Position Open Until Filled
The Community
Headquartered in Olympia, Washington, the Port of Olympia serves all of Thurston County community as an economic engine, a strong community partner, and a responsible environmental steward. Olympia is home to a wide variety of industries, including state government, health care, retail, military, education, construction, farming, fishing, and logging, and has an active arts community.
The region has a wide array of public parks and nature conservation areas. Majestic Mount Rainier and the rugged Cascade Mountains are nearby to the east, while the Pacific Coast is just an hour's drive to the west. Located on Budd Inlet, the southernmost point of Puget Sound, the area offers significant opportunities for a diversity of water enthusiasts.
The Organization
Established in 1922, the Port serves the community by promoting trade, supporting family-wage jobs, and improving the environment. Today, more than 5,000 jobs and nearly $715.5 million in economic activity in Thurston County depend on the Port of Olympia. The Port of Olympia is governed by an elected Commission, which sets policies and strategic direction for the organization. The Commission appoints the Port's Executive Director, who is responsible for the ongoing management of the Port's staff, operations, budget, enterprises, and facilities. The Port of Olympia operates with 49 FTEs across multiple departments and four business units which include:
Marine Terminal
Airport
Swantown Marina and Boatworks
Real Estate
Learn more about who we are at:
portolympia.com
The Position
The Environmental Communications Specialist will develop the Port's environmental and other project communication efforts and programs, with a strong focus on our Budd Inlet clean-up and restoration project.
As part of the communications, environmental, and outreach team, this position will help craft successful storytelling campaigns around priority projects that include opportunities for engagement and feedback, community partnerships, such as Ecology grant-funded projects, and work in communities with environmental justice concerns. You'll work proactively and be an individual who thrives in a dynamic work environment, is an excellent communicator, understands the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion, and has a passion for environmental issues.
To ensure effective communication, the position will identify Tribes, communities, industries, government agencies, nonprofits, and other relevant audiences impacted by the Port of Olympia's work. This position works with staff to determine how to reach these audiences and recommend strategies to communicate information clearly. Helping support, coordinate, and facilitate meetings, workshops, and public hearings, following Ecology's best practices for community engagement.
A key component of this position is advising program management on high-level communications issues, developing communication strategies for priority projects, and may act as a spokesperson to the media if needed.
This position will also plan, develop, write, edit, and review publications, web content, presentations, social media posts, and other environmental communication products, ensuring that publications and other materials meet the organization's accessibility standards.The essential duties and responsibilities of this position include, but are not limited to the following:
Develop and lead campaigns and initiatives to engage, educate, and include the public in Port environmental initiatives and other potential projects.
Plan, schedule, and lead public involvement or outreach meetings.
Develop and implement strategic communication plans that include outreach to business leaders, special interest groups, the public, and collaboration with tribal governments.
Develop and review news releases, fact sheets, key messages, talking points, web content, social media posts, videos, newsletter articles, brochures, briefing documents, and other communication materials.
Manage media inquiries for print, television, radio, and online media outlets.
Develop, write, and execute communications with sensitivity for diversity, equity, and inclusion messages.
Develop presentations, write speeches, and contribute or lead development of videos.
Write and develop content and/or correspondence with state and local governments.
Contribute to and help manage website content and internal intranet. Learn the organization's web content management system and work with the program's web coordinator to write, edit, and review program web content.
Advise managers on environmental communication policies, actions, and issues, participating in management decision-making processes.
Advise managers on internal and external communications, especially related to environmental activities and directives.
Collaborate with education and outreach professionals inside the organization and with outside agencies and programs to develop and implement strategic public information and education campaigns.
Minimum Qualification (Experience / Education)
Bachelor's degree in journalism, communications, public relations, or a related field, and five years of professional experience in communication, public affairs, or a related field, or equivalent education/experience.
Required Knowledge and Skills
Outstanding written and oral communication skills.
Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work under pressure.
Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
Ability to establish and maintain cooperative and productive working relationships with all stakeholders.
Demonstrated experience in crisis communications.
Ability to comply with ethical standards and agency policies.
Desired Knowledge and Skills
We highly encourage you to apply even if you do not have some (or all) of the desired experience below.
Experience in Environmental Justice and ADA accessibility communications, or in reaching communities with barriers to obtaining information.
Strategic communications experience in a government setting.
Strategic issues management and communications planning.
Climate change communication experience.
Experience working with news media.
Experience in Journalism, public relations/information, news media, digital/social media, marketing, digital accessibility, or writing/editing.
The Port of Olympia is committed to providing equal employment opportunity and equal access in a non-discriminatory manner to its programs and services for all persons without regard to race, creed, color, marital status, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age, national origin, political affiliation, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or the presence of any real or perceived sensory, mental, or physical disability.
Persons requiring accommodation in the application process or for an alternative format may contact the Human Resources Manager, Tracy Aga at (360) 528-8002 or
********
. Persons of disability or those who are deaf or hard of hearing can call the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or ******** . The Port of Olympia complies with the employment eligibility verification requirements of the Federal Form I-9. The selected candidate must be able to provide proof of identity and eligibility to work in the United States consistent with the requirements of that form on the first day of employment.
Compensation and Benefits
$67,410 - $101,115
Medical, prescription, vision, and dental insurance with no out-of-pocket employee premiums and full coverage for employee, spouse, and all eligible dependents.
Life and AD&D insurance with a maximum of $100,000.
12 paid holidays.
Earned vacation and sick leave
Bereavement leave
Educational assistance
Long-term disability insurance with optional additional coverage paid by the employee.
Washington State Retirement System
Wellness fringe benefit
Optional AFLAC
Optional Ameriflex FSA.
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