DSHS BHHA Communications Consultant 4

State of Washington; Lacey (WA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Orca Card

5% Premium on-site pay

Job summary

State of Washington seeks a Communications Consultant 4 to support the Gage Center for Behavioral Health and Habilitation. The role focuses on developing communication plans, coordinating staff messaging, newsletters, campaigns, and media statements to advance BHHA and DSHS priorities.

You will manage intranet/SharePoint communications, support leadership, and collaborate with BHHA and DSHS teams, including two‑way communication with families and partners. On‑site work is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in English, communications, journalism, PR or related field.
• Three years of writing/editing/translating experience or equivalent education/experience.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement communication plans, staff messaging, newsletters, campaigns, presentations, and media statements.
• Lead intranet and SharePoint communications; ensure leadership and staff are informed about initiatives and priorities.
• Prepare incident reports, talking points, briefings, and executive communications for Center leadership.
• Develop and evaluate strategic communication plans; anticipate audience response to policies and events.
• Lead web development and content for Gage Center programs; manage SharePoint site; capture and edit photos with privacy compliance.

Skills

Written communication

Public speaking

Project management

Media relations

Copy editing

Education

Bachelor’s degree in English, communications, journalism, public relations, or related field

Job description

DSHS BHHA – Communications Consultant 4

We’re looking to hire a Communications Consultant 4 to support communication efforts at the Gage Center of Forensic Excellence at Western State Hospital. This position plays a key role in advancing communications that support the mission, vision, values, and strategic priorities of the Gage Center, Behavioral Health and Habilitation Administration (BHHA), and DSHS.

The Gage Center is a 427-bed inpatient psychiatric center providing evaluation and treatment for individuals with serious or long-term mental illness across 19 counties. The Center works closely with individuals, families, advocates, healthcare providers, community partners, and government organizations to support effective behavioral health services. Opportunities performed on-site at this work location at least three days a week may be eligible for an additional 5% premium pay in addition to the advertised salary. Pierce County employees are also eligible to receive an Orca Card for transportation needs.

In this role, you will develop and implement communication plans, staff messaging, newsletters, campaigns, presentations, and media statements. You will represent the Gage Center hospital and BHHA workgroups, lead intranet and SharePoint communications, and ensure leadership and staff are informed about key initiatives and priorities. This highly collaborative position works closely with hospital leadership and communications teams across BHHA and DSHS to strengthen internal and external communications and increase awareness of the Gage Center’s services and mission.

Some of what you will do:

• Develop and manage complex communication plans, programs, tools, and trainings for WSH, BHHA, and DSHS audiences.
• Serve as a backup to the Communication Director in their absence.
• Deliver timely information through All Staff emails, intranet, digital displays, posters, newsletters, and social media, including the Gage Center quarterly newsletter.
• Prepare incident reports, talking points, briefings, presentations, and executive communications for Gage Center leadership.
• Develop and evaluate strategic communication plans, anticipating audience response to policies, procedures, and critical events.
• Serve as a communications subject-matter expert for workgroups, committees, Town Halls, hospital events, and other initiatives, including strengthening two-way communication and family participation.
• Lead web development and content for Gage Center programs and services, oversee WSH's SharePoint site, and capture and edit photos while ensuring patient privacy, consent, and policy requirements.
• Serve as Public Information Officer during Hospital Command Center activations, as needed, and collaborate with BHHA and DSHS communications teams on media relations and strategy.
• Represent the Gage Center in DSHS-wide communications meetings, bringing statewide initiatives to leadership and coordinating follow-through. Periodically participate in after‑hours or weekend on‑call coverage, with compensation provided.

Who should apply?

We are searching for professionals with:

• A Bachelor’s degree in English, communications, journalism, public relations, or related field AND
• Three years of writing/editing/translating experience OR
• Equivalent education/experience.

Preferred skills, knowledge and experience:

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain complex or sensitive information to diverse audiences.
• Strong project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Knowledge of copy-editing and Associated Press (AP) style.
• Photography and videography skills, with the ability to produce engaging visual content and videos.
• Strong decision‑making, problem‑solving, and follow‑through skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and the ability to work independently with minimal oversight.
• The ability to communicate effectively about equity, diversity, access, and inclusion with internal and external partners.

The Department of Social and Health Services’ (DSHS) vision that people find human services to shape their own lives requires that we come together with a sense of belonging, common purpose, shared values, and meaningful work. It is crucial to our agency’s vision that you bring a fairness, access, and social justice commitment to your work with DSHS. We strive to support all Washingtonians, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, people with physical, behavioral health, and intellectual disabilities, elders, LGBTQIA+ individuals, immigrants and refugees, and families building financial security.

Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history may be conducted. 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 job. This announcement may be used to fill multiple vacancies. Employees driving on state business must have a valid driver's license. Employees driving a privately owned vehicle on state business must have liability insurance on the privately owned vehicle.

Washington State Department of Social and Health Services is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in any area of employment, its programs or services on the basis of age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, marital status, race, creed, color, national origin, religion or beliefs, political affiliation, military status, honorably discharged veteran, Vietnam Era, recently separated or other protected veteran status, the presence of any sensory, mental, physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, equal pay or genetic information. Persons requiring accommodation in the application process or this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the Recruiter at [phone]. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384.

Relationship and Reporting Structure (Neboti... Disclosure: If you are selected for hire, you must disclose whether you have a relative, household member, close friend, or romantic partner within your potential supervisory chain of command. DSHS has a Relationships and the Reporting Structure policy that prohibits nepotism and can be reviewed here. Applicants whose appointment would result in a prohibited reporting relationship are not eligible for appointment to that position.

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