Communications Specialist, Transportation

Summary

This position will support communications and community engagement tasks associated with several major Seattle transportation projects. This work is based in the city of Seattle and can include meetings throughout the region, including in Shoreline at the WSDOT Northwest Region headquarters. The selected candidate can work remotely but is also expected to conduct in-person outreach in and around Seattle.

The successful candidate must have demonstrated experience managing multiple tasks in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment; providing excellent customer/client service; working collaboratively and providing quality written communications products; and a shared commitment to social and racial justice.

Experience and/or strong interest in transportation, transit, mobility, government, and/or the public sector/government are also desirable.

Duties and Responsibilities

Support the project team on community engagement and construction communications as part of overall communications and engagement strategy, responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Community Engagement

• Plan, execute, and summarize events and engagement activities that reach identified priority communities, this includes setting up booths, public interaction and speaking, coordinating with clients, and maintaining records and data from each event.

• Conduct door-to-door in identified neighborhoods to ensure neighboring communities are aware of potential construction impacts

• Work with colleagues and community members from diverse backgrounds

Communications

• Research, write, and edit content for project communications. This could include e-newsletters, press releases, social media posts, fact sheets, flyers, presentations, summary reports, and web page updates

• Adhere to AP and client style guides for all communications

• Capture content (photos and video) at construction site(s) for use in communications

• Proactively manage the project inbox/hotline and collaborate with the contractor on responses to project inbox/hotline comments, concerns and questions

• Support media and legislative event planning and development of materials

Project Management

• Participate in and sometimes facilitate project communications meetings. This includes scheduling meetings, managing agendas, taking notes, and sending out action items

• Collaborate with interdisciplinary PRR teams, including language services, research, and creative studio on project needs and client requests. This could include materials translations, graphic design materials, and printing

• Manage files for internal (Teams) and external use (Dropbox) per project protocols

• Deliver work on time and on budget, meet project objectives, and troubleshoot any issues as they arise

Client Relations

• Set and maintain high quality control standards for all communications to clients and partners

• Provide excellent customer service

• Work proactively to anticipate and respond to client needs

• Maintain confidentiality of client information

Administrative

• Complete timesheets and expense reports on time and with accurate information

• Support monthly project reporting

• Facilitate expense requests

• Maintain or exceed billable utilization goals

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. The employee may be tasked with other duties which fall within the reasonable scope of the job.

Utilization/Billability Goal

The annual billable utilization goal for this position is 90%. Our staff track and report their time spent on projects and company activities each week in 15 minute increments.

Experience/Education

• 4+ years of work experience in community engagement or strategic communications

• Experience working in PR/comms/public affairs consulting, customer or client service, construction and/or for government agencies

Required Skills

• Writing for the public—including a strong handle on plain talk and AP style

• Understanding of editing and quality control methods e.g., maintaining templates, editing for grammar and typos, attention to detail and client style guides

• Comfort working in a variety of settings, including a busy office, virtual meetings (e.g., Zoom), meetings with elected officials, or in-person out in the community

• Proficient with PCs and MS software, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams

• Understanding of and interest in civic activities, public affairs, and policy

• Ability to work outside regular hours, when needed

Desired Skills

• Interest in planning, transportation infrastructure, transportation, transit, and/or mobility

• Comfort with a fast-paced, ever-changing environment

• Ability to travel independently and reliably to project sites, public meetings, and community events, which may occur outside standard business hours or in locations not served by public transit. A valid driver's license is strongly preferred.

Compensation

The full salary range for this position is $90,000 - $100,000 per year (depending on experience) allowing for future compensation growth within the range based on aptitude in the role, context, progress, and performance against goals over time.

PRR offers a benefit suite including: 

• Health, dental, and vision insurance for full-time employees and their dependents 

• Flexible spending account/dependent care spending account 

• Life insurance 

• Paid family and medical leave 

• Short and long-term disability 

• 401(k) plan with discretionary company match 

• Employee Stock Ownership Program (ESOP) 

• Pet Insurance 

• Employee Assistance Program 

• Professional development training allowances 

• Gym or mass transit subsidy 

• Paid Time Off benefits, including 120 hours of Paid Time Off, 56 hours of paid sick/personal time, and 12 paid holidays

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully per