Communication Consultant 5
State of Washington
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Job summary
Washington State Department of Services for the Blind seeks a Communication Consultant 5 to lead strategic internal and external communications across multiple programs. The role directs public relations, branding, digital content, and outreach, and collaborates with staff to ensure consistent messaging across channels.
The position emphasizes accessibility, plain language, and collaboration while supporting agency initiatives and crisis communications as needed.
Qualifications
- Demonstrated ability to plan, organize, lead, and direct comprehensive communications and public relations programs.
- Skilled in developing information and public relations strategies that support agency mission, vision, and values.
- Skills in analyzing public understanding of agency programs and evaluating effectiveness of communications.
Responsibilities
- Advise agency director and leadership on communication strategies to advance agency priorities, including legislative, rule, and policy work affecting multiple programs and divisions.
- Serve as communications specialist to agency heads in communications and public relations, ensuring alignment and impact across the agency.
- Develop, deploy, and measure strategic outreach plans and narratives for agency initiatives, legislative priorities, and budget requests.
- Lead agency website, email, social media platforms, and newsletter efforts as technical administrator and front-end developer.
Skills
Tools
Job description
- Contact Information: Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388. For questions about this recruitment or to request a reasonable accommodation in the application process, contact Rachel Vaughan by email jobs@des.wa.gov.
Standard business hours are Monday – Friday, from 8 AM to 5 PM, and may occasionally require flexibility to meet the agency's needs. We promote a healthy work/life balance. Telework and a flexible schedule may be available upon supervisory approval. The hiring team may make a hiring decision at any time after the standard posting period. It is within your best interest to apply for this position at your earliest convenience.
DSB offers, upon approval, a relocation bonus and allotment for those staff relocating and needing to make the move to, or across the beautiful state of Washington to join our team.
Washington State Department of Services for the Blind is “working together with individuals who are Blind, Deaf-Blind or Low Vision so they can flourish in their homes, communities, and workplaces.” DSB's Vocational Rehabilitation program assists individuals with visual disabilities achieve gainful employment and economic vitality through integration into the nation’s workforce, while assisting businesses with accessibility training, consultation, recruitment, and retention of qualified employees. Together, these services lead to the greater employment of qualified Blind, Deaf Blind and Low Vision individuals and more accessible and diverse businesses.
DSB is a Public Service Loan Forgiveness-qualifying employer.
The Communication Consultant 5 ensures DSB connects with employees, customers, and stakeholders to achieve agency goals through strategic internal and external communications. The role plans, organizes, and directs communications and public relations activities that impact multiple programs and divisions across the agency, advancing DSB’s mission of working together with individuals who are Blind, Deaf-Blind, or Low Vision so they can flourish in their homes, communities, and workplaces.
By leading agency-wide communications, including public affairs, media relations, branding, digital content, marketing, and outreach, the position develops and implements strategies, produces impactful materials, manages the agency’s website and social media, and consults with staff to ensure consistent messaging. The role supports an accessible and prosperous future without limits, and models DSB’s values of empathy, integrity, and collaboration in every interaction.
Workstation is located in Washington State: Seattle, King or Lacey, Thurston County.
To learn more about this opportunity, email recruiter: Rachel Vaughan via jobs@des.wa.gov and request the full job description.
- Advise agency director and leadership on communication strategies to advance agency priorities, including legislative, rule, and policy work affecting multiple programs and divisions.
- Serve as communications specialist and professional consultant to agency and division heads in communications and public relations, ensuring alignment and impact across the agency.
- Develop and coordinate agency public information policy and activities with other governmental agencies and boards.
- Make policy decisions pertaining to communication issues.
- Partner with Executive Team to manage external risks, issue management, and reputational risk.
- Develop, deploy, and measure strategic outreach plans and narratives for agency initiatives, legislative priorities, budget requests, and high‑stakes policy development across all agency programs and divisions.
- Use data and analytics to inform and advise management of communications strategies and outcomes.
- Lead agency website, email delivery system, social media platforms, and survey software as technical administrator and front‑end developer. Provides training and support for group topic administrator and contributors.
- Organize website content for accessibility and usability; apply accessibility requirements and plain language principles.
- Manage content creation, graphic design, collateral production, and translation of communications materials.
- Monitor, collaborate, and complete service requests for communication and website changes.
- Serve as primary point of contact for news media, distribute press releases, and provide media training.
- Monitor agency media mentions, track analytics, and apply best practices to enhance reach.
- Coordinate agency representation at conferences and externally hosted events.
- Advise on public interest and reaction to proposed programs and policies, and support crisis communications as needed.
- Serve as agency information manager responsible for responding to significant emergency or crisis situations, including advising leadership and coordinating information dissemination with local, state, and federal officials.
- Develop and maintain branding guides for agency materials used across all programs and divisions; consult with subject matter experts for consistent messaging.
