Communications and Programs Lead (COM 3)

Full Job Description

Communications and Programs Lead (COM 3)
At the Department of Commerce, we’re reimagining what’s possible in government. We’re builders, thinkers, and change-makers, working at the intersection of innovation, community, and impact. From unlocking critical funding to fueling inclusive economic growth, we’re turning big ideas into real-world solutions that uplift people and places.

Our agency’s strength lies in the diversity of our workforce and the breadth of the lived experiences and perspectives employees bring to the work.

We believe equity is not just a value but a practice, which is reflected in how we design programs, engage communities, and deliver outcomes.

We foster a workplace culture where curiosity is encouraged, bold thinking is welcomed, and collaboration drives our impact.

This job is a commitment to reshape systems so they work better for everyone. If you’re ready to challenge the status quo and build meaningful connections, we want to meet you.

Let’s build what’s next, together.

This position is supported by Department of Commerce, as the Designated State Agency (DSA) for The Developmental Disabilities Council (DDC) by way of Executive Order 76-03 from the Governor.

The federal mandate of Washington State Developmental Disabilities Council (DD Council), an independent entity in state government, is to conduct advocacy, capacity building and systems change activities that expand opportunities for over 100,000 individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities (I/DD) in the state to live full, independent, integrated and productive lives in their communities.

The DD Council disseminates and collects information from the community, as well as advises the Governor and Legislature on DD issues. The DD Council’s communications and programs lead role is an essential position in the DDC staff team. With a focus Central to the DD Council’s mission, this role aims to develop, increase and enhance statewide information, education and interaction among the DD Council Membership, DD community stakeholders, government partners and the greater public.

Requirements

Develop and implement statewide communications systems that support developmental disabilities (DD) Council members, community stakeholders, and government partners to understand and interact with Council work/programs, as well as strengthen the greater community’s understanding and interaction with Council business.
Tasks Include:
• In collaboration with the Executive Director, develop and lead implementation and project management of the communications strategies of the DDC.
• Develop, review, analyze and monitor implementation plans, performance metrics, and milestones using data dashboards and reports to confirm community understanding, equitable access and interaction with Council programs, projects and goals.
• Advise, collaborate and co-create with DDC staff, community members, and Commerce units on accessibility, capacity-building and innovation systems strategies. Communications systems include websites, GovDelivery list serves, newsletters, social media accounts, public comment opportunities, online meeting voting systems, requests for proposals and qualifications (RFP/Q), stakeholder engagement strategies and community inquiries.
• Manage communication systems that are accurate, inclusive, timely, and accessible that respond to community information needs and ensure transparency, working through review and approval processes. Content focuses include State Plan goals, objectives and activities, Public Policy and legislative priorities, Informing Families program, special campaigns such as Medicaid Matters, and Council meetings and committees.
• Develop, manage and monitor advanced communication goals, address communications issues and help identify greater accessibility for increased participation including online accessibility tools and features with a focus on Council membership and DD stakeholder interaction.
• Support local innovation efforts such as participatory planning, community-based incubators, and regional cross-agency initiatives to strengthen statewide input into Council business and increase access to underserved communities.
• Support Council staff to submit website updates, draft social media posts and press releases, coordinate with community/ethnic media, and support agency storytelling efforts. Build electronic surveys in Microsoft Forms for program assessment, evaluation, and community feedback opportunities.
• Build collaborative relationships bridging the DDC and other state entities serving the disability community such as Commerce and the Department of Social and Health Services.

Program Development and Support:
Tasks include:
• Develop and maintain cooperative relationships with Council members, Informing Families Coordinators and stakeholders, DSHS staff and community stakeholders through reoccurring meetings, email, phone and other accessible communication systems.
• Work alongside Executive Director and Contracts Coordinator to develop and support Home and Community Based Services Quality Assurance Committee programs, Informing Families programs, including project priorities and procedures, complex resource inquiries and issues and practical solutions to respond to programmatic concerns.
• Work alongside Executive Director and State Plan Coordinator to support State Plan programs including team and committee meetings, priorities, timelines and federal deadlines.
• Work alongside Membership Coordinator to develop and support Council Membership programs and mechanisms including customized tools to interact and participate, individualized supports and accommodations and greater participation of diverse council members.
• Facilitate learning clusters, peer exchanges, and convenings (in-person and virtual) to share emerging practices and foster collaboration among community stakeholders. Advising local partners and managers on findings and outcomes to influence collaborative models with by-and-for organizations.
• Represent Council staff, virtually and in person, at professional, local, state, regional, and/or national meetings on developmental disabilities topics such as Home and Community Based Services, Community First Choice, personal care, and mainstream programs that are attempting to better serve the DD community such as transportation and health insurance.

