Strategic Communications Officer- Parks and Recreation
Strategic Communications Officer- Parks and Recreation
Employer Active
Job Alert
You will be updated with latest job alerts via email
Share
Job Alert
You will be updated with latest job alerts via email
Job Description
Summary
NOTE: This opportunity is open to current King County employees only. We are not accepting external applications at this time.Lead the Voice of King County Parks
Are you a visionary communicator passionate about equity sustainability and community engagement
Join King County Parks as our Strategic Communications Officer where youll craft clear consistent messaging that aligns our internal teams and engages the communities we serve showcasing the transformative impact of our parks and programs.
About the Role:
As a key member of the Parks Directors Office the Strategic Communications Officer will lead and align our messaging across the division. This pivotal role will craft and execute strategic communications that resonate with both internal teams and the public highlighting the impactful work of our dedicated teams whose effortssupported by the voterapproved King County Parks Levyhave led to significant enhancements across the county.
By strengthening public trust in our mission you will help dismantle systemic racial social and economic barriers to open spacescontributing to a more equitable inclusive and vibrant future for all who call King County home.
Why Youll Love This Job:
- Make a Tangible Impact: Your work will directly contribute to creating equitable inclusive and vibrant communities by enhancing access to parks and open spaces.
- Lead with Purpose: As a trusted advisor to the Division Director youll guide highprofile messaging and serve as the divisions primary media spokesperson.
- Collaborate and Innovate: Work alongside a talented community engagement team to produce outstanding content and coordinate communications across various sections.
- Champion Equity and Inclusion: Help dismantle systemic racial social and economic barriers to open spaces contributing to a more equitable future for all King County residents and reinforce public confidence in our work.
About the Team:
King County Parks and Recreation Division is a steward of one of the nations most expansive and diverse park systems encompassing over 250 parks more than 185 miles of regional trails over 215 miles of backcountry trails and more than 32000 acres of open space.
Our team is dedicated to maintaining and enhancing these vital public spaces ensuring they remain clean safe and accessible for all residents. As we approach theParks Levy cycle were embarking on ambitious projects aimed at expanding recreational opportunities improving trail connectivity and fostering inclusive community engagement.
Joining our awardwinning team means contributing to a dynamic period of growth and innovation where your work will have a lasting impact on the wellbeing and cohesion of communities throughout King County.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 Strategic Communications Officer you will actively apply these principles in all aspects of your work. Learn more about our commitment at now for a rewarding career at theParks 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 trainingcomprehensive benefits and growth opportunities.
Job Duties
What You Will Be Doing:
- Develop and execute strategic communications plans that reach employees partners and the public.
- Advise the Division Director on messaging for highprofile challenging circumstances.
- Coordinate communications across each Section of the Parks and Recreation Division to ensure message accuracy quality and consistency.
- Coordinate with the Public Affairs team at the Department of Natural Resources and Parks.
- Demonstrate how we are delivering on commitments made in the King County Parks Levy which includes grant funding and capital projects.
- Serve as the primary media spokesperson for the Parks and Recreation Division.
- Coordinate highprofile events groundbreakings and celebrations.
- Collaborate with our community engagement team to determine the most effective ways to provide communications support to our program staff and our capital projects staff.
- Produce highquality content including employee newsletters news releases and web content including creating authentic twoway conversations with our talented employees most of whom work outdoors and do not have constant access to email.
Experience Qualifications Knowledge Skills
Qualifications You Bring:- Strategic Communications Expertise: Demonstrated knowledge and practical application of strategic communications planning including familiarity with current tools policies and emerging trends in social media traditional media and communications.
- Commitment to Equity and Inclusion: Experience integrating race and social justice principles into communication strategies and deliverables ensuring messages are inclusive and resonate with diverse audiences.
- Collaborative Engagement: Proven ability to work collaboratively with internal teams and external partners fostering strong relationships to achieve communication objectives.
- Project and Time Management: Demonstrated skill in managing multiple communication projects simultaneously prioritizing tasks effectively and meeting established deadlines.
- Media Relations Experience: Experience engaging with news media including crafting key messages and facilitating media interactions to effectively convey organizational initiatives.
- Internal Communication Strategies: Experience developing and implementing internal communication plans aimed at enhancing employee engagement and organizational cohesion.
- AudienceCentered Communication: Ability to assess the needs of diverse audiences and tailor communication methods and tools to effectively reach and engage them.
- Digital Communication Proficiency: Professional experience utilizing various digital platforms such as Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram blogs and contentrich websites to disseminate information and engage with stakeholders.