- Promote agency mission, vision, and values in all communications, ensuring legal compliance and cultural sensitivity.
- Lead campaigns that involve multiple agency programs and divisions such as National Disability Employment Awareness Month, White Cane Safety Day, and other agency events.
- Manage GovDelivery newsletter.
- Collaborate with staff across divisions to deliver high‑quality communication products.
- Promote universal access to DSB programs and information by applying plain language, digital accessibility standards, and culturally appropriate communication.
- Train staff and collaborate on accessibility best practices; provide quality control/oversight for accessibility as it relates to agency communication.
- Monitor, manage, and track communications office budgets; research and evaluate cost‑effective vendors; ensure timely payment of expenses.
- Support ongoing improvement by measuring communication effectiveness, incorporating feedback, and adapting strategies as needed.
Demonstrated ability through previous roles or education to meet the competencies below. Roles could be experience gained through military service, volunteer leadership, consulting, self‑employment, previous roles in strategic communications, public relations, and media management, certifications, or non‑traditional jobs.
- Ability to plan, organize, lead, and direct comprehensive communications and public relations programs.
- Skilled in developing information and public relations strategies that support agency mission, vision, and values.
- Skills in analyzing public understanding of agency programs and evaluating effectiveness of communications.
- Research skills to determine cost‑effective outreach strategies and proper communications outlets.
- Ability to conduct environmental scanning to anticipate and respond to public information needs.
- Skill in analyzing public understanding of programs and evaluating effectiveness of communications.
- Research skills to determine cost‑effective outreach strategies and proper communications outlets.
- Ability to manage and complete multiple projects and tasks on tight deadlines.
- Experience in coordinating special events and activities.
- Skill in managing budgets and spend planning.
- Ability to multi‑task and resolve problems with multiple disciplines.
- Ability to manage agency online presence, including website maintenance, content creation, and collateral materials.
- Familiarity with website support tools (Adobe, Photoshop, HTML).
- Ability to write, edit, and coordinate web, social media, newsletters, and marketing materials.
- Ability to create and develop graphic design for marketing materials.
- Knowledge of video production and editing.
- Maintains the highest level of confidentiality when handling sensitive employee information; demonstrates professionalism in all interactions.
- Must have a desire to learn about the specialized needs of and/or resources available to individuals who are blind, deaf blind, or low vision and who also may have other disabilities.
- The ability to take action to learn and grow. The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.
- In-depth and proficient computer skills, including knowledge of the Microsoft Office applications (Outlook, Excel, Word, & PowerPoint).
- Knowledge of GovDelivery platforms and newsletter setup and production.
- Knowledge of news media operations and experience working with reporters and editors.
- Experience working independently or in a team environment.
- Understanding and application of disability laws and regulations (ADA, Rehab Act, WAC 67-25).
Special Requirements/Conditions Of Employment
- FBI Criminal Background check is required.
We are committed to providing equitable access to employment opportunities. If a criminal background check is required for employment at an agency, it will occur only after a conditional offer of employment has been made and accepted. Applicants are not required to disclose criminal history during the hiring process prior to a conditional offer. Criminal history will not automatically exclude an applicant from consideration and will be reviewed on an individual basis consistent with applicable law and the requirements of the position.
Learn more about the Washington Fair Chance Act: Washington Fair Chance act guide.
Background Check Notice: Prior to any new appointment into the Department of Services for the Blind, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted as a condition of employment. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability and competence to perform in the position.
Union Inclusion. This position is included in a bargaining unit represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE).
Opportunity For All. The Department of Services for the Blind celebrates our differences and we are committed to a workplace that supports equal opportunity employment and inclusion regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, marital status, families with children (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sex, sexual orientation, gender identity diversity, age, status as a protected veteran, honorably discharged veteran or military status, status as an individual with the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with disabilities or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We will also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws.
You are welcome to include the name and pronoun you would like to be referred to in your materials and we will honor this as you interact with our organization.
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.
We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.
The following information describes typical benefits available for full‑time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full‑time work (e.g. part‑time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full‑time.
Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.
Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.
Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax‑deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long‑term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.
To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.
Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre‑tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.
Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.
The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well‑being of employees.
State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.
Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre‑tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.
All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.
If you are employed by a government or not‑for‑profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
Full‑time and part‑time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.
Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.
Full‑time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.
Part‑time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro‑rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full‑time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.
Full‑time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full‑time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.
Sick leave accruals for part‑time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full‑time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.
Full‑time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full‑time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 non‑overtime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.
Part‑time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro‑rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full‑time employment.
Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.
As provided in WAC 357-58-175, an employer may authorize a lump‑sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165.
Note: Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.
Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.
Most employees whose family member or household member dies, or for loss of pregnancy, are entitled to five (5) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.
Leave Sharing
Parental Leave
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Leave Without Pay
Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.
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