Council Communications Specialist (Public Information Specialist)

This position is in office M‑W and remote TH/FR.

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 that affect the county.

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.

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.

Qualifications

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.

Proven ability to produce high‑quality written materials and visual content that convey complex information in an accessible way.

Strong project‑management and organizational skills, with the ability to handle multiple concurrent priorities.

Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build positive relationships across diverse stakeholders.

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.

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