Emergency Communications Specialist - (Communications Specialist 3)

Pierce County•Tacoma, WA

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Emergency Communications Specialist (Communications Specialist 3) supports Pierce County Communications and Emergency Management by developing and delivering strategic public information, especially during emergencies. The immediate primary focus is reviewing and updating the County’s Crisis Communication Plan so it can effectively reach and inform people during emergencies. The role also creates public education campaigns and content, promotes Emergency Management through social media and community engagement, and supports preparedness communications. This is a hybrid position with three days onsite at Emergency Management, one day onsite at Communications, and one day remote, based on business needs. The role requires flexibility and readiness to respond at any hour because emergencies do not follow a schedule. During a crisis, the specialist delivers clear, timely, strategic communications across multiple platforms and works collaboratively with first responders and agency public information officers throughout the County. The specialist also advises the director and leadership team on community engagement, preparedness strategies, and public awareness efforts. The position designs and leads communications strategy and campaigns for an assigned group, owns its proactive external communications agenda, and works with its leadership to translate priorities into communications objectives and strategic plans. The specialist advises leaders on communications opportunities, risks, messaging, and public response, and prepares speeches, talking points, briefing materials, and other leadership communications. Training and development opportunities include real-time training with experienced teammates, the County’s leadership development program, the CivicPlus publishing platform, colleagues and the Communications Director, and LinkedIn Learning.

Requirements

Seven years of related experience, including three years in a marketing, public relations, or communications role involving public-facing communication.
Post-secondary education in a related field may substitute for up to four years of required experience on a year-for-year basis.
Submit a resume, cover letter, and three work samples; applications missing these materials will not be considered.
Be legally authorized to work in the United States without visa sponsorship.
Authorize and complete a background check as a condition of employment.
Be flexible and ready to respond at any hour when emergencies occur.
Applicants must be prepared to demonstrate relevant skills, including writing and subject knowledge, and discuss their experience in their own voice during the interview process.

Nice To Haves

Leadership experience, such as leading projects or providing work direction to other staff.
Experience serving as a department or organizational spokesperson.

Responsibilities

Review and update the County’s Crisis Communication Plan to help effectively reach and inform people during emergencies.
Design and lead communications strategies and campaigns for an assigned department, major program area, or portfolio.
Own the assigned group’s proactive external communications agenda, identifying stories, campaigns, educational opportunities, and public-facing content.
Meet with assigned-group leadership to understand priorities and translate them into communications objectives and strategic plans.
Advise assigned-group leadership on communications opportunities, risks, messaging, and public response.
Write speeches, talking points, briefing materials, and other leadership communications.
Create public education campaigns and content, and promote Emergency Management through social media and community engagement.
Deliver clear, timely, and strategic communications across multiple platforms during crises, with readiness to respond at any hour.
Build collaborative relationships with first responders and agency public information officers across the County.
Advise the director and leadership team on community engagement, preparedness strategies, and public awareness efforts.
Participate in and support the development, measurement, and execution of County, department, division, and work-group missions, goals, and objectives.
Meet regularly with the supervisor and Emergency Management leadership during training to set goals, align expectations, review client satisfaction feedback, and evaluate social media performance and reach.