Location Everett, WA

Job Number 2023-01201

Division Human Services Administration

Closing Date 6/28/2023 11:59 PM Pacific

 

Description
Purpose: 
The Snohomish County Human Services Department (HSD) is looking for a motivated and skilled Communications Specialist to join our team. This position is within the Planning and Evaluation Division, which provides strategic planning to the Department informed by our community outreach and engagement.  This Division also oversees other special projects including refugee resettlement, communications, and emergency planning.  In this role, you will be responsible for developing communication strategies to promote human services programs and services to the public, media, and community partners.

About you:
You have a passion for learning and understanding the business of Snohomish County Human Services work, an ability to communicate effectively using different channels such as news releases, social media, and newsletters, you have skills in creating relationships with community partners and media, and you enjoy working as a team member within a small dynamic group willing to take on challenging work.  
 
Position Purpose:
Work with the Planning and Evaluation Team and Senior Leadership to:

• Develop and implement communications plans and materials to effectively promote the HSD programs and services
• Create and manage content for the HSD website, newsletters, and social media platforms
• Promote departmental events and initiatives through traditional and digital media
• Develop and maintain positive relationships with media outlets, the community, and partner providers to enhance the department’s visibility
• Monitor analytics and evaluate the effectiveness of communication strategies
• Collaborate with staff across the department to ensure consistent messaging and branding
• Keep HSD up to date with current communication trends and best practices

Human Services mission is to help all persons meet their basic needs and develop their potential by providing timely, effective human services and building community.

The Human Services Department includes 300 diverse, friendly and dedicated employees who benefit from outstanding benefits and competitive wages.  Employees are appreciated and have the opportunity to make a real difference in our community.  Snohomish County is thriving and is a great place to live, work, play, and raise a family.  We strive to not only provide a meaningful job, but a life-long career at Snohomish County.

*Note – not all of the job duties shown below may be specific to this position advertised. 
 

 

Job Duties

 

1. Provides and evaluates strategic planning and technical assistance to agencies, groups and individuals both inside and outside the department; provides strategies to improve delivery of services to clients. 
2. Develops questionnaires and code sheets suitable for program evaluation; analytically evaluates programs, participates in demographic forecasting and tracking various Human Services program areas. 
3. Assists in or develops the design of methodologically sound evaluative studies. 
4. Organizes and presents policy recommendations and plan proposals to policy makers at all governmental levels and the general public; provides editing and quality control for the work drafted by Human Services Planners. 
5. Represents Snohomish County Human Services in the negotiation of major planning programs with other agencies and jurisdictions as it relates to Emergency Preparedness and Community Resiliency. 
6. Researches, reviews, writes and maintains emergency plans and standard operation procedures for department operations during emergency or disaster events. 
7. Participates in local, state, and regional emergency preparedness exercises to enhance capabilities within the department operations. 
8. Facilitates presentations on emergency preparedness and community resiliency for the department and other applicable community partners. 
9. Assists with training the department's workforce to be prepared for emergency or disaster events in conjunction with the Department of Emergency Management. 

1.  May assist with grant writing and preparation of data related to grants. 
2.  Performs related duties as required.

 

Minimum Qualifications

 

 

Additional Information

 

• principles, methods and techniques of community organization and development, program evaluation, and program planning, design and implementation
• relevant laws, rules, regulations and legislation governing various human services projects and programs
• methods and techniques of community involvement
• human services planning and evaluation principles and methods
• theories, principles, goals and objectives of public social services

• mediate and resolve planning issues involving opposing interest groups
• build coalitions among groups with differing needs and objectives
• read, interpret and apply federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations governing assigned duties
• establish and maintain effective work relationships with all levels of county management and staff, representatives of other agencies and the general public
• communicate effectively with people of all ages and from a variety of cultural, economic and ethnic background
• present technical information clearly to the general public
• synthesize research results of a planning team and use these results as a basis for recommendations
• effectively write complex documents including grants, proposals, budgets and reports