Communications Manager (Communications Consultant 5)

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

The Department of Ecology is hiring aCommunications Manager (Communications Consultant 5)within the Spill Prevention Preparedness and Response program.

Location:

• Headquarters Office in Lacey WA.
• Upon hire you must live within a commutable distance from the duty station.

Schedule:

• This position is eligible for telework and flexible schedule options.
• A minimum of 1-2 days a week is required to be in the office or as needed if a situation requires us to be in person.
  
• Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.

Application Timeline:

• Apply by December 21 2025.
• This position will remain open until filled. The agency reserves the right to make a hire at any time after application review begins. Applications received after the date above may not be considered.

In this role you will serve as the communications manager for the Spill Prevention Preparedness and Response Program. You will handle both internal and external communications and you are expected to be a strong writerproducing press releases communication plans speeches presentations talking points and a variety of other documents. You should feel comfortable both in front of and behind the camera.

As part of Ecologys Spills Program you will help support a team that responds to more than 4000 spills every year. Spills can happen at any time and you play a vital role on a qualified team of response personnel. During emergency events you are the tip of the spear for communication serving as the lead Public Information Officer. You will be the voice of the incident managing media calls coordinating with partner agencies and leading Joint Information Center operations.

This position is an excellent opportunity if you want to work with some of the best oil spill response teams in the country while stepping into a leadership role. When youre not responding to spills you will prepare for them and support the broader agency communications team representing the Spills Program and assisting with agencywide communication needs.

You will be responsible for managing high-stakes time-sensitive communication during environmental emergenciesoften around the clockwhile coordinating messaging across multiple agencies jurisdictions tribes industry partners and media outlets. These responsibilities require you to maintain accuracy under pressure navigate political and public scrutiny and lead effective communication efforts during major spill events.

What you will do:

• Develop and lead the Spills Programs strategic communication strategies for executive leadership the public media legislators tribes federal partners and other interested parties.
• Serve as the primary media liaison and lead spokesperson for spill-related issues including emergency response communications.
• Manage and coordinate the 24/7 after hours communications manager team including scheduling training and supporting statewide spill response.
• Lead public information operations during spill incidents serving as Public Information Officer or Joint Information Center Manager within the Incident Command System.
• Supervise and mentor the Communications Consultant 3 guiding web content accessibility analytics outreach strategies and workflows.
• Develop write edit and review key communication products including news releases communication plans talking points speeches digital media and educational materials.
• Strategically leverage website and social media platforms to communicate spills information agency initiatives and preparedness activities.
• Represent the agency at public meetings briefings legislative hearings and interagency coordination efforts providing expert communication guidance.

For detailed information on how we calculate experience please visit our Recruitment website.

Required Qualifications:

Eight (8) years of experience and/or education as described below:

• Experiencein journalism public relations/information news media digital/social media marketing digital accessibility or writing/editing.
• Educationinvolving a major study in journalism communications public relations news media digital/social media English marketing humanities or closely allied field.

Required Skills and Abilities:

• Expertise in strategic communications media relations and crisis/emergency communication particularly within government or environmental contexts.

• Ability to operate effectively within the Incident Command System including serving as the Public Information Officer (PIO) or Joint Information Center lead during spills or drills.
• Strong writing and editing skills across multiple formatsnews releases speeches web content legislative materials communication plans and briefing documents.
• Proficiency with digital communication tools including social media platforms web content management analytics accessibility standards and multimedia (video/audio).
• Strong relationship-building skills with demonstrated ability to collaborate with executives government partners tribes Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) industry and the public.
• Excellent verbal communication and spokesperson abilities including experience interacting with the news media and preparing others for interviews.
• Strategic thinking and organizational skills including the ability to manage complex workloads prioritize and meet deadlines in stressful environments.
• Commitment to Diversity Equity Inclusion and Respect including self-awareness cultural competency and inclusive communication practices.

Examples of how to qualify:

• 8 years of experience.
• 7 years of experience AND 30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter college credits.
• 6 years of experience AND 60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter college credits (Associates degree).
• 5 years of experience AND 90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter college credits.
• 4 years of experience AND a Bachelors degree.
• 2 years of experience AND a Masters degree.
• 1 years of experience AND a Ph.D.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

• This position is part of the Spills Program Incident Management Team (IMT) and Crisis Management Team and is required to complete Incident Command System (ICS) training at the level ofand 800.

• ICS 100: 200: 700: 800: must maintain HAZWOPER certification annually and continual training as required by the Program as they come available.

• Must be able to pass a detailed background check required to obtain and maintain a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC).

• Hold and maintain eligibility and certification to permit travel to and from Canada including passport or Enhanced Drivers License.

• Hold and maintain a valid drivers license and be able to operate a motor vehicle.

