Public Works Strategic Communications Specialist

City of Vancouver; Vancouver, Northern (WA, KY); Hybrid; USD 82,000 - 123,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Vancouver is seeking an experienced communications professional to serve as the strategic communications leader for Public Works—one of the City’s largest and most visible service organizations. This role focuses on advising leadership, shaping messaging for complex projects, crisis communications, and engaging residents across the community.

This is a full-time, exempt position with a M-F 8am–5pm schedule. Open until filled; first review August 5, 2026.

Qualifications

• Five years of experience in professional communications, public relations or closely related field.
• Experience in public sector is highly desired.
• Equivalent to a Bachelor's Degree in Communications, Marketing, Public Relations or a closely related field.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic communications initiatives supporting Public Works programs, services, projects, and priorities.
• Serve as a communications advisor to department leadership.
• Develop messaging and communication strategies for high-profile, sensitive, and complex projects and issues.
• Build and maintain productive relationships with media representatives and community stakeholders.
• Prepare crisis communications responses, talking points, and content for emergencies and crises.
• Lead communication planning for major infrastructure, transportation, utility, and environmental projects.

Skills

Storytelling

Public relations

Strategic communications

Media relations

Crisis communications

Executive communications

Public speaking

Education

Bachelor's degree in Communications or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Adobe Acrobat

Content management systems

Google Analytics

Social media platforms

Graphic design software

Job description

Salary Range 7,339.00 - 11,010.00

Job Summary

The City of Vancouver is seeking an experienced communications professional to serve as the strategic communications leader for Public Works—one of the City’s largest and most visible service organizations. This is not a traditional communications role. We are seeking a trusted advisor, storyteller, strategist, and communicator who can help residents understand the essential services that support daily life—from drinking water and transportation infrastructure to environmental stewardship, emergency response, and community investment. The successful candidate will work directly with Public Works leadership to develop communication strategies for programs and projects, navigate complex public issues, support media relations, and tell compelling stories that connect residents to the work happening throughout our community. This position offers a rare opportunity to build and lead communications for one of the region's most impactful public service departments.

This is a full-time, regular, exempt position. The schedule for this position is M-F, 8am to 5pm. Open until filled, first review - August 5, 2026.

At the City of Vancouver, we are committed to paying our employees fairly, equitably, and competitively. City salaries are structured so that the midpoint of the salary range approximates the amount typically paid for the job in this geographic area. Candidates with experience supporting their ability to come in and hit the ground running may receive a starting salary around the midpoint of the listed salary range. Actual salary at offer is influenced by a host of factors, including a candidate’s relevant experience, education, licensure, certifications, and internal equity. The higher end of the listed pay range indicates the salary growth potential of the position.

Job Details

What You’ll Do

• Lead strategic communications initiatives supporting Public Works programs, services, projects, and priorities.
• Serve as a communications advisor to department leadership.
• Develop messaging and communication strategies for high-profile, sensitive, and complex projects and issues.
• Build and maintain productive relationships with media representatives and community stakeholders.
• Through the City’s emergency management structure, prepare crisis communications responses, talking points, and content for emergencies and crises.
• Supports activation of the central emergency operations center and inclement weather plans.
• Lead communication planning for major infrastructure, transportation, utility, and environmental projects.
• Create and publish Intranet content by producing clear, timely updates for digital channels that employees rely on.
• Develop executive-level presentations, speeches, talking points, and briefings.
• Coordinate PW communications and messaging with the citywide central Communications Department.
• Coordinate PW community engagement through the citywide Equity and Access Department.
• Ability to rapidly report onsite to various locations at any hour, including nights, weekends, and holidays, sometimes with little to no notice, to support public relations, media coordination, and emergency communication needs, including bringing and transporting necessary communication supplies and equipment.

What Makes You Successful

• You are: An exceptional writer and storyteller.
• You are: Comfortable speaking publicly and representing an organization.
• You are: Skilled at building trust with executives, elected officials, media representatives, and community members.
• You are: Able to communicate complex technical information in ways people understand.
• You are: Calm under pressure and capable of making sound decisions in rapidly evolving situations.
• You are: Strategic, collaborative, and politically astute.

