Director of Communications and Community Storytelling

Position Description

THE DEPARTMENT

Seattle Department of Neighborhoods (DON) is responsible for strengthening Seattle by engaging all communities. Our purpose is to bring government closer to the residents of Seattle by engaging them in civic participation; empowering them to make positive contributions to their communities; and involving more of Seattle's Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) in civic discussion, processes, and opportunities.

THE JOB

The Director of Communications and Community Storytelling leads all communications-related work for DON. This includes setting the tone, creating the communications plan, and overseeing a wide variety of internal and external communications with a people-centered focus on equity, accessibility, relatability, and transparency for DON as well as influencing and informing citywide communications and related policies.

Specifically, you will:

• Manage all communications-related programming for the department, including DON's community storytelling initiatives (involving 150 community members in the last 3 years)
• Oversee all written, oral, and visual content for DON's digital platforms and social media, 14+ programs, community outreach and engagement, media communications, and requests from the Mayor's Office and other internal and external partners
• Serve on DON's Executive Team and act as key advisor to DON'S Director, providing technical expertise on all communications matters for the department and advising, shaping, and influencing policy, program, and budgeting decisions that impact the whole department
• Act as spokesperson for the department

Job Responsibilities

To do this job well, you are committed to:

• Ensuring that all communication strategies and deliverables for DON are accessible, relatable, centered in community, and driven by equity
• Cultivating and maintaining relationships with community members and DON staff that organically grow into storytelling opportunities or connections to DON programming
• Providing guidance and advice to DON leadership, staff, elected officials, and other City departments on all communications matters impacting DON
• Navigating political issues on behalf of DON and the City of Seattle as an influencer and advisor

To be successful in this job, you have demonstrated your:

• Commitment to race and social justice, equity, and supporting the power of communities to forge their own solutions
• Communications advising, planning, and implementation skills, directing and producing work for a variety of internal and external audiences, while anticipating and creating content to meet future needs
• Organization and prioritization skills and ability to meet tight and changing deadlines
• Collaboration and engagement skills with coworkers, city partners, community members, and vendors
• Project and team management and development capabilities

To be effective in this job, you:

• Are a storyteller and story advocate, listening to and helping community members tell their own stories
• Are creative and invested in finding new ways to reach and empower community members
• Inspire trust in team members, city staff, and community
• Are a leader focused on developing communication practices and policies that center the needs and lived experiences of communities with a history of harm, including Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC), LGBTQ+, people with disabilities, immigrants, and refugees

Qualifications

A successful applicant will have experience that reflects a commitment to building and implementing communications using an equity lens. This experience should be complemented by demonstrated ability in most of the following areas:

• Broad written, oral, and visual communication skills, including social media
• Cross-cultural communication and content development for outreach and engagement
• Language and accessibility practices
• Navigating equity barriers experienced by BIPOC, LGBTQ+, people with disabilities, and immigrant and refugee communities
• People and project management
• Working successfully within a large, matrixed organization
• Working in a diverse, fast-paced, political environment

Additional Information

This position is classified as a Strategic Advisor 1, Customer Service, Public Relations, and Promotion. The full pay range for this broadband position is $43.89 - 65.83. For internal equity our target salary is $59.83.

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.

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

To be considered for this role, please complete the online application fully and attach:

• A current resume
• A cover letter that explains your interest in this job and work you have done that is most similar

Here is a resource for Application and Interviewing tips with the City of Seattle.

Questions? Please contact Kate Moore at kate.moore@seattle.gov

Who may apply: This position is open to all applicants 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 Office of Housing 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.

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: 10/3/2023 4:00 PM Pacific