Position Description
THE OFFICE
Come be a part of a great team of folks dedicated to developing and implementing citywide environmental policies and programs that propel the City of Seattle toward a sustainable, equitable, and carbon-neutral future. Here at the Office of Sustainability & Environment (OSE), our mission is to ensure a clean and healthy environment for
every resident of Seattle. We prioritize those currently and historically harmed by racial, economic, and environmental injustice and serve as cross-departmental and community partners, innovators, and drivers of cutting-edge city policy. If you are looking to support opportunities to increase racial, social, and environmental justice throughout Seattle's environmental work, look no further!
DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION
We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. We believe that all people and communities should benefit from Seattle’s environmental progress. We center communities most impacted by environmental injustice, such as BIPOC communities, people with low incomes, and English language learners, to ensure they have opportunities to be part of and leaders within the environmental movement. We hold values aligned with principles of racial, environmental, and economic justice, so that we are more inclusive, equitable, and transparent. All applicants are welcome, and we strongly encourage people with these identities or from other marginalized communities to apply.
WORK TO BETTER SEATTLE’S CLIMATE FUTURE
Buildings are responsible for 40% of Seattle’s climate pollution — most of which comes from burning fossil fuels for hot water and heating. Seattle’s new Building Emissions Performance Standard (BEPS) law addresses climate pollution by requiring owners of existing buildings to move their buildings off polluting fossil fuels over time. OSE is implementing the BEPS law and aligning the new program with existing building and energy programs, such as energy benchmarking.
THE JOB
We are looking for applicants who combine clear communication skills with experience creating and sharing technical information in ways that are accessible to all audiences. You will lead long-range BEPS Program education and outreach planning efforts that incorporate racial equity throughout program development and implementation. Your goal will be to help building owners and energy service providers learn to comply with BEPS, use online reporting tools, and share success stories from buildings that are already reducing emissions. You will also support the rest of the Buildings & Energy team, including coordinating with the energy benchmarking and municipal decarbonization teams on blogs, dashboards, and e-newsletters.
Your Top 3 Priorities Will Be
- Education and Communication Planning & implementation for BEPS
- Leading digital engagement for the Buildings and Energy team including the website and e-news
- Communications support for a new online compliance reporting tool, as well as blogs, presentation slides, case studies & dashboards
Job Responsibilities
To Be Successful, You Are Committed To
- Racial, climate, and environmental justice, equity, and inclusion.
- A positive, “can-do” attitude and a proactive, helpful approach to problem solving.
- Communicating and engaging all people with cultural competence and respect.
- Attention to detail, anticipating needs, and following through on assignments.
To Be Most Effective, You Have
- Excellent communication skills, especially in writing and editing clear, consistent, accessible content for public newsletters, tip sheets and how-to guides, case studies, etc.
- Familiarity with or a desire to learn about building energy efficiency and building decarbonization
- Experience using complex website content management systems (CMS) and other digital content development tools such as newsletter email platforms and online form software.
- Experience reviewing and understanding complex policies or detailed technical processes and interpreting them for public audiences with varying levels of understanding and English language proficiency.
- Interest in working with consultants to develop translated or transcreated communications materials to support equitable engagement with non-English speaking tenants and building owners.
- Listened to customers and gathered feedback, and used it to improve communications, materials, and guides.
- Experience creating or editing concise “step-by-step” tip sheets and how-to guides that help customers use online tools and/or online customer accounts.
- Experience using branding guidelines and working with graphic design consultants.
- Basic design skills to maintain and update PowerPoint presentations and other designed materials using Canva or Adobe products.
Qualifications
In addition to the qualities mentioned above, you will need to possess the following required qualifications (or a combination of education and/or training, and/or experience that provides an equivalent background required to perform the work of the class):
Four years of professional experience in Public Relations, Marketing, Journalism, or a related field involving the preparation of and distribution of public information materials.
OR
Three years of professional experience in Public Relations, Marketing, Journalism, or a related field involving the preparation of and distribution of public information materials, and an
associate’s degree in English, Journalism, Communications, Marketing, or a related field.
OR
Two years of professional experience in Public Relations, Marketing, Journalism, or a related field involving the preparation of and distribution of public information materials, and a
bachelor’s degree in English, Journalism, Communications, Marketing, or a related field.
Additional Information
This job is classified as a Public Relations Specialist, Senior BU, and is represented by a Collective Bargaining Agreement with PROTEC 17 – Professionals Unit. The salary range is $47.39-$55.19. Personnel Rules will determine the salary placement of current regular City employees. New employees start at Step 1 in this 5-step salary schedule.
In Addition To Completing The Application Atwww.governmentjobs.com/careers/seattlefully, Please Attach
- A PDF of your current resume
- A cover letter explaining how your experience, skills, and values align with this job. In your cover letter, please include two website links to original education and outreach content that you created for a public audience. If a link is unavailable, please upload up to 2 PDFs.
Why Work for the City of Seattle? At the City of Seattle, public service is more than a job; it’s a chance to shape the future and make a meaningful difference in the lives of everyone who works, lives, or plays in our city. With 12,000 employees across 40+ departments and 1,100 job titles, we are united by a common purpose: to create a Seattle that is vibrant and welcoming for all. Whatever your role, you’ll help power a forward-looking city that leads by example — inclusive, innovative, equitable, and community-focused — while joining a diverse team committed to solving challenges and making a lasting impact together.
Join us in building a Seattle that thrives!
This position offers the flexibility of a hybrid work schedule. Individual schedules will be based on agreement between the employee and management.
The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package, including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at:https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits/employees-and-covered-family-members/most-employees-plans
This position is open to applicants who meet the minimum qualifications. The Office of Sustainability & Environment values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, medical condition, or pregnancy. The Office of Sustainability & Environment encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experiences.
Accommodations
Individuals with disabilities will be provided with reasonable accommodations to participate in the job application or interview process, perform essential job functions, and receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact Kate.Moore@seattle.gov with questions or to request accommodations.
