Communications Specialist III (internal only – (TLT/SDA)

King County•Seattle, WA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Community Health Services (CHS) is seeking an energetic, innovative, collaborative, and equity-centered Communications Specialist III. This role supports the division's vision of culturally responsive direct services and partnerships, and meaningful collaboration with community, partners, and staff. The Communications Specialist will collaborate with all levels of the organization to engage the workforce through stories and timely information that support client-focused services, strengthen connection across the division, and reflect the voices of employees and the communities CHS serves. The work includes collaborating with programs to provide timely and engaging information for community and clients who access services. The position develops and maintains internal and external content, digital channels and communication tools; helps translate complex information; and connects daily work to CHS priorities. The Communications Specialist III will be a visible advocate for equitable and accessible communications, championing plain language, inclusive storytelling, accessible design, language access and communication practices that reduce barriers and build trust and belonging. This is a Temporary Opportunity (Term-Limited Temporary - TLT) anticipated to last six months, and also open as a Special Duty Assignment for current King County employees. This posting may create a list of qualified candidates for additional vacancies over the next 6 months.

Requirements

Professional experience developing, writing, editing and publishing communications for multiple audiences and channels.
Ability to synthesize complex health, human services, policy or operational information into accurate, plain-language written, oral and visual communications.
Experience managing digital content using Microsoft 365 tools, including SharePoint and Teams, and an email or newsletter publishing platform.
Experience identifying audience needs and developing communication plans, products and engagement approaches responsive to those needs.
Demonstrated knowledge of equity, racial and social justice, accessibility and inclusive communications practices, including experience communicating about equity-related topics.
Ability to build trust and work effectively with employees, leaders, subject-matter experts and partners across diverse identities, roles, schedules and work locations.
Ability to organize concurrent projects, meet deadlines, coordinate review processes, use sound judgment with sensitive information and work both independently and collaboratively.
Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.
Employees are required to protect the privacy and security of protected health information as defined in State and Federal Law.
Candidates must be proficient and comfortable with computer use to perform functions associated with on-going work.
Employees are required to adhere to OSHA/WISHA guidelines including but not limited to completing their mandatory trainings on time and obtaining required immunizations.
Regular and reliable attendance, effective communication skills, and development of effective working relationships are requirements of all Public Health positions.

Nice To Haves

Communications experience in public health, health care, government, community-based or nonprofit settings.
Experience supporting equity initiatives, organizational strategy, employee engagement, change communications or leadership communications.
Experience creating and maintaining websites or intranet pages and using analytics to improve content.
Graphic design, photography, video, presentation design, data visualization or accessible document-production experience.
Experience coordinating translation, multilingual content or communications with culturally specific or ethnic media.
Proficiency in a language commonly spoken by King County communities.

Responsibilities

Research, write, edit and publish accurate content for varied audiences, including employee messages, leadership communications, newsletters, news stories, reports, talking points, presentations, fact sheets, educational materials, correspondence and campaign collateral.
Consult with CHS programs, Public Health Centers, subject-matter experts and leaders to assess audience needs, recommend channels and develop communication strategies.
Translate technical, policy, health and operational information into clear, actionable language without losing accuracy or context.
Translate CHS strategic goals, decisions, milestones and measures into plain-language resources that connect to employees' daily work.
Partner with the CHS EIB Manager to plan, develop and deliver communications for EIB initiatives, including employee learning, cultural awareness, belonging, workforce equity, racial equity and accessibility priorities.
Support urgent and contingency communications by coordinating facts, approvals, timing, audience segmentation and follow-up; communicate uncertainty responsibly and avoid speculation.
Develop and sustain storytelling that reflects CHS staff expertise, community impact and the breadth of safety-net services; obtain appropriate reviews and permissions.
Prepare manager and supervisor resources and talking points that support shared leadership accountability.
Coordinate recurring division communications and contribute to relevant CHS and department communications, leadership and engagement forums.
Build effective working relationships across roles, locations and disciplines and manage multiple assignments with sound judgment, transparency and follow-through.
Elevate staff and community voice through culturally responsive, dignity-centered storytelling; support two-way communication and close feedback loops through 'you said, we heard' or comparable approaches.
Apply the CHS Communications guideposts – resiliency, trust, bravery, reflection, radical imagination, liberation and transformation – to content development and consultation.
Apply accessibility and language-access practices, including plain language, meaningful alt text, readable formatting, color contrast, screen-reader compatibility, inclusive imagery and coordination of translation when required.
Maintain CHS SharePoint site as a trusted source of current information; build and update pages, organize and archive content, publish news, establish channel norms and support content governance.
Produce and distribute CHS newsletters and email communications using approved publishing platforms.
Coordinate CHS web and social media content with department communications teams and follow Public Health and King County requirements for review, branding, records and accessibility.
Contribute to accessible visual communication products and templates using approved design tools; apply consistent visual identity to division communications.
Use basic analytics and audience feedback to assess reach, improve content and recommend communication pathway adjustments.
Maintain communications work aids, templates, editorial calendars, source files and onboarding documentation to strengthen continuity and institutional memory.