Communications Lead - Housing Division (CC4)
State of Washington
Don’t send a generic resume — generate a resume and cover letter tailored to this exact role.
Job summary
The Washington State Department of Commerce is seeking a Communications Lead for the Housing Division (CC4) to serve as chief strategist, planner and storyteller for Housing programs. This role will partner with Housing and Communications leadership to tailor messaging for the public, media, partners and legislators.
Based in Seattle or Olympia, the position supports statewide outreach with accessibility, plain language, and AP style, coordinating crisis and rapid response planning and
Qualifications
- Five (5) years of combined experience and education in journalism, communications, public relations, English literature or related field.
- Track record of earning positive media coverage preferred.
- Past work in housing communications or government agency preferred.
Responsibilities
- Plan and direct communication strategies for the Housing Division to raise awareness of Housing programs.
- Develop long-term communications planning calendars and objectives for the division.
- Advise staff on effective external communication to meet Housing program goals.
Skills
Education
Job description
The Department of Commerce is the one agency in state government that touches every aspect of community and economic development: planning, infrastructure, energy, public facilities, housing, public safety and crime victims, international trade, business services and more. We work with local governments, tribes, businesses and civic leaders throughout the state to strengthen communities so all residents may thrive and prosper.
Provides comprehensive communications services for the agency, including media relations, digital communications, graphic design and branding, agency reports, website services and internal communications. The team contributes to the agency’s mission of strengthening communities by ensuring communication is clear, concise, written in plain language and accessible to all.
Reports to the Deputy Communications Director and is the chief strategist, planner, communicator and storyteller for the Housing Division, supporting the mission of the division by telling human centered stories and highlighting the success of Commerce’s Housing programs. This position works closely with Housing division and Communications division leadership and staff to develop communications materials that are tailored to various audiences – the public, media, community partners and legislators.
- Plan, organize, direct, and control communication strategies for the division to increase awareness of Housing programs for residents in Washington State
- Establish a Housing Division communications planning calendar and long term communications strategy for division communications needs
- Develop, direct, and implement the Housing Division’s communications objectives; evaluate effectiveness of information and public relations activities for all units within the Housing division and identify and implement changes in alignment with best practice and organizational guidelines.
- Advise agency and division staff on the most effective means of external communication to achieve Housing program goals.
- Staff the agency Director, and/or Housing Assistant Director at press conferences and other media events, take photos and video, for dissemination on Commerce social channels and to our media contacts after the event.
- Draft talking points and prep materials for the agency Director and Assistant Director of Housing for public appearances and speeches.
- Write press releases on behalf of the Housing division and distribute to Housing division subject matter experts and Housing leadership for review before sending the Media Relations Manager and Deputy Communications Manager for review and approval.
- Write and publish mass emails about Housing funding opportunities, funding awards and other critical housing news using the GovDelivery system
- Develop and write informational one-sheets or other documents that summarize each Housing program and its objectives, create a storage library for these one-sheets where agency staff, including Communications, can easily access them.
- Update individual website pages belonging to the Housing division, in collaboration with the Website Content Manager, to ensure effective and up-to-date information is available and accessible to all
- Conduct an initial review and edit of legislative reports for the Housing division when necessary
- Ensure all Housing division communications materials in the Housing Division adhere to the Communications Team’s best practices, and procedures for external communication and outreach materials, ensuring content meets accessibility standards, adheres to AP style, uses plain language and is error free.
- Serve as Communications Lead on behalf of the agency and division for the Governor’s Task Force on Housing – organizing and carrying out various communications duties for staff.
- Develop crisis and rapid response communications protocols: Create and maintain division specific rapid response plans for urgent housing issues, including natural disasters, funding disruptions, or major public controversies. Establish workflows, templates, and decision trees to ensure timely and accurate public information.
- Lead cross-agency housing communications coordination: Coordinate strategic messaging, timelines, and outreach with other state agencies that partner with Commerce on housing and homelessness programs to achieve alignment across the statewide housing ecosystem. This includes convening periodic interagency communications check-ins and producing shared messaging guides or toolkits.
- Manage strategic partnerships with external housing organizations: Build and maintain formal communications partnerships with nonprofits, community-based organizations, and regional housing coalitions that are funded by Commerce. Provide co-branded materials, share communications assets, and coordinate on storytelling that elevates partners’ work alongside Commerce initiatives.
