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Communications and Outreach Unit Manager




Per Governor Inslee’s Proclamation 21-14 (Download PDF reader), Washington State employees must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by October 18th, 2021. As a condition of employment, the successful candidate will be required to provide proof of their COVID-19 Vaccination as part of the hire process. Requests for medical and religious exemptions will be considered. If you have questions, please contact Careers@ecy.wa.gov with “COVID-19 Vaccination” in the subject line.

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

The Nuclear Waste Program is looking for a talented Communications and Outreach Unit Manager (Communications Consultant 5) to lead our communications team. The position is located in our Richland Field Office (RFO) in, Richland, WA

Our agency protects the quality of Washington State’s air, water, and land. As the Nuclear Waste Program Communications and Outreach Unit Manager, you will play a key role in planning, leading, and implementing strategic communications that explain the work we do to media, tribal governments, stakeholders and the public. You will work closely with our program management team and often serve as a spokesperson for the Nuclear Waste Program.
 
In this role, you will be the central point of contact for information and messaging regarding the complex, challenging and often controversial cleanup of the Hanford plutonium production site. Developments at Hanford often make local, state, regional, national and even international news agendas. The unit manager plays a key role in developing the messaging to communicate Ecology’s essential role. You will frequently collaborate with program management, Ecology agency top management, agency communications, the State Attorney General’s office and the Governor of Washington, among others. 

As a member of the Nuclear Waste Program, you will join a dynamic team that is constantly pushing to create, innovate and lead. We value diversity and embrace unique perspectives. Our thoughtful, inclusive, and innovative approaches are often held up as a model of national excellence. 

You will gain experience interacting with federal officials on the Hanford site, local community leaders, Tribal Governments, Washington and Oregon congressional staff and Washington State and congressional officials. 

The Nuclear Waste Program's (NWP) mission is to lead the effective and efficient cleanup of the U.S. Department of Energy's Hanford Site, ensure sound management of mixed hazardous wastes in Washington, and protect the state's air, water, and land at and adjacent to the Hanford site.

Protecting Washington State's environment for current and future generations is what we do every day at Ecology. We are a culture that is invested in making a difference. Join a team that is highly effective and collaborative, with leadership that embrace the value of people.

Ecology cares deeply about employee wellness; we go beyond traditional benefits, proudly offering:

  • A healthy life/work balance by offering flexible schedules and telework options for most positions.
  • An Infants at Work Program that is based on the long-term health values of infant-parent bonding and breastfeeding newborns.
  • Continuous growth and development opportunities. 
  • A wellness program that offers education, fitness classes, and an agency-wide fondness for outdoor meetings.
  • Opportunities to serve your community and make an impact through meaningful work.


Diversity, equity, inclusion, and respect (DEIR) are core values central to Ecology’s work. We strive to be a workplace where we are esteemed for sharing our authentic identities, while advancing our individual professional goals and collaborating to protect, preserve, and enhance the environment for current and future generations.
 
Diversity: We celebrate and appreciate diversity; our unique perspectives and abilities enrich us all and lead to innovative approaches and solutions.
 
Equity: We champion equity, recognizing that each of us need different things to thrive.
 
Inclusion: We intentionally create and hold space so that we all have meaningful opportunities to participate and contribute to Ecology’s work.
 
Respect: We treat each other with respect and dignity, acknowledging the inherent worth of our diverse perspectives and lived experiences, even in times of uncertainty and disagreement.
 
We believe that DEIR is both a goal and an action. We are on a journey, honoring our shared humanity and taking steps to demonstrate our commitment to a vision where each of us is heard, seen, and valued. 

During Healthy Washington Roadmap to Recovery, employees are working a combination of in-office and/or telework based on position and business need. This position is expected to work in the office up to two days a week. Ecology is following current state guidance regarding building occupancy, mask requirements, health screening questions before entry, and social distancing. 

Application Timeline: This position will remain open until filled, with an initial screening date of October 18, 2021. In order to be considered for initial screening, please submit an application on or before October 17, 2021. The agency reserves the right to make an appointment any time after the initial screening date.
 
Duties

What makes this role unique?
Hanford represents one of the most dangerously polluted sites on the planet. As such, cleanup efforts are difficult, complex and often controversial. The challenge for this position is to understand the technical issues as well as the political realities and to create messaging that is accurate, that encapsulates Ecology’s intent and interests, and that is understandable to those who are not immersed in the details of Hanford. 

What you will do:
  • Serve as the primary contact for local, state, regional, national and international media inquiring about ongoing Hanford cleanup issues.
  • Serve as a collaborator and advisor with the program manager and other program staff to develop messaging that clearly lays out Ecology’s role and priorities.
  • Work with Ecology agency management – including the director, policy aides and communication leads – to develop messaging regarding Hanford.
  • Direct and work with a small program communications staff in its efforts to produce and disseminate information via social media, interactions with Hanford stakeholders and by maintaining an up-to-date, dynamic website.
  • Participate in Hanford Advisory Board (HAB) quarterly meetings along with various monthly committee meetings – The HAB is made up of 32 interests and is being expanded to include under-represented affected communities.
  • Write, solicit and edit essays (blogs), op-eds, letters and other writings that strategically and clearly spell out Ecology’s role and priorities at Hanford.
  • Direct the work of three full time employees who conduct education and outreach efforts to under-represented, disadvantaged and culturally diverse communities in the Tri-Cities, across the State of Washington and throughout northern Oregon.
  • The Nuclear Waste Program works closely with three tribal entities – Yakama Nation, Nez Perce, and the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla. In this role, you will produce written correspondence and participate in and sometimes leads discussions with tribal entities.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

Experience for both required and desired qualifications can be gained through various combinations of formal professional employment, educational and volunteer experience. See below for how you may qualify.
 
