Communications Specialist

Position Description

The Seattle Office of Arts & Culture (ARTS) manages the city's public art program, cultural partnerships grant programs, ARTS at King Street Station, the Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute, and The Creative Advantage initiative in the effort to foster a city driven by creativity that provides the opportunity for everyone to engage in diverse arts and cultural experiences . We envision a city of people whose success, safety and health are not pre-determined by their race. A city where all artists, performers, writers, and creative workers have the freedom, agency and platform to share and amplify their stories, art, cultures and experiences. In alignment with the City's Race and Social Justice Initiative, we seek new solutions that use arts as a strategy to drive not only our office, but the City as a whole toward racial equity and social justice. We will continue to break barriers and build arts-integrated tools that challenge the status quo and push us toward the inclusive society we envision.

Are you a storyteller? Do you enjoy creating multi-media content and writing? Are you good at working across teams and with stakeholders? ARTS is seeking a Communications Professional who will play an important role in advancing ARTS mission by creating and driving the office's communication strategies, media and public relations, and community engagement work. This role will work with the dynamic communications teams to support the various ARTS teams in their internal and external communication and engagement needs as well as Mayoral policy initiatives.

Job Responsibilities

Here's more about what you'll be doing:

• Designing, preparing, developing, and producing a variety of public information materials, including blog posts, social media content, brochures, and newsletters with a racial equity lens.
• Crafting and updating materials for a highly active and complex website, and familiarity with using a content management system.
• Coordinating social media content.
• Managing public correspondence by responding to inquiries from the general public by phone, in person or in writing. Prepare correspondence in response to requests for information, complaints, and other public information matters.
• Assisting with office opportunities on the new citywide Grants Management System.
• Composing correspondence, often of a sensitive nature, including Public Disclosure Requests, customer service responses and ARTS Media queries.
• Coordinating with ARTS Staff and the Mayor's office on official correspondence needing the Mayor's signatures and/or Proclamations.
• Providing support on various areas of operational administration to ensure a seamless flow of work within the department.
• May be asked to independently research and compile information on special assignments and prepare reports with a high degree of sensitivity or confidentiality.

Qualifications

You will be successful in this role if you the following knowledge, skills, and technical proficiencies:

• Excellent writing and graphic design skills.
• Adeptness in developing comprehensive, strategic, and compelling communication strategies to advance programs and policy objectives.
• Ability to communicate at all levels effectively and tactfully and create trusted partnerships and strong relationships.
• Understanding of racial equity and social justice principles, institutionalized racism, and demonstrated ability to apply knowledge to daily work.
• Outstanding project management skills, including the ability to produce, track and manage multiple deliverables with overlapping deadlines in a high-performing environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft 365 suite of products for communications and/or Adobe Creative Suite.
• Familiarity with using a content management system for website updates.
• Ability to edit basic HTML and CSS web code.
• Proficiency in video production, photography, and photo editing.
• Ability to implement language access strategies for communities who speak languages such as Amharic, Cambodian, Chinese, Korean, Oromo, Tigrinya, Somali, Spanish or Vietnamese.

Your effectiveness in this role will depend on your ability to:

• Convey complex information to the general public - verbally, graphically and via the web - in a way that is inclusive and accessible.
• Work with diverse groups of staff and stakeholders on various projects with tight deadlines and balance requests for support with competing priorities.
• Craft compelling web and social media content as well as maintaining websites and social media accounts.
• Shift priorities in a dynamic, project-oriented work environment, while maintaining attention to detail and ensure overall quality and consistency.
• Respect people's lived experience and reflect a deep understanding of race, social justice and equity in your interactions and work.
• Understand how institutionalized racism and its intersections have impacted BIPOC and other marginalized communities.
• Demonstrate a high level of professionalism, integrity, and discretion.
• Thrive in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment as a member of a cross-functional team.

QUALIFICATIONS:

In addition to the qualities mentioned above, you will need to possess the below required qualifications (or a combination of education, training or experience which provides an equivalent background required to perform the work of the class):

• Bachelor's degree in English, Journalism, Marketing, Communications, Public Relations, or related field
• At least one year of professional experience in public relations, marketing, journalism, or other field involving the preparation and distribution of communication materials.

OR

• Associate Degree in English, Journalism, Marketing, Communications, Public Relations, or related field
• Two years of professional experience in public relations, marketing, journalism, or other field involving the preparation and distribution of communication materials

OR

• Three years of professional experience in public relations, marketing, journalism, or other field involving the preparation and distribution of communication materials

Additional Information
Why work at the City? The City of Seattle recognizes every City employee must play a role in ending institutional and structural racism. Our culture is the result of our behavior, our personal commitments, and the ways that we courageously share our perspectives and encourage others to do the same. To cultivate an antiracist culture, we seek employees who will engage in the Race and Social Justice Initiative by working to dismantle racist policies and procedures, unlearn the way things have always been done, and provide equitable processes and services.

Benefits - The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at: https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits/employees-and-covered-family-members/most-employees-plans

This full-time position is classified as a Public Relations Specialist and is benefits eligible. The full pay range for this step-progression position is $34.47 - $40.80 per hour. New employees begin at Step 1 of the pay progression, which is $34.47 hourly. Current City of Seattle employees starting rate of pay will be based on Personnel Rules regarding promotions.

This full-time assignment offers the flexibility of a hybrid work schedule. Employees will be expected to be in-office twice a week for a minimum of 4 hours per day. Individual schedules will be based on agreement between the employee and their supervisor.

Interviews for this position are tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, December 6th and Thursday, December 7th, 2023.

APPLICATION PROCESS:

To be considered for this full time assignment, you must submit your complete application, resume, cover letter, and 1-2 samples of your work (attachments and/or link to your online portfolio ) to https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/seattle no later than 4:00pm Pacific Time on Tuesday, November 21, 2023.

This position is open to all candidates that meet the minimum qualifications. The City of Seattle values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, medical condition, or pregnancy. The City of Seattle encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experiences. If you have questions, please contact Tamara Carter at Tamara.Carter@seattle.gov .

#LI-Hybrid

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents.

More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at:
"Most" Employees Plans - Human Resources | seattle.gov

Closing Date/Time: 11/21/2023 4:00 PM Pacific