Communications and Policy Manager

Communications And Policy Manager (Project/Program Manager III)

Are you ready to use your environmental expertise to make visible, lasting change? In this role, you'll play a central part in educating the public about noxious weeds and strengthening countywide efforts to protect ecosystems through creative communication and community engagement. You'll be part of a dynamic team pushing forward some of King County's most ambitious environmental goals, including the Healthy Lands Project, the Land Conservation Initiative (LCI) and the Clean Water Healthy Habitat Initiative.
In addition to the current opening, this recruitment may be used to establish a pool of qualified candidates to fill future Project/Program Manager III TLT positions throughout the Department of Natural Resources & Parks (DNRP) over the next six (6) months.
About the Role: The Communications and Policy Manager (Project/Program Manager III) will work closely with the Program Manager to assist with the development of program policies and communication strategies that achieve the mission of the program to reduce impacts of noxious weeds on the environment and economy of King County, and to meet the requirements of the Washington State Noxious Weed Law. The role will develop communications materials, implement outreach plans, and develop outreach strategies to better reach the residents of King County and deliver equitable services across the diverse landscape and population of the region.
Click on the links below to find out more about the Noxious Weed Control Program's Educational efforts you may be able to contribute to:
Newsletter: KC Noxious Weed News - Spring '26
Noxious Weeds Blog: https://kingcountyweeds.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kingcountyweeds/
Publications: https://kingcounty.gov/en/dept/dnrp
ature-recreation/environment-ecology-conservation
oxious-weeds/resources/weed-publications This position follows a hybrid work model, blending remote and in-person work.
About the Team: The Noxious Weed Control Program is a national leader in the early detection of noxious weeds, integrated pest management, community engagement, and rapid response to high impact weed concerns. We work throughout King County to prevent and reduce the economic, environmental, and social impacts of noxious weeds in King County, Washington. Our mission is to provide benefits to the environment, recreation, public health, and economic resources of King County by preventing and minimizing harmful impacts of noxious weeds. We do this through educating and providing technical assistance to landowners and public agencies to help everyone find the best control options for noxious weeds on each site and to reduce the overall impact of noxious weeds throughout the county.
The Water and Land Resources Division (WLRD) is at the forefront of King County's efforts to protect and restore clean water and healthy habitat and strengthen the resilience of communities, environment, and infrastructure in the face of climate change. We are a dedicated workforce of more than 450 supported by an annual budget of ~$280 million. WLRD has a strong track record of developing innovative strategies to protect working farms and forests, restore habitat, improve water quality, and provide county residents with equitable access to green space. We house the Land Conservation Initiative, which aims to preserve our last, most important lands. Our forestry and agricultural programs help individuals protect their lands and support local food production. We house four salmon recovery forums where we collaborate with scores of partners to plan, design, and build habitat projects. We partner with regional jurisdictions to help residents and businesses reduce the threats posed by production, use, storage, and disposal of hazardous materials. We are the primary service provider to the King County Flood Control District, contributing to flood preparedness and constructing and maintaining facilities that restore rivers and reduce risk. Our one true local service to unincorporated King County is stormwater management, protecting water quality, reducing flooding, and building and maintaining facilities. Finally, we provide regional science and laboratory services to an array of customers, maintaining high-quality data sets used to assess water quality and habitat trends, and provide Best Available Science to inform decision making. In two words, we are a watershed utility.
Commitment To Equity 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 and Policy 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 Water and Land Resource 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:
Policy: Collaborate with the Noxious Weed Control Program Unit manager to identify policy issues connected to noxious weed control work and provide project management to tackle these issues.
Communications: Develop communications materials such as reports, newsletters, website updates, presentations, that effectively educate the public on the topic of identifying and controlling noxious weeds. Coordinate with graphics teams to ensure excellence in visual communications.
Community Outreach: Develop plans to advance public understanding of noxious weed concerns including trainings. Conduct compelling community engagement and education sessions to provide education on noxious weeds topics.
Board Management: Support the Noxious Weed Control Board in their endeavors including supporting their adoption of the 2027 weed list.
Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

Qualifications You Bring:
Knowledgeable in noxious weed identification, biology, control, and impacts.
Ability to create and maintain public communications such as newsletter publication, website updates, publication development, and other relevant communication outlets.
Skills in community outreach, teaching, engaging the public in learning.
Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate with the public on difficult, sensitive and technical issues, both verbally and in writing.
Planning and project management skills and the ability to perform multiple tasks simultaneously under tight deadlines, prioritizing work and managing own time.
Experience supporting or contributing to policy development, including researching issues, analyzing options, and preparing recommendations or briefing materials.
Required Licenses:
WA pesticide applicator license required within 3 months of beginning the position.
Valid Washington State driver's license or the ability to obtain one prior to starting work if selected for this position.
Competencies You Bring:
Manages Ambiguity: Operating effectively, even when things are not certain, or the way forward is not clear.
Collaborates: Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.
Action Oriented: Taking on new opportunities and tough challenges with a sense of urgency, high energy, and enthusiasm.
Communicates Effectively: Developing and delivering multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences.
Manages Complexity: Making sense of complex, high quantity, and sometimes contradictory information to effectively solve problems.
Customer Focus: Building strong customer relationships and delivering customer-centric solutions.
It Would Be Great if You Also Bring:
Experience with herbicides, holds WSDA pesticide applicator license.
Supplemental Information

Working Conditions:
Remote and Onsite Work Details: The Noxious Weed Control Program 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 business needs and is subject to change. The primary onsite location is King Street Center, 201 S. Jackson St, Seattle, WA 98104.
Remote Work Location Requirement: Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace 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 full-time position will work a 40-hour work week. This position is exempt from the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standard Act (FLSA) and is not overtime eligible. The typical work schedule is 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Monday– Friday. Work outside the typical work schedule including early mornings, evenings