SALARY RANGE:

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POSITION PROFILE:

Work for the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and a statewide elected official to promote a diverse array of public, outdoor recreation opportunities. From mountain bike trails to campgrounds to parasailing, Washington’s public lands offer incredible opportunities – we want you to help us get the word out.

Under the dynamic leadership of the Commissioner of Public Lands, Hilary Franz, the agency is working to expand access to recreation across Washington’s 3 million acres of working forests, farms, and natural areas.

The successful candidate will be motivated, creative, hardworking, and have a successful track record of communicating complex issues using a variety of mediums and tools.

As a media liaison, you will identify positive media opportunities, pitch stories, write news releases, develop talking points, coordinate media interviews, and serve as an agency spokesperson when needed. You must be hungry about telling our story and getting people excited about our recreation opportunities and the value of public lands and waters.

You will provide strategic guidance to agency leadership, recreation staff, stakeholders, and partners to help DNR engage the public. Expect to help build, manage, and staff outreach events. Expect to draft newsletters and correspondence. Expect to develop website and social media content, including photos and videos. Expect to staff Commissioner Franz at key recreation events.

Why work for us?

At DNR, you will join a tight-knit team of skilled communicators and recreation providers to work on topics that are incredibly rewarding. You will be empowered to be creative and think boldly, but will always have the support and guidance of the Communications team. We move fast, and want you to help us make the world a better place. You will work in close proximity to a statewide elected official and will have the opportunity to travel throughout the state and experience our incredible natural areas. Plus awesome benefits.

• A bachelor’s degree in Journalism, Marketing, Communications, Public Relations, or related field of study.
• At least four years of progressively responsible communications experience, with an emphasis on experience interacting with reporters and creating media events.
• Excellent knowledge of media relations and traditional media practices.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, and ability to make complex information understandable to the general public using plain language.
• Excellent organizational and project management skills.
• Ability to build and maintain strong working relationships; even in times of high pressure and conflict.
• Experience writing and editing for organizations, including developing copy and editing copy for news releases, fact sheets, social media, web, and special publications such as reports and white papers.
• Fluency in the digital space, including using social media tools (e.g., Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram) to promote and inform.
• Experience interpreting/analyzing public information policy and issues.
• Familiarity with photography, video filming and video editing programs
• Ability to think innovatively and creatively, and change course if necessary

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience working for an elected official.
• Strong “reporter” mindset – seeks out interesting stories and asks probing questions to identify key stories to share
• Experience working in a natural resources, parks, recreation or similar field.
• Experience with Drupal, SharePoint or other software used to manage web content.
• Training or experience in using MS Office, PowerPoint, Movie Maker, Splice, and Adobe Creative Suite (Premier, InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, Acrobat).

SPECIAL POSITION REQUIREMENTS AND WORKING CONDITIONS

• The incumbent in this position is required to travel.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and have two years of driving experience. This position requires driving as an essential function.  Employees who drive for state business, whether in a state or privately-owned vehicle, are required to possess a valid license as defined in policy PO02-006 and abide by all other driver responsibility requirements.

APPLICATION PROCESS

• To be considered you must apply online at www.careers.wa.gov (Click on the APPLY button above)
• You must complete the entire online application to be considered for the position.
• You must submit the following
  • Attach a letter of interest describing how your experience and qualifications relate to the position profile, required and desired position qualifications, and special position requirements.
  • Attach your Resume
  • The names of three to five professional references – you may attach a document, use the References text field in the online application, or include with resume.
• Carefully review your application materials before submitting. If you fail to submit the required documents or complete the entire online application, you may no longer be considered for the position by the supervisor.

Application Status – once you submit your online application, you can check your status by logging into your account.  Finalists for the position will be contacted by the hiring managers directly.

Note: Finalists and/or interview candidates will be asked to provide a driving record issued from all states in which they have held a license during the past 3 years.

Questions?  Please contact Carrie McCausland, Carrie.mccausland@dnr.wa.gov, 360-902-1523 or Tim Stapleton, Tim.Stapleton@dnr.wa.gov, 360-902-1047 or e-mail us at DNRrecruiting@dnr.wa.gov.

By submitting the application materials you are indicating that all information is true and correct to the best of your knowledge.  You understand that the state may verify information and that untruthful or misleading information is cause for removal from applicant pool or dismissal if employed. This announcement is published by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

Washington State Department of Natural Resources is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind.  We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities in a fair and impartial manner for all persons without regard to age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, race, creed, color, national origin, religion, genetic information, military status, or the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability.  Persons with a disability who need assistance during the screening process or those needing this announcement in an alternative format may contact DNR Recruiting staff (360) 902-1350 or (360) 902-1128.  DNR may be contacted using the Washington State Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) by dialing 711.