Sr. Specialist – External Communications

The Strategist for External Communications is a key member of Community Transit communications team. The successful candidate will create compelling content and messaging to promote broad awareness around Community Transit’s critical contributions to Snohomish County’s mobility, economy and environmental sustainability, and ridership of its services. Explains the agency’s services, capital investments, programs, and initiatives to the public and specialty audiences. Creates electronic communications, including social media and website content; shoots and edits photos and video; writes and edits copy for blog posts, fact sheets, brochures, presentations, and other external communications. Represents the department and agency in meetings, public forums, or other events as assigned.

1. Responsible for company and public facing content. Researches, conducts interviews, and writes content for company blog posts and fact sheets. Writes content for public facing brochures, presentations, and other external communications. Edits other written content including managements and offers suggestions for improvements when necessary.
2. Strategic program ownership, planning, and development Creates and manages strategic plans for communicating to external audiences.  Develops ideas and content to reach public facing target audiences and promote agency services and initiatives to the public.
3. Develops and implements communications plans. Acts as communications liaison with staff from other departments on projects, programs, and initiatives.
4. Creates public facing electronic communications. Including rider information and social media and website content. Shoots and edits photographs and video to support social media or other platforms.
5. Represent Community Transit in professional and external settings. Represents the department and Community Transit in meetings, public forums. Also represents to other events as a representative, participating member.
6. Budget. Assists in development of External Communications work plan and budget.
7. Performs other duties of a similar nature or level. Assists with other department needs, including coverage for other positions.

Minimum Qualifications

1. Five years of professional experience in writing fact sheets, brochures, and other external-facing communications.
2. Three years of experience in content strategy, editorial planning, and content development

An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job listed above may be considered.

Preferred

1. Bachelor's degree in communications arts, public relations, journalism, marketing, or related field.
   

Entry Knowledge Requirements

1. Proficient in a variety of writing styles, including AP style.
2. Proficient in business communication, including proper use of grammar and punctuation.
3. Public relations principles and practices.

Entry Skill Requirements

1. Fostering an inclusive workplace where diversity, equity and inclusion is valued and leveraged to uphold agency Core Values and achieve the vision and mission of the organization.
2. Creatively expressing a concept in writing using a variety of styles and types of copy, such as journalism, social media, promotions, advertising, and speeches.
3. Basic photography and video production skills.
4. Preparing and making presentations to inter-departmental or public groups of various sizes.
5. Project management, organization, and time management.
6. Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Teams).
7. Working in a team environment.
8. Communication and interpersonal relations as applied to interaction with diverse coworkers, manager, the public, etc. sufficient to exchange or convey information appropriate to the audience and to receive work direction.

Working Conditions

Light work.  Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.  Repetitive motion.  Substantial movements (motions) of the wrist, hands, and/or fingers.  The worker is required to have close visual acuity to perform any activity such as preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing, viewing a computer terminal, extensive reading. 

Work is performed in an office environment and requires the ability to operate standard office equipment and keyboards.  Must have the ability to move throughout the building and between buildings at different locations.  Sitting - Computer use, attend meetings, compiling, analyzing, and assembling information.  Must be able to complete tasks in a noisy environment.  Must be able to adhere to process protocol. 

Application and Selection Process:

• Only on-line applications accepted. 
• Applicants for this job may be considered for other openings up to six months after the date this position is filled.
• Applicants who meet the minimum requirements may be asked to provide a portfolio sample of work, scheduled for an interview as well as a variety of tests to demonstrate knowledge and skills for the position.  The evaluation process may include interviews, background checks, reference checks and various performance tests.    

Employee Benefits: 

Employees (and their families) are covered by medical, dental, vision, basic life and disability insurance. Employees participate in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) and have the option to enroll in the agency’s deferred compensation plan. In addition to WA Paid Sick Leave, employees in this position, accrue of 24 days of Paid Time off (192 hours) in their first year and nine (9) paid holidays throughout the calendar year. Full list of all benefits and details can be found here.

 If you have a family member, or share the same living quarters of a current Community Transit employee, please let your Human Resources Recruiter know as your eligibility for this position will be affected.

Community Transit provides a tobacco-free and drug-free work environment. As a recipient of federal funds, Community Transit is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on an basis prohibited by Federal, State or Local law.  We value and encourage diversity in our workforce.  EOE AA M/F/Vet/Disability.  Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, color, religion, national origin, sex, protected veteran status or disability.