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Description

WASHINGTON STATE SENATE
EXEMPT RECRUITMENT ANNOUNCEMENT
JOB TITLE: Communication Specialist
REPORTS TO: Communications Director, Chief of Staff
LOCATION: Olympia, Washington
CLOSES: September 7, 2022
Senate Profile
The Washington State Legislature is a bicameral body comprised of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Legislature meets annually on the second Monday in January in the Capitol Building in Olympia. Regular legislative sessions take place January through March in even-numbered years and January through April in odd-numbered years. Special legislative sessions occur as needed. Permanent staff work year-round supporting the Senate and legislative members. The Senate strives to cultivate an inclusive working environment that supports diversity through equitable policies and practices.
About the Senate Democratic Caucus
The Washington State Senate Democratic Caucus (SDC) consists exclusively of Democratic members of the Washington State Senate. Our caucus staff team is comprised of administrative, policy, and communications staff. Policy analysts provide analysis, advice, and bill development assistance in their respective policy areas to all Democratic Senators and their office staff. Communications specialists manage media requests and assist in any and all areas of communications to individual Democratic Senators and their offices. Our caucus staff team shares a commitment to putting people first.
Position Profile
The SDC seeks a proactive, collaborative, and personable Communications Specialist to coordinate media, public and stakeholder-relation activities for Democratic state senators.
The Communications Specialist will have a passion for the legislative process and good government. They will have a depth of knowledge and interest on a variety of issues that impact Washington communities. The successful candidate will be skilled at writing, social media, strategic thinking and planning and thrive in a collaborative work environment.

Duties

Position Responsibilities

• Developing plans for helping senators communicate their policy message to the media, the public, and the stakeholder groups in their districts and beyond;
• Identifying unanticipated communications opportunities in social media, print, TV, radio, and other outlets;
• Writing speeches and talking points, as well as producing multi-media Web content, news releases, op-eds, letters to the editor, and newsletter and e-newsletter copy;
• Advising senators on effectively communicating a message and how to link communications goals with legislative goals;
• Establishing and maintaining relationships with representatives of regional media, and stakeholder groups;
• Identifying new tactics for targeted, direct communication efforts with constituents in each member?s district;
• Coordinating with policy staff, senators? legislative assistants and nonpartisan committee staff;
• Tracking media coverage of senators? public policy proposals.

Qualifications

Critical Skill & Abilities

• Ability to effectively interact with others who have diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds, religious views, cultural backgrounds, socio- economic statuses, gender identities, sexual orientations, veteran statuses, and disability statuses to promote trust.
• Excellent writer and able to meet tight deadlines on written products.
• Familiarity with social media.
• Knowledge of or interest in learning the legislative process.
• Excellent political and strategic judgment.
• Ability to frame complex political issues into a coherent and simple message.
• Ability to work under pressure while simultaneously handling multiple responsibilities in a collaborative environment.
• Possess excellent communication skills and excels at communicating in different formats with a broad range of people.
• Self-directed, proactive, and able to work independently.
• Proficiency in Adobe graphic design and video editing software.

Desired Qualifications
A bachelor?s degree in journalism, public relations, political science, communications or a related field. Diverse backgrounds in education and experience could be successful in this role, however, and will be considered.
Additional Requirements

• Long and irregular hours are required during the legislative session, including evening and weekend work. When the Legislature is not in session, flexible schedule options are available.
• This position works in-person in Olympia during the legislative session. When the Legislature is not in session, remote work is supported, except when needed to be in-person for training or legislative meetings.

Supplemental Information

Salary Range
The salary and classification for this position is based on experience and qualifications. The following are the full wage ranges for each of the classifications. A hiring salary will be less than the top of any range, however.

• Associate Information Officer ? $53-93k per year
• Information Officer ? $61-108k per year
• Senior Information Officer ? $74-131k per year

Employee Benefits
The Senate offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, life and long-term disability insurance; vacation, sick, military, bereavement, and civil leave; twelve paid holidays per year; a state retirement plan; deferred compensation; healthcare flexible spending account; dependent care assistance; infant at work policy, optional credit unions and savings bonds; and tuition reimbursement.
How to Apply
Complete the application form accessed on the Senate Employment webpage. All application materials should be submitted by September 7, 2022. Applicants are encouraged to submit materials as soon as possible as screening, interviewing, and selection will begin immediately. E-mail contact [email protected].
All application materials should be submitted by 5:00 PM on Wednesday, September 7, 2022.
Persons requiring reasonable accommodation in the application process or requiring information in an alternative format may contact the Senate Human Resource Office at (360) 786-7583 or [email protected].
The Washington State Senate is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation, and gender identity diversity. The Senate does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, age, disability, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or the use of a service animal by a person with a disability.