Public Works Communications Specialist 1

Salary Range

5,477.00 - 8,216.00

Job Summary

Do you enjoy creating engaging content, preparing for and participating in public meetings, being a part of producing digital and website media, and helping people understand the services that impact their daily lives?

The City of Vancouver is seeking a creative and collaborative communications professional to join the team as our Public Works Communications Specialist 1.

In this role, with oversight and support from the Public Works Communications Specialist 3, you''ll help tell the story of the people, projects, and services that keep Vancouver moving. From helping create social media campaigns and digital content to supporting community outreach and public engagement efforts, you''ll play a key role in connecting residents to the work happening throughout our city.

This is a full-time, regular, non-exempt position. The schedule for this position is M-F, 8am to 5pm.

Open until filled, first review - October 22, 2026.

At the City of Vancouver, we are committed to paying our employees fairly, equitably, and competitively. City salaries are structured so that the midpoint of the salary range approximates the amount typically paid for the job in this geographic area. Candidates with experience supporting their ability to come in and hit the ground running may receive a starting salary around the midpoint of the listed salary range. Actual salary at offer is influenced by a host of factors, including a candidate's relevant experience, education, licensure, certifications, and internal equity. The higher end of the listed pay range indicates the salary growth potential of the position.

Job Details

What You'll Do

• Help create content for social media, websites, newsletters, videos, and digital platforms.
• Develop graphics, presentations, fact sheets, and public information materials.
• Support communications for transportation, utility, environmental, and infrastructure projects.
• Assist with public outreach activities and community engagement events.
• Capture and help develop stories highlighting Public Works programs and services.
• Support Public Works-related emergency communications and public information efforts.
• Track engagement metrics and recommend opportunities to improve communications.

What Makes You Successful

You are:

• Creative, curious, and collaborative.
• A strong writer with excellent attention to detail.
• Comfortable managing multiple projects and competing deadlines.
• Skilled in digital communications and social media engagement.
• Passionate about public service and community connection.
• Excited about turning technical information into compelling stories.

Why Join Public Works?

Behind every road improvement, utility project, and environmental initiative is a story worth telling.

Help us tell it.

Additional Contributions

At the City of Vancouver, we recognize that exceptional public service extends beyond any single task or assignment. Employees may contribute to projects, initiatives, emergency response efforts, and emerging priorities that support organizational goals and strengthen services to our community. Every contribution-large or small-helps advance our mission of serving the people of Vancouver with integrity, accountability, respect, and excellence.

Qualifications

Experience and Education

• 1 year of experience in communications, public relations, or related field.
• Equivalent to a Bachelor's Degree in Communications or related.
• Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.

Computer Skills

• Advanced Microsoft Office Suite and other computer skills.

Knowledge

• Communications, marketing and graphic design principles, practices, and tools
• Social and digital media principles, practices, and tools
• Writing, proofreading, and editing
• Project management
• City of Vancouver's programs and services.
• Understanding of municipal government operations and functions
• Pertinent federal, state, and local laws
• Modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment
• Use of personal computers and basic software

Abilities

• Excellent verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills
• Intermediate graphic design skills
• Intermediate social media skills
• Write in a style that is engaging, concise and appropriate in tone for the organization and audience
• Exercise sound judgment in the release of information
• Communicate utility and public works services.
• Organize and prioritize a variety of projects and multiple tasks in an effective and timely manner; meet critical time deadlines; and adapt to change in work plans and priorities.
• Work well independently and collaboratively
• Attend and travel between off-site meetings and events
• Operate a personal computer and appropriate software
• Provide a high level of customer service at all times.
• Project and maintain a positive image with those contacted in the course of work
• Develop and maintain collaborative and respectful working relationships with team members and others.
• Maintain regular and dependable attendance
• Demonstrate a commitment to valuing differences among people and to being inclusive.
• Show the utmost respect for others and act as a team player.
• Promote safety as a guiding principle and a regular practice in accomplishing work by focusing on safe practices and complying with safety and health policies and procedures.
• Recognize unsafe conditions which may be hazardous to an employee or to the public.
• Works in safe and responsible manner; not putting self or others at risk. Complies with applicable policies and procedures including but not limited to using personal protective equipment, observing warning signs, learning about potential hazards, and reporting all unsafe conditions.

This position is subject to successful completion of a pre-employment reference check and a basic criminal background check.

The City of Vancouver is committed to advancing equity and creating a welcoming and inclusive workplace. We recognize that progress depends on more than just a verbal commitment; it depends on making meaningful organizational change. We developed and continue to develop strategies to enhance employee-centered programs, eliminate recruitment and advancement barriers, elevate employee understanding of DEI and cultural competency and build an inclusive and welcoming place to call work. We hope you'll consider joining us on the journey!

Safety: The City of Vancouver believes every employee plays a role in maintaining a safe workplace. The City of Vancouver promotes safety as a guiding principle and practice and accomplishes work by creating safe work environments, complying with safety and health policies and procedures and consistently seeking improvements that support operational excellence.

Diversity and Inclusion: At the City of Vancouver, we value and foster a workplace comprised of people with a range of different backgrounds, experiences and cultures. We recognize that a diverse and inclusive team is key to innovation, effectiveness and a positive culture. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement: The City of Vancouver is dedicated to maintaining a work environment that extends equal opportunity to all individuals, regardless of their race, color, sex, age, religion, national origin, marital status, veteran status, disability sexual orientation or gender identity. Employment decisions will be made to further the principle of equal employment opportunity and to comply with state, federal and local laws. We affirm through this policy statement our continuing commitment to the principles of equity and nondiscrimination.

Veterans' Preference: Under Washington law, qualified veterans may be eligible for Veterans' preference when applying for City of Vancouver positions. Honorably discharged Veterans, their surviving spouses or spouses of honorably discharged Veterans with a permanent and total service-connected disability who would like to be considered for a Veterans' preference for this job should provide the qualifying documents as instructed during the application process.

ADA Accommodation: Accommodations will be considered for applicants or candidates with a qualifying disability that prevents them from participating in this process. Accommodations will be made where the City can reasonably provide them without imposing an undue hardship on the business or compromising the integrity of the recruitment process. An applicant with any disability who believes that they need an accommodation should contact Human Resources: call 360-487-8417 or email hrfront1@cityofvancouver.us

Job Posting End Date

Open Until Filled