Communication Consultant 5

State of Washington; Olympia (WA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation bonus

Relocation allowance

Job summary

Washington State Department of Services for the Blind seeks a Communication Consultant 5 to lead agency-wide communications, public affairs, branding, digital content, and outreach. You will manage website/social channels, coordinate messaging, and advise leadership on communications and risk while ensuring accessibility and plain language across all materials.

The role requires strategic oversight, collaboration with executive teams, and managing campaigns that support disability-focused

Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to plan, organize, and direct comprehensive communications programs.
• Proven skills in public relations and media management.
• Experience with accessibility standards and plain language.

Responsibilities

• Lead agency-wide communications and public relations initiatives for multiple programs.

Skills

Strategic communications

Public relations

Media relations

Content creation

Digital accessibility

Graphic design basics

HTML basics

Adobe Photoshop

GovDelivery

Tools

Adobe Photoshop

HTML

GovDelivery

Job description

Communication Consultant 5

Position location Seattle, King or Lacey, Thurston

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.

Who We Are:

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.

About the Opportunity:

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.

Duties associates with this position include:

Strategic communications leadership and agency priorities

• 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.

Agency online presence. content creation, and technical administration

• 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.

Public information, media relations and outreach

• 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.

Branding, internal communications, and special projects

• 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.

Universal access, equity, budget, and continuous improvement

• 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.

Required qualifications:

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.

The required competencies include:

Strategic communications and Public Relations:

• 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.

Analytical & Critical Thinking:

• 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.

Project and Time Management:

• 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.

Content Creation and Media Management:

• 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.

Confidentiality and Professionalism:

• Maintains the highest level of confidentiality when handling sensitive employee information; demonstrates professionalism in all interactions.

Willingness to Learn:

• 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.

Professional Growth and Service Mindset:

• The ability to take action to learn and grow. The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.

Preferred/Desired Qualifications:

• 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.

Washington Fair Chance Act:

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.