Public Information Officer

Salary range is $65k to $150k, with a midpoint of $105k. 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.
• 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 Public Information Officer performs a variety of professional level duties involving media relations and other communications functions within the Communications, Marketing and Engagement Department; serves as a point of contact for news media and blog representatives; coordinates with staff and management throughout the Agency to provide access to timely and accurate information; participates in social media monitoring, planning and execution; provides counsel to Agency management on communications strategies; represents the Agency to news media; produces a broad array of complex public information materials for internal and external audiences including news releases, website information, PowerPoint presentations, talking points, speeches, fact sheets, letters, brochures, executive summaries and opinion columns; and ensures Agency messages receive wide and accurate dissemination.

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.

• Promotes news coverage of the Agency, with particular focus on highlighting project delivery and services; identifies likely news media stories well in advance and develops effective communication strategies; writes releases and advisories, pitches stories, plans and manages news conferences and other media events; supports social media activities. Effectively manages the reactive component of media relations; responding to media inquiries and emerging issues in a strategic, prompt, accurate and professional fashion to secure accurate coverage.
• Produces high-quality written materials, effectively balancing writing assignments with media relations functions; writes in a tight, polished and compelling fashion; develops and writes for presentations, talking points, and speeches using alternative formats such as web pages, fact sheets, FAQs, and brochures.
• Exercises strong judgment while working in close collaboration with staff across the agency to propose and vet communications strategies and messages.
• Represents the Media Relations and Public Information Division on intra-agency strategy teams, successfully navigating a highly matrixed environment that requires intensive information-sharing and collaboration.
• Participates in media monitoring activities, searching, gathering, and distributing daily media clips about the Agency or the transportation industry; tracks clips that include Agency brand names or infer Agency; Supports the Media Relations Supervisor on matters as directed; prepares and presents staff reports and other necessary correspondence; attends and participates in professional group meetings; maintains awareness of new trends and developments in pertinent fields; ensures accountability and compliance with all current and applicable state and federal laws, Agency policies and procedures, rules and regulations.
• 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, Journalism, Political Science, Public Administration, or closely related field and four years of experience performing professional level duties in media relations, corporate communications, or public policy/ legislative analyst related functions; Or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Required Knowledge and Skills:

• Principles and practices of communications, public relations, social media and community involvement.
• Principles of crisis communications.
• Principles, practices and techniques of distributing information for mass media communications.
• Principles of research, writing, editing, and preparing a variety of public information materials.
• Principles of persuasive writing and argument.
• The news media industry in general, including needs and priorities across print, television, radio and blog sectors.
• The professional culture, methods and techniques of news reporting and editing, including the criteria that journalists apply to determine what is newsworthy.
• Principles of research, writing, editing, and preparing a variety of informational publications, reports and speeches, press releases, scripts, and distribution materials.
• Basic government structures and functions at the local, regional, state and national levels.
• Public transportation issues and Sound Transit history.
• Project management techniques.
• English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• Modern office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and computer applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and statistical databases.
• Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations.
• Ability to utilize personal computer software programs affecting assigned work.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders. Understand the Agency's political environment and sensitivities.
• Ability to use good judgment in the context of the agency's goals and political environment.
• Ability to exercise strategic thinking to see possible courses of action from the vantage points of many different stakeholders.
• Ability to carry out media monitoring activities.
• Event management.
• Ability to compose news articles, speeches, radio and television scripts, reports, and letters.
• Public speaking and in developing and delivering presentations and presenting ideas and concepts orally and in writing.
• Manage projects and make decisions in fast-paced, difficult environments.
• Maintain confidentiality and communicating with tact and diplomacy.

Physical Demands / Work Environment:

• Work is performed in a standard hybrid office and field environment.
• This position is responsible for visiting construction sites for media events; may be subject to walking.
• Positions working in field may occasionally be exposed to dangerous machinery, extreme weather conditions, physical harm, hazardous chemicals, and/or extreme noise.
• 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)