NOTE: The application period has now closed. Only Priority Placement Program participant applications will be added to the candidate pool.

King County Metro Transit’s Internal Communications and Employee Engagement team is seeking an experienced Communications Specialist III to produce communications plans, strategies, and products in support of the Safety, Security, and Quality Assurance Division and General Manager’s Office. This role will research, design, write, edit, and coordinate employee communications, such as Metro-wide messages from senior leadership, and facilitate inclusive employee engagement opportunities to co-create, share information, and improve two-way communications with individual contributors and management.

Candidates will bring experience in written communications (i.e. talking points, employee messages, newsletters) and in planning and facilitating employee engagement (i.e. designing surveys, overseeing focus groups, tabling at events). They will engage our workforce with stories and resources that support Metro’s efforts to build a proactive safety culture and strengthen system-wide security. Candidates for this role will have the ability to manage multiple and shifting priorities, be action-oriented, build strong relationships and partnerships, and work under pressure.

Position Info: This recruitment will be used to fill one (1) Special Duty Assignment/Term Limited Temporary vacancy that is expected to last 18 months with the possibility of extension. This recruitment may be used to generate a list for future Term Limited Temporary (TLT), and Special Duty Assignment (SDA) positions that may occur in this classification (Communications Specialist III). The eligibility pool list is valid for up to 12 months from time of posting for use at the discretion of the hiring authority.

Applying equity and social justice principles is a daily responsibility and foundational expectation for all King County employees. In this role, you will apply equity and social justice principles that exemplify shared values, behaviors, and practices to all aspects of this work. The successful candidate will be skilled at working with directors and other leaders, as well as passionate about representing the voices and interests of employees.

As a Communications Specialist III, you will:

• Research, plan, write, edit and design various documents in draft and final form, including reports, newsletters, factsheets, slide presentations, talking points, education materials, website content, and other materials. Help develop graphics as needed.
• Formulate communications plans, strategies, and products in support of the Safety, Security, and Quality Assurance Division and General Manager's Office.
• Manage publishing and distribution channels to provide information to a large, diverse workforce in an effective, efficient, and timely manner.
• Use listening, facilitation, and conflict management skills to both receive and deliver the creative ideas of employees to the forefront.
• Prepare reports, slideshows, and other communications products summarizing findings and recommendations to present to stakeholders.
• Work with leaders, internal customers and/or key stakeholders to assess communications and employee engagement needs, target audience, and objectives; design special activities to meet those needs.
• Facilitate individual contributors and people leaders in one-on-one conversations, small and large group settings, and through various participatory methods (i.e. surveys, focus groups, tabling at events) to provide meaningful feedback to decision-makers and ensure the diverse voices of King County and Metro's marginalized populations are heard.
• Collaborate and follow all Metro communication protocols and review processes for development and distribution of communications materials to all stakeholders.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

We are looking for candidates who have:

• A minimum of three (3) years of experience in positions dedicated to communications and employee engagement OR any combination of experience/education/training that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the work.
• Excellent written and oral communications skills, including the effective use of visuals in communications.
• Demonstrated ability to work with diverse individuals with varying opinions and backgrounds.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Experience working in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Proficiency in commonly used communication and productivity tools to create and manage written content, presentations, graphics, database operations, spreadsheets and surveys, and to collaborate effectively across teams.

Highly competitive candidates will have (desired, but not required):

• Knowledge of transit operations and optimization.
• Experience producing videos and writing scripts.
• Experience with SharePoint and SharePoint site administration.
• Proficient in a non-English language.

Forbes named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.

Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.

Guided by our "True North", we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles - we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer

No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.