Description

About WSDOT
Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is the steward of an integrated, multimodal transportation system that helps to ensure people and goods move safely and efficiently throughout the state. In addition to building, maintaining, and operating the state highway system, WSDOT operates the largest ferry system in the nation, manages the world's longest floating bridge, and recently completed the world's widest tunneling project.

The Opportunity
Do you speak GIF fluently? Can you strategically use a hashtag? Can you tell a complex, challenging story in an engaging, easy-to-understand way? Great! WSDOT is currently seeking a Social Media Lead to support the Northwest region of the state by identifying, developing, and implementing strategic social media communications for traffic, operations, maintenance, construction, and emergency response. The Northwest region includes King, Snohomish, Skagit, Whatcom, and Island counties, including Seattle, the state’s most populous city and busiest media market. The region is embarking on one of the busiest stretches of construction in recent times, and there is no shortage of stories to tell and information to share. This position advises and coordinates social media strategies and recommends content approaches with region communicators and other Northwest Region staff members. This position will be responsible for developing, posting, and monitoring Northwest Region-specific social media content on several agency social media platforms. This position will work closely with the WSDOT Social Media Manager to ensure that all tools are being effectively used and content is being monitored. This position is responsible for the measurement of outreach efforts and will publish reports which will affect future approaches to social communications. It is a fast-moving, ever-changing position where one minute you may be creating a TikTok video to talk about a busy weekend of work, and the next you are doing a Facebook post to alert drivers to an emergency highway closure, all the while coordinating and communicating with other members of the communications team.

What to Expect
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Northwest Social Media Lead will:

• 
  Collaborate with Northwest Region communicators to develop social media plans for region projects, events, and incidents.
• Attend meetings to include projects, maintenance, and others to provide guidance on possible social media components to public outreach and set expectations for social media content.
• Develop written and visual content for a variety of social media platforms to tell Northwest Region stories. This may include Facebook and Instagram posts, TikTok videos, YouTube videos, Reddit posts and blogs.
• Work with Northwest Region graphics department to develop graphics, maps, and other visual communications for social media posts.
• Post Northwest Region social media content to various platforms including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Reddit and YouTube.
• Monitor responses to Northwest Region social media posts, including engaging with the public and responding to questions and comments.
• Monitor analytics and provide analytics reports to relevant staff to help guide future communication efforts.

Qualifications
To be considered for this opportunity, the following are required:

• Bachelor’s degree in English, communications, journalism, public relations, or related field AND a minimum of two (2) years’ experience writing/editing/social media management; or equivalent education/experience (Additional professional experience in communications, journalism or public relations will be substituted for a year of college education)
• Ability to teach and advise both communicators and non-communicators regarding value, best practices and expectations of social media outreach and knowledge of social media best practices.
• Occasional travel to visit work sites or attend meetings, primarily within Northwest Region.

It is preferred that qualified candidates also have:

• Ability to organize and prioritize work despite tight deadlines and multiple customers.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to develop and maintain strong working relationships even in times of stress and conflict.
• Ability to write engaging material.
• Knowledge of social media best practices.
• Ability to turn technical information into plain talk.
• Ability to work calmly in crisis situations.
• Basic video editing experience.

Important Notes

• In addition to base salary, employees may be entitled to other forms of compensation depending on the type, duties, or location of the position. For union-represented positions, more information on other forms of compensation can be found in the applicable Collective Bargaining Agreements. Information on other compensation types for non-represented positions can be found in Chapter 357-28 of the Washington Administrative Code.
• This recruitment may also be used to fill additional positions per business needs.
• This position offers flexible/hybrid remote work options.
• The salary listed includes the legislative approved 5% salary premium for positions in King County.
• Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 357-16-197 mandates that all employees who work for executive cabinet agencies (which includes the Department of Transportation) must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Compliance with this mandate is a condition of employment with WSDOT. Exemption may be granted for religious or medical purposes; however, accommodations will be subject to approval based on the essential functions required of the position.
• WSDOT does not use the E-Verify system. For more information, please visit www.uscis.gov

Why WSDOT

• Work-Life Balance – We offer flexible work schedules that allow you time for your life outside of this excellent opportunity.
• Paid Leave – In addition to 12 paid holidays, full-time employees earn a minimum 14 paid vacation days per year!
• Tuition Assistance – Permanent employees have several options for assistance with education expenses, including tuition reimbursement programs, government discounts at participating colleges throughout the state, and eligibility for federal student loan forgiveness.
• Plan For Your Future – WSDOT offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes a variety of healthcare options. Employees also have their choice of state retirement programs, and much more. Go to State Benefits for more information.

Check out this video to learn more: Why WSDOT?

How to Apply
Applications for this recruitment will be accepted electronically. Your relevant experience may be evaluated to determine salary. Therefore, it is very important that the “Work Experience” portion of the application be completed in as much detail as possible.
To be considered for this opportunity, please include the following with your online application:

• An attached Resume outlining (in reverse chronological order) your experience to date.
• An attached Cover Letter that further explains your qualifications and indicates why you believe you are a viable candidate for this role.
• Contact details for a minimum three (3) individuals who can attest to your work performance, technical skills, and job-related competencies. This information can be entered in the “References” section of the online application; does not require an additional attachment.

Please click the "APPLY" button to proceed. Note that you will be prompted to either sign in or create an account. This step is required to apply to this opportunity.

WSDOT is an equal opportunity employer. We value the importance of creating an environment in which all employees can feel respected, included, and empowered to bring unique ideas to the agency. Our diversity and inclusion efforts include embracing different cultures, backgrounds and viewpoints while fostering growth and advancement in the workplace. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, disabled and Vietnam era veterans, as well as people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply. Persons with disabilities needing assistance in the application process, or those needing this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the listed Recruiter.

WSDOT does not use the E-Verify system. For more information, please visit www.uscis.gov

Contact us
For inquiries about this posting, you may contact the assigned Recruiter, Andrew Huff, at huffan@wsdot.wa.gov . Please be sure to reference 23DOT-HQ-05185 in the subject line.