Communications & Community Engagement Specialist (Part-Time)

Salary: $40.08 - $46.68 Hourly
Location : Seattle, WA
Job Type: Civil Service Exempt, Regular, Part-Time
Job Number: 2023-02161
Department: Inspector General for Public Safety
Opening Date: 12/08/2023
Closing Date: 12/26/2023 4:00 PM Pacific
Position Description
THE OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL FOR PUBLIC SAFETY
The was established by as part of the City of Seattle police accountability reform effort. Our charge is to help ensure the fairness and integrity of the police system in its delivery of law enforcement services. Our goal is to ensure constitutional, accountable, effective, and respectful policing that reflects the values of Seattle's diverse communities and engenders community trust.
JOB SUMMARY
The OIG has an exciting opportunity for an experienced communications or public relations professional to join our team as a Communications and Community Engagement Specialist. In this position, you will play an integral role in planning, writing, and presenting OIG's communications strategies, Community Engagement efforts, stakeholder communications, social media, website content management, and media relations. You will serve as the subject matter expert, advising OIG leaders and staff as communications opportunities and tools evolve.
YOU WILL BE SUCCESSFUL IN THIS POSITION IF YOU:

• Are experienced in public relations, Community Engagement, website management, social media content development, video-editing, and graphic design.
• Enjoy using your exceptional written, oral, and visual communication skills to convey complex information in a variety of formats to meet audience specific needs and thrive on answering questions under pressure.
• Are committed to listening and creating spaces for diverse perspectives, and actively pursue inclusive, just, and racially equitable outcomes.
• Are a creative and ethical problem solver who uses independent judgment, confidence, energy, and optimism to keep projects in motion.
• Are an effective communicator who takes a proactive approach to building relationships with colleagues and stakeholders (law enforcement, community members, and social justice advocates).
• Understand the importance of having a presence on social media and have experience using social media tools to interact with target audiences.

Job Responsibilities

• Build and maintain relationships with police accountability and community stakeholders by facilitating engagement of the public to better understand community needs and concerns. This may include making public presentations to community members and other stakeholders to shape opinions, garner support, advocate controversial positions, and achieve department communication objectives.
• Assist with media and press inquiries, draft and publish press releases, and create and deliver presentations to internal and external audiences about the work of OIG.
• Create visual designs to support OIG projects, such as infographics, data visualizations, graphic designs for print and web materials, and presentation designs, which will be used in OIG reports, presentations, surveillance reviews, etc.
• Research, develop, and execute communications strategies and Community Engagement plans based on researched best practices and subject-matter expertise.
• Generate policy recommendations related to communications and Community Engagement to assist OIG in furthering its goals to support meaningful police reform.
• Serve as OIG's subject-matter expert on website content management, social media management, graphic design, and videography.
• Organize and participate in OIG-sponsored Community Engagement events, stakeholder roundtables, regularly scheduled community initiatives, as well as those sponsored by outside organizations.
• Field the OIG General Mailbox for communications that come to the office, properly route it to the appropriate teams, and track the engagement.
• Communicate complex and sometimes controversial issues to the public, impacted families and communities, law enforcement, press, City Council, and the executive office, in an accurate, diplomatic, and transparent manner.

This position is currently under review for the classification title of Public Relations Specialist, Senior.
We welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds and life experiences. Pursuant to Ordinance 125315, applicants for positions with OIG must not have been employed by the Seattle Police Department as a sworn officer and must pass a criminal background check.
Qualifications
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience: A minimum of two (2) years of experience related to public relations, communications, and/or community and stakeholder outreach and engagement.
• Education: A bachelor's degree in communications, English, journalism, or public relations (or a combination of education, training and/or experience that provides an equivalent background required to perform the work of the class).

IN ADDITION TO THE QUALIFICATIONS LISTED ABOVE, YOU WILL BE EFFECTIVE IN THIS ROLE IF YOU HAVE:

• Experience working in a political environment and with elected officials.
• An understanding of city government and the field of police accountability.
• Experience in facilitating Community Engagement initiatives.
• Experience with Microsoft Office, SharePoint, and the Adobe Creative Suite products.
• Experience with Zoom or similar virtual meeting platforms, social media, including Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
• Experience in graphic design.
• An advanced degree in communications, public relations, journalism, marketing, or related field.

Additional Information
TOTAL COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
This position is under review for the classification title of Public Relations Specialist, Senior, and for exemption from the Civil Service System. This position is FLSA non-exempt and overtime eligible. This is a part-time position of 20 hours per week. The full salary range for this position is $40.08 - $46.68 per hour.
The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at:
WORK SCHEDULEOur office is abiding by public health guidelines and maximizing telework arrangements for our employees except for necessary essential in-person. The selected candidate will work with their direct supervisor on alternatives to meet workload requirements while considering public health guidelines.
COMMITMENT TO SOCIAL JUSTICEThe City of Seattle recognizes every City employee must play a role in ending institutional and structural racism. Our culture is the result of our behavior, our personal commitments, and the ways that we courageously share our perspectives and encourage others to do the same. To cultivate an antiracist culture, we seek employees who will engage in the Race and Social Justice Initiative by working to dismantle racist policies and procedures, unlearn the way things have always been done, and provide equitable processes and services.
HOW TO APPLY

1. Complete an online application and supplemental questionnaire.
2. Attach a PDF cover letter describing how your knowledge, experience, skills, and abilities have prepared you for the job responsibilities and qualifications outlined in this job announcement.
3. Attach a PDF resume detailing your relevant talents and experience.
4. Attach the following work samples, or submit a link to an online portfolio containing:
   • 1-2 samples of social media posts
     
   • 2 writing samples that have not been significantly edited by or contributed to by others, that reflect your own work product and writing abilities. Examples may include published articles and media stories, press releases, and published blog posts.
     
   • A finished video that was recorded and edited by you that showcases your expertise in videography and video-editing.

Applications received without the requested materials will not be considered.
Job offers are contingent upon the verification of credentials and other information required by the employment process including the successful completion of a background check.
The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents.
More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at:
01
A complete and accurate application is required for this position. A cover letter, resume, 1-2 social media post samples, 2 writing samples, and a finished video are required. Missing any of the required attachments will flag your submission as incomplete. Did you attach a cover letter, resume, social media post samples, writing samples, and a finished video? (NOTE: Even if you have imported your resume directly into the application fields, you must still attach it).

• Yes
• No

02
Have you ever been employed as a sworn officer of the Seattle Police Department?

• Yes
• No

03
Are you able to successfully pass a criminal background check?

• Yes
• No

Required Question