Climate Communications Project Manager

This is an exciting opportunity to join the Executive Climate Office (ECO) as a Climate Communications Project Manager. The ECO is a dynamic and fast-paced environment leading numerous programs and projects, and responsible for climate planning, most notably King County's Strategic Climate Action Plan.

The ideal candidate will be a self-starter and skilled communicator, who is organized, resourceful, responsive, and creative, and eager to work with a broad range of climate team members and external partners to advance King County's climate communications.

King County established the Executive Climate Office (ECO) to elevate and accelerate Executive Constantine and the County's commitment, coordination, and ability to deliver on climate action internally and in collaboration with cities and partners.

Launched in 2023, ECO has grown to approximately 20 staff, fellows, and interns, and has secured over $60M in state and federal grants.

As part of this office, this position will support a team on the forefront of the King County efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, support sustainable and resilient frontline communities, and ensure climate preparedness in our communities and infrastructure.

ECO prioritizes inclusion and justice for all people in County work on climate, with the aim of decreasing disparities in our organization and our communities.

King County is a vibrant community with residents who represent countries from around the world. It is a region with increasing diversity that cherishes the artistic and social traditions of many cultures.

King County is changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence.

The County continues to build on an enduring legacy of shared values of equity and social justice, employee engagement, innovative thinking, and continuous improvement.

King County has adopted a pro-equity agenda aimed at advancing regional change and is developing the systems and standards necessary to achieve better outcomes for all our residents, regardless of their race or income.

• Work with the Climate Director, ECO leadership, and Executive Communications team to develop an overall communications strategy, including but not limited to a timeline for 2024 and 2025 climate communication priorities, processes to facilitate coordination and collaboration, and roles and responsibilities.
• Develop an engagement strategy to reach broader King County audiences including developing and translating climate materials into multiple languages, engaging translation and interpretation services, working with ethnic media, and ensuring ADA access to climate communication materials.
• Develop innovative communication methods to reach more audiences.
• Serve as a public information officer for ECO, working with Executive Communications team for all Executive climate communications.
• Develop media engagement strategies with regional community and ethnic media; write talking points, identify and train spokespeople, and work with existing staff to gain earned media with media outlets.
• Write news releases and talking points, coordinate online and in person media events, field media inquiries and serve as spokesperson.
• Develop strategic messaging and approaches to address emerging media questions and concerns.
• Develop communications strategies for regional collaborations including the King County - Cities Climate Collaboration, Puget Sound Climate Preparedness Collaborative, and Coalition for Climate Careers.
• Collaborate with ECO leadership on the development of a climate action dashboard or other tools that communicate progress on milestones and/or performance measures.
• Develop and use visual communications tools and techniques to increase the effectiveness of messages, including website, social media capacity, story maps, newsletters, etc.
• Create graphics and branding for social media and other uses. Shoot and edit short videos. Promote various climate communications to the public.
• Co-lead monthly Climate Communication coordination meetings with Executive Communications staff, and County agency communications staff. Assist with the coordination of county-wide communications and outreach activities like Earth Week.
• Plan, write, and edit for a public-facing ECO newsletter/blog. Solicit and develop content from program staff; write original content utilizing images, photos, and videos to engage audiences.
• Create materials, including news releases, fact sheets, educational materials, policy messaging, standardized templates for use by ECO staff, web content, and other formats.
• Coordinate with countywide internal publications including UpFront and Employee News to ensure climate-focused messaging is reaching King County staff. Coordinate monthly internal Climate Action Talks with ECO Leadership.
• Work with KCIT and ECO leadership to maintain climate-focused webpages, develop new program-specific pages as needed, and lead efforts to keep content updated and relevant.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Able to thrive in a dynamic and high-visibility environment by anticipating and adjusting to change.
• Background in communications, English, journalism, marketing, public policy, public administration, community engagement, or a related field for comparable experience.
• Knowledge and experience working on climate change, environmental, health or public engagement communication projects. Passion for addressing the climate crisis so that all communities in King County can thrive.
• Skills in synthesizing and communicating climate and science information in writing, orally, and visually to a variety of audiences including policy makers, communities of color, and language communities.
• Skilled in producing news releases, fact sheets and/or educational materials utilizing Microsoft Office Suite products, InDesign, SharePoint, and Teams.
• Demonstrated ability to create and use graphics, photography, and video for storytelling and to effectively engage audiences in content, experience developing infographics, and managing social media platforms.
• Understanding of working effectively with news media; knowledge of and experience working with ethnic media in King County and/or national climate and science media.
• Demonstrated ability to identify and assess the communication needs of targeted audiences and determine the best communication methods and tools.
• Knowledge of communication principles, methods, and materials, skilled writer with considerable knowledge of punctuation, grammar, and sentence structure.
• Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with co-workers, public and private sector officials, and the public.
• Skill in dealing with others using courtesy, tact, and good judgment.
• Skill in maintaining the confidentiality of all sensitive communications.
• Skill in the understanding and execution of complex oral and written instructions.
• Skill in working independently on assigned tasks with minimal or no guidance.
• Bilingual in English and another language spoken by significant numbers of King County residents is desired.
• Experience developing and facilitating workshops to engage audiences to share information and learn new perspectives is desired.

King County offers a highly-competitive compensation and benefits package designed to meet the diverse needs of our employees and support our employees' health and well-being.

Eligible positions receive the following benefits and have access to the following programs:

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage: King County pays 100% of the premiums for eligible employees and family members.
• Life and disability insurance: employees are provided basic coverage and given the opportunity to purchase additional insurance for both the employee and eligible dependents.
• Retirement: King County employees are eligible to participate in a pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and a 457(b) deferred-compensation plan.
• Transportation program and ORCA transit pass.
• 12 paid holidays each year plus two personal holidays.
• Generous vacation and paid sick leave.
• Paid parental, family and medical, and volunteer leaves.
• Flexible Spending Account.
• Wellness programs.
• Onsite activity centers.
• Employee Giving Program.
• Employee assistance programs.
• Flexible schedules and telecommuting options, depending on position.
• Training and career development programs.

This is a general description of the benefits offered to eligible King County employees, and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy.

If any information on this document conflicts with the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), the CBA prevails.