• Position requires a willingness and ability to occasionally work in excess of 40 hours per week and travel statewide or out-of-state including after-hours inspections seven days a week.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience in emergency response crisis communication incident command system and functioning of joint information centers involving multiple jurisdictions and entities.
• Demonstrated public speaking acumen.
• Leadership and supervisory experience including coaching staff facilitating cross-program teams and coordinating multi-agency communications.
• Strategic communications experience in a government setting.
• Strategic issues management and communications planning.
• Experience in developing outreach and education plans/campaigns for community engagement.

If you are excited about this role but not sure if your experience aligns perfectly with every qualification in the job descriptionwe encourage you to apply.Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At the Department of Ecology we are dedicated to building a diverse and authentic workplace centered in belonging. You may just be the needed candidate for this or other roles.

Ecology does not use the E-Verify system; therefore we are not eligible to extend STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT). For more information please visit.

Our Commitment to DEIR

Diversity Equity Inclusion and Respect (DEIR)are core values central to Ecologys work. We strive to be a workplace where we are esteemed for sharing our authentic identities while advancing our individual professional goals and collaborating to protect preserve and enhance the environment for current and future generations.

Diversity:We celebrate and appreciate diversity; our unique perspectives and abilities enrich us all and lead to innovative approaches and solutions.

Equity:We champion equity recognizing that each of us need different things to thrive.

Inclusion:We intentionally create and hold space so that we all have meaningful opportunities to participate and contribute to Ecologys work.

Respect:We treat each other with respect and dignity acknowledging the inherent worth of our diverse perspectives and lived experiences even in times of uncertainty and disagreement.

We believe thatDEIRis both a goal and an action. We are on a journey honoring our shared humanity and taking steps to demonstrate our commitment to a vision where each of us is heard seen and valued.

Application Process

Ecology seeks diverse applicants: We view diversity equity inclusion and respect through a broad lens including race ethnicity class age religion sexual orientation gender identity immigration status military background language education life experience physical disability neurodiversity and intersectional identities. Qualified job seekers from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

How to Apply

Click Apply at the top of this page. Complete the entire application including full work history and responses to all supplemental questions and attach:

• Cover letter describing your interest in and qualifications for this position
• Resume
• Please attach any communication materials you have created such as press releases media posts etc.

Because we base our selection on the information you provide it is in your best interest to complete the application thoroughly.A resume will not substitute for the work experience section of the application or vice versa. Applications with blank fields or supplemental question responses with comments such as see resume may be considered incomplete.

Application Attestation: By submitting an application you are affirming that the information contained in your application and on all attachments is complete and truthful. The state may verify this information and any false or misleading answers may result in rejection of your application or dismissal if employed.

Need an Accommodation

If you need reasonable accommodation during the application and/or screening process including this job announcement in an alternate format:

• Please contact us at or
• If you are deaf or hard of hearing you may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 711 or 1-.

Questions

• For specific questions about the position location options schedule or duties please email Carlos Clementsat:.
• If you need assistance applying for this job are inquiring about the status of your application would like to request the full position description or have any other questions please contact the Recruitment Team at

The Spills Programs missionis to protect preserve and restore Washingtons environment. Our vision is to create a zero spills world.

About the Department of Ecology

As the State of Washingtons environmental protection agency we are deeply committed to protecting preserving and enhancing Washingtons environment for current and future generations. Joining Ecology means becoming part of a team dedicated to protecting and sustaining healthy land air water and climate in harmony with a strong economy. A career in public service at Ecology allows you to help solve some of the most challenging problems facing our state while keeping your health and financial security a priority. We combine one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation with a strong commitment to life/work invest in our employees to create and sustain a working environment that encourages creative leadership effective resource management teamwork professionalism and accountability.

Ecology employees may be eligible for the following:Medical/Dental/Vision for employee & dependent(s)Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)Vacation Sick and other Leave11 Paid Holidays per yearPublic Service Loan ForgivenessTuition Waiver Long Term Disability&Life InsuranceDeferred Compensation ProgramsDependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP) Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA)Employee Assistance ProgramCommute Trip Reduction IncentivesCombined Fund DriveSmartHealth*Click here for more information

To learn more about Ecology please visit ourwebsite explore Working at Ecology check out ourStrategic Plan and connect with us onLinkedInFacebookInstagramYouTube or ourblog.

Equal Opportunity Employer: The Washington State Department of Ecology is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural racial ethnic sexual orientation and gender identity diversity. Women racial and ethnic minorities persons of disability persons over 40 years of age veterans military spouses or people with military status and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply.

Collective Bargaining: This is a position covered by a bargaining unit for which the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) is the exclusive representative.

Note: This recruitment may be used to fill other positions of the same job classification across the agency. Once all the position(s) from the recruitment announcement are filled the recruitment may only be used to fill additional open positions for the next sixty (60) days.

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