Salary
$94,241.26 - $119,456.27 Annually
Location
Chinook Building 401 5th Avenue Seattle, WA
Job Type
Career Service, Full Time, 40 hrs/week
Job Number
2025SMD24015
Department
DPH - Public Health
Division
Health Sciences
Opening Date
03/14/2025
Closing Date
3/30/2025 11:59 PM Pacific
FLSA
Exempt
Bargaining Unit
Z3 : KC Personnel Guidelines
Full- or Part-Time
Full Time
- Description
- Benefits
- Questions
Summary
Public Health - Seattle & King County is seeking a dedicated and community-driven
Communications Specialist III (Overdose Prevention Communications Program Specialist) to join our team, focusing on preventing overdoses and reducing harms associated with drug use. The ideal candidate will bring experience in designing and executing communications campaigns aimed at reducing overdose and addressing stigma related to drug use and treatment.
This position will also develop messaging for social media and oversee the creation of infographics and other printed educational materials. They will have knowledge around creating effective communications to engage community and bring demonstrated ability to implement equity and social justice principles into all aspects of their work.
King County offers generous resources and benefits, stable pay, professional development, ability to contribute to a growing group of professionals. This is a unique opportunity to work with group of experts within the Prevention Division who have access to funds and resources that can further efforts to strengthen and broaden the reach of overdose prevention strategies. Our team is focused on applying an equity and anti-racist approach to the work.
Note: This posting will create a list of qualified candidates that may be considered for selection of additional vacancies of the same position type over the next 6 months.
Commitment To Equity and Social Justice
Named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., one of the most influential civil rights leaders in our nation's history, King County is a vibrant international community with residents that represent countries from around the world. It is a region with increasing diversity that cherishes the traditions of many cultures.
The county government has a deep commitment to equity and social justice and advancing practices, strategies, and policies that promote fairness, justice, and opportunity for all – in our workplaces and our communities. With this commitment, King County has adopted a pro-equity agenda to advance regional change and ensure that residents from all communities are incorporated into our emergency planning and public outreach efforts.
We recognize that structural racism consists of principles and practices that cause and justify an inequitable distribution of rights, opportunities, and experiences across racial groups. Since declaring Racism is a Public Health Crisis in June 2020, King County and Public Health committed to being intentionally anti-racist and accountable to Black, Indigenous and People of Color communities.
To learn more, please visit http://www.kingcounty.gov/elected/executive/equity-social-justice.aspx
Work Schedule
The typical work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm and may include some evenings and weekends depending on community needs. This is a full-time salaried position and is FLSA Exempt (not eligible for overtime).
Work Location
This position will be based on the 11th floor of the Chinook Building located at 401 5th Ave in Seattle, WA.
Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.
Job Duties
Manage communications campaigns:
- Work with communication vendors, agencies, and other partners to manage details of communications campaigns.
- Provide technical analysis for communications projects and manage campaign budgets and contracts autonomously.
Identify Communications Needs & Develop Communication Strategy
- Assess the communication needs and gaps related to overdose prevention and response efforts in King County.
- Develop strategies to address gaps effectively with an emphasis placed on reaching communities most impacted by substance use disorder and overdose.
- Work in conjunction with OP&R team members and Public Health Communications Specialists to develop a comprehensive communications strategy that informs the community about overdose prevention strategies.
- Utilize targeted messaging, dissemination channels, and engagement tactics.
- Identify key audiences and select appropriate communication methods tailored to reach and engage specific target groups.
Support Content Creation & Social Media Platforms
- Create communication materials, including co-created materials utilizing expertise from subject matter experts in overdose prevention and response.
- Create informational brochures, posters, blogs, digital content, and presentations.
- Plan, develop stories for, write, and edit social media posts.
Budget Management
- Develop a budget for overdose prevention communications program.
- Determine budget needs for communications program elements, monitor expenditures, propose budget revisions,and ensure resources are used efficiently.
Delivering Presentations & Messaging
- Provide strategic communications counsel and advice to OP&R and other internal stakeholders to enhance messaging effectiveness.
- Lead request for proposal processes and consultant and vendor selection processes for communications projects and oversee the work of consultants and vendors.
- Prepare and deliver presentations to internal and external audiences to raise awareness and educate on overdose prevention efforts.
Team & Community Collaboration
- Represent the program and division at community coalitions and partners.