- BalancesStakeholders: Understands internal and external stakeholder requirements expectations and needs. Balances the interests of multiple stakeholders. Acts fairly despite conflicting demands of stakeholders.
- Plans and Aligns:Sets objectives to align with broader organizational goals. Breaks down objectives into appropriate initiatives and actions. Stages activities with relevant milestones and schedules. Anticipates and adjusts effective contingency plans.
- Collaborates:Builds partnerships and works collaboratively with others across the organization to achieve shared objectives. Represents own interests while being fair to others and their areas. Credits others for their contributions and accomplishments. Gains trust and support of others.
- Communicates Effectively:Develops and delivers communication that meet the unique needs of different audiences. Provides timely and helpful information to others across organization. Encourages the open expression of diverse ideas and opinions.
- Strategic Mindset: Anticipates future trends and implications accurately. Creates competitive and breakthrough strategies that show a clear connection between vision and action.
It Would Be Great if You Also Bring:
- Understanding of Local Government and Political Processes: Demonstrated knowledge of local government operations and the political landscape enabling effective navigation and communication within a governmental context.
- Dynamic Public Speaking Abilities: Proven experience delivering compelling presentations to diverse audiences showcasing strong verbal communication skills and the ability to engage stakeholders effectively.
- Expertise in Public Information Strategies: Skilled in planning developing and executing comprehensive public information campaigns utilizing various techniques to inform and engage the community.
- Media Spokesperson Experience:Experience serving as an official spokesperson adept at managing media relations conducting interviews and conveying key messages clearly and confidently.
- Crisis Communication Proficiency: Demonstrated ability to develop and implement communication strategies during emergencies or highpressure situations to maintain public trust and organizational integrity.
Supplemental Information
Working Conditions:
- Onsite Work Details: Employees in this role predominantly work remotely from home with onsite reporting requirements typically 46 times a month. The frequency of onsite work is determined by business needs and may be adjusted accordingly. Onsite reporting locations may be at various King County worksites including the collaboration space at King Street Center 201 S. Jackson St Seattle WA 98104 or various park locations for site visits. This work arrangement promotes worklifebalance and reduces carbon footprint under the departments vision of Green Where We Work.
- Work Location Requirement: Employees must reside in Washington State and be within a reasonable distance to King County worksites to meet onsite reporting requirements.
- Work Schedule: This fulltime position works a 40hour work week Monday through Friday Standard hours are 8:00 am 5:00 pm. This position is exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and is not overtime eligible.
- Union Representation:This position is not represented by a union.
Anticipated Timeline for this recruitment: (Subject to change)
1st round of Interviews (Virtual Interviews) Week beginning 5/12/2025
2nd Round of Interviews (InPerson Interviews) Week beginning 5/19/2025
Application and Selection Process:
We welcome applications from all qualified applicants. We value diversity diverse perspectives and life experience and encourage people of all backgrounds to apply.
Application materials will be screened for clarity completeness and alignment with the experience qualifications knowledge and skills essential for this role to determine which candidates may be invited to participate in one or more panel interviews.
To apply submit a:
Completed Application(Pleasefill out your application as fully as possible. We cannot accept attached resumes (or see resume) in lieu of the application section.
Resume
Cover Letter highlighting how your skills and experience align with the qualifications and responsibilities of the role.
Incomplete applications or applications without the above required attachments may not be considered.
For more information regarding this recruitment please contact:
Discover More About King County Parks:King County Parks is dedicated to stewarding enhancing and acquiring parks to inspire healthy communities. With over 205 parks 175 miles of regional trails and 250 miles of backcountry trails we strive to provide park amenities that can be enjoyed by King County residents today and for generations to come. We value collaborative partnerships with community organizations and work towards the common goal of creating a vibrant and inclusive park system. Learn more at g check us out on the socials at FacebookTwitterInstagram and Vimeo.
Discover More About DNRP:Visit ourwebsite explore aninteractive mapof our recent accomplishments and check us out atFacebookXformerlyTwitterLinkedInTikTokInstagramYouTubeandKeeping King County Green News.
Forbes named King County as one of Washington States best employers.
Together with leadership and our employees were changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a differenceCome join the teamdedicated to serving one of the nations best places to live work and play.
King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer
No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race color religion national origin sex (including gender identity sexual orientation and pregnancy) age genetic information disability veteran status or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions including but not limited to recruitment hiring selection for training promotion transfer demotion layoff termination rates of pay or other forms of compensation.
To Apply
If you are interested in pursuing this position please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement.
Required Experience:
Unclear Seniority
Employment Type
Full-Time
