Council Communications Specialist (Public Information Specialist)

Salary:

$33.01 - $52.81 Hourly
Location :

Tacoma, WA
Job Type:

Regular - Other
Job Number:

26-00757
Department:

County Council
Division:

County Council
Opening Date:

07/15/2026
Closing Date:

7/27/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Description
This position is in office M-W and remote TH/FR.
Summary
Why It's a Great Opportunity:

As the Public Information Specialist for the Pierce County Council, you'll help shape how residents understand the work of their elected officials through clear, engaging, and impactful communications. You'll serve as a trusted communications partner, developing everything from proclamations, newsletters, and legislative messaging to graphic design, photography, video, social media, and web content. Every day offers variety. From supporting community events and district outreach to translating complex policy issues into information the public can easily understand. If you're a communications professional who enjoys combining strategic thinking with hands-on creative work, this is an opportunity to make a visible impact in one of Washington's largest counties.
Why It's a Great Organization: The

Pierce County Council is the legislative and policy-making body of Pierce County government. As a Home Rule Charter County, Pierce County operates with a clear separation between the elected County Executive and the seven-member, district-based County Council.

Serving a population of more than 925,000 residents, the Council reviews and acts on hundreds of ordinances and resolutions each year, providing oversight and direction on a wide range of issues affecting the County. The Council also reviews and adopts the County's budget, a critical process that allocates resources and sets priorities for County services.

Working in a fast-paced, highly visible environment, the Council regularly engages with the public and receives briefings from executive departments and other elected officials to ensure transparency, accountability, and informed decision-making. Through close collaboration with County leadership, partner jurisdictions, and the community, the Council plays a central role in shaping the future of Pierce County.

Learn more about the Pierce County Council
How to be Successful in the Role:

We are looking for an experienced communications professional with exceptional writing, graphic design, and digital storytelling skills. You build trusted relationships, manage competing priorities with confidence, and translate complex legislative issues into clear, engaging communications for diverse audiences. You are collaborative, adaptable, and comfortable supporting elected officials in a fast-paced, highly visible, nonpartisan environment.

Your Future in this Role:

A career with Pierce County means joining an organization committed to your growth and success. Through our robust online learning and variety of training opportunities, Pierce County ensures continuous professional development throughout your journey. This dedication extends beyond individual advancement, it reflects a broader mission to foster welcoming communities, maintain safe infrastructure, and promote equitable access to opportunities.

Core Daily Responsibilities:
Develop and implement communications plans, educational materials, and outreach initiatives that advance Council priorities while maintaining a nonpartisan, public-serving perspective.
Under the general supervision of the Communications Director, draft, edit, and produce written and multimedia content including press releases, proclamations, talking points, newsletters, social media content, and public facing reports.
Manage and maintain the Council's social media platforms, website content, and digital presence, monitoring for accuracy, timeliness, and alignment with Council policy direction.
Utilize industry-standard software (such as Adobe Creative Suite) to produce visual materials that communicate complex policy issues clearly to diverse public audiences.
Build and sustain effective working relationships with elected officials, Council staff, department heads, media representatives, and community stakeholders - navigating the sensitivities inherent in a political office environment with professionalism and discretion.
Monitor media coverage and public sentiment relevant to Council activities; prepare summaries and briefings for communications leadership and elected officials as needed.
Support rapid response communication needs that arise from Council actions, public inquiries, or emerging community issues.
Occasionally administer/facilitate virtual Council and Committee meetings via Zoom, or other platforms.
Learn more about the Public Information Specialist

Minimum Qualifications
Additional education or experience, which clearly indicates the ability to perform the essential functions of this position, may substitute on a year-for-year basis.

Bachelor's degree in communications, English, marketing, advertising, public relations, graphic design, business administration, or other closely related field plus at least two years' experience directly related to the duties of the position.
Experience working in a public agency with elected officials is preferred.
Attach a resume and a cover letter. Required.
In addition to your resume and cover letter, please include 2-3 examples of your communications work (such as writing samples, graphic design pieces, newsletters, web content, social media campaigns, photography, video, or an online portfolio). These materials will be used as part of the initial application review.
As a condition of employment, the applicant will need to authorize and complete a background check. Information received from the background check is reviewed case-by-case and will not necessarily remove an applicant from consideration.

Supplemental Information
How to Apply:

Complete and submit a detailed online Pierce County Employment Application by selecting "APPLY" above or visiting
Attach a resume and a cover letter.
In addition to your resume and cover letter, please include 2-3 examples of your communications work (such as writing samples, graphic design pieces, newsletters, web content, social media campaigns, photography, video, or an online portfolio). These materials will be used as part of the initial application review.
If you have questions about this opportunity, email the Recruitment Team atand include the job number and title.
Individuals who need accommodation in the application or interview process may contact Human Resources at (253) 798-7480 at least two days prior to the need.
Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship.

Our Recruitment Practices:

This is a competitive and meritorious selection process. Pierce County applications are reviewed by human hiring staff in accordance with the qualifications listed for the positionPierce County understands applicants may use AI tools when preparing application materials. We recognize these tools can make the process easier; however, we ask that everything you submit genuinely reflects your own experience, skills, knowledge, and writing style.

During the interview process, you may be asked to demonstrate your skills, including writing and subject knowledge, and to speak to your experience in your own voice. Applicants should be prepared to respond to interview questions without relying on AI-generated responses or reading prepared answers from a screen. Any misrepresentation may result in disqualification or separation.

