Council Communications Specialist (Public Information Specialist)

This position is in office M-W and remote TH/FR.

Why It's a Great Opportunity:  As the Public Information Specialist for the Pierce County Council, you'll help shape how residents understand the work of their elected officials through clear, engaging, and impactful communications. You'll serve as a trusted communications partner, developing everything from proclamations, newsletters, and legislative messaging to graphic design, photography, video, social media, and web content. Every day offers variety. From supporting community events and district outreach to translating complex policy issues into information the public can easily understand. If you're a communications professional who enjoys combining strategic thinking with hands-on creative work, this is an opportunity to make a visible impact in one of Washington's largest counties.

Why It's a Great Organization: The Pierce County Council is the legislative and policy-making body of Pierce County government. As a Home Rule Charter County, Pierce County operates with a clear separation between the elected County Executive and the seven-member, district-based County Council.

Serving a population of more than 925,000 residents, the Council reviews and acts on hundreds of ordinances and resolutions each year, providing oversight and direction on a wide range of issues affecting the County. The Council also reviews and adopts the County’s budget, a critical process that allocates resources and sets priorities for County services.

Working in a fast-paced, highly visible environment, the Council regularly engages with the public and receives briefings from executive departments and other elected officials to ensure transparency, accountability, and informed decision-making. Through close collaboration with County leadership, partner jurisdictions, and the community, the Council plays a central role in shaping the future of Pierce County.

Learn more about the Pierce County Council here.   

How to be Successful in the Role: We are looking for an experienced communications professional with exceptional writing, graphic design, and digital storytelling skills. You build trusted relationships, manage competing priorities with confidence, and translate complex legislative issues into clear, engaging communications for diverse audiences. You are collaborative, adaptable, and comfortable supporting elected officials in a fast-paced, highly visible, nonpartisan environment.

Your Future in this Role: A career with Pierce County means joining an organization committed to your growth and success. Through our robust online learning and variety of training opportunities, Pierce County ensures continuous professional development throughout your journey. This dedication extends beyond individual advancement, it reflects a broader mission to foster welcoming communities, maintain safe infrastructure, and promote equitable access to opportunities.  

 Core Daily Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement communications plans, educational materials, and outreach initiatives that advance Council priorities while maintaining a nonpartisan, public-serving perspective.  
• Under the general supervision of the Communications Director, draft, edit, and produce written and multimedia content including press releases, proclamations, talking points, newsletters, social media content, and public facing reports.
• Manage and maintain the Council's social media platforms, website content, and digital presence, monitoring for accuracy, timeliness, and alignment with Council policy direction.
• Utilize industry-standard software (such as Adobe Creative Suite) to produce visual materials that communicate complex policy issues clearly to diverse public audiences.
• Build and sustain effective working relationships with elected officials, Council staff, department heads, media representatives, and community stakeholders — navigating the sensitivities inherent in a political office environment with professionalism and discretion.
• Monitor media coverage and public sentiment relevant to Council activities; prepare summaries and briefings for communications leadership and elected officials as needed.
• Support rapid response communication needs that arise from Council actions, public inquiries, or emerging community issues.
• Occasionally administer/facilitate virtual Council and Committee meetings via Zoom, or other platforms.

Learn more about the Public Information Specialist here.

Additional education or experience, which clearly indicates the ability to perform the essential functions of this position, may substitute on a year-for-year basis.

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, English, marketing, advertising, public relations, graphic design, business administration, or other closely related field plus at least two years’ experience directly related to the duties of the position.
• Experience working in a public agency with elected officials is preferred.
• Attach a resume and a cover letter. Required.
• In addition to your resume and cover letter, please include 2–3 examples of your communications work (such as writing samples, graphic design pieces, newsletters, web content, social media campaigns, photography, video, or an online portfolio). These materials will be used as part of the initial application review.

As a condition of employment, the applicant will need to authorize and complete a background check. Information received from the background check is reviewed case-by-case and will not necessarily remove an applicant from consideration.

How to Apply:

• Complete and submit a detailed online Pierce County Employment Application by selecting “APPLY” above or visitingwww.piercecountywa.gov/jobs.
• Attach a resume and a cover letter.
• In addition to your resume and cover letter, please include 2–3 examples of your communications work (such as writing samples, graphic design pieces, newsletters, web content, social media campaigns, photography, video, or an online portfolio). These materials will be used as part of the initial application review.
• If you have questions about this opportunity, email the Recruitment Team at[email protected] and include the job number and title. 
• Individuals who need accommodation in the application or interview process may contact Human Resources at (253) 798-7480 at least two days prior to the need. 
• Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship.

Our Recruitment Practices: This is a competitive and meritorious selection process. Pierce County applications are reviewed by human hiring staff in accordance with the qualifications listed for the position. Pierce County understands applicants may use AI tools when preparing application materials. We recognize these tools can make the process easier; however, we ask that everything you submit genuinely reflects your own experience, skills, knowledge, and writing style.

During the interview process, you may be asked to demonstrate your skills, including writing and subject knowledge, and to speak to your experience in your own voice. Applicants should be prepared to respond to interview questions without relying on AI-generated responses or reading prepared answers from a screen. Any misrepresentation may result in disqualification or separation.

Applicants whose qualifications most closely align with the County’s needs will be eligible for further consideration. Notification of application status typically occurs within two to three weeks after the closing date. Some applicants may receive short notice to participate in additional selection steps, which may include assessments, phone screens, or interviews.

Upon offer, compensation is based on a range of job-related factors, including the requirements of the role, your skills and experience, and internal pay equity.

Our Welcoming Workplace Commitment: Pierce County is committed to fostering a Welcoming Workplace where employees are supported, respected, and able to thrive. We believe a strong public workforce is representative of the community it serves and that fair and just access to opportunity strengthens public service.

Guided by the County Executive’s Forward Together mission, Pierce County works to build communities that are safe, welcoming, and connected. This same commitment shapes how we recruit, develop, and retain our employees. County employees make a direct and visible impact in the lives of residents every day, and we invite you to join us in helping