Lead technical Resource Development
Tasks include:
• Provide technical assistance to DD community on current service models, accommodations, and community needs to strengthen systems and ensure accessible and culturally responsive practices.
• Organize and host virtual and in-person community engagement and listening sessions, develop outreach materials to market community engagement events, create presentations and meeting materials, and provide logistical event coordination support.
• Conduct studies and research related to Council and DD stakeholder and community needs.
• Contact and maintain relationships with interested members of the public, outside organizations and special interest groups; prepare and post content.

Qualifications

Required Position Qualifications:
Seven (7) years of combined experience and/or education as described below:
Experience must include:
• Three (3) years of experience designing and implementing individual accessibility and accommodation supports.
• Experience working with nonprofit organizations, small businesses, or community-based groups— particularly those historically excluded from public funding.
• Strong facilitation, coaching, and relationship-building skills across diverse partners.
• Experience using complex data and metrics to explain program impacts to ranging audiences including the developmental disabilities community and the general public.

Lived experience of having a disability or providing care to someone with a disability may substitute for two years of professional experience.

• What is lived experience? Lived experiences is relevant expertise derived from the accumulated personal life and professional experiences of an individual. Experience can be gained through life events, volunteer role/capacity, any experience gained outside of professional paid and unpaid experience, academic or a combination of experiences. The above-listed experience will demonstrate that a candidate possesses the necessary knowledge, skills, abilities, and competencies to successfully qualify for and perform the duties of the position.

Education involves developmental disabilities, public policy, community organizing, leadership development, and/or accessibility and accommodation development or related work. Qualifying education post High School or equivalent may be substituted year for year for experience.

Examples of how to qualify:
• 7 years of experience
• 6 years of experience and one year of education
• 5 years of experience and two years of education
• 4 years of experience and three years of education
• 3 years of experience and four years of education
• 2 years of experience and five years of education
• 1 year of experience and six years of education

Preferred/Desired Qualifications:
• Experience with Microsoft products such as Forms, Teams and Publisher, as well as website platforms including Word Press and Webflow, Zoom and online accessibility tools such as ReciteMe.

Required Position Competencies:
• Ability to develop accommodations for people who utilize accommodations and supports to understand information, participate in large groups and interact with online tools.

To be considered for this position the following are needed:

• A complete and detailed online application.
• A cover letter (enter online).
• At least three professional references (enter online).

For questions about this recruitment, please contact our recruitment team via email: comrecruitment@commerce.wa.gov - please reference the job number in your message.

Additional Information

Work from Anywhere in Washington State
This position may be located anywhere within Washington State though occasional travel to a Commerce office building or in-state travel to attend events or meetings may be required. If selected, you will need to travel to pick up equipment and receive instruction. Many Commerce employees work remotely or have a hybrid schedule.

This recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies over the next 60 days.

Technical support is provided by NEOGOV, 855-524-5627 (can't log in, password or email issues, error messages). DES job seeker support may answer general questions regarding the recruiting system at careershelp@des.wa.gov.

Our Commitment to Equal Opportunity
The Washington State Department of Commerce is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, veterans or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply. Persons needing accommodation in the application, testing, or interview process or this job announcement in an alternative format may email Human Resources at Human.Resources@commerce.wa.gov. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.

Department of Commerce also offers a competitive benefits package including: medical and dental insurance benefits, retirement and deferred compensation plans, 11 paid holidays each year, 14-25 vacation days per year (depending on length of employment), 8 hours of sick leave per month (if full time employed), bereavement leave, an employee assistance program, as well as other benefits. Please see the Benefits Tab for more details.