A total of Eight (8) years of experience and/or education as described below:
  • Professional level Experience in: journalism, information, public relations, communications or closely related field. 
  • Education: involving a major study in: journalism, communications, public relations, or closely allied field.
 
See chart below for a list of ways to qualify for this position: 

 
 
 
Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:
 
 
 
Desired Qualifications:
We highly encourage you to apply even if you do not have some (or all) of the desired experience below. 
  • Training or experience with community involvement in a complex regulatory environment (nuclear or hazardous waste cleanup) is highly desirable. Experience/skill in developing programs, information, and response for media is preferred.
  • General understanding of risk communications is desirable, as is familiarity with community-based social marketing and/or experience working with underserved populations.
  • Knowledge of and/or experience with the following:
  1. Understanding of Tribal sovereignty and the Tribal consultation process requirements.
  2. Environmental justice community engagement best practices. 

Note: Having some (or all) of this desired experience may make your application more competitive in a highly competitive applicant pool.
 
Supplemental Information

Ecology seeks diverse applicants: We view diversity, equity, inclusion, and respect through a broad lens including race, ethnicity, class, age, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, immigration status, military background, language, education, life experience, physical disability, neurodiversity, and intersectional identities. Qualified candidates from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.


Need an Accommodation in the application and/or screening process or this job announcement in an alternative format?

  • Please call: (360) 407-6186 or email: careers@ecy.wa.gov and we will be happy to assist.
  • If you are deaf or hard of hearing you can reach the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.
  • If you need assistance applying for this job, please e-mail careers@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not send an email to this address to follow-up the status of your application. You can view the latest status of your application on your profile's main page.
  • If you are reading this announcement in print format, please enter the following URL to your search engine to apply: https://ecology.wa.gov/About-us/Get-to-know-us/Jobs-at-Ecology 
Application Instructions:

It's in the applicant's best interest to submit all of the documents listed below. Applications without these documents may be declined.

  • A cover letter describing why you are interested in this position.
  • A resume outlining your experience and education (if applicable) as it relates to the minimum qualifications of this position.
  • A professional writing sample that reflects your work as a communications professional, such as a press release, public statement, blog story, web content, or social media post. Please also briefly explain why you selected the writing sample. 

Please do NOT include your salary history. Wage/salary depends on qualifications or rules of promotion, if applicable. 
 
For Your Privacy:
When attaching documents to your application (Resume, Cover Letter, Transcripts, DD-214, etc.):

  • Please be sure to remove private information such as your social security number, date of birth, etc. 
  • Do not attach documents that are password protected, as these documents may not be reviewed and may cause errors within your application when downloaded. 

Additional Application Instructions for Current Ecology Employees: 
 
Please make sure to answer the agency-wide questions regarding permanent status as a classified employee within the Washington General Service or Washington Management Service. Do not forget to select Department of Ecology as a response to question 2, and type your personnel ID number for question 3. If you are not sure of your status or do not know your personnel ID number, please contact Human Resources.

Application Attestation: 

The act of submitting application materials electronically is considered affirmation that the information is complete and truthful. The state may verify this information and any untruthful or misleading answers are cause for rejection of your application or dismissal if employed. 

Other Information:
If you have specific questions about the position, please email David Bowen at: David.Bowen@ecy.wa.govPlease do not contact David to inquire about the status of your application.
 
To request the full position description: email careers@ecy.wa.gov

Why work for Ecology?

As an agency, our mission is to protect, preserve and enhance Washington's environment for current and future generations. We invest in our employees to create and sustain a working environment that encourages creative leadership, effective resource management, teamwork, professionalism and accountability.

Joining Ecology means becoming a part of a team committed to protecting and restoring Washington State's environment. A career in public service allows you to help solve some of the most challenging problems facing our state, while keeping your health and financial security a priority. We combine one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation with a strong commitment to life/work balance.

Ecology employees may be eligible for the following:

Student debt: how working for Ecology can help
The Department of Ecology is a qualifying employer for the Public Service Forgiveness Program (PSLF). See https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/repay-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service for more details.
To learn more about The Department of Ecology, please visit our website at www.ecology.wa.gov and follow, like or visit us on LinkedInTwitterFacebookInstagram or our blog.

Collective Bargaining: This is a position covered by a bargaining unit for which the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) is the exclusive representative.  

Equal Opportunity Employer: The Washington State Department of Ecology is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, veterans, military spouses or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply. Persons needing accommodation in the application/testing process or this job announcement in an alternative format may call (360) 407-6186. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.

Note: This recruitment may be used to fill other positions of the same job classification across the agency. Once all the position(s) from the recruitment announcement are filled, the recruitment may only be used to fill additional open positions for the next sixty (60) days.