- Collaborate with community groups and internal stakeholders to help inform communications campaigns.
- Collaborate with the overdose prevention and response team to ensure seamless integration of communications efforts with the overall strategy.
- Work closely with team members to gather insights, share information, and align messaging for consistent and impactful communication.
- Serve as the public information lead for the program and liaise with the Public Health Public Information Officer to synchronize communication efforts related to overdose prevention and response.
- Foster effective working relationships with other departments within King County government and community groups to promote cross-functional collaboration and incorporate diverse perspectives into communications planning and execution.
Media Outreach And Press Releases
- Support the Public Health PIO in crafting press releases and media materials related to overdose prevention initiatives.
- Serve as a backup media spokesperson when required, ensuring a consistent and coordinated message across all platforms.
Data Visualization And Reporting
- Collaborate with data analysts and program evaluators to translate complex overdose prevention data into compelling visualizations and reports for various audiences, including the general public, policymakers, and internal stakeholders.
- Other related duties as assigned.
Note: The duties and responsibilities listed above intend to provide an overview of the key aspects of the Overdose Prevention and Response Communications Specialist role. As the agency's needs evolve, additional responsibilities may arise to meet the changing demands of the overdose prevention landscape.
Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills
Our ideal candidate will demonstrate the following (Minimum):
- Experience and knowledge of communications principles, methods, and materials.
- Experience and knowledge of project management principles, budgeting, and project cost accounting principles.
- Understanding of government and community processes and structures.
- Skill in being sensitive when operating in political environments.
- Demonstrated experience with public health communications and media and knowledge of equitable approaches to improving the health and well-being of residents and communities impacted by substance use disorder and overdose.
- Skills in synthesizing and communicating, in writing, orally, or visually, health and substance use information to non-technical audiences.
- Skills in identifying and assessing the communication needs of a diverse array of audiences.
- Skills in the use of creativity and imagination in preparing communication materials that address the needs of targeted audiences.
- Skill in making decisions about the type of communication methods or tools best suited for a given objective or task.
- Skill in writing and editing and/or illustrating information in a clear and concise manner.
- Skill in working under pressure and meeting deadlines while juggling competing priorities.
- Ability to act in a tactful and diplomatic manner and work on sensitive issues with diverse groups.
- Skill in identifying and developing short- and long-range communications plans and/or strategies.
The most competitive applicants will have the following experiences and qualifications (Desired):
- Experience in large-scale public information campaigns for overdose prevention, substance use education, or stigma reduction.
- Knowledge of harm reduction principles and experience integrating harm reduction into communications campaigns and messaging.
- Knowledge of and experience working with community/multilingual media in King County.
- Experience working in communications in the government sector, preferably public health.
- Individuals with lived experience are encouraged to apply.
Supplemental Information
Forbes named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.
Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.
Guided by our "True North", we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles - we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.
King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer
No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. 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.
To Apply
If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement.
Who May Apply
This full-time, career service position is open to all qualified applicants.
Application Process
The following items are required to be considered for this vacancy:
- NeoGov Job Application (The responses on your job application should be thorough and complete and will be used in the screening process)
- Supplemental Questions (The responses to the supplemental questions should be thorough and complete and will be used in the screening process)
- Portfolio (work item examples) (Written/Communications work from your past professional experience. 1-2 examples)
Your application may be rejected as incomplete if you do not include the relevant information in the application. Cover letters and/or resumes are not accepted in lieu of a completed application. Applications and/or Supplemental Questionnaires that state "see my resume" or "see my personnel file" are considered incomplete and will not be accepted.
Necessary Special Requirements
- The selection process may include evaluation of application materials and supplemental questions, interviewing, and testing. You must completely fill out the application with your relevant education and work experience.
- The selected candidate must be able to pass a thorough background investigation, but findings may not necessarily disqualify an applicant for employment.
- For more information on our selection process, please refer to www.kingcounty.gov/depts/health/jobs/hiring. For tips on interviewing, please visit https://www.kingcounty.gov/~/media/audience/employees/learning-and-development/Interview_Tips.ashx?la=en.
- Employees are required to protect the privacy and security of protected health information as defined in State and Federal Law.
- Public Health relies on office automation (Microsoft Office) and web-based enabled tools, therefore candidates must be proficient and comfortable with computer use to perform functions associated with on-going work.
