Content and Editorial Specialist (CC4)

State of Washington • Thurston County – Olympia, WA

9d • Onsite

About The Position

The Employment Security Department (ESD) is seeking a Content and Editorial Specialist (Communications Consultant 4) to join its Office of Communications & Outreach. The specialist serves as the agency’s lead writer and editor, shaping the agency’s voice, strengthening editorial consistency, and ensuring communications are clear, accurate, accessible, and responsive to diverse audiences.

The Office of Communications & Outreach develops and implements communication strategies to increase awareness, understanding, and use of ESD and WorkSource services and programs. The specialist collaborates with communications professionals, leadership, and subject matter experts across the agency to strengthen communication practices, provide editorial guidance, maintain writing standards, and develop effective digital and written content. The role leads agencywide editorial efforts, supports digital content strategy, and contributes to communications initiatives advancing ESD’s mission and strategic priorities.

The position is based in Olympia, Washington. The successful candidate must report to the designated work location as required.

Requirements

• Seven years of equivalent education and experience, including writing, editing, and translating; or an associate degree in English, communications, journalism, humanities, public relations, or a related field and five years of writing, editing, and translating experience; or a bachelor’s degree in one of those fields or a related field and three years of writing, editing, and translating experience.
• Ability to take action to learn and grow.
• Ability to take action to meet the needs of others.
• Ability to assess public understanding and recommend improvements.
• Flexibility to handle evolving responsibilities.
• Proficiency in managing communication with mass media.
• Must pass an Unemployment Insurance (UI) and Paid Family Medical and Leave (PFML) claim and fraud check.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the agency’s lead writer and editor, developing and maintaining editorial standards, including AP style, plain language, and a consistent agency voice and tone.
• Write, edit, proofread, and approve agency communications, including webpages, press releases, newsletters, legislative reports, briefings, blogs, and digital media content.
• Lead web content strategy and management efforts to ensure public-facing and internal websites provide accurate, accessible, timely, and well-organized information.
• Collaborate with agency leadership, communications professionals, and subject matter experts to develop communication strategies, improve content quality, and support high-priority agency initiatives.
• Develop and deliver training, coaching, and editorial guidance to strengthen writing, editing, and plain-language communication practices across the agency.
• Assess public understanding and recommend improvements.
• Manage communication with mass media.

Benefits

• Flexible work schedules may be available.
• Teleworking opportunities may be available.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree