Communications Specialist II
King County
Posted: February 27, 2026 (1 day ago)
This job was posted recently. Fresh listings typically have less competition.
City of Tacoma
Tacoma Venues and Events
Location
Tacoma, Washington, 98402-3764
Salary
$43.95 - $61.87
per hour
Type
Full-Time
More Communications & Media jobs →Closes
Base salary range: $147,649 - $221,900
Typical requirements: Executive-level leadership experience. Senior executive qualifications required.
Note: Actual salary includes locality pay (15-40%+ depending on location).
This senior role at Tacoma Venues and Events focuses on building community connections through smart communication and marketing efforts, such as organizing events, partnering with local groups, and sharing stories that highlight the city's cultural and economic vibrancy.
It involves managing projects, handling media relations, and attending community gatherings to strengthen relationships and promote initiatives like a new master planning project.
A good fit would be someone passionate about community building, with strong storytelling skills and experience in outreach who enjoys working in a team-oriented environment.

Do you thrive on tackling complex communication challenges and shaping impactful narratives? Are you a strategic thinker with a passion for driving organizational goals through effective communication?
Do you have a passion for helping to shape and grow your community? If so, we have an exciting opportunity for you!
Tacoma Venues & Events is looking for someone to join our team as a Communications & Marketing Analyst, Senior (Community Engagement focus).
In this pivotal role, you will be responsible for developing and executing comprehensive communications, marketing, and engagement strategies that advance Tacoma Venues & Events’ vision to connect commerce and culture.
This position serves as a strategic communicator, storyteller, liaison, and program manager, leveraging TVE’s unique assets, venues, and partnerships to strengthen community relationships and enhance public.
Representing TVE at civic, cultural, and business events, the Senior Communications & Marketing Analyst oversees a range of high-profile initiatives including public information, community engagement programs, and stakeholder communications associated with TVE’s long-term goals including a new master planning project in development.
Through intentional outreach, creative marketing, and strong project management, this position contributes to TVE’s role as a civic, cultural, and economic driver for Tacoma and the region.
Attendance at events and community functions, including occasional evenings, weekends, and holidays, is required; infrequent industry-related travel may also be necessary.
Key Responsibilities
Media and Communications: Under the guidance of the Marketing Director, publicizes engagement programs including leading and facilitating stakeholder engagement, writing and distribution of press releases, community outreach, creating content with partners, and producing SkillShops seminars.
Serves as liaison to media and public information outlets; writes, edits and publishes background materials, and talking points; coordinates and creates digital media content; may occasionally serve as spokesperson as assigned.
Partnerships and Project Management: Coordinates the development and implementation of engagement and outreach strategies, cultivating and maintaining relationships with community organizations, schools, non-profits, internal departments and various other external entities.
Plans, manages, and executes public events and community initiatives; oversees logistics, vendor coordination, and on-site activation to support department objectives and enhance community relationships.
Executes community informational campaigns including creating and presenting visual aids and informational materials. Works with vendors to ensure consistency with branding campaigns.
Education: Leads TVE’s high-school and college educational engagement initiatives to introduce students to the events and venues industry; plans volunteer and community programs; organizes advanced learning opportunities for student interns; partners with higher learning institutions on special projects; organizes and executes SkillShops virtual capacity-building seminars and in-person events; including seminar facilitation and identifying and retaining content providers.
City Access: Supports the City permitting process for community events and film productions using the City’s right of way, public ways, parks, and plazas.
Supports the City’s Events and Recognitions Committee department liaison for committee operations and programming execution.
Supports TVE’s access, opportunity, and belonging initiatives, staff goodwill and participation in community, and other internal communications.
* Closely related experience may substitute for education on a year-for-year basis, if necessary, to satisfy the minimum qualifications of this classification.
Licensing, Certifications and Other RequirementsPositions in this class typically require:
remaining in a stationary position for 90% of the time with occasional movement to access office files, machinery and similar productivity tools (standing, sitting, walking).
constant operation of a computer, as well as use of a calculator, printer and similar office tools (fingering, grasping, feeling, repetitive motions).
communication and the exchange of information with others (hearing, seeing, talking).
occasionally exerting up to 10 pounds of force to move, transport or position objects (sedentary work).
Work may also occasionally require:
movement around the workplace to pick up objects (stooping, walking, reaching).
traversing, ascending or descending stairs, sloped terrain, or similar environments (climbing, balancing, walking).
exerting up to 20 pounds of force to move, transport or position objects (light work).
A Commitment to Access, Opportunity and Belonging At the City of Tacoma, we're on a mission to make our workforce represent the community we serve.
We actively seek out candidates from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures. Join our team at the City of Tacoma and help us build a more vibrant, and equitable community for all.
If you have a less traditional background, we want to hear about your transferrable skills and experience. We value a variety of perspectives and are excited to see what you bring to the table.
The CommunityTacoma is centrally located just 32 miles south of the city of Seattle and 31 miles north of the state capital, Olympia.
The City of Tacoma is also home to the Port of Tacoma, which is among the largest container ports in the United States.
Like most cities in the northwest, Tacoma is surrounded by beautiful nature, offering residents many opportunities for outdoor adventures.
Largely suburban in nature with a small, but dense, urban core, Tacoma is home to numerous institutes of higher learning that attract students from across the country.
The University of Washington Tacoma, Pacific Lutheran University, University of Puget Sound, a satellite campus of the Evergreen State College, three community/technical colleges, and several trade and business schools are within Tacoma's geographic area.
Downtown's Cultural District is the site of the Washington State History Museum, Museum of Glass, the Tacoma Art Museum, and America's Car Museum.
With its affordable housing and distinctive neighborhoods and business districts, the city has been recognized numerous times as a best city to live in the nation. To see a few of the great things Tacoma has to offer, view this YouTube Video!
View this exciting video to learn more about the City of Tacoma: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2n5MWl8KFvI
Application Process(NOTE: This recruitment is being managed by HR Analyst Kat Flores.)Interested individuals should apply online by completing the application and attaching a resume and cover letter by the closing date and time listed on the job announcement.
Applications received without attaching the required materials may not progress in the selection process.
The City of Tacoma is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in its workplace.
Applicants are considered for positions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, marital or veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state, and local laws.
Compensation & Benefits
Pay Details:
Hourly Rate: $43.95 - $61.87
Annual Salary: $91,416.00 - $128,689.60
Employee Benefits | City of Tacoma
Get Assistance
For assistance with the application process or questions regarding this job announcement please contact the Human Resources office at (253) 591-5400 by 4:00 p.m. of the closing date of the job announcement. This will allow us to assist you before the job announcement closes.
For technical difficulties using the NeoGov system, call the applicant support line at 1-855-524-5627 between 6:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time.
Communication with the City of TacomaWe primarily communicate via email during the application process.
Emails from Tacoma.gov and/or governmentjobs.com should be placed on your safe domain list to ensure that you receive notifications in a timely manner.
As a precaution, you may also want to check your junk email folders.
Check your resume before applying to catch common mistakes