Senior Specialist - Employee Communications

The Strategist for Employee Communications is a key member of Community Transit's Communications team. Under guidance from the Employee Communications Manager, the Employee Communications Strategist develops content, events, and strategies that inform, engage, and shape agency culture for all employees, including specific employee audiences like coach operators and maintenance staff. The Employee Communications Strategist is responsible for storytelling in written and digital mediums, working with the Executive Office to craft key agency communications, working with departments to report out on programs, engaging with employees across the agency, and helping to ensure employees have the information they need in the time they need it. This employee should possess energy and enthusiasm to try new communication modes; have strong interpersonal, writing and editing, and photo and video editing skills; excel at building cross-functional relationships with stakeholders; and have experience disseminating complex information into meaningful messages for employees.

1. Responsible for executive and agency messaging to employees. Develops internal content (written and video) including articles, agency and department updates, and leadership communication.

2. Manages employee meetings. Plans, organizes, and implements employee meetings and events, including topical forums, in in-person and virtual formats. Takes photographs and/or video at employee meetings and events.

3. Manages employee communications app. Manages day-to-day content and functionality of Interact, the employee communications app. Oversees and offers guidance to department content editors and monitors all posts and comments for responses. Edits internal communications, offers suggestions for improvements, and rewrites when necessary.

4. Departmental communication strategy advice. Partners with other departments and divisions to develop and implement communication strategies and tactics specific to their team needs.

5. Analysis and continuous improvement. Develops and implements processes for tracking and monitoring employee engagement, analyzing data, and developing and evolving communication strategies based on this data.

6. Develops and implements communications plans. Contributes to developing the agency employee communications plan and portions of department communications plan as assigned and reports on goals and key performance indicators.

7. Represents Community Transit in professional and internal settings. Represents Community Transit, as assigned, at internal events and meetings of committees, organizations and project task forces as a participating member or in absence of manager.

8. Budget. Assists in development of Agency Communications budget.

9. Performs other duties of a similar nature or level. Assists with other department needs, including coverage for other positions.

Minimum Qualifications

1. Five years of professional experience in writing communications for employee audiences.

2. Three years of experience working with executive-level leaders in developing corporate messaging.

**An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above may be considered.**

Preferred Qualifications

1. Bachelor's degree in communications, public relations, journalism, English, marketing, or related field.

Competencies

1. Experience communicating with deskless employees.

2. Video production or editing experience.

3. Social media content creation and management skills.

Entry Knowledge Requirements

1. Proficient in a variety of writing styles, including AP style.

2. Proficient in business communication, including proper use of grammar and punctuation.

3. Public relations principles and practices.

Entry Skills Requirements

1. Fostering an inclusive workplace where diversity, equity and inclusion is valued and leveraged to uphold agency Core Values and achieve the vision and mission of the organization.

2. Creatively expressing a concept in writing using a variety of styles and types of copy, such as journalism, social media, promotions, advertising, and speeches.

3. Basic photography and video production skills.

4. Preparing and making presentations to inter-departmental or public groups of various sizes.

5. Project management, organization, and time management.

6. Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Teams).

7. Working in a team environment.

8. Communication and interpersonal relations as applied to interaction with diverse coworkers, manager, the public, etc. sufficient to exchange or convey information appropriate to the audience and to receive work direction.

Qualification to fulfill the full range of this position's duties requires the following skills, which may be gained or further developed after entering the job:

1. Developing communications plans.

2. Creating and utilizing content calendars and schedules.

Working Conditions

Light Work. Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. Repetitive motion. Substantial movements (motions) of the wrist, hands, and/or fingers. The worker is required to have close visual acuity to perform any activity such as preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing, viewing a computer terminal, extensive reading.

Work is performed in an office environment and requires the ability to operate standard office equipment and keyboards. Must have the ability to move throughout the building and between buildings at different locations. Sitting - Computer use, attend meetings, compiling, analyzing, and assembling information. Must be able to complete tasks in a noisy environment. Must be able to adhere to process protocol.

May require reaching, standing, walking, lifting, fingering, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, seeing, repetitive motions, carrying, pushing, pulling.

Application and Selection Process

1. Only on-line applications accepted.

2. Applicants for this job may be considered for other openings up to six months after the date this position is filled.

3. Applicants who meet the minimum requirements may be scheduled for an interview as well as a variety of tests to demonstrate knowledge, and skills for the position. The evaluation process may include interviews, background check, reference checks and various performance tests.

Employee Benefits

Employees (and their families) are covered by medical, dental, vision, basic life and disability insurance. Employees participate in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) and have the option to enroll in the agency's deferred compensation plan. In addition to WA Paid Sick Leave, employees in this position, accrue of 24 days of Paid Time off (192 hours) in their first year and nine (9) paid holidays throughout the calendar year. Full list of all benefits and details can be found here.

If you have a family member, or share the same living quarters of a current Community Transit employee, please let your Human Resources Recruiter know as your eligibility for this position will be affected.

Community Transit provides a tobacco-free and drug-free work environment. As a recipient of federal funds, Community Transit is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on an basis prohibited by Federal, State or Local law. We value and encourage diversity in our workforce. EOE AA M/F/Vet/Disability. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, color, religion, national origin, sex, protected veteran status or disability.