Communications & Outreach Specialist

JOB
Full Salary Range: $73,552 - $93,066 annually Starting Salary Range: $73,552 – $82,736 annually, DOQ The City of Covington is searching for a Communications & Outreach Specialist that will be under the direction of the Communications & Marketing Manager. This position plays a key role in planning, developing, and delivering strategic communications and outreach efforts for the City’s Communications Division and supports the public engagement and education/outreach programs for the City’s Stormwater Management Division. This position will manage and create content for the City’s digital platforms, as well as represent the City in a professional and service-oriented manner at community events and outreach activities. This is a full-time (40 hours per week) position, which is FLSA-covered and eligible for overtime compensation. Education and Experience: Minimum Criteria: Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, Public Administration, Graphic Design, or a closely related field; and Three (3) years of progressively responsible professional experience in communications, public information, public relations, journalism, marketing, community outreach, or related field;OR Any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. Preferred Criteria: (In addition to Minimum Criteria)Experience in municipal government, public sector, or community-based communications. Experience developing and implementing communication or outreach plans for public agencies, projects, or campaigns. Knowledge of stormwater management or environmental programs.Experience with social media management, analytics, and content scheduling tools. Experience with website content management systems (CMS). Experience with graphic design tools such as Canva and/or Adobe Creative Suite. Experience with photography, videography, video editing, or multimedia storytelling. Experience supporting public meetings, special events, or community engagement efforts. Familiarity with ADA accessibility, plain language, and inclusive communication best practices. Special Requirements: Possession of a valid Washington State driver’s license, or ability to obtain one within one month. Satisfactory results from a nationwide criminal background check and complete driving record check. Proper documentation to fulfill the requirements of the Immigration and Nationality Act within three (3) days of employment is a condition of employment with the City of Covington. The City offers an excellent health insurance program that includes dental and vision plans; a 401(a) pension (PERS Replacement and Social Security Replacement) plan that vest on a graduated schedule reaching 100% after completion of the third year of employment; a Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) VEBA Plan; plus voluntary 457 and Flexible Spending plans, paid holidays, paid sick leave and paid vacation leave. Additionally, the City offers a variety of flexible work schedules, including 4/10’s and a mix of on-site and remote working, based on the needs of the position and supervisory approval. A complete job description and employment application are available through the links posted below or by visiting City Hall Monday through Friday between the hours of 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Application packet MUST include the following: Please provide the following samples with your application. PDFs or web urls/links are acceptable. City of Covington ApplicationResumeCover LetterProvide at least one sample (but no more than five) of a published written communications piece (i.e. press release, newsletter article, annual report, blog post, etc.) that best represents your writing style and expertise.Provide at least one sample (but no more than five) of published graphic or digital design work (i.e. event flyer, social media graphic, advertisement, webpage design, video, etc.). A variety of different media types would be ideal. First review of applications will be completed by May 8, 2026. The applicants selected to participate in the interview process will be contacted the week before interviews, which are currently TBD but should be within 2 weeks after the initial review date. For hard copy applications, apply to: kathy.parker@covingtonwa.gov; or Human Resources Analyst; City of Covington; 16720 SE 271st Street, Suite 100; Covington, WA 98042. EEOE.For additional information, contact the Human Resources Manager at (253) 480-2410. To request an application packet through email, please call Kathy Parker at (253) 480-2417.