Work in Washington Veterans Jobs

Senior Manager of Communications and Community Engagement

WFH Flexible•Seattle, WA (http://maps.google.com/maps?q=515+Third+Avenue+Seattle+WA+USA+98104) •Fund Development

Apply

Job Type

Full-time

Description

Days Off: Saturday & Sunday

Shift: Office Day

Location: Hybrid work environment – on-site location: Downtown/Pioneer Square

Insurance Benefits: Dental, Life, Long-term Disability, Medical (no premiums/payroll deductions for employee coverage)

Other Benefits: Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Flexible Spending Account (FSA), ORCA card subsidy, Paid Time Off (34 days per year), Retirement Plan

DESC (Downtown Emergency Service Center) is a nonprofit organization that helps people with the complex needs of homelessness, substance use disorders, and serious mental illness achieve their highest potential for health and well-being through comprehensive services, treatment and housing. Our work reflects our core values of Equity, Person-Centered Care, Human Dignity and Value, and Community-Centrism.

As the region's leading provider of services to multiply disabled, chronically homeless adults, DESC serves more than 3,000 people each day through a comprehensive continuum of care which includes emergency shelter and other survival services, mental health care and substance use disorder treatment, employment services and permanent supportive housing. This integrated service model is designed to help disabled homeless men and women secure and maintain appropriate, safe and affordable housing. DESC is recognized nationally and regionally as an innovator in developing solutions to homelessness.

Reporting to the Director of Fund Development, the Senior Communications Manager is responsible for developing and guiding overarching internal and external communications and community engagement strategy, ensuring that DESC uses communications as effectively as possible to advance our mission through a variety of community engagement strategies. This is a newly created position that requires a person who has experience developing and executing extensive communications strategies while working with a broad range of communications tools and channels and can work effectively across a wide range of communications activities including media relations, online content, public advocacy and printed materials. The Senior Communications Manager will lead and collaborate with a team of three, two Communications Managers and a Community Engagement Coordinator.

DESC Employee PERKS:

• Over 6 weeks off in the first year of employment

• Team building and camaraderie

• Training and learning that occurs at your own pace

• Great medical and dental benefits

• Weeklong orientation and training

• Retirement Plan

• Flexible Spending Account

Selection Process:

As part of the application process, a cover letter is required (No more than 2 pages). Within the cover letter, please answer the following questions:

1. Please indicate why you are interested in DESC’s Senior Manager of Communications and Community Engagement position, and why this position is the next right step for you in your career.

2. Provide an explanation of why you believe in the use of harm reduction practices in a community mental health setting.

Please ensure your application is complete and all required information has been provided. Standard completeness means all application fields (contact information, personal information, education, work experience, references, and required supplemental questions). Provide as much detail as you believe will fully describe your experience and training.

Interviews for the most qualified candidates are tentatively scheduled for the week of July 22nd, 2024. Invitations to participate in the Interview process will be sent via e-mail on or around Wednesday, July 17, 2024.

The top candidates from the initial interview will be invited to attend the final interview process in Seattle tentatively scheduled for the week of July 29, 2024.

Please Note: Candidates will receive updates regarding application status via email. Please be sure to check your email frequently, including your spam folders for messages filtered by your email providers.

• Fair Hiring Practices DESC provides individuals who have been arrested or convicted of a criminal offense an equal and fair opportunity to obtain employment.

• DESC will not inquire about an applicant's criminal history until after a conditional job offer has been made.

• DESC will disregard the prior arrest and conviction record of an otherwise qualified individual unless the offense is directly related to the job position for which the individual has applied.

• DESC will notify an otherwise qualified applicant about a potentially disqualifying conviction and give the applicant an opportunity to submit information regarding the accuracy of the criminal records as well as evidence of mitigation or rehabilitation, as appropriate.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Serves as an advisor to the Executive Director, Deputy Directors, and Directors Teams and staff on communications strategies, policies, procedures and issues.

• Consults with department directors, program managers and other staff on communications, community relations, public engagement and related needs.

• Fosters relationships and streamlines communications for and between DESC departments.

• Under the guidance of the Fund Development Director, establishes, manages and implements effective communications, media relations and community engagement strategies in assigned areas of responsibility to foster meaningful community engagement and provide timely, accurate, understandable information internally and externally to DESC’s constituencies.

• Develops, recommends, facilitates and implements strategic approaches to emerging issues.

• Develops, recommends, and implements plans to increase awareness of DESC programs among various audiences.

• Works with other DESC staff in the development of outreach programs to encourage community/audience engagement, inform agency advocacy, and increase private philanthropic revenue.

• Participates in strategic planning and manages content and scheduling for DESC web pages, social media, newsletters and other mass communications, according to DESC policies, procedures, and communications best practices.

• Supervises DESC communications staff team, and convenes interdepartmental project teams, and other internal stakeholder groups to support and inform communications strategies and projects.

• Represents DESC’s communications, community relations and community engagement interests in interagency and/or partner efforts.

• Leads planning and development of information products including brochures, fact sheets, news releases, audio/visual programs, website and other informational, educational and promotional materials using current communications technologies.

• Acts as DESC spokesperson as needed and disseminates prompt, accurate public information in partnership with DESC leadership during emergency and disaster situations.

• Actively participates in ensuring accessible and inclusive communication and public engagement strategies are utilized organization-wide.

• Leads planning and coordinates and/or supports the planning and coordination of events such as celebrations, public forums and community activities.

• Other duties as assigned

Requirements

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• A minimum of four years of progressively responsible experience in communications strategy, community relations, public engagement or related fields, with responsibility for advising senior management staff, is required.

• One or more years supervisory experience.

• Demonstrated ability to work with cross-functional teams and manage multiple projects simultaneously required.

• Demonstrated excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills required.

• Demonstrated experience developing and implementing communications and outreach strategies to achieve defined objectives required.

• Demonstrated experience in working with print, broadcast and digital media is required.

• Careful attention to detail, and ability to work independently with a minimum of direct supervision

• Willingness to be flexible and work cooperatively with co-workers to accomplish all responsibilities

• Ability and desire to communicate and work effectively and appropriately with staff and clients from various backgrounds and disciplines in person, on the phone, and via email

• Ability to relate effectively to clients displaying a wide range of unpleasant and/or bizarre behaviors

• Demonstrated respect for diversity and commitment to developing multicultural competency sensitivity

• Subscribe to philosophy of cooperation and continuity across programs, and of consideration and respect for clients

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in communications or related field.

• Experience, training, or interest in integrating ethical AI into communications strategy, planning, and implementation.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• frequently operate a computer and other office machinery such as a keyboard, mouse, phone and fax machine;

• ability to communicate accurate information and ideas to DESC employees, partners/vendors, and the public;

• move between work sites

• ability to transport objects weighing up to 25 lbs.

Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Considerable stress may occur.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:

DESC is committed to diversity in the workplace, and promotes equal employment opportunities for all staff members and applicants. The Agency will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, creed, color, sex, gender, sexual orientation, age, national origin, caste, marital status, or the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability in any employment practice, unless based on a bona fide occupational qualification. Minorities and veterans are encouraged to apply.

Salary Description

$120,443.04 - $136,279.68 annually