Communications Consultant 4

State of Washington Dept. of Transportation; Vancouver (WA); Hybrid; USD 95,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is seeking a Communications Consultant 4 to lead strategic communications for the Southwest Region, shaping public understanding of transportation programs and projects. You will advise leadership, coordinate media, and develop clear, accessible content across news releases, speeches, and digital channels.

You will build relationships with communities and partners, monitor issues, and manage contracts, while serving as a Public Information

Qualifications

• Strategic communications: develop and implement communications strategies, public information efforts, stakeholder engagement activities, or outreach programs that support organizational objectives.
• Information delivery: create, edit, and deliver clear, effective written, verbal, digital, and multimedia communications for diverse audiences, including complex or technical information.
• Relationship building: build and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Growth mindset: actively demonstrates a commitment to learning and growth.
• Service-oriented: takes action to meet the needs of others.
• Professional writing: advanced skills in writing, editing, and message development using plain language and audience focus.
• Program communications: plan, develop, and implement communications strategies for transportation, construction, infrastructure, or government programs.
• Media relations: ability to serve as an agency media spokesperson.
• Emergency communications: experience or training in emergency communications.
• Digital communications: proficiency in web, social media, and digital communications.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic communications for Southwest Region transportation programs, projects, and operations by developing, implementing, and evaluating communication plans, messaging, and outreach strategies that support agency priorities and informed decision-making.
• Advise regional leadership, project teams, and agency partners on communications strategy, stakeholder engagement, media relations, public involvement, and communications risks; coach staff for media interviews, public meetings, and speaking engagements.
• Serve as the regional communications representative and agency spokesperson by responding to media inquiries, coordinating interviews, and delivering timely, accurate, and consistent information to the public and media.
• Develop, write, edit, and distribute communication materials, including news releases, presentations, speeches, briefing materials, website and social media content, and other public-facing communications using agency standards and plain language principles.
• Build and maintain relationships with community organizations, tribal governments, local governments, elected officials, transportation partners, businesses, and the public while planning and facilitating public meetings, presentations, workshops, and stakeholder engagement activities.
• Research, analyze, and monitor transportation issues, stakeholder concerns, public sentiment, and communication trends to identify risks and opportunities, evaluate communication effectiveness, and recommend improvements.
• Develop, manage, and maintain digital communications, social media, web content, multimedia products, and analytics to ensure information is accurate, accessible, engaging, and compliant with agency standards.
• Manage communications consultant contracts and coordinate communication activities across internal and external stakeholders to ensure quality deliverables, consistent messaging, effective customer responses, and alignment with WSDOT priorities.
• Serve as a Public Information Officer by coordinating emergency communications, developing timely and accurate public messaging, advising leadership during incidents and supporting incident response through a rotating standby communications role.

Skills

Strategic Communications

Information Delivery

Relationship Building

Growth Mindset

Service-Oriented

Professional Writing

Program Communications

Media Relations

Emergency Communications

Digital Communications

Job description

About WSDOT

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is a multimodal agency with a global reputation for excellence. Our dedicated workforce plans, designs, builds, and operates an integrated transportation system that safely and efficiently moves people and goods throughout the state. In addition to maintaining over 20,000 lane miles of state highway and 4,100 bridges, WSDOT manages the world's longest floating bridge, leads an award-winning Active Transportation Plan, holds the record for the world’s widest tunneling project, and operates the largest ferry system in the nation!

The Opportunity

WSDOT is currently seeking a Communications Consultant 4 to serve as one of Southwest Region’s senior communication leaders supporting transportation programs, projects, and operations. In this role, you will develop and deliver strategic communications that keep the public, partners, and stakeholders informed while promoting transparency, trust, and meaningful engagement.

Serving as a trusted communications advisor, you will provide timely, accurate and accessible information that helps shape public understanding of complex transportation issues. Your work will support safe and reliable transportation, informed decision-making, and effective emergency communications. Join WSDOT in advancing our mission to improve communities and strengthen economic vitality through clear, impactful communication.

