Director of Communication and External Relations - PESB

$80,000 to $110,000 annually

This is an exempt recruitment announcement from the Professional Educator Standards Board. This position, located in Olympia, WA, may be eligible for a partial teleworking schedule. Telework combines in-building and off-site days.

We believe that the success of Washington’s students depends on the success of Washington’s educators. At the Professional Educator Standards Board (PESB), we strengthen and support the success of our educator workforce through every stage of their career.

We are one agency with two governing Boards: the Professional Educator Standards Board and the Para educator Board. Our policies and programs span Washington’s system of educator pathways, preparation, certification, and professional development opportunities. We oversee educator standards and licensure, and hold preparation programs accountable for the ways in which they recruit, support, and prepare diverse and classroom-ready educators.

Our board members and staff are committed to centering diversity, equity, and inclusion in every aspect of our work and to building respectful, reciprocal relationships with Tribal Nations across Washington State. As part of our commitment, we embrace the opportunity to address disparities and barriers perpetuated by historical and institutionalized racism within the overall education system, and we recognize the unique government-to-government relationship the state holds with Tribal Nations under the Centennial Accord.

Our agency values serve as a compass to guide our work. We value:

• Educator voice
• Diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Educator excellence for student success
• Community engagement
• Learning and innovation

To operate as an antiracist agency, we seek candidates aligned with these values, including candidates who bring experience or a genuine willingness to learn how to work in good faith with education partners, diverse constituencies, and Tribal Nations. Passion for the mission of PESB, including its commitment to equity and to honoring Washington’s diverse communities and Tribal Nations.

This position provides strategic guidance to the Executive