Risk Communications & Media Relations Specialist

Tumwater, Washington, The Risk Communications and Media Relations Specialist is responsible for planning, developing, and delivering information to ensure the Department of Health is perceived as credible, relevant, and capable of protecting and improving the health of Washingtonians. By effectively serving as a Communications Consultant and Public Information Officer, you will provide key support to the department’s mission to protect and improve the health of people in Washington state. This Communications Consultant 5 position primarily supports DOH’s Environmental Public Health (EPH) division. This position represents DOH to the media, local health partners, and public regarding key public health program and policy issues, maintaining effective relationships and ensuring that relevant, accurate, and timely information is provided. The position manages and advises program staff about communication strategies on routine and high-profile public health issues. They enhance the agency’s overall capacity for strategic storytelling and serve as an advisor and coach by providing media training and feedback to agency leadership and staff. Option 1: Four (4) years of experience in public affairs, public health policy or communications, journalism, public relations, or related field.

Option 2: Bachelor's degree with a major study in public affairs, public health policy, public health, communications, journalism, public relations, or related field.

AND Four (4) years of experience in media relations, including establishing and maintaining working relationships with the media.

Additional Required Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Experience

Experience organizing, facilitating, and hosting virtual and in-person media interviews and briefings. Experience preparing and coaching agency leadership and staff for media engagements, including media training, ongoing media relations capacity development, and in risk communication. Proven ability to write clearly and in a manner that holds the reader's interest, including use of AP Style in news releases, blogs, and other media relations materials. Experience communicating complex, technical, or controversial issues to a variety of audiences. Experience in risk communication, emergency response, or related field.

Experience developing and implementing strategic communication plans, including integration of social media as part of a broader communication strategy. Experience building positive relationships with external partners. Experience writing and editing for diverse audiences, including hard-to-reach communities and those most impacted by health disparities. Experience adapting communication products to ensure they are culturally and linguistically appropriate for target audiences. Experience applying plain language principles and an equity lens to communications.