Qualifications

• Experience and Education: Five (5) years’ experience in professional communications, public relations or closely related field. Experience in public sector is highly desired. Equivalent to a Bachelor's Degree in Communications, Marketing, Public Relations or a closely related field. Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.
• Computer Skills: Advanced abilities in Microsoft Office Suite. Advanced abilities in social media creation, posting, maintenance, and interrelation of multiple media platforms. Advanced abilities in graphical layout, design, and production software. Advanced abilities Adobe Acrobat. Intermediate abilities in content management systems and web tools. Google Analytics and/or other digital engagement analysis processes - intermediate. Advanced abilities in digital accessibility practices and tools. As well as an understanding of WCAG guidelines Knowledge Writing, proofreading, and editing; Associated Press (AP) style knowledge Expertise in community relations, including highly controversial, sensitive and/or complex assignments involving conflicting community interests and/or potential for significant financial or political impact. Publications and communications productions in a multi‑media environment, as well as knowledge of accessible graphical layout, design, and production software. Principals of facilitation in small group and community group settings. Community based social marketing techniques. Communications, marketing, and public relations principles, practices, and tools Modern office procedures and methods Use of personal computers and basic software Understanding of community dialogue tactics and strategies Knowledge of media tracking and leveraging analytics to support outreach strategies.
• Abilities: Generate and post compelling content on social media and web channels in coordination with City’s Communications Department. Demonstrated cultural competency and ability to support outreach to diverse communities. Convey complex issues and concepts in succinct and easy‑to‑understand language both in writing and verbally. Generate ideas for enhancing an organization's image or reputation and pitching stories to the media. Exercise a high degree of independent judgment as to appropriate information to share and how to present it most effectively Counsel individuals in senior leadership positions and provide executive communications support, including elected officials. Handle and maintain sensitive information Excellent writing, proofreading, and editing skills Public speaking and presentation Establish and maintain effective working relationships with media, city staff, city officials and the public. Work under pressure, meet deadlines and adjust to changing priorities. Plan, organize and guide the work activities of others. Work safely and in compliance with federal and state laws, City policy and standards. Promote equity in the workplace and the community. Maintain a work environment free of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. Operate a personal computer and appropriate software Work in a manner consistent with the City of Vancouver’s Operating Principles Work and act as a team player in all interactions with other City employees Provide a high level of customer service at all times Project and maintain a positive image with those contacted in the course of work Develop and maintain collaborative and respectful working relationships with team members and others Maintain regular and dependable attendance Demonstrate a commitment to valuing differences among people and to being inclusive. Show the utmost respect for others, and act as a team player. Promote safety as a guiding principle and a regular practice in accomplishing work by focusing on safe practices and complying with safety and health policies and procedures. Recognize unsafe conditions which may be hazardous to an employee or the public. Works in safe and responsible manner; not putting self or others at risk. Complies with applicable policies and procedures including but not limited to using personal protective equipment, observing warning signs, learning about potential hazards, and reporting all unsafe conditions.
• This position is subject to successful completion of a pre‑employment reference check and a basic criminal background check.

The City of Vancouver is committed to advancing equity and creating a welcoming and inclusive workplace. We recognize that progress depends on more than just a verbal commitment; it depends on making meaningful organizational change. We developed and continue to develop strategies to enhance employee‑centered programs, eliminate recruitment and advancement barriers, elevate employee understanding of DEI and cultural competency and build an inclusive and welcoming place to call work. We hope you’ll consider joining us on the journey!

Safety: The City of Vancouver believes every employee plays a role in maintaining a safe workplace. The City of Vancouver promotes safety as a guiding principle and practice and accomplishes work by creating safe work environments, complying with safety and health policies and procedures and consistently seeking improvements that support operational excellence.

Diversity and Inclusion: At the City of Vancouver, we value and foster a workplace comprised of people with a range of different backgrounds, experiences and cultures. We recognize that a diverse and inclusive team is key to innovation, effectiveness and a positive culture. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement: The City of Vancouver is dedicated to maintaining a work environment that extends equal opportunity to all individuals, regardless of their race, color, sex, age, religion, national origin, marital status, veteran status, disability sexual orientation or gender identity. Employment decisions will be made to further the principle of equal employment opportunity and to comply with state, federal and local laws. We affirm through this policy statement our continuing commitment to the principles of equity and nondiscrimination.

Veterans’ Preference: Under Washington law, qualified veterans may be eligible for Veterans’ preference when applying for City of Vancouver positions. Honorably discharged Veterans, their surviving spouses or spouses of honorably discharged Veterans with a permanent and total service‑connected disability who would like to be considered for a Veterans’ preference for this job should provide the qualifying documents as instructed during the application process.

ADA Accommodation: Accommodations will be considered for applicants or candidates with a qualifying disability that prevents them from participating in this process. Accommodations will be made where the City can reasonably provide them without imposing an undue hardship on the business or compromising the integrity of the recruitment process. An applicant with any disability who believes that they need an accommodation should contact Human Resources: call 360-487-8417 or email [e-mail]

Job Posting End Date Open Until Filled

The City of Vancouver looks for people who are passionate about service and want to be part of the City’s ambition to become a more exceptional community. We value employees who are adaptable, innovative, collaborative and hold themselves to the highest standard of integrity and excellence in the spirit of public service. Our greatest assets are the more than 950 people who make the City of Vancouver work every day. Whether architects or engineers, lawyers or accountants, police officers or firefighters, journeymen or apprentices, our employees work every day to make Vancouver a more safe, welcoming, vibrant and prosperous city. The services we provide touch every resident and business in the city.

If you are looking for a challenging career where you can make a difference every day, the City may be the place for you. City departments span a wide range of specialties, from public works, parks, administration and human resources to communications, public safety, information technology, finance, economic development and law. The size and scope of our organization means that the opportunities we offer are as diverse as the people that work here. Beyond the City’s competitive salaries, our benefits and work environment support and encourage a healthy, balanced lifestyle and ongoing development and learning opportunities.

Working at the City is not just a “government” job. A career at the City can be a rewarding way to contribute to your community and earn a living. Our organization is made up of dynamic employees who enjoy the many opportunities and benefits offered by challenging and rewarding work.

City of Vancouver Career Page Contact Human Resources Inside The City Application Help In conjunction with the Americans with Disabilities Act, disability will be considered only in context of an applicant's ability to perform essential functions of the job and to determine reasonable accommodation. The physical demands described in job announcements are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job or to perform your job. Announcement information can be made available in an alternative format by calling 711 (Relay Operator for the Deaf). Tobacco Free/Drug Free Workplace Equal Opportunity Employer