Digital Communication Specialist
King County
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Job summary
King County's Hazardous Waste Management Program seeks a Digital Communications Specialist to lead digital audience growth, website content, and social media. You will shape engaging content, interview stakeholders, and create stories showcasing services and community impact.
The role involves collaborating with experts and partners to ensure accessible, accurate messaging and a strong online presence. A hybrid work model is supported.
Qualifications
- Experience managing public-facing websites and social media channels.
- Ability to translate technical information into clear public communications.
- Experience identifying stories and producing written, photographic, or video content.
Responsibilities
- Manage the Program's website and social media channels to boost visibility and accessibility.
- Develop campaigns responding to audience needs and organizational priorities.
- Conduct interviews and capture original photography and short-form video at facilities and events.
- Produce aerial photography/video using drone technology after certification.
Skills
Tools
Job description
Are you a creative digital storyteller who can turn complex information into engaging content that informs, inspires, and connects communities? King County's Hazardous Waste Management Program is seeking an innovative, collaborative, and results‑driven Digital Communications Specialist (Communications Specialist III) to help residents and businesses make informed decisions that protect their health, their communities, and the environment.
This is an exciting opportunity for a skilled communicator who thrives at the intersection of digital strategy, storytelling, public engagement, and hands‑on content creation. You will help shape the Program's digital presence by developing compelling web and social media content, producing original photography and video, strengthening online customer experiences, and using audience insights to reach more people.
If you enjoy translating technical information into meaningful stories, exploring creative ways to connect with diverse audiences, and seeing the direct impact of your work in the community, we encourage you to apply.
As the Digital Communications Specialist, you will serve as the Program’s primary resource for digital audience growth, website content, social media, digital storytelling, and online customer experience.
You will develop and implement digital communications strategies that make important public health and environmental information accessible, engaging, and actionable.
Your work will include managing the Program’s website and social media channels, creating and editing written and visual content, developing communications campaigns, and using audience research and performance analytics to improve engagement.
This position also offers opportunities to work directly in the community, visiting facilities, events, and service locations to interview people, capture photography and video, and share stories highlighting the Program’s services and community impact.
You will collaborate with subject‑matter experts, communications professionals, community partners, and regional agencies to develop consistent, accurate, and inclusive messaging.
Additionally, you will lead assigned digital communications projects, advise colleagues on effective digital practices, and help identify innovative ways to strengthen the Program’s online presence.
The Hazardous Waste Management Program is a regional partnership committed to reducing exposure to hazardous materials, promoting safer product choices, and providing accessible disposal services throughout King County.
The program brings together Seattle Public Utilities, King County Solid Waste Division, Public Health – Seattle & King County, the Water and Land Resources Division, and Sound Cities Association, representing 38 cities and two tribal communities.
You will join the program’s Communications Team, a collaborative group of professionals dedicated to helping residents and businesses understand environmental and health risks, access important services, and make informed decisions.
Our work encompasses communications strategy, digital engagement, media relations, customer experience, community outreach, and public education.
We value creativity, curiosity, collaboration, equity, and clear communication. We recognize that effective public service requires understanding the diverse experiences of our communities and removing barriers that prevent people from accessing information and services.
This position reports to the Communications Manager and works closely with internal staff, technical experts, community partners, and communications professionals from participating agencies.
King County is a diverse community. We prioritize equity, racial and social justice, making it a foundational expectation for all employees. As a Digital Communications Specialist (Communications Specialist III), you will actively apply these principles in all aspects of your work.
Learn more about our commitment at http://www.kingcounty.gov/equity.
- Manage and enhance the Program's website and social media channels to increase visibility, engagement, and access to services.
- Develop digital communications approaches and campaigns that respond to audience needs and organizational priorities.
- Use audience research, feedback, and performance data to identify opportunities to reach underserved or underrepresented audiences.
- Develop compelling written and visual content, including website articles, social media posts, news releases, fact sheets, talking points, and outreach materials.
- Identify and develop stories highlighting the Program's services, employees, partners, and community impact.
- Conduct interviews and capture original photography and short‑form video at facilities, events, and community locations.
- Produce aerial photography and video using drone technology after obtaining the required certification.