- Employees are required to adhere to OSHA/WISHA guidelines including but not limited to completing their mandatory trainings on time and obtaining required immunizations.
- Regular and reliable attendance, effective communication skills, and development of effective working relationships are requirements of all Public Health positions.
- When Public Health responds to an emergency, and in accordance with relevant CBA language and/or KC policy and procedures, we may assign duties outside your regular job description. This may involve responding at any time, including nights and weekends, with possible deployment to locations other than the department.
- If you need a disability accommodation in the application or testing process, please call the contact number listed on the job announcement.
Union Membership
This position is a non-represented position.
Contact
For questions about this recruitment, please contact Salyse Duckworth, HR Analyst at sduckworth@kingcounty.gov.
Benefits
King County offers a highly-competitive compensation and benefits package designed to meet the diverse needs of our employees and support our employees' health and well-being. Eligible positions receive the following benefits and have access to the following programs:
- Excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage options: King County provides eligible employees with options, so they can decide what’s best for themselves and their eligible dependents
- Life and disability insurance: employees are provided basic coverage and given the opportunity to purchase additional insurance for both the employee and eligible dependents
- Retirement: eligible King County employees may participate in a pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and a 457(b) deferred-compensation plan
- Transportation program and ORCA transit pass
- 12 paid holidays each year plus two personal holidays
- Generous vacation and paid sick leave
- Paid parental, family and medical, and volunteer leaves
- Flexible Spending Account
- Wellness programs
- Onsite activity centers
- Employee Giving Program
- Employee assistance programs
- Flexible schedules and telecommuting options, depending on position
- Training and career development programs
For additional information about employee benefits, visit our Benefits, Payroll, and Retirement Page.
This is a general description of the benefits offered to eligible King County employees, and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. If any information on this document conflicts with the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), the CBA prevails.
NOTE: Benefits for Term Limited Temporary (TLT) or Short Term Temporary (STT) positions, including leave eligibility and/or participation in the pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems, will vary based upon the terms and details of the position. Short Term Temporary positions are not eligible for an ORCA transit pass.
For inquiries about the specifics of this position, please contact the recruiter identified on this job posting.
01
Do you have experience of project management principles, budgeting, and project cost accounting principles?
02
If you answered “yes” to the question above, please describe your experience of project management principles, budgeting, and project cost accounting principles. If you do not have this experience, please type, N/A.
03
Do you have experience with communications principles, methods, and materials?
04
If you answered yes to the question above, please describe your experience and how many years of this background. If you do not have this experience, type N/A.
05
Do you have demonstrated experience with public health communications and media and knowledge of equitable approaches to improving the health and well-being of residents and communities impacted by substance use disorder and overdose?
06
If you answered yes to the question above, please describe your experience and how many years you have been performing it. If you do not have this experience, type N/A.
07
Do you have skills in synthesizing and communicating, in writing, orally, or visually, health and substance use information to non-technical audiences?
08
If you have answered yes to the question above, please describe your experience and the number of years you have been performing it. If you do not have this experience, type N/A.
09
Do you have experience in large-scale public information campaigns for overdose prevention, substance use education, or stigma reduction?
10
If you have answered yes to the question above, please describe your experience and the number of years you have been performing it. If you do not have this experience, type N/A.
11
Do you have experience working in communications in the government sector, preferably public health?
12
If you have answered yes to the question above, please describe your experience and the number of years you have been performing it. If you do not have this experience, type N/A.
13
Are you applying to this position as an eligible current or previous King County Employee Priority Placement Program Participant? AND Is this position the same or lower percentage of full-time when compared to the position held at the point of the notification of layoff? AND Do you possess the skills and abilities to qualify for this position?
- Yes, I was given a layoff notice from my Career Service role at King County and I am within two years of the effective date of my layoff. Additionally, the position I was laid off from was the same or a higher percentage of FT status when compared to this one.
- No.
14
If you answered yes to the question above and you are applying for this position as a Priority Placement Participant, to be considered, you must provide the following three pieces of information in the space provided: 1. The title you held when you received your layoff notice 2. The department you worked in 3. The effective date of your layoff
Required Question
Employer King County
Address King Street Center
201 South Jackson Street
Seattle, Washington, 98104
Phone 206-477-3404
Website http://www.kingcounty.gov/
