The salary for this position is: $8,245 to $10,994 monthly.

The Thurston County Commissioners’ Office is seeking a highly qualified and motivated candidate for the position of Chief Communications Manager. This is an exciting opportunity for someone who is skilled in leading and managing media and public relations in a complex organization. The ideal candidate will be a strategic thinker, creative, adaptable, and motivated; and have strong communication and project management skills, as well as the ability to work collaboratively to build trusting working relationships with staff at all levels of the organization and with external stakeholders.

Essential functions may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Responsible for responding and serving as an advisor on high profile media issues and on emerging public policy issues and developing and facilitating strategic approaches to emerging issues. Prepares or supervises the preparation of press releases, public service announcements, and other information for release to the media.
Develops, manages, and implements the County’s communications program and county communication policies and procedures.
Ensures the County’s communications systems, platforms and content are current, accurate and relevant, including media platforms such as social media, video streaming, cable, and broadcast platforms.
Creates clear objectives and evaluation measures to determine performance of the communication programs and communications strategies.
Responsible for the extension of the County’s brand; ensures brand consistency throughout the organization.
Directs, manages, and implements the County’s internal and external communication strategies, including public information and education, media relations, public involvement, marketing, and other communications.
Coordinates and implements a countywide strategic communication plan and improves strategic communications.
Partners with internal offices and departments in planning and creating communications and marketing strategies, as well as advises on brand integrity and consistency.
Promotes positive and productive customer service, quality service delivery in support of the vision, mission, values, goals, and objectives of the County.
Manages, promotes, and maintains a positive, respectful, motivated, collaborative, and productive team.
Leads the development of correspondences, reports, news briefings, news releases, county brochures, surveys, newsletters, audio/visual, publications, and other relevant communication and marketing materials.
Plans, organizes, and supervises the work of staff.

To view the full job classification, click here: Class Specifications | Chief Communications Manager | Class Spec Details

WHO WE ARE:

Thurston County is governed by a five-member elected Board of County Commissioners who serve as the County’s legislative body. The office consists of 30 FTEs and provides leadership and oversight of county government, providing services, programs, and infrastructure that meets the needs of citizens; foster regional collaboration and partnership to find solutions to community needs and advance opportunities for consolidation and cooperation of the delivery of local services; preserve and enhance our physical environment and natural resources; promote community conditions that support the health and wellbeing of citizens; support a strong, diverse, and sustainable economy; and adopt and maintain a fiscally responsible budget.

The County is comprised of an additional 23 separately elected county officials and their offices, as well as 11 departments including the Budget Office, Community Planning and Economic Development, Emergency Management, Medic One, Human Resources, Information Technology, Pretrial Services, Public Defense, Public Health and Social Services, and Public Works.

Thurston County values the diversity of the people it hires and serves. Inclusion to us means fostering a workplace in which individual differences are recognized, appreciated, and responded to in ways that fully develop and utilize each person’s talents and strengths. We are dedicated to recruiting and developing a talented workforce from various cultures, lifestyles, backgrounds, and perspectives who are committed to our vision and core values. Thurston County Racial Equity and Inclusion Webpage

WHAT WE OFFER OUR EMPLOYEES:

Work-Life Balance: We are committed to ensure that our staff experience the reward of public service, while also sustaining a routine that suits each individuals’ lifestyle.
Plan For Your Future: As a member of our team, you will enjoy great employee benefits, including a retirement plan, pre-tax savings accounts, as well as comprehensive health care and dental/vision care for you and your family. Please visit Thurston County Employee Benefit Plans for more information.
Paid Leave: Full-time regular employees earn paid vacation in addition to paid holidays.
Robust Training Program: Employees are encouraged to attend County paid training to help them further their career, learn new skill sets, and stay on top of emerging trends in our industry. We also encourage our staff to participate in professional organizations and attend conferences.
Flexible Work Schedules: Some of the options that employees may take advantage of include alternative or compressed schedules and/or remote working.
Deferred Compensation: The County offers 3 voluntary deferred compensation plans for employees who would like to set aside additional deferred tax dollars into a retirement savings plan.
Flexible Spending Account (FSA): Employees can take advantage of Section 125 flexible spending accounts for out-of-pocket health care and daycare expenses with pre-tax dollars.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness: This is a federal program which allows full-time public service employees who have made qualifying payments for certain loans, to get their student loans repaid. Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program

Why you’ll love it here: Thurston County is located between Seattle and Portland in Western Washington’s South Puget Sound Region. Perched in between the mountains and the ocean, the area boasts the perfect blend of year-round outdoor activities including boating, hiking, skiing, and more. The region is also home to the state capitol city of Olympia, known for its many restaurants, microbreweries, coffee shops, farmer’s markets, kids’ activities, history, and art events. Discover more about life in Thurston County at Experienceolympia.com.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in communications, public relations, journalism, or related fields.
Five (5) years of professional, relevant experience in communications, public relations, community engagement, or related fields. Must have a minimum of two (2) years of supervisory experience which may have been obtained concurrent.
Or any equivalent combination of education and/or experience that demonstrates the ability to perform the essential functions may be considered.
Must successfully pass a thorough background investigation and reference checks.
Current Washington State Driver’s License or have an appropriate accommodation.

DESIRED SKILLS:

Exceptional communicator and presenter of complex ideas and technical information to a variety of audiences in a clear, concise, effective, and professional manner.
Knowledge of public information strategy and the principles and methods used in the preparation of public information materials.
Ability to identify communication solutions to various organizational issues.
Knowledge of graphic arts and printing methods, materials, and terminology, including desktop publishing.
Ability to develop and maintain positive working relationships with local media.
Experience planning and carrying out promotional and marketing campaigns.
Ability to plan, organize, schedule, and carry out multiple tasks and priorities.
Knowledge of basic supervisory skills and techniques.
Experience working in the public sector.

OTHER RELATED RECRUITMENT INFORMATION:

Questions about this recruitment? Please contact: Amy Davis, 360-786-5447

This position is:

Eligible for benefits
At-Will
Not represented by a union
Not eligible for overtime under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)

Items requested for consideration:

Application
Resume
Letter of Interest

Please note: Information in this announcement is subject to change without notice at any time during the length of the job advertisement.

THURSTON COUNTY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Thurston County is committed to provide equal opportunity to all persons seeking or having access to its employment, services and activities, which is free from restriction based on race, sex, marital status, color, creed or religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, including gender expression or identity, pregnancy, status as an honorably discharged veteran or military status, genetic information, or the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability, unless based upon bona fide occupational qualifications. Applicants with disabilities who need accommodation with the application or selection process should contact Thurston County’s Human Resources, at (360) 786-5498. Those who are deaf, deaf-blind, hard of hearing or speech impaired may use the statewide relay system to reach Thurston County offices and departments to conduct their business telephonically. Relay users can simply dial 7-1-1 (or 1-800-833-6388) to connect with Washington Relay.

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CHIEF COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER