Ideal Candidate Profile
The ideal candidate will have the following knowledge, skills and abilities:

• Be an experienced leader who is both self-directed and team oriented.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to build and grow relationships, particularly with business owners, City Council, neighborhood groups, downtown organizations, customers, other stakeholders and a variety of staff members across several departments.
• Experience managing a wide variety of projects in a municipal setting.
• Have the ability to defuse difficult situations and champion changes.
• Have an in-depth understanding of parking systems and their relationship to economic and community vitality.

To Apply

• Submit a resume and cover letter by attaching them to your electronic application.
• The cover letter must include specific information related to how you believe you meet the requirements of the Ideal Candidate Profile (above).
• Answer the Supplemental Questions included as part of this advertisement.
• This is a continuous recruitment.  In order to be eligible for the first round of interviews submit your application by 5 pm March 23, 2018.
• Only electronic applications are accepted. 

Contact Information
If you have questions about the position and/or requirements, please contact Amy Buckler, Downtown Programs Manager, by email at abuckler@ci.olympia.wa.us or by calling 360-570-5847.

• Provide leadership and coordinate the establishment of program goals and objectives; develop procedures, work plans, program activities, evaluation mechanisms, implementation strategies and complete other program administrative tasks.
• Coordinate program activities with and provide expertise and assistance to City technical/professional staff, to plan and implement long- and short-range program goals, objectives and activities.
• Administer program funding including budgets, grants, donations and/or other miscellaneous funding sources.
• Research available funding sources; prepare and submit grant applications.
• Prepare RFP’s, recruit and select contractors/consultants, negotiate and manage contract expenditures and oversee contract work.
• Plan and coordinate public involvement and educational activities and events to support program goals and objectives; design and coordinate public workshops on program topics.
• Plan, organize and coordinate a variety of volunteer, seasonal employee, and regular employee activities; recruit, train and supervise volunteers, seasonal employees, and regular employees of all ages and backgrounds.
• Design, write and distribute press releases, special interest articles and/or informational materials to local/regional media and the general public; monitor and ensure effective distribution/use of information by media.
• Develop, coordinate, schedule and deliver formal and informal presentations to a variety of audiences, including the City Council, general public, professionals in the field, schools and community groups; prepare presentation materials in a variety of media forms; prepare exhibits for various public events.
• Punctual, regular and reliable attendance is essential for successful job performance.

• Knowledge of current trends and developments in specific program area and public involvement and education approaches and strategies.
• Basic knowledge of municipal organization and services.
• Knowledge of media resources for community service programs.
• Knowledge of basic public opinion research methods.
• Knowledge of principles and practices of program and contract administration.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of volunteer recruitment and management.
• Skill in communicating and presenting complex scientific and/or policy information to audiences of various backgrounds and levels of sophistication.
• Skill in developing public communication plans, programs and campaigns, including the production of support materials.
• Ability to motivate, coordinate and supervise volunteers and professional staff.
• Ability to positively influence long-term behaviors of the general public in support of program objectives.
• Ability to conduct research and perform analysis on a variety of program issues.
• Ability to independently analyze a wide array of data and make sound, reasonable judgments and recommendations.
• Ability to prepare accurate and concise written material.
• Ability to speak persuasively in a variety of settings to diverse audiences to gain support for program goals.
• Ability to clearly communicate technical information to audiences of varying backgrounds and levels of sophistication.
• Ability to create innovative programs and projects to encourage citizen involvement.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other City staff, community groups, developers, other agencies, the media and the general public.
• Demonstrated punctual, regular and reliable attendance is required.

Experience/Education:

• A college degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Administration, Environmental Sciences or a related field plus two years of  responsible experience involving Public Relations, Marketing, Journalism, Environmental Science or community programs required.
• Qualifying work experience may be substituted for the degree on a year for year basis.

Special Requirements:

• Some positions may require a valid Washington State Driver’s License.
• Positions in specific program areas may require program-related experience, education and/or training.

• The Senior Program Specialist is the City’s principal advocate for the assigned program.
• Programs are generally in the area of great public concern, requiring substantial public input and involvement.
• Frequent, successful contact and interaction with a variety of individuals and groups both inside and outside the City is critical to job and program success.
• Contacts with a wide diversity of individuals and groups are for the purpose of information sharing, soliciting involvement, providing leadership, consensus-building and problem resolution, and general communication.
• Technical expertise, diplomacy, professionalism, enthusiasm and strong communication/interpersonal skills are required.

Supervision:

• Responsible to provide leadership on inter-disciplinary teams composed of members of the general public, other governmental jurisdictions and other City employees.
• Responsible to provide lead direction and day-to-day supervision of employees involved with program support, including regular employees, seasonal employees, volunteers and interns.

Accountability:

• The Senior Program Specialist is accountable for creating a positive public image for the assigned program; gaining volunteer commitment and support; and raising public consciousness regarding program objectives.

Working Conditions:

• The Senior Program Specialist works from an office in a busy, public-oriented City facility.
• Flexibility is required for attendance at various meetings at other locations and field sites.
• Depending on assignment, work may be performed outdoors and in inclement weather; sufficient mobility to navigate uneven terrain, streams/creeks, marshy areas, etc., may be required.

The City of Olympia is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to a diverse workforce. Women, minorities, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.