What to Expect

• Lead strategic communications for Southwest Region transportation programs, projects, and operations by developing, implementing, and evaluating communication plans, messaging, and outreach strategies that support agency priorities and informed decision-making.
• Advise regional leadership, project teams, and agency partners on communications strategy, stakeholder engagement, media relations, public involvement, and communications risks; coach staff for media interviews, public meetings, and speaking engagements.
• Serve as the regional communications representative and agency spokesperson by responding to media inquiries, coordinating interviews, and delivering timely, accurate, and consistent information to the public and media.
• Develop, write, edit, and distribute communication materials, including news releases, presentations, speeches, briefing materials, website and social media content, and other public-facing communications using agency standards and plain language principles.
• Build and maintain relationships with community organizations, tribal governments, local governments, elected officials, transportation partners, businesses, and the public while planning and facilitating public meetings, presentations, workshops, and stakeholder engagement activities.
• Research, analyze, and monitor transportation issues, stakeholder concerns, public sentiment, and communication trends to identify risks and opportunities, evaluate communication effectiveness, and recommend improvements.
• Develop, manage, and maintain digital communications, social media, web content, multimedia products, and analytics to ensure information is accurate, accessible, engaging, and compliant with agency standards.
• Manage communications consultant contracts and coordinate communication activities across internal and external stakeholders to ensure quality deliverables, consistent messaging, effective customer responses, and alignment with WSDOT priorities.
• Serve as a Public Information Officer by coordinating emergency communications, developing timely and accurate public messaging, advising leadership during incidents and supporting incident response through a rotating standby communications role.

Qualifications

To be considered for this opportunity, the following are required:

• Strategic Communications: Demonstrated ability to develop and implement communications strategies, public information efforts, stakeholder engagement activities, or outreach programs that support organizational objectives.
• Information Delivery: Advanced ability to create, edit, and deliver clear, effective written, verbal, digital, and multimedia communications for diverse audiences, including communicating complex, technical, or sensitive information.
• Relationship Building: Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

• Growth Mindset: Actively demonstrates a commitment to learning and growth.
• Service-Oriented: Takes action to meet the needs of others.

It is preferred that qualified candidates also demonstrate:

• Professional Writing: Advanced skills in professional writing, editing, and message development using plain language principles and audience-focused communications.
• Program Communications: Demonstrated ability to plan, develop, and implement communications strategies for transportation, construction, infrastructure, public works, or government programs.
• Media Relations: Ability to serve as an agency media spokesperson.
• Emergency Communications: Experience or training in emergency communications.
• Certification: FEMA Public Information Officer (PIO) certification.
• Digital Communications: Proficiency in web, social media, and digital communications.

Important Notes

• This recruitment may also be used to fill additional positions per business needs.
• This position offers flexible/hybrid remote work options.
• In addition to base salary, employees may be entitled to other forms of compensation depending on the type, duties, or location of the position. For union-represented positions, more information on other forms of compensation can be found in the applicable Collective Bargaining Agreements. Information on other compensation types for non-represented positions can be found in Chapter 357-28 of the Washington Administrative Code.
• WSDOT does not use the E-Verify system, therefore we are not eligible to extend STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT). For more information, please visit www.uscis.gov.

Why WSDOT

• Work-Life Balance – We are committed to ensure that our staff experience the reward of public service, while also sustaining a routine that suits each individuals’ lifestyle.
• Paid Leave – In addition to 12 paid holidays, full-time employees mayearn up to 25 paid vacation days per year!
• Tuition Assistance – Permanent employees have several options for assistance with education expenses, including tuition reimbursement programs, government discounts at participating colleges throughout the state, and eligibility for federal student loan forgiveness.
• PlanFor Your Future – WSDOT offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes a variety of healthcare options. Employees also have their choice of state retirement programs, and much more. Go to State Benefits for more information.

WSDOT is an equal opportunity employer. We value the importance of creating an environment in which all employees can feel respected, included, and empowered to bring unique ideas to the agency. Our diversity and inclusion efforts include embracing different cultures, backgrounds and viewpoints while fostering growth and advancement in the workplace. All persons, regardless of race, ethnicity, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, and/ or gender identity, are encouraged to apply. Persons with disabilities needing assistance in the application process, or those needing this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the recruiter listed.