King County
Summary
About the Role: The Wastewater Treatment Division - one of the largest public utilities in the Pacific Northwest - is recruiting for a high-performing Communications Manager who will reinforce our reputation as a trusted clean water agency. This position will lead a talented, creative team and serve as a strategic advisor to senior leadership during a period of growth and opportunity.
This position will oversee all communications at the division with responsibilities in managing crisis communications, media relations, social media, organizing press conferences and events, and sharing positive stories that reflect strategic priorities while building the support and engagement of key audiences.
This position will ensure we deliver a clear, compelling, and consistent message to internal and external audiences. In addition to directly supervising the communications team located in the Director's Office, this position will coordinate internal and external communications generated by our sections and elevate communication opportunities with the Department of Natural Resources and Parks' Public Affairs team. They will increase public awareness and understanding of our work while ensuring that we effectively communicate with the nearly 1,000 division employees who protect Puget Sound each day.
Other responsibilities include acting as a division spokesperson when necessary, leading the development and implementation of a division-wide communications editorial calendar, messaging development and integration across teams, and review of communications materials from across sections prior to publication.
This position has the ability to assess communications resource needs and fill communications position(s) within the Director's Office, with the Director's concurrence. The successful candidate will have passion for the environment and sound judgment, will work collaboratively and think strategically, embraces ambiguity and ramps up quickly on complex issues, and is energized by juggling priorities.
This position follows a hybrid work model, blending remote and in-person work.
About the Team: Our mission is to protect public health and enhance the environment by collecting and treating wastewater while recycling valuable resources for the Puget Sound region. Our dedicated workforce plans, designs, builds, and operates treatment facilities while enforcing environmental regulations that reduce harmful waste discharged into the system, and we educated the public and businesses on ways to protect water quality. Nearly half of our employees are frontline workers who operate this essential service at our three regional wastewater treatment plants, two community plants, and at other offsite facilities. Tou our agency, success means clean water and a healthy environment. It means honoring our legacy while keeping a promise that the spectacular natural environment that defines our region will be protected for generations to come.
We are committed to the principles of equity and social justice, contributing to King County's True North values that make our region a welcoming place where every person can thrive. We value diverse perspectives and life experiences in our workforce and are committed to building a culturally diverse and inclusive environment. WTD strives to provide equitable services to residents and business across King County.
Commitment to Equity, Racial and Social Justice: King County, named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., is a diverse and vibrant community that represents cultures from around the world. Our True North is to create a welcoming community where everyone can thrive. We prioritize equity, racial and social justice, making it a foundational and daily expectation for all employees. As a Communications Manager, you will actively apply these principles in all aspects of your work. Learn more about our commitment at
http://www.kingcounty.gov/equity .
Apply now for a rewarding career at the
Wastewater Treatment Division
of King County Department of Natural Resources & Parks (DNRP). Join our talented workforce in protecting and restoring the natural environment and promoting more resilient, sustainable, and equitable communities. Enjoy training,
comprehensive benefits
, and growth opportunities.
Job Duties What You
Will
Be Doing
:
Develop and execute strategic communications as a member of the division's senior leadership team, leading efforts to inform and engage staff on strategic priorities and initiatives, including among frontline employees. Build and manage a division-wide communications team of direct reports and matrixed staff from across each of our sections. Inform the overall internal and external communications strategy, develop communication plans, and ensure the plans align with WTD business goals and strategy. Guide division teams on the best strategic approaches to communications and provide input and direction on efforts to reach audiences. Ensure that we are delivering clear, consistent, timely, and coordinated messages to internal and external audiences. Work closely with the Department of Natural Resources and Parks' Public Affairs teams team to manage crisis communications, media relations, organize press events and tours, support and align to internal King County communications efforts, and elevate positive story ideas that can be reinforced at the Department level.
Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills Qualifications You Bring
:
Bachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism, or Marketing Communication OR any combination of education and experience that clearly demonstrates the ability to perform the job duties of the position. Experience leading strategic internal and external communication plans. Experience leading crisis communications response. Competencies
You Bring
: Decision Quality -
Making good and timely decisions that keep the organization moving forward. Strategic Mindset -
Seeing ahead to future possibilities and translating them into breakthrough strategies. Collaborates -
Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives. Values Differences -
Recognizing the value that different perspectives and cultures bring to an organization. Communicates Effectively
- Developing and delivering multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences. It Would Be Great if You Also Bring: 5 years' experience leading Communications, Journalism, or Marketing Communication for public agencies or private industry. 2-year minimum of emergency or crisis communications response.
Supplemental Information Working Conditions: Work Details:
The Communications team works in a hybrid model, with days in the office as well as telecommuting.The ratio of remote to onsite work will be dependent on the business needs and is subject to change.The primary onsite location is the collaboration space at King Street Center - 201 S. Jackson St, Seattle, WA 98104 ,
additional onsite locations may include: West Point Treatment Plant, 1400 Discovery Park Blvd. Seattle, South Treatment Plant 1200 Monster Road S.W., Renton, Brightwater Treatment Plant 22505 State Route 9 S.E., Woodinville.
Requirement:
Employees must reside in Washington State and be within a reasonable distance to King County worksites to meet onsite reporting requirements. King County has a robust collection of
tools and resources
to support working remotely. The individual selected for this opportunity will join an innovative and progressive team that is redefining how we work as we transition to the department's hybrid environment. Employees will be provided with a County-issued laptop and must maintain a home workspace with an internet connection where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours. Work Schedule: This position is exempt from the overtime provision of the Fair Labor Standard Act (FLSA) and is not overtime eligible. Union Representation:
This position is represented by Teamsters Local 117 - Wastewater Treatment Division, Professional & Technical and Administrative bargaining unit. Duration:
This recruitment aims to fill a Special Duty Assignment / Term-Limited Temporary (TLT) position with an anticipated duration of 1 year. If the position is filled by a King County employee who has successfully completed their initial probation, they will be offered the role as a Special Duty Assignment.
Application and Selection Process: We welcome applications from all qualified applicants .
We value diversity, diverse perspectives and life experience and encourage people of all backgrounds to apply. Application materials will be screened for clarity, completeness and alignment with the experience, qualifications, knowledge, and skills essential for this role to determine which candidates may be invited to participate in one or more panel interviews.
Anticipated
Timeline for this recruitment
:
(subject to change) Technical vetting interview: Virtual interviews will be held in January 2026
Panel interview: Virtual interviews will be held the held in January 2026
To apply, submit a: Complete Application Resume Cover Letter Responses to the supplemental questions Note: Additional documents won't be considered during minimum qualification screening. W
ho to Contact:
For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact Diana Eberly at
diana.eberly@kingcounty.gov
Discover More About the Wastewater Treatment Division : Visit our
website
and check us out at
Facebook
,
X (formerly Twitter) ,
Instagram ,
YouTube
, and the
WTD Blog .
Discover More About DNRP: Visit our
DNRP website , explore an
interactive map
of our recent accomplishments and check us out at
Facebook
,
X (formerly Twitter)
,
LinkedIn
,
TikTok
,
Instagram
,
YouTube
and
Keeping King County Green News
.
Sign up for
Job Alerts
to be notified of additional career opportunities with King County. Select the
Natural Resources
category for DNRP opportunities and explore other categories of interest.
Forbes named King County as one of Washington State's best employers. Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference?
Come join the team
dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.
Guided by our
"True North"
,
we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles - we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.
King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities 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. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.
To Apply If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions, please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement.
PDN-a0aa95fa-f33c-469a-8575-33dd3ff47faf
About the Role: The Wastewater Treatment Division - one of the largest public utilities in the Pacific Northwest - is recruiting for a high-performing Communications Manager who will reinforce our reputation as a trusted clean water agency. This position will lead a talented, creative team and serve as a strategic advisor to senior leadership during a period of growth and opportunity.
This position will oversee all communications at the division with responsibilities in managing crisis communications, media relations, social media, organizing press conferences and events, and sharing positive stories that reflect strategic priorities while building the support and engagement of key audiences.
This position will ensure we deliver a clear, compelling, and consistent message to internal and external audiences. In addition to directly supervising the communications team located in the Director's Office, this position will coordinate internal and external communications generated by our sections and elevate communication opportunities with the Department of Natural Resources and Parks' Public Affairs team. They will increase public awareness and understanding of our work while ensuring that we effectively communicate with the nearly 1,000 division employees who protect Puget Sound each day.
Other responsibilities include acting as a division spokesperson when necessary, leading the development and implementation of a division-wide communications editorial calendar, messaging development and integration across teams, and review of communications materials from across sections prior to publication.
This position has the ability to assess communications resource needs and fill communications position(s) within the Director's Office, with the Director's concurrence. The successful candidate will have passion for the environment and sound judgment, will work collaboratively and think strategically, embraces ambiguity and ramps up quickly on complex issues, and is energized by juggling priorities.
This position follows a hybrid work model, blending remote and in-person work.
About the Team: Our mission is to protect public health and enhance the environment by collecting and treating wastewater while recycling valuable resources for the Puget Sound region. Our dedicated workforce plans, designs, builds, and operates treatment facilities while enforcing environmental regulations that reduce harmful waste discharged into the system, and we educated the public and businesses on ways to protect water quality. Nearly half of our employees are frontline workers who operate this essential service at our three regional wastewater treatment plants, two community plants, and at other offsite facilities. Tou our agency, success means clean water and a healthy environment. It means honoring our legacy while keeping a promise that the spectacular natural environment that defines our region will be protected for generations to come.
We are committed to the principles of equity and social justice, contributing to King County's True North values that make our region a welcoming place where every person can thrive. We value diverse perspectives and life experiences in our workforce and are committed to building a culturally diverse and inclusive environment. WTD strives to provide equitable services to residents and business across King County.
Commitment to Equity, Racial and Social Justice: King County, named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., is a diverse and vibrant community that represents cultures from around the world. Our True North is to create a welcoming community where everyone can thrive. We prioritize equity, racial and social justice, making it a foundational and daily expectation for all employees. As a Communications Manager, you will actively apply these principles in all aspects of your work. Learn more about our commitment at
http://www.kingcounty.gov/equity .
