Community Engagement Specialist
City of Tumwater, Tumwater, WA, United States
Overview
Why Tumwater? Tumwater is more than just a city, it’s a vibrant community rooted in history and filled with opportunity. Located at the southern gateway to the Seattle-Tacoma metro area, Tumwater offers the perfect blend of small-town charm and big-picture vision. Surrounded by the natural beauty of Puget Sound, prairie landscapes, rivers, and evergreen forests, we’re just over an hour from ocean beaches, the Olympic Peninsula, and Mount Rainier. Whether you’re into hiking, kayaking, brewery-hopping, or live music, you’ll find easy access to it all. Here in Tumwater, we’re building a future that’s highly livable, connected, and inclusive. With safe neighborhoods, excellent schools, and a deep sense of civic pride, it’s not just a great place to live, it’s a great place to grow your career. The Opportunity The City of Tumwater is seeking a collaborative and community-focused Communications & Engagement Specialist to support public communication and outreach efforts citywide. This position develops and coordinates community engagement programs, public events, and communication materials that enhance understanding of City services, projects, and priorities. In this role, you will create content for newsletters, social media, and web platforms; assist with public meetings and events; build relationships with residents and community partners; and help ensure consistent, inclusive, and timely communication across departments. This is an excellent opportunity for a communications professional who values transparency, collaboration, and meaningful community engagement. In order for your application to be considered, please ensure that a letter of interest is included in your application packet. Responsibilities
Plan, coordinate, and support community outreach events, public meetings, mass communication and engagement programs. Build and maintain relationships with residents, community groups, and partner organizations. Serve as liaison between city staff and community to facilitate completion of complex infrastructure projects. Gather feedback from the public to inform City policies and services. Develop and deliver presentations and outreach materials for various audiences. Public Information & Communication
Prepare content for City newsletters, social media, news releases, and web pages. Assist in managing the City’s website and social media platforms, ensuring timely and accurate updates. Support communication during emergencies by assisting in information coordination and dissemination. Program Coordination & Support
Collaborate with City departments to ensure consistent messaging and coordinated outreach efforts. Support City-sponsored events, including logistics, volunteer coordination, and post-event reporting. Assist with photography, videography, visual design and content development for outreach materials. Help answer the public’s questions in a timely and consistent manner, often on a 1-1 basis. Research & Evaluation
Track engagement metrics and report on community engagement outcomes. Research communications and community trends and best practices in public participation. Recommend strategies to improve outreach effectiveness and inclusivity. Demonstrate a commitment to respectful, inclusive communication and actively support meaningful engagement with all members of the community. Perform other related duties as assigned. Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
Knowledge of communication principles, community outreach, and engagement strategies. Skill in event planning, writing, editing, and digital communication. Ability to build and maintain effective relationships with diverse community groups. Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills. Ability to communicate clearly and professionally, both verbally and in writing. Ability to work in a fast-paced environment while maintaining diplomacy and grace toward yourself and others. Commitment to inclusivity, transparency, and exceptional public service. We are a communications team that values collaboration, creative thinking, and open and kind interpersonal communication, and will look for a person who lives these values too. Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, journalism, English, marketing, or related field, and at least three (3) years of professional experience in community engagement, public relations, or program coordination;
or Associate’s degree and five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in communications, outreach, or public engagement;
or Equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions. Special Requirements
Valid Washington State Driver License and acceptable driving record. Availability to work evenings or weekends for events as needed. Preferred Qualifications
Experience in public-sector or local government communications. Bilingual or multilingual proficiency. Familiarity with social media management tools and graphic design platforms (e.g., Canva, Adobe Creative Suite, Hootsuite). Familiarity with CASTUS or other studio management software and techniques would be a benefit to the City. Familiarity with assisting others in meeting ADA standards and use of ADA compliance tools is a desired qualification. This position will heavily engage on traffic, construction, community development and engineering projects, and we will look for candidates who have had experience in communicating on these topics. Decision Rights & Problem Solving
Exercises independent judgment in coordinating outreach activities and content development. Recommends improvements to communication and engagement processes. Operates within established City policies and brand standards. Supervision Received / Exercised
Received: General supervision from the Communications Director. Exercised: May provide guidance to interns, volunteers, or temporary staff during events or projects. Key Relationships
Internal: Communications Division, City departments, and City leadership. External: Community organizations, residents, businesses, media representatives, and partner agencies Tools & Technology
Computers, cameras, audiovisual and presentation equipment Social media and engagement software Microsoft 365 suite Canva, Adobe products, Constant Contact, and standard office equipment Working Conditions & Physical Demands
Work is performed primarily in an office or administrative environment. Duties may involve prolonged sitting, standing, walking, and repetitive hand or wrist movements associated with computer use. The position may require occasional bending, reaching, or light to moderate lifting of office materials or equipment. Work may include attendance at meetings, site visits, or public events, which may require travel to various locations. Some assignments may involve interacting with the public in stressful or contentious situations or working under deadlines and competing priorities. Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified individuals in accordance with applicable laws. Equity, Safety, and Ethics Commitments
Employees are expected to perform their duties in a manner that supports equity, safety, integrity, and professionalism. This includes following all safety policies and procedures, treating coworkers and the public with respect, and conducting work ethically and responsibly. Employees are expected to uphold public trust through fair, transparent, and lawful conduct and to contribute to a safe, inclusive, and respectful work environment. The City of Tumwater is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) and does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor. The City of Tumwater is committed to wellness, safety, the environment and racial equity.
