Communications and Community Relations Lead

** This position is only open to current King County employees. **

King County Road Services Division is recruiting to hire a talented Communications and Community Relations Lead (Project/Program Manager III) to join our fast-paced Communications Team. This position will work independently and as part of a team to plan and implement communications plans and community outreach for our road construction projects. This role also will write create and manage engaging website and social media content that sparks interest in major capital road projects and the general road maintenance program in unincorporated King County. This is an exciting opportunity to work with the Road Services Communications team and make a difference in our community!

Our commitment to Equity Racial and Social Justice

The Department of Local Services is deeply dedicated to fostering Equity Racial and Social Justice in every aspect of our work. Our commitment to True North values which ensures every person has the opportunity to thrive and reach their full potential forms the core of our mission and purpose. Our pledge is to cultivate embrace and celebrate the distinct experiences viewpoints and perspectives of our people partners and the communities we serve. Through this work we dismantle systemic barriers address inequities and actively confront prejudices and biases. We acknowledge this journey is ongoing and we remain steadfast in our efforts to create a positive impact for our employees and communities alike.

This position is assigned to the Road Services Division in the Department of Local Services and will support the Road Services Communications and Customer Service Manager. The job duties include:

• Serve as a communications project manager or task lead for a variety of small- and large-scale road improvement projects across Unincorporated King County.
• Write research and implement inclusive communications and community outreach plans and processes that are transparent informative and engage people from a variety of backgrounds.
• Write create and lead the production of public digital and print communications products including website content email newsletters social media postcards flyers blogs and presentations that draw peoples attention and inspire them to get involved.
• Lead outreach efforts for capital improvement projects including virtual and in-person project outreach meetings attending community events (farmers markets fairs and festivals) and conducting door-to-door outreach to share upcoming projects with the community.
• Grow and maintain public confidence in Road Services by fostering transparency equity inclusion and prioritize accessibility in every aspect of the work.
• Oversee assignments (plan track and quality-check work assignments) for one or two staff communicators on tight deadlines.

• Perform research draft messaging and respond to questions and concerns from community members media reporters and elected official staff. Work closely with technical professionals (engineers and transportation planners) leadership and staff throughout the process.

• With the team develop and maintain a division-wide monthly social media content calendar; track and report analytics (performance) each month.

• Oversee production of printed materials and displays on tight deadlines.
• Collaborate with others to plan inclusive events on behalf of Road Services including in person and online meetings and an annual professional development All Hands event for Road Services employees.

• Other duties as assigned.

• At least five years of progressively responsible professional public communications and community relations experience in transportation or construction-related communications; public works community planning and/or development; or comparable public agency experience.
• Expertise in writing researching and implementing tactful equitable communications and community outreach plans for small and large projects or programs.
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills and familiarity with AP style guide.
• Demonstrated commitment to championing equity inclusion belonging and racial and social justice.
• Ability to collaborate and work with a diverse group of project engineers subject matter experts leadership internal staff and a variety of external partners.
• Demonstrated skills in performing community outreach (planning facilitating events meetings and public engagement) with individuals communities and groups with diverse backgrounds. Examples of diversity include but are not limited to ethnicity socioeconomic age culture race LGBTQIA.
• Experience working in fast-paced environments (independently and on a team) while managing multiple priorities overseeing others work and meeting deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to translate complex and technical information into plain language for non-technical audiences and people for whom English is not their primary language.
• Expertise in writing informative engaging reader-friendly website content email newsletters talking points key messages blogs GovDelivery and digital media posts for a public agency; able to keep pace with new communications and social media trends.
• Sensitivity to the political environment; ability to act in a tactful and diplomatic matter with diverse groups customers and officials.
• Has experience leading coaching and/or mentoring staff.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office products including Word Excel PowerPoint SharePoint and Teams.
  
  

• Has demonstrated success managing multiple to-do lists and working with a team in a fast-paced collaborative environment.
• Is a compassionate person who has several years of substantial experience in the field of communications planning and public community outreach.
• Is committed to equity inclusion belonging social and racial justice in public service.
• Is fluent in American Sign Language or a second spoken language. The main languages spoken in several communities we serve include Spanish Vietnamese Khmer Russian Somali Chinese Korean Tagalog Samoan Arabic or Cambodian.
• Enjoys working with public and governmental agencies.

INTERVIEW SCHEDULE:Those applicants who pass the initial screening will be invited to participate in an interview the week of 12/15/2025.

WHO MAY APPLY:This recruitment is open to all qualified applicants and may be used to fill current and or/future career service term-limited temporary short-term temporary and or/special duty positions over the next six months. First consideration will be given to current PROTEC17 members in the same classification that are eligible for lateral transfer.

APPLICATION PROCESS: A full and complete King County application is required. Please submit a letter of interest that tells us what draws you to our Communications and Community Relations Lead position with King County Road Services. The letter should also tell us what experience skills background and abilities make you a great fit for this job. Applicants will be screened for clarity completeness and competitiveness. The most competitive candidates may be invited to participate in one or more interviews. Minimum qualifications and answers to supplemental questions must be demonstrated in your application materials.

For interviewing tips please see the STAR-LA method:

WORK SCHEDULE: The work week is normally Monday through Friday 8.00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and adjustments to the schedule may be discussed with your supervisor. This position is Exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is not eligible for overtime pay.

EMERGENCY DESIGNATION STATUS: This position has been designated Mission-Critical. Those employees who provide maintain and re-establish essential county functions as described in agency Continuity of Operations plans.

Unless otherwise directed by the County Executive department director or agency head all employees regardless of designation are expected to report to work or request leave during an emergency or inclement weather. For more detailed information please visit HR Policy County OperationsDuring Emergency Situations and the King County Guidelines for Workforce Management in an Emergency.

UNION MEMBERSHIP: This position is represented by PROTEC17

REMOTE AND ONSITE WORK:

The Communications team works in a hybrid model with days in the office as well as telecommuting. The ratio of remote to onsite work will be dependent on business needs and is subject to change. The primary onsite location is King Street Center 201 S. Jackson Seattle WA 98104 and secondary onsite location at the Roads Maintenance Facility 155 Monroe Ave NE Renton WA 98056. Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.

King County has a robust collection of tools and resources to support working remotely. The individual selected for this opportunity will join an innovative and progressive team that is redefining how we work as we transition to the departments hybrid environment. Employees will be provided with a County-issued laptop and must maintain a home workspace with an internet connection where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours.

To learn more about the Department of Local Services please visit our website at: 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.
Guided by our True North we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting support and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles - we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply including Native American and people of color immigrants refugees women LGBTQ people living with disabilities and veterans.

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.

For more information regarding this recruitment please contact: