| Opening Date/Time: | Mon. 12/23/13 12:00 AM Pacific Time |
|---|---|
| Closing Date/Time: | Sun. 01/12/14 11:59 PM Pacific Time |
| Salary: | Depends on Qualifications |
| Job Type: | Exempt |
| Location: | Thurston County – Tumwater, Washington |
| Department: | Dept. of Corrections |
|
Effective communication between the agency, the public, and our employees is critical to enabling us to carry out our mission. As the Communications Director, you will be responsible for developing, coordinating and implementing strategies for responding to the press, communicating newsworthy items, and educating the public about the department and its purpose and mission. Your responsibilities will also include ensuring we have proper strategies and mechanisms in place to effectively convey information internally.
Department of Corrections (DOC) is a large, multi-faceted organization responsible for administering adult corrections programs operated by the state, which includes correctional institutions as well as programs for offenders supervised in the community. We have a biennial operating budget of approximately $1.8 billion, and employ nearly 8,000 women and men dedicated to the agency’s mission of improving public safety. We are at the forefront of implementing evidence-based programs proven to reduce recidivism, and have received national recognition for our efforts to make our operations and facilities more sustainable.
As you can imagine, DOC receives a fair amount of press coverage due to the nature of our work. Your job as the Communications Director will be to shape our agency’s public image. But this involves more than just drafting press releases and managing incidents in the media. It means being proactive. We are looking for someone who can create a narrative and tell our story so that the public knows about the great work we do and the important role we play in public safety. It’s a big job, but one that’s also highly rewarding. If the idea of leading a team of topnotch communications professionals in a challenging, fast-paced work environment sounds appealing, then we encourage you to consider this opportunity.
|
| Duties: |
|---|
|
| Qualifications: |
| The successful candidate must be able to quickly get up to speed on a broad range of issues ranging from prison operations to budget and healthcare, and convey accurate information in a clear and concise way that can be understood by multiple audiences. We are looking for someone who can quickly and efficiently put out fires, and manage fast breaking news, but it will also be important that the individual is proactive in raising awareness and gaining public support for all the important work we do to make Washington a safer place to live.
In order to be competitive, candidates should have the following qualifications:
· Bachelor’s degree in Journalism, Communications, Public Relations, Public Affairs, Marketing, or related field from an accredited institution. Additional professional experience in journalism, public relations, or public affairs can be substituted, year for year, for education.
· Four (4) years of professional experience in communications, public relations and/or public affairs.
· Exceptional knowledge and ability in working with the community and public.
· Extensive background and knowledge in current communications practices encompassing marketing, public relations, advertising, media relations, online and new media/social networking.
· Working knowledge of the operation and function of news organizations and familiarity with the news media statewide.
· Mastery in advanced internal and external communications and public relations strategy, as well as internet and intranet communication. The operation and function of the state legislature, executive branch of state government, other state agencies, local governments, social service boards, commissions and committees. Laws and legislation regarding publicly disclosable information.
· Experience working in the public sector and sensitive to the unique nature of working in a correctional setting is preferred.
· Experience supervising staff including training, assigning and monitoring work, setting expectations and evaluating performance.
|
| Supplemental Information: |
|
HOW TO APPLY
To begin the online application process, click the green ‘Apply’ button at the top of this announcement. Please be sure to attach the following to your application:
1) A cover letter outlining your qualifications as they relate to this position;
2) A detailed chronological resume; and
3) At least three professional references.
For questions about this recruitment, how to apply, or to request a reasonable accommodation in the application process, please contact Evan Oderman at 360-413-5430 or by emailevan.oderman@doc.wa.gov.
IMPORTANT NOTES:
• All DOC employees are fingerprinted for a criminal history background check.
• Employees work with offenders in a potentially hazardous setting. Please consider this when deciding whether to apply.
We are committed to hiring individuals who possess core diversity competencies:
• Foster a positive attitude and openness toward the ever changing social and cultural makeup of the workplace.
• Work effectively with men and women of different perspectives, abilities, disabilities, races, religions, ages, lifestyle preferences and social, ethnic and cultural backgrounds.
• Respectfully acknowledge people’s differences and recognize these differences as important and valuable.
• Promote inclusiveness.
• Be culturally sensitive and appropriate.
• Respect and value diverse backgrounds and traditions.
DOC is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity diversity, age, honorably discharged veteran, veteran status, genetic information, or the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability or the use of a trained guide dog or service animal by a person with a disability.
2013 The NW Fire Blog |
NW Fire Blog 