Communications Specialist

The City of Burien is committed to achieving racial justice and ensuring the fair treatment of people of all races and identities. We value diverse life experiences and strive to create a workplace that is welcoming to all. While the City of Burien elevates race, we also recognize and honor the complexity of each unique identity and center on the under-resourced and underrepresented.

Our commitment to achieving and sustaining racial justice requires us to be transparent, proactive, and deliberate in all decision-making. We take these steps to help better meet our vision of creating a vibrant and creative community, where residents embrace diversity, celebrate arts and culture, promote vitality, and treasure the environment.

The first review of applications will be held on April 22, 2024 however, the position is open until filled. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply early.

The position of Communications Specialist uses a variety of platforms, technologies, and techniques to develop and distribute vital information to the community; increase public engagement in City processes; and strengthen connections between the City, our diverse community, and the broader region.

General Position Summary

Under the general direction of the Communications and Public Engagement Manager, this position is responsible for assisting with the planning, development, and implementation of communications plans and strategies to provide information to a wide variety of audiences regarding City projects and programs in alignment with the City's vision, mission, values, goals, and objectives. This position will use specialized knowledge and expertise to create written and visual content for print and digital publications, video production, social media, and other platforms while ensuring accessibility of language to meet Burien's unique community needs.

Essential Functions

• Supports and models the identified vision, values, and standards of the organization.

• Collaborates in the development and implementation of effective communications plans and strategies that are responsive to the unique experiences and accessibility needs of the community.

• Provides graphic design services. Conceptualizes and creates a variety of both print and digital design deliverables, including multi-page layouts, print production, and social media.

• Produces print materials including posters, flyers, and large-format materials.

• Leads design of Burien Magazine and other City publications and materials and provides creative direction for design projects involving other staff or contracted agencies.

• Leads frontend web design and development as well as website maintenance for all City-owned web properties, including the City's primary website, Burien Magazine, and Community Hub.

• Leads video production from script and filming to final edited video.

• Develops comprehensive brand identities and strategies for communications campaigns.

• Produces and posts content to the City's websites.

• Provides oversight, creation, and curation of content for the City's main social media channels, as well as monitors and responds to community comments and questions.

• Maintains brand and style standards, helps develop or identify new workflows, tools, and processes through continuous improvement, and follows existing processes and policies.

• Provides recommendations to the Communications and Public Engagement Manager when developing messaging and strategies on emerging issues.

• Works with the Communications and Public Engagement Manager to develop multimedia content for use on the City website, social media, advertisements, and local government TV channel.

• Collaborates with and provides branding and storytelling guidance to a variety of internal staff and external stakeholders in order to help develop engaging content for communications campaigns across multiple digital platforms.

• Implements a digital communications production process in cooperation with other City departments.

• Partners with the Communications Manager to ensure all communications are in alignment and responsive to the City's diversity, equity and inclusion goals.

• Writes, edits, and proofreads documents and effectively conveys complex issues, events, and concepts in succinct, easy-to-understand plain language.

• Assists outreach and collaborative community engagement efforts to support trust-building, including tabling, in-person community meetings, stakeholder events, etc.

Education and Experience

A combination of education, training, and experience in communications, public relations, journalism, graphic design, marketing, or related fields demonstrating the background required to perform the duties of the position. Work experience in the nonprofit or public sectors preferred. Experience working with diverse communities. Ability to speak a secondary language is preferred, not required.