Communications Specialist

Salary range is $55K to $130K with a midpoint of $85K. New hires typically receive between minimum and midpoint, however, we may go slightly higher based on experience, internal equity and market.

Sound Transit also offers a competitive benefits package with a wide range of offerings, including:

• Health Benefits: We offer two choices of medical plans, a dental plan, and a vision plan all at no cost for employee coverage; comprehensive benefits for employees and eligible dependents, including a spouse or domestic partner.
• Long-Term Disability and Life Insurance.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Retirement Plans: 401a - 10% of employee contribution with a 12% match by Sound Transit; 457b - up to IRS maximum (employee only contribution).
• Paid Time Off: Employees accrue 25 days of paid time off annually with increases at four, eight and twelve years of service. Employees at the director level and up accrue additional days. We also observe 12 paid holidays and provide up to 2 paid floating holidays and up to 2 paid volunteer days per year.
• Parental Leave: 12 weeks of parental leave for new parents.
• Pet Insurance.
• ORCA Card: All full-time employees will receive an ORCA card at no cost.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Sound Transit will pay up to $5,000 annually for approved tuition expenses.
• Inclusive Reproductive Health Support Services.
• Compensation Practices: We offer competitive salaries based on market rates and internal equity. In addition to compensation and benefits, you'll find that we provide work-life balance, opportunities for professional development and recognition from your colleagues.

GENERAL PURPOSE:

Under general direction, the Communications Specialist supports the work of multiple business units within the Communications Division including Marketing, Engagement, Media Relations and Employee Communications. Provides logistical and technical support services, including issue tracking, record-keeping, reporting, research and analysis to help ensure efficient functioning of the Department. Supports a variety of established programs and plans and executes projects as assigned by the Chief of Staff, including coordinating complex work plans and schedules, monitoring deadlines and identifying risks and issues. May be assigned to work in the field in support of public events. Provides general administrative support, including scheduling and issue tracking for the Executive Director of Communications, paying invoices and other business processes.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

The following duties are a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.

• Provides project support services for all teams in the Division including the Marketing, Engagement, Media Relations and Employee and Executive Communications: plans and leads meetings, executes on communications plans, monitors deadlines and milestones, routes deliverables for approval, ensures quality deliverables and provides reports.
• Supports the Executive Director as assigned: may include scheduling, project progress and issue tracking, travel arrangements, team meetings, creating presentations and coordinating approvals and other workflows.
• Supports the team for external and internal events as assigned: including helping to plan and/or staff public involvement and outreach activities, employee-focused events and meetings, as well as public events such as service launches and media events.
• Manages tracking mechanisms in support of a variety of business functions as assigned, including financial records, strategic planning calendars, projects, goals and milestones.
• Supports internal-facing communications and collaboration tools; acts as a technical expert and helps train users.
• Places orders for office supplies, business cards and other needs and ensures prompt and accurate fulfillment of orders.
• Pays invoices and manages issues with invoicing or vendor relations as needed.
• Provides administrative support to senior leaders in the Division as required, including scheduling meetings, notetaking, creating presentations, printing documents.
• Champions and models Sound Transit's core values and demonstrates values-based behaviors in everyday interactions across the agency.
• Contributes to a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion in alignment with Sound Transit's Equity & Inclusion Policy.
• It is the responsibility of all employees to follow the Agency safety rules, regulations, and procedures pertaining to their assigned duties and responsibilities, which could include systems, operations, and/or other employees.
• It is the responsibility of all employees to integrate sustainability into everyday business practices.
• Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience: Bachelor's degree in Communications, Marketing, Business or closely related field and four years of experience that includes project management and/or administrative support; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Required Knowledge and Skills:

• Project management techniques and principles.
• Principles and techniques of research and analysis.
• Strong communication skills, including presentation skills and developing/presenting ideas orally and in writing.
• Working collaboratively with creative teams across multiple disciplines to meet deadlines and produce quality products.
• Providing clear information to individuals and groups in public setting.
• Knowledge of collaboration platforms such as Microsoft Teams a plus.
• Knowledge of Office 365 / SharePoint a plus.
• Ability to build and maintain strong collaborative relationships.
• Ability to learn new computer software applications and train others.
• Fact-checking, proofreading, and applying established standards to ensure completeness, accuracy and quality of deliverables.
• Using personal computer software programs affecting assigned work such as Microsoft Office, tracking systems, and content management systems.
• Principles, methods and techniques of customer service.
• English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• Pertinent local, state and federal laws and regulations.
• Modern office procedures, methods and equipment including computers and computer applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and statistical databases.

Preferred Knowledge and Skills:

• Bilingual proficiency, including ASL.

Physical Demands / Work Environment:

• Work is performed in a standard hybrid office environment.
• Positions working in field may occasionally be exposed to dangerous machinery, extreme weather conditions, physical harm, hazardous chemicals, and/or extreme noise.
• This position is responsible for attending community events, helping set up, interacting with the community and demonstrating how to use online resources. May be subject to eye/hand coordination, talking and seeing.
• The Agency promotes a safe and healthy work environment and provides appropriate safety and equipment training for all personnel as required.

Sound Transit is an equal employment opportunity employer. No person is unlawfully excluded from employment action based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status or other protected class.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)