Apply now for a rewarding career at the
Wastewater Treatment Division
of King County Department of Natural Resources & Parks (DNRP). Join our talented workforce in protecting and restoring the natural environment and promoting more resilient, sustainable, and equitable communities. Enjoy training,
comprehensive benefits
, and growth opportunities.
Job Duties What You
Will
Be Doing
:
Develop and execute strategic communications as a member of the division's senior leadership team, leading efforts to inform and engage staff on strategic priorities and initiatives, including among frontline employees. Build and manage a division-wide communications team of direct reports and matrixed staff from across each of our sections. Inform the overall internal and external communications strategy, develop communication plans, and ensure the plans align with WTD business goals and strategy. Guide division teams on the best strategic approaches to communications and provide input and direction on efforts to reach audiences. Ensure that we are delivering clear, consistent, timely, and coordinated messages to internal and external audiences. Work closely with the Department of Natural Resources and Parks' Public Affairs teams team to manage crisis communications, media relations, organize press events and tours, support and align to internal King County communications efforts, and elevate positive story ideas that can be reinforced at the Department level.
Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills Qualifications You Bring
:
Bachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism, or Marketing Communication OR any combination of education and experience that clearly demonstrates the ability to perform the job duties of the position. Experience leading strategic internal and external communication plans. Experience leading crisis communications response. Competencies
You Bring
: Decision Quality -
Making good and timely decisions that keep the organization moving forward. Strategic Mindset -
Seeing ahead to future possibilities and translating them into breakthrough strategies. Collaborates -
Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives. Values Differences -
Recognizing the value that different perspectives and cultures bring to an organization. Communicates Effectively
- Developing and delivering multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences. It Would Be Great if You Also Bring: 5 years' experience leading Communications, Journalism, or Marketing Communication for public agencies or private industry. 2-year minimum of emergency or crisis communications response.
Supplemental Information Working Conditions: Work Details:
The Communications team works in a hybrid model, with days in the office as well as telecommuting.The ratio of remote to onsite work will be dependent on the business needs and is subject to change.The primary onsite location is the collaboration space at King Street Center - 201 S. Jackson St, Seattle, WA 98104 ,
additional onsite locations may include: West Point Treatment Plant, 1400 Discovery Park Blvd. Seattle, South Treatment Plant 1200 Monster Road S.W., Renton, Brightwater Treatment Plant 22505 State Route 9 S.E., Woodinville.
Requirement:
Employees must reside in Washington State and be within a reasonable distance to King County worksites to meet onsite reporting requirements. King County has a robust collection of
tools and resources
to support working remotely. The individual selected for this opportunity will join an innovative and progressive team that is redefining how we work as we transition to the department's hybrid environment. Employees will be provided with a County-issued laptop and must maintain a home workspace with an internet connection where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours. Work Schedule: This position is exempt from the overtime provision of the Fair Labor Standard Act (FLSA) and is not overtime eligible. Union Representation:
This position is represented by Teamsters Local 117 - Wastewater Treatment Division, Professional & Technical and Administrative bargaining unit. Duration:
This recruitment aims to fill a Special Duty Assignment / Term-Limited Temporary (TLT) position with an anticipated duration of 1 year. If the position is filled by a King County employee who has successfully completed their initial probation, they will be offered the role as a Special Duty Assignment.
Application and Selection Process: We welcome applications from all qualified applicants .
We value diversity, diverse perspectives and life experience and encourage people of all backgrounds to apply. Application materials will be screened for clarity, completeness and alignment with the experience, qualifications, knowledge, and skills essential for this role to determine which candidates may be invited to participate in one or more panel interviews.
Anticipated
Timeline for this recruitment
:
(subject to change) Technical vetting interview: Virtual interviews will be held in January 2026
Panel interview: Virtual interviews will be held the held in January 2026
To apply, submit a: Complete Application Resume Cover Letter Responses to the supplemental questions Note: Additional documents won't be considered during minimum qualification screening. W
ho to Contact:
For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact Diana Eberly at
diana.eberly@kingcounty.gov
Discover More About the Wastewater Treatment Division : Visit our
website
and check us out at
,
X (formerly Twitter) ,
Instagram ,
YouTube
, and the
WTD Blog .
Discover More About DNRP: Visit our
DNRP website , explore an
interactive map
of our recent accomplishments and check us out at
,
X (formerly Twitter)
,
,
TikTok
,
,
YouTube
and
Keeping King County Green News
.
Sign up for
Job Alerts
to be notified of additional career opportunities with King County. Select the
Natural Resources
category for DNRP opportunities and explore other categories of interest.
Forbes named King County as one of Washington State's best employers. Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference?
Come join the team
dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.
Guided by our
"True North"
,
we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles - we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.
King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities 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. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.
To Apply If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions, please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement.
PDN-a0aa95fa-f33c-469a-8575-33dd3ff47faf