Communications Supervisor

Position Description

The Office of Economic Development (OED) champions inclusive economic growth to make sure everyone in Seattle can enjoy quality jobs at thriving businesses in vibrant neighborhoods. Our role is to drive economic growth through strategies and investments that open doors and remove barriers to wealth-building opportunities - especially for communities that have been systemically excluded.

To achieve these goals, OED is pursuing five strategic priorities:

• BUSINESS SUCCESS AND GROWTH: Helping businesses and key industries thrive in local and global marketplaces by solving problems, connecting them to resources, and making strategic investments.
• TALENT: Connecting diverse talent with valuable career opportunities within key industries.
• WEALTH CREATION: Unlocking generational wealth opportunities for business owners by connecting them to capital, real estate, and new markets.
• VIBRANT NEIGHBORHOODS: Investing inneighborhood business districts which are vital local economic engines, including developing an ambitious and inclusive future for Downtown.
• REGIONAL ALIGNMENT: Working as a team with public, private, and philanthropic partners across the region to align systems, policies, and funding.

OED is looking for a Communications Supervisor to join our collaborative and innovative Communications Team. In this role, you will join a team of communication professionals who are dedicated to connecting the public to economic development resources and programs, amplifying the stories and good work of our community and industry partners, and advancing OED's mission by driving the department's internal and external communication strategies . You will contribute to the creation and execution of the OED social media strategy. Additionally, you will oversee internal and external platforms, including websites, social media accounts, newsletters, and drive communication projects such as program launches, media campaigns, and multi-media projects that tell the story of OED and our community partners.

Job Responsibilities

Your work will encompass three main focus areas:

Communication Strategy and Project Management:

• Oversee internal and external communication strategies for social media and OED's presence by developing, writing, and editing content for Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn accounts. Additionally, this role will develop social media strategies for OED's special projects and programs and maintain an editorial calendar.
• Serve as internal communications subject matter expert. Develop and implement internal communication projects and processes. Manage internal communication tools such as the Department Internal Web (Inweb).
• Support external communication projects including program launches, media campaigns, and communication initiatives.
• Communicate the department's results and impacts through storytelling.

Support Language Access plan implementation:

• Coordinate and support the preparation, editing, designing, and production of a variety of public information materials including: OED websites (internal and external), digital content (videos, graphics, etc), brochures, newsletters, presentations, marketing campaigns, including ethnic media campaigns.
• Identify and partner with consultants to implement communication projects and produce deliverables as
• needed.
• As Public Information Officer (PIO) for the department, coordinate media relations activities such as responding to media inquiries, coordinating media events, writing press releases, and talking points for department spokespersons.
• Support crisis communications plan and Joint Information Center (JIC) coordination with the mayor's office and other departments.

Management and Leadership:

• Supervise the Digital Communications Specialist and any temporary Public Relations Specialist.
• Day-to-day support, leading performance management and professional development initiatives.
• Support team member(s) to identify their individual and team goals and metrics.

You will be prepared for this role if you have a combination of the following:

Skills:

• Advanced computer skills in Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Creative Suite, PowerPoint, WordPress and/or other website back ends/content management systems
• Outstanding planning and organization skills with a strong attention for detail.
• Project management skills, including juggling multiple timelines and competing demands.
• Working collaboratively and effectively with teams
• Web and graphic design
• Strategic communications and creative storytelling

Experience:

• Developing and implementing social media marketing strategies and analytics.
• Strategic and crisis communications.
• Creative storytelling, strong writing and media relations including working with a wide range of media partners.
• Project management.
• Language Access Experience.
• Basic web design and graphic design skills.
• Experience with fielding Public Disclosure requests.
• Experience developing and executing budgets.
• Producing audio or visual projects and written content for web and print.
• Distilling complex information and communicating effectively to a variety of diverse audiences effectively on digital platforms.
• Producing, tracking, and managing multiple deliverables with overlapping deadlines.

Ability to:

• Demonstrate and apply your understanding of racial equity and social justice principles, institutional racism in your daily work.
• Effectively engage diverse communities where English may not be the first language.
• Be creative, innovative, and agile.
• Respect people's lived experience and reflect a deep understanding of race, social justice, and equity in your interactions and work.
• Build positive working relationships with a wide range of individuals both internally and externally in a politically sensitive environment.

Qualifications

In addition to the qualities mentioned above, you will need to possess the below required qualifications:

Bachelor's degree in English, Journalism, Communications, Marketing, or related field,

AND

Three (3) years professional experience in public relations, marketing, journalism, or related field

involving the preparation and distribution of public information materials, including one (1) year supervisory experience of staff,

OR

A combination of education, training and/or experience that provides an equivalent background to perform the work of the class.

Additional Information

This full-time and benefitted position is classified as a Public Relations Supervisor in the City payroll system. This position is covered by the Civil Service system and FLSA (eligible for overtime). The full pay range for this position is $43.34 - $50.43 per hour. New employees begin at Step 1 of the pay progression, which is $43.34 hourly. Current City employees' starting rate of pay will be based on Personnel Rules regarding promotions.

This position offers the flexibility of a hybrid work schedule. Employees will be expected to be in-office twice a week. Individual schedules will be based on agreement between the employee and their supervisor.

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 .

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.

APPLICATION PROCESS:

In addition to completing the application fully, to be considered you must include:

• A PDF cover letter clearly describing how your knowledge, skills, and abilities prepare you for the job responsibilities and qualifications outlined in this job announcement.
• A PDF resume which illustrates your related skills and abilities.
• 2 work samples of communication projects illustrating your work and writing skills.

You must submit your complete application at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/seattle/ no later than 4:00pm Pacific Time on Tuesday, September 5, 2023 .

This position is open to all candidates that meet the minimum qualifications. The Office of Economic Development 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 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.

Questions? Please contact Marina Silcheva at Marina.Silcheva@seattle.gov .

More information about the Department: https://www.seattle.gov/office-of-economic-development

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: 9/5/2023 4:00 PM Pacific