Community Relations Specialist

State of Washington; Olympia (WA); On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Retirement benefits

Job summary

Office of Corrections Ombuds (OCO) in Washington State is seeking to coordinate communications, outreach, and engagement with community partners, incarcerated individuals, and stakeholders. You will support leadership with outreach plans, public information materials, and quarterly presentations.

The role emphasizes strong communication, collaboration, and ability to manage multiple public engagement projects within a government agency.

Qualifications

• Prior equivalent work experience in a related field (e.g. Communications, Public Relations, Prison Oversight, Ombuds).
• Prior experience in public engagement, coordination, and/or community organizing.
• Ability to facilitate complex conversations with diverse stakeholders.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop, coordinate, and manage OCO’s communication and statewide outreach strategies.
• Build collaborative relationships with incarcerated individuals, families, community organizations, and agencies.
• Coordinate OCO participation in community meetings, conferences, and stakeholder events.
• Plan and coordinate agency outreach events and provide program support.

Job description

Please note: The starting salary offer will be determined based on the successful candidates’ qualifications within the budgeted salary range of $50,000 - $70,000 annually. However, there is the potential for longevity, growth, and salary progression for the individual once employed.

Why work for the Office of the Governor?

At the Office of the Corrections Ombuds (OCO), we are driven by a powerful mission: to create a more humane, transparent, and equitable Washington Corrections system. As an independent and impartial agency established by the Legislature, we are committed to advocating for incarcerated individuals, resolving conflicts, and fostering systemic improvements within the Department of Corrections (DOC). Our vision is to empower those impacted by incarceration to raise their concerns, reduce harm, and influence positive change across the system.

Our work is rooted in the belief that everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. We provide crucial information to incarcerated individuals and their families, raising awareness about their rights and responsibilities, and ensuring that our services are equitable and inclusive. Diversity and lived experience are at the heart of our mission as we work to build a corrections system that serves everyone fairly.

The Job Opportunity:

The Office of Corrections Ombuds (OCO) is a mission-driven agency within the Governor’s Office that works to protect the health, safety, welfare, and rights of incarcerated individuals. We investigate concerns, share information with incarcerated people and their families, raise public awareness, and highlight system issues for the Governor and Legislature to address.

In this role, you’ll work closely with agency leadership and report to the Senior Corrections Ombuds for Communications. You will coordinate OCO communications, outreach, and engagement by building strong relationships with community partners, stakeholders, and incarcerated individuals. Your efforts will help advance OCO’s mission, strengthen trust, and ensure important information reaches the people who need it.

What you’ll work on:

Community Outreach and Partner Engagement

• Develop, coordinate, and manage OCO’s communication and public statewide outreach strategies to ensure timely, accurate, and accessible information is provided to public partners and incarcerated individuals through multiple communication channels to increase awareness of and access to OCO services.
• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with incarcerated individuals, family members and loved ones, community organizations, advocacy groups, Tribal governments, and Washington state agencies.
• Coordinate OCO participation in community meetings, conferences, public forums, and stakeholder events.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen relationships with community partners.
• Gather feedback and recommend improvements to outreach efforts and public engagement strategies.
• Conduct monitoring visits and attend family and cultural events at the prisons.
• Support leadership with legislative efforts that support and further the success of the OCO.

Communications: Public Information

• Develop and edit written communication materials such as fact sheets, annual report content, website content, newsletters, GovDelivery communications, social media content, public education materials, and presentation materials.
• Ensure all communications are accurate, accessible, consistent, and aligned with agency messaging.
• Coordinate updates to the OCO’s website to reflect ongoing changes and work of the OCO.
• Serves as a point of contact for the public by answering questions, providing information, and referring individuals to appropriate resources.
• Support leadership team with quarterly presentations and answering questions from interested stakeholder groups.

Event Planning & Coordination

• Plan and coordinate agency outreach events, stakeholder meetings, and public forums collaborating with internal and external partners to ensure successful execution.
• Manage logistics including scheduling, venue coordination, registration, audio/visual needs, and meeting materials.
• Coordinate participation in conferences and public events to share information about OCO services and connect with community partners.

Communications: Program Support

• Assist leadership in developing strategic outreach plans that support agency goals and strategic objectives.
• Monitor communications related to public concerns and stakeholder feedback.
• Develop recommendations to improve stakeholder engagement and customer service.
• Prepare reports summarizing outreach activities, engagement metrics, and program outcomes.
• Collaborate and partner with internal staff to ensure consistent and accurate messaging on trending concerns.

What we need you to bring:

• Prior equivalent work experience in a related field (e.g. Communications, Public Relations, Prison Oversight, Ombuds)
• Prior experience in public engagement, coordination, and and/or community organizing.
• Ability to facilitate complex conversations with diverse stakeholders and identify opportunities to address community concerns and incorporate feedback.
• Demonstrated outstanding communication skills, including the ability to effectively and respectfully dialogue with incarcerated people, stakeholders, and Department of Corrections staff.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and produce high-quality work products.
• Attention to detail and ability to plan and coordinate public events.
• Ability to work effectively both in a collaborative team environment and independently.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment, apply analytical abilities, including data analysis, and critical thinking skills, reflected in written work and oral presentations.
• Ability to interact professionally and effectively with individuals experiencing crisis, trauma, emotional distress, or challenging behaviors using de-escalation techniques, empathy, and sound judgment.
• Flexible, adaptable, customer-service focused, and willing and able to empathetically respond to the unique needs of the people we work with and serve.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Suite, Zoom, and other computer applications to prepare reports, correspondence, presentations, and maintain case documentation.
• The ability to learn and grow: Curious about themselves and others, who take responsibility for knowing their own strengths and weaknesses, and who use their learning to make government programs and processes more efficient and effective to serve all in Washington.
• The ability to meet the needs of others: Flexible, adaptable, customer-service focused, and willing and able to empathetically respond to the unique needs of the people we work with and serve.

Desired Qualifications:

• Demonstrated experience and knowledge of corrections.
• Prior demonstrated work history in communications or public relations
• Proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing one or more languages in addition to English that supports effective communication with the individuals and communities served by this Office.
• Knowledge of Washington State agencies, DOC prisons, and relevant policies
• Advanced computer and graphic design skills
• Project management skills

At OCO, we foster a culture of integrity, innovation, inclusion, and belonging. We value both learned and lived experiences, believing that diversity makes us stronger. To support your health and well-being, we offer a variety of benefit programs for our employees.

Here’s a glance at some of the unique benefits that ORIA offers:

• A culture that values and strives to advance diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging
• Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance
• 12 paid holidays, 14 paid vacation days (minimum), and 12 days of sick leave per year
• State retirement programs

The Office of Corrections OMBUDS 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 with disabilities, persons over 40 years of age, and disabled and Vietnam-era veterans are encouraged to apply.

This position is exempt from civil service rules.

For more information, please see WAC 357-19-195.