excellent written communication skills.
Experience with - or ability to learn - word processing, publication, content development, or graphic editing tools such as Microsoft Office or Adobe Creative Cloud tools.
Experience developing training, reference, or instructional materials.
Demonstrated interest in learning new skills or professional development (e.g., coursework, self-directed learning, or stated goals).
Able to follow directions or a workplan to deliver assignments and projects on time.
Ability to interpret regulatory documents and/or technical information.
Customer Focus: Building strong customer relationships and delivering customer-centric solutions.
Action Oriented: Taking on new opportunities and tough challenges with a sense of urgency, high energy, and enthusiasm.
Collaborates: Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.
Communicates Effectively: Developing and delivering multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences.
Self-Development: Actively seeking new ways to grow and be challenged using both formal and informal development channels.
Nimble Learning: Actively learning through experimentation when tackling new problems, using both successes and failures as learning fodder.
A valid Washington State Driver’s License (ability to travel to work sites not served by public transportation).

Nice To Haves

Ability to read and interpret graphs, diagrams, charts, and schematics, or a willingness to learn.
Ability to read and analyze dense or complex texts and assess what resources are needed or what questions need to be answered to understand the text.
Demonstrated interest in developing skills in writing, producing graphics or infographics, or other forms of technical communication.
Knowledge of wastewater treatment processes.

Responsibilities

Research and collect information from a variety of sources including facility manuals, equipment manuals, staff interviews, field observation, engineering drawings, and design specifications.
Draft descriptions of wastewater treatment process systems, equipment functions, safety systems, and more.
Produce or assist in producing media assets such as photos, videos, and graphics such as process diagrams and equipment layouts for treatment facilities.
Follow a workplan for producing reference documents, such as sections of manuals and/or operating procedures.
Format and publish content.