Communications Manager (CC5) Internal Only

Full Job Description

Our vision is to ensure that “Washington state’s children and youth grow up safe and healthy—thriving physically, emotionally, and academically, nurtured by family and community."

Job Title: Communications Manager (CC5)
Location: Thurston County – Olympia, Washington (Hybrid)
Closes: March 22nd, 2026
Salary: $6,107.00 - $8,210.00 Monthly

The Opportunity:

The Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is seeking a Communications Manager that supports the Department of Children, Youth, and Families by functioning as a strong writer, media relations liaison and task-driven individual who can lead a team of communication professionals charged with the agency's extensive communications and public relations efforts.

This position plans, develops and oversees information and/or public relations strategies for Field Operations, Child Welfare, early learning, juvenile services and other divisions.

The position operates in a fast-paced environment, with competing deadlines, and ever-changing priorities. The work typically impacts legislative initiatives, directives and public relations.

The Communications Manager reports directly to the Director of External Communications and serves as their strategic partner to oversee media relations and respond to crisis commuications.

This position helps strengthen the agency’s connection with families and youth to foster safety, stability, and better outcomes.

Some of what you will get to do:

• Plans, develops, administers and directs complex and extensive information and public relations program based on internal and external communications needs of the agency.
• Conduct weekly 1:1 meetings with direct reports.
• Provide direction of team protocols and report back to director of external communications.
• Providing strategic direction and guidance based on communication efforts happening agencywide.
• Develops and coordinates agency/institution public information policy and activities with other governmental agencies and boards.
• Develops agency/institution policy and makes policy decisions pertaining to information issues.
• Research and gather content to respond to media inquiries.
• Arrange press conferences/briefings, draft press releases and media inquiries under tight deadlines.
• Develops talking points and oversees the development and implementation of campaigns
• Represents the director and the agency at public meetings, hearings, news briefings or other public events in the absence of the director.
• Coordinates activities with Governor's Press Secretary.
• Advise teams on cadence of communication and create newsletters, webpage and social media content.
• Writes for a variety of audiences and in a variety of formats: communication plans, news releases, websites, emails, speeches, social media and more.

Required Qualifications:

Equivalent combination of education and experience totaling eight (8) years of professional level experience in journalism, communications, public relations, English literature or related field.

OR

A Bachelor's degree involving major study in journalism, communications, public relations, or closely allied field AND Four (4) years of professional experience in information, journalism or public relations.

In addition to the requirements above, our ideal candidate will possess some or all of the following:

• Five (5) years substantial professional-level experience that must include the following: Copy editing experience, rewriting complex content to make it easy to understand, applying plain language principals ensuring content meets state and federal accessibility standards.
• Four (4) years of substantial professional-level experience that must include the following: Project management tracking multiple deliverables across multiple teams.
• In-depth knowledge and understanding of one or more of the following: child welfare, early learning, juvenile rehabilitation.
• In-depth knowledge and understanding of plain language principles and demonstrable experience rewriting complex content to make it easy to understand.
• Advanced skill level in the Microsoft Office suite of products including OneDrive, Teams, SharePoint, Word, and Outlook.
• Advanced knowledge of AP style and experience copy-editing and fact-checking content.

How do I apply?

Complete your applicant profile on careers.wa.gov and attach the following documents:

• Current resume detailing experience and education.
• Letter of Interest.
• Three (3) writing samples, that should include press releases, fact sheets, published articles, or social media campaign posts.

Supplemental Information:

The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is committed to Washington’s children and youth growing up safe, healthy, and thriving.

We invite all candidates to join us in our mission to create a diverse and equitable workplace that reflects the communities we serve.

If you are excited about this role but you believe that your education and/or experience might not align perfectly with every qualification in the job posting, we encourage you to apply anyway.

The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, race, creed, color, national origin, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained service animal by a person with a disability.

This recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies.

If you have any questions pertaining to this recruitment or if you would like to request an accommodation throughout the application/interview process, contact Cole Alford (Talent Acquisition Specialist) at cole.alford@dcyf.wa.gov.

If you're experiencing technical difficulties creating, accessing or completing your application, call NEOGOV toll-free at (855)524-5627 or emailsupport@neogov.com.

“Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications and wish to claim Veteran's Preference MUST attach a copy of their DD214 or NGB Form 22, or other verification of military service.

Please blackout (redact) the social security number before attaching any documents. For additional information on Veteran's Preference and guidance on how to determine if you are eligible, click here.

Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format may call the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) at 360-664-1960.