Floodplain Communications Specialist

Summary

In addition to the current opening, this recruitment may be used to establish a pool of qualified candidates to fill future Career Service Communications Specialist positions throughout the Department of Natural Resources & Parks (DNRP) over the next 6 months.

Help communities prepare for flooding and build long-term resilience! At King County, we lead floodplain management efforts that reduce risk and support people before, during, and after flood events. We’re looking for an experienced communications professional who is driven by public service and enjoys collaborating with others to turn complex information into clear, actionable guidance.

About the Role:

The Communications Specialist (Communications Specialist III) works closely with floodplain management professionals to support a wide range of projects. You will bring project management and outreach expertise to develop and deliver communications that help residents understand flood risks and take steps to protect themselves, their families, and their property.You will also help develop content for quarterly newsletters and social media, and support reporting functions.

This role goes beyond sharing information—it’s about helping people make informed, safer decisions. You will also provide strategic guidance to internal project teams, ensuring communications and engagement are thoughtful, appropriate, and connected to the communities we serve as we design and build critical infrastructure.

This role operates in an evolving environment and requires flexibility, initiative, and comfort adapting to changing priorities.

This position follows a hybrid work model, blending remote and in-person work.

About the Team:

The River and Floodplain Management Section (RFMS) leads work to reduce flood risk for King County residents while restoring and protecting the natural functions of rivers and floodplains. Our work centers equity, considers future climate conditions, and supports communities in preparing for and recovering from flooding. We are committed to building flood-resilient communities in ways that benefit both people and the environment.

RFMS fosters a collaborative, supportive, and results-oriented work environment. We value continuous improvement and rely on each other’s expertise to navigate complex challenges –and we make space to learn, adapt, and support one another along the way. Our hybrid work model supports flexibility while maintaining strong team connections and accountability.

RFMS is part of the Water and Land Resources Division (WLRD), which leads King County’s efforts to protect clean water, restore habitat, and strengthen resilience for communities, infrastructure, and the environment. WLRD’s work spans flood risk reduction, salmon habitat restoration, stormwater management, and equitable access to green space.

Commitment to Equity, Racial and Social Justice:

King County, named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., is a diverse and vibrant community that represents cultures from around the world. Our True North is to create a welcoming community where everyone can thrive. We prioritize equity, racial and social justice, making it a foundational and daily expectation for all employees. As a Communications Specialist, you will actively apply these principles in all aspects of your work. Learn more about our commitment at http://www.kingcounty.gov/equity.

Apply now for a rewarding career at the Water and Land Resources Division of King County Department of Natural Resources & Parks (DNRP). Join our talented workforce in protecting and restoring the natural environment and promoting more resilient, sustainable, and equitable communities. Enjoy training, comprehensive benefits, and growth opportunities.

Job Duties

• Strategic Communication and Outreach Planning – Coach project teams to develop and implement communications strategies that keep interested parties informed and engaged, support on-time project delivery, and advance equity and social justice goals.
• Countywide Outreach and CommunicationsDelivery – Help develop clear messaging and deliver coordinated outreach (including digital content, public meetings, and community engagement) to communicate flood risks, preparedness, and mitigation opportunities. Support communications during flood events as needed.
• Quality Assurance and Quality Control – Review and edit communication to ensure quality, accessibility, and consistency with King County and Flood Control District standards, and coordinate review and approval processes.
• Innovation – Continuously improve and evolve the communications program to better reach and engage floodplain communities – especially those most at risk – and promote behaviors that increase resilience.
• Workflow Management and Continuous Improvement – Manage tools and systems to plan work, set goals, track progress, evaluate performance, and continuously improve communications.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

Qualifications You Bring:

• Strategic Communications Planning and Implementation: Demonstrated experience leading (not just supporting) communications strategies and projects that include audience identification, messaging, tactics, and measurable outcomes.
• Project and Workload Management: Demonstrated ability to manage complex projects and competing priorities, including setting goals, coordinating with diverse teams, maintaining schedules, and adapting to changing conditions.
• Audience-Centered Communication and Content Development: Experience translating technical or complex information into clear, accessible content and identifying and responding to the needs of diverse audiences.
• Collaboration and Interpersonal Effectiveness: Demonstrated ability to build strong working relationships, navigate group dynamics, and work effectively with cross-functional teams in a collaborative and sometimes politically sensitive environment.
• Digital Communications and Tools Proficiency: Experience using digital platforms and tools (e.g., web content management systems, email distribution tools such as GovDelivery, engagement platforms such as PublicInput and Sitecore, and social media) to deliver communications and manage workflows.
• Results Orientation and Continuous Improvement: Ability to use data, feedback, and performance tracking to evaluate effectiveness, improve communications, and consistently deliver high-quality results.

Competencies You Bring:

• Manages Complexity: Making sense of complex, high quantity, and sometimes contradictory information to effectively solve problems.
• Action Oriented: Taking on new opportunities and tough challenges with a sense of urgency, high energy, and enthusiasm.
• Collaborates: Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.
• Communicates Effectively: Developing and delivering multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences.
• Instills Trust: Gaining the confidence and trust of others through honesty, integrity, and authenticity.
• Manages Ambiguity: Operating effectively, even when things are not certain, or the way forward is not clear.

It Would Be Great if You Also Bring:

• 3 or more years of progressively responsible experience developing and leading communications strategies or communications campaigns.
• Direct experience with communication in natural resource management field or floodplain management.
• Direct experience with social marketing /outreach and communications campaigns to improve awareness or support behavior change.

Supplemental Information

Working Conditions:

• Work Location:The River and Floodplain Management team works in a hybrid model, with days in the office as well as telecommuting. The ratio of remote to onsite work will be dependent on business needs and is subject to change. The primary onsite location is King Street Center, 201 S. Jackson, Seattle, Washington 98104.

Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.

King County has a robust collection of tools and resources to support working remotely. The individual selected for this opportunity will join an innovative and progressive team that is redefining how we work as we transition to the department's hybrid environment. Employees will be provided with a County-issued laptop and must maintain a home workspace with an internet connection where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours.

• Work Schedule: This full-time position works a 40-hour work week. This position is exempt from the overtime provision of the Fair Labor Standard Act (FLSA) and is not overtime eligible.
• Union Representation: This position is represented by Teamsters Local 117 Professional & Technical and Administrative Employees.

Application and Selection Process:

We welcome applications from all qualified applicants. We value diversity, diverse perspectives and life experience and encourage people of all backgrounds to apply.

Application materials will be screened for clarity, completeness and alignment with the experience, qualifications, knowledge, and skills essential for this role to determine which candidates may be invited to participate in one or more panel interviews.

To apply, submit a:

• Complete Application
• Cover Letter
• Writing Sample: please submit a sample of your published writing. This could be a newsletter, blog post, educational flyer, or other, but must be a product you authored that represents your skill at translating technical or complex information into clear and accessible content. This should be piece that already exists and not created for the purposes of this application.

Note: Additional documents won't be considered during minimum qualification screening.

Who to Contact: For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact Morgan Knight Hermann, Senior HR Analyst, at 206-477-9092 or mhermann@kingcounty.gov.

Discover More About the Water and Land Resources Division: Visit our website.

Discover More About DNRP: Visit our website, explore an interactive map of our recent accomplishments and check us out at Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube and Keeping King County Green News.

Sign up for Job Alerts to be notified of additional career opportunities with King County. Select the Natural Resources category for DNRP opportunities and explore other categories of interest.

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

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.

To Apply

If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions, please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement.