An Exciting Opportunity to tell the DSHS Story Awaits You in the Office of Communications and Government Affairs! The Department of Social and Health Services has an exciting new opportunity for a Media Relations Manager. Are you a creative communicator with a nose for ferreting out hard-to-tell stories? Do you want to influence how the state's largest social service agency is seen by its employees and by the community? Join our top-notch team of professionals as Media Relations Manager in the Department of Social and Health Services' Office of Communications and Government Affairs as we work to fulfill our mission to partner with people to access support, care and resources. We are looking for a dynamic, experienced, culturally competent communications professional to play a key role in the agency's success. By ensuring staff have timely and accurate information about the agency's plans and programs, you'll help them understand and unite around the DSHS Secretary's priorities. You will help shape how Washington residents and the rest of the world view the agency and how it provides services to its customers and communities. Reporting to the Senior Director of the Office of Communications and Government Affairs, you'll be a member of a team of experts in media relations, social media, and web services. You must have a willingness to learn, the ability to absorb and understand new information quickly and to work independently and under tight deadlines on high-profile issues. If you are an enthusiastic person who is able to work efficiently, effectively, and confidently under tight deadline pressure on controversial, high-profile issues and you are also able to plan, organize, manage, and carry out long-term, strategic communications plans, projects, and campaigns, we welcome your application. Some of What You’ll Do: Offer DSHS leadership, including the Secretary and senior managers, and staff professional communication guidance, including strategic and crisis communications direction, action, and follow-through. Develop messaging (including talking points, news releases and other products) for the Secretary and senior executives for presentation to employees in written and video form. Work with communicators across the agency to ensure messaging is consistent across all mediums and for all units and divisions of DSHS. Ensure internal messaging to staff is consistent with external messaging to our clients, legislators, tribes, stakeholders, and the public. Coordinate the external communication response to crisis situations that affect organizational perception and reputation. We're Looking for professionals who have the following: A bachelor's degree or higher involving major study in journalism, communications, public relations, or closely allied field. AND Five years of professional experience in information, journalism, or public relations. Additional professional experience in information, journalism, or public relations may be substituted, year for year, for education. General Knowledge of: Excellent writing, editing and proofreading skills as well as the journalistic ability to help people tell their stories. Good interpersonal and relationship-building skills and the confidence to deal with senior executives and work on communication techniques with them. Creative ability to devise communication strategies. Ability to leverage social media strategy as well as digital and video communications techniques to advance the agency’s message. Demonstrated mastery of current best practices in journalism and public relations. Working knowledge of the operation and functions of print and electronic news organizations and familiarity with the news media statewide. Expertise in communicating for the web – internet and intranet. Effective management techniques, including the ability to serve as a catalyst for rejuvenation and enthusiasm. This role is a flex/hybrid role with two in-office days per month to collaborate with team members. Some occasional in-state and overnight travel may be required. To Apply

Scroll down for a complete overview of what this job will require Are you the right candidate for this opportunity Please provide the following: Completed online application. A chronological resume. Cover letter describing how your background and skills align with the requirements for this role. A writing sample that shows your ability to write effectively for a media audience. Our Department of Social and Health Services mission requires that we come together with a sense of belonging, common purpose, shared values and meaningful work. It is crucial to our agency’s mission that you bring an equity, anti-racism and social justice commitment to your work with DSHS. We strive to create greater access and affirming representation of the communities we serve, including Black, Indigenous and People of Color, people with physical, behavioral health, and intellectual disabilities, elders, LGBTQIA+ individuals, immigrants and refugees, and families building financial security. Questions about job 11320? Please contact raoa@dshs.wa.gov. Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history may be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability and competence to perform in the job. This announcement may be used to fill multiple vacancies. Employees driving on state business must have a valid driver's license. Employees driving a privately owned vehicle on state business must have liability insurance on the privately owned vehicle. Washington State Department of Social and Health Services is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in any area of employment, its programs or services on the basis of age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, marital status, race, creed, color, national origin, religion or beliefs, political affiliation, military status, honorably discharged veteran, Vietnam Era, recently separated or other protected veteran status, the presence of any sensory, mental, physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, equal pay or genetic information. Persons requiring accommodation in the application process or this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the Recruiter at (360) 725-5810. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384. E-Verify is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

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