- Coordinate communications with staff, subject‑matter experts, community organizations, and regional agency partners.
- Support internal communications by gathering staff feedback, maintaining digital resources, and improving access to information.
- Provide guidance on digital communications practices, tools, and content development.
- Analyze website traffic, search performance, social media engagement, and campaign results.
- Use findings to improve digital content, audience reach, and online customer experience.
- Ensure communications are accurate, accessible, inclusive, and consistent with King County standards.
- Plan, organize, and lead digital communications projects from concept through completion.
- Establish project goals, audiences, timelines, deliverables, and measures of success.
- Coordinate staff, partners, consultants, and vendors to ensure quality and timely delivery.
- Digital Communications Management: Experience directly managing, maintaining, and improving public‑facing websites and social media channels.
- Writing and Editing: Strong ability to translate technical or complex information into clear, accurate, accessible, and engaging communications for public audiences.
- Digital Storytelling: Experience identifying stories, conducting interviews, gathering information, and producing written, photographic, or video content.
- Audience Engagement and Analytics: Ability to use audience research, public feedback, analytics, and accessibility practices to improve digital communications and online experiences.
- Project Coordination: Experience organizing and delivering multi‑step communications projects involving multiple contributors, priorities, and deadlines.
- Collaboration: Demonstrated ability to work effectively with technical experts, colleagues, community partners, and external organizations.
- Equity and Inclusion: Ability to incorporate equity principles into audience engagement, content development, accessibility, and communications channel selection.
- Candidate must have proven ability to perform fieldwork outdoors, including navigating uneven terrain and transporting photography and video equipment weighing up to approximately 25 pounds.
Tech Savvy: Anticipates, evaluates, and applies digital innovations and emerging technologies to improve communications.
Collaborates: Builds productive relationships and works effectively with others to achieve shared goals.
Communicates Effectively: Develops clear, engaging, audience‑centered communications using appropriate channels and formats.
Action Oriented: Takes initiative, addresses challenges, and moves projects forward with enthusiasm and accountability.
Racially Just: Recognizes systemic barriers and applies anti‑racist and pro‑equity approaches to communications, engagement, and service delivery.
The selected candidate must obtain an FAA Remote Pilot Certificate under Part 107 within six months of hire and maintain the certification throughout employment. The Hazardous Waste Management Program will provide the required training and cover the costs associated with obtaining and maintaining the certification.
- Experience increasing digital audience engagement through audience segmentation, search‑engine optimization (SEO), paid social media, content testing, social listening, or performance analytics.
- Experience communicating complex public health, environmental, scientific, or government information to diverse public audiences.
- Work Location: King County’s Hazardous Waste Management Program works in a hybrid model, with days in the office, and field, as well as telecommuting. The ratio of remote to onsite work will be dependent on business needs and is subject to change. The primary onsite location is King Street Center, 201 S Jackson St, Seattle, WA. Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements. Employees will be provided with a County‑issued laptop and must maintain a in‑home workspace with an internet connection where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours.
- Work Schedule: This full‑time position works a 40‑hour work week. This position is covered under the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and is overtime eligible.
- Union Representation: This position is represented by Teamsters Local 1652R-Council2.
- Physical Requirements: This position involves regular visits to service locations, facilities, community events, and other field settings. The selected candidate must be able to perform work that may include: Working outdoors and navigating uneven terrain. Transporting photography and video equipment weighing approximately 25 pounds. Visiting operational facilities, including transfer stations, landfills, and hazardous waste collection locations. Working near vehicle traffic, operational equipment, noise, and odors while following applicable safety procedures and using required personal protective equipment.
King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer. No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on sex, race, color, national origin, ethnicity, religious affiliation, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age except by minimum age and retirement provisions, pregnancy, status as a family caregiver, parental status, marital status, military status or status as a veteran who was honorably discharged or who was discharged solely as a result of the person’s sexual orientation or gender identity or expression, citizenship or immigration status, genetic information, or other protected class. However, to the extent that distinction or differential treatment on the basis of citizenship or immigration status is authorized by either federal or state law, regulation, or government contract, it is not an unfair practice.
Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.
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