- Preside over weekly content meetings with key Housing staff members, and communications colleagues from digital and internal communications to strategize and discover story opportunities.
- Develop and direct intentional strategies for communicating about Housing programs and policy, including tying storytelling to national or current events
- Identify stories to proactively pitch to media, both locally and nationally, to get positive media coverage for the Housing division in collaboration with division leadership and the Deputy Communications Director
- Collaborate with employees across the division, including conducting interviews with subject matter experts, stakeholders and community members to write both external and internal stories related to the success of Housing division programs.
- Write and produce engaging and compelling content for Commerce digital assets, in concert with the agency Digital Communications Manager, including but not limited to compelling social media campaigns around special events utilizing social media platforms including but not limited to: Facebook, LinkedIn, X, Threads, Blue Sky, YouTube and Instagram.
- Gather the appropriate information needed to respond to media inquiries, in concert with the Deputy Communications Director and Media Relations Manager.
- Design and produce short or medium length videos for social media or agency needs.
- Write, edit or assist with a monthly internal Housing Division newsletter and deliver to staff.
- Coach Housing staff, when needed, on how to do effective media interviews
- Write and edit GovDelivery mass emails for other divisions when other division Leads are not available.
- Draft press releases for the agency or other divisions as needed
- Update web pages for other divisions as needed.
- Develop communications policy or procedure as assigned by the Communications Director
- Periodically review and suggest revisions and updates to the Communications Team Inclusive Language Guide
- Act as back-up to the Media Relations Manager, as assigned by the Deputy Communications Director, when the Media Relations Manager is absent.
- Other duties as assigned
Five (5) years of combined experience and education as described below. This could be gained by a combination of relevant education beyond high school equivalency and/or professional-level experience in journalism, communications, public relations, English literature or related field.
- Five (5) years of experience
- Four (4) years of experience and one year of education
- Three (3) years of experience and two years of educationTwo (2) years of experience and three years of education
- One (1) year of experience and four years of education
- Track record of earning positive media coverage using media contacts and relationships
- Past experience in communications in housing, housing agency or related field.
- Past work in a newsroom or fast-paced content production environment
- A complete and detailed online application.
- A cover letter (enter online).
- At least three professional references (enter online).
For questions about this recruitment, please contact our recruitment team via email: comrecruitment@commerce.wa.gov- please reference the job number in your message.
Work from Anywhere in Washington State
This position may be located anywhere within Washington State though occasional travel to a Commerce office building or in-state travel to attend events or meetings may be required. If selected, you will need to travel to pick up equipment and receive instruction. Many Commerce employees work remotely or have a hybrid schedule.
This recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies over the next 60 days.
Technical support is provided by NEOGOV, 855-524-5627 (can't log in, password or email issues, error messages). DES job seeker support may answer general questions regarding the recruiting system atcareershelp@des.wa.gov.
The Washington State Department of Commerce 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 or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply. Persons needing accommodation in the application, testing, or interview process or this job announcement in an alternative format may email Human Resources at Human.Resources@commerce.wa.gov. 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.
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.
Insurance 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 nonovertime 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 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.
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.
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.
Updated 01-07-2026
'/%3e%3cpath%20d='M101.744%2012.4726L102.894%2016.1947L99.0021%2013.2201L101.744%2012.4726ZM105.3%208.40937H100.488L99.0026%203.59473L97.5116%208.41047L92.7%208.40385L96.5965%2011.3834L95.1055%2016.1942L99.0021%2013.2196L101.408%2011.3834L105.3%208.40992V8.40937Z'%20fill='white'/%3e%3cdefs%3e%3clinearGradient%20id='paint0_linear_5593_1381'%20x1='90'%20y1='9.44471'%20x2='99'%20y2='9.44471'%20gradientUnits='userSpaceOnUse'%3e%3cstop%20stop-color='%2300AD70'/%3e%3cstop%20offset='0.998594'%20stop-color='%2300B67A'/%3e%3cstop%20offset='1'%20stop-color='%23DCDCE6'/%3e%3c/linearGradient%3e%3c/defs%3e%3c/svg%3e){kind=small}