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Why Tumwater? Tumwater is more than just a city, it’s a vibrant community rooted in history and filled with opportunity. Located at the southern gateway to the Seattle-Tacoma metro area, Tumwater offers the perfect blend of small-town charm and big-picture vision. Surrounded by the natural beauty of Puget Sound, prairie landscapes, rivers, and evergreen forests, we’re just over an hour from ocean beaches, the Olympic Peninsula, and Mount Rainier. Whether you’re into hiking, kayaking, brewery-hopping, or live music, you’ll find easy access to it all. Here in Tumwater, we’re building a future that’s highly livable, connected, and inclusive. With safe neighborhoods, excellent schools, and a deep sense of civic pride, it’s not just a great place to live, it’s a great place to grow your career. The Opportunity The City of Tumwater is seeking a collaborative and community-focused Communications & Engagement Specialist to support public communication and outreach efforts citywide. This position develops and coordinates community engagement programs, public events, and communication materials that enhance understanding of City services, projects, and priorities. In this role, you will create content for newsletters, social media, and web platforms; assist with public meetings and events; build relationships with residents and community partners; and help ensure consistent, inclusive, and timely communication across departments. This is an excellent opportunity for a communications professional who values transparency, collaboration, and meaningful community engagement. In order for your application to be considered, please ensure that a letter of interest is included in your application packet. Responsibilities
Plan, coordinate, and support community outreach events, public meetings, mass communication and engagement programs. Build and maintain relationships with residents, community groups, and partner organizations. Serve as liaison between city staff and community to facilitate completion of complex infrastructure projects. Gather feedback from the public to inform City policies and services. Develop and deliver presentations and outreach materials for various audiences. Public Information & Communication
Prepare content for City newsletters, social media, news releases, and web pages. Assist in managing the City’s website and social media platforms, ensuring timely and accurate updates. Support communication during emergencies by assisting in information coordination and dissemination. Program Coordination & Support
Collaborate with City departments to ensure consistent messaging and coordinated outreach efforts. Support City-sponsored events, including logistics, volunteer coordination, and post-event reporting. Assist with photography, videography, visual design and content development for outreach materials. Help answer the public’s questions in a timely and consistent manner, often on a 1-1 basis. Research & Evaluation
Track engagement metrics and report on community engagement outcomes. Research communications and community trends and best practices in public participation. Recommend strategies to improve outreach effectiveness and inclusivity. Demonstrate a commitment to respectful, inclusive communication and actively support meaningful engagement with all members of the community. Perform other related duties as assigned. Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
Knowledge of communication principles, community outreach, and engagement strategies. Skill in event planning, writing, editing, and digital communication. Ability to build and maintain effective relationships with diverse community groups. Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills. Ability to communicate clearly and professionally, both verbally and in writing. Ability to work in a fast-paced environment while maintaining diplomacy and grace toward yourself and others. Commitment to inclusivity, transparency, and exceptional public service. We are a communications team that values collaboration, creative thinking, and open and kind interpersonal communication, and will look for a person who lives these values too. Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, journalism, English, marketing, or related field, and at least three (3) years of professional experience in community engagement, public relations, or program coordination;
or Associate’s degree and five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in communications, outreach, or public engagement;
or Equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions. Special Requirements
Valid Washington State Driver License and acceptable driving record. Availability to work evenings or weekends for events as needed. Preferred Qualifications
Experience in public-sector or local government communications. Bilingual or multilingual proficiency. Familiarity with social media management tools and graphic design platforms (e.g., Canva, Adobe Creative Suite, Hootsuite). Familiarity with CASTUS or other studio management software and techniques would be a benefit to the City. Familiarity with assisting others in meeting ADA standards and use of ADA compliance tools is a desired qualification. This position will heavily engage on traffic, construction, community development and engineering projects, and we will look for candidates who have had experience in communicating on these topics. Decision Rights & Problem Solving
Exercises independent judgment in coordinating outreach activities and content development. Recommends improvements to communication and engagement processes. Operates within established City policies and brand standards. Supervision Received / Exercised
Received: General supervision from the Communications Director. Exercised: May provide guidance to interns, volunteers, or temporary staff during events or projects. Key Relationships
Internal: Communications Division, City departments, and City leadership. External: Community organizations, residents, businesses, media representatives, and partner agencies Tools & Technology
Computers, cameras, audiovisual and presentation equipment Social media and engagement software Microsoft 365 suite Canva, Adobe products, Constant Contact, and standard office equipment Working Conditions & Physical Demands
Work is performed primarily in an office or administrative environment. Duties may involve prolonged sitting, standing, walking, and repetitive hand or wrist movements associated with computer use. The position may require occasional bending, reaching, or light to moderate lifting of office materials or equipment. Work may include attendance at meetings, site visits, or public events, which may require travel to various locations. Some assignments may involve interacting with the public in stressful or contentious situations or working under deadlines and competing priorities. Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified individuals in accordance with applicable laws. Equity, Safety, and Ethics Commitments
Employees are expected to perform their duties in a manner that supports equity, safety, integrity, and professionalism. This includes following all safety policies and procedures, treating coworkers and the public with respect, and conducting work ethically and responsibly. Employees are expected to uphold public trust through fair, transparent, and lawful conduct and to contribute to a safe, inclusive, and respectful work environment. The City of Tumwater is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) and does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor. The City of Tumwater is committed to wellness, safety, the environment and racial equity.
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