Applicants whose qualifications most closely align with the County's needs will be eligible for further consideration. Notification of application status typically occurs within two to three weeks after the closing date. Some applicants may receive short notice to participate in additional selection steps, which may include assessments, phone screens, or interviews.

Upon offer, compensation is based on a range of job-related factors, including the requirements of the role, your skills and experience, and internal pay equity.

Our Welcoming Workplace Commitment:

Pierce County is committed to fostering a Welcoming Workplace where employees are supported, respected, and able to thrive. We believe a strong public workforce is representative of the community it serves and that fair and just access to opportunity strengthens public service.

Guided by the County Executive's Forward Together mission, Pierce County works to build communities that are safe, welcoming, and connected. This same commitment shapes how we recruit, develop, and retain our employees. County employees make a direct and visible impact in the lives of residents every day, and we invite you to join us in helping
We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time.
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Pierce County offers a competitive benefits package that offers flexibility and peace of mind. We are proud to offer Employee Resource Groups, a focus on professional development in our , and a County Book Club.

We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career and that your priority is making sure that you and your family maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of and , , staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.

Our benefits:

Vacation (Annual Leave)
After approximately six months, employees receive six days of vacation leave.
Since we value your experience, the amount of vacation you can accrue increases the longer you work with us. Vacation accrues on a bi-weekly basis for full-time employees as follows:

Vacation Accruals:
During years 1-3, 12 Days
During years 4-7, 16 Days
During years 8-13, 20 Days
During years 14-18, 23 Days
During years 19, 24 Days
During years 20, 25 Days
During years 21, 26 Days
During years 22, 27 Days
During years 23, 28 Days
During years 24, 29 Days
During years 25 & thereafter, 30 Days

A maximum of 45 days may be carried from one year into the next.
Pro-Rated for Part-Time based on % of 1.0 FTE.

Military Leave:
Pierce County has a proud history of supporting the armed forces and provides members of the armed forces with up to 21 days paid military leave per state fiscal year.

Holidays:
Some full-time employees are entitled to eleven paid holidays as follows:
New Year's Day - January 1
Martin Luther King, Jr's birthday - Third Monday in January
President's Day - Third Monday in February
Memorial Day - Last Monday in May
Juneteenth - June 19
Independence Day - July 4
Labor Day - First Monday in September
Veteran's Day - November 11
Thanksgiving Day - Fourth Thursday in November & Friday after
Christmas Day - December 25

Personal Holidays:
Regular full-time and regular part-time employees, and employees occupying limited duration positions, shall also receive two additional paid personal holidays. Paid personal holidays shall only accrue for those employees on County payroll as of January 1 of each year or the first work day following January 1 and must be taken during the calendar year in which it was accrued.

Furlough:
Some Pierce County employees may be designated to receive 10 "furlough" days per year in lieu of holidays. Furlough days are available for use on January 1 and must be scheduled and taken within the calendar year. Employees who leave employment with Pierce County must reimburse the employer for used furlough days based upon the number of remaining holidays.

Sick Leave:
Sick leave accrues on a bi-weekly basis, at the rate of one day per month.

Insurance Benefits:
Employees and families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with very affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout Pierce County. Employees are eligible to enroll each year in a flexible spending plan, which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care and dependent care expenses. Employees also have the opportunity to participate in supplemental life and long term disability insurance plans. To view premium rates, summary of benefit coverage, and other information, please visit the website.

Retirement and Deferred Compensation:
Pierce County employees are members of the State of Washington's Department of Retirement System (DRS) and depending on the position or previous DRS enrollment will be able to enroll in one of many programs DRS offers. For additional information, check out the web site.

Employees also have the ability to participate in the Nationwide Deferred Compensation Plan. This is a supplemental retirement savings program that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.

Social Security:
All Pierce County employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The county and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.
ORCA Passport Program
Pierce County employees may participate in the County's ORCA (One Regional Card for All) Passport program.
Your Pierce County issued ORCA card is loaded with an annual Passport pass. The pass automatically renews every year. The pass will provide you with free transportation on regularly scheduled service on several public transit systems.

Miscellaneous Benefits:
Please visit website for more information.

Telework/Remote Options:
Some departments allow for telework or work-from-home options dependent on the body of work. Learn more about our telework policy
**All employees are required to be WA State residents after 30 days of employment.
01

Did you attach your resume and cover letter? Applications missing these attachments may not be considered.

Yes
No

02

In addition to your resume and cover letter, please attach 2-3 examples of your communications work (such as writing samples, graphic design pieces, newsletters, web content, social media campaigns, photography, video, or an online portfolio). These materials will be used as part of the initial application review. Did you attach your examples?
03

How many years of professional experience do you have creating communications for an organization?

Less than 1 year
1-2 years
3-5 years
6-10 years
More than 10 years

04

Which of the following best describes your professional editing experience?

I regularly copy edit communications written by others before publication.
I occasionally edit communications written by others.
I primarily edit my own work.
I have little or no professional editing experience.

05

Which of the following communications have you created or edited as a regular part of your work? (Select all that apply.)

Press releases
Newsletters
Executive or leadership messaging
Social media content
Website content
Proclamations or official recognitions
Talking points or speeches
None of the above

06

Which best describes your experience updating website content?

No experience
Basic updates using a content management system
Regularly manage website content using a CMS
I have designed or administered websites

07

Which best describes your experience working with elected officials or executive leadership?

I have supported elected officials.
I have supported executive leadership in a public agency.
I have supported executive leadership in the private or nonprofit sector.
I do not have this experience.

08

Have you provided communications support at public meetings, community events, media events, or ribbon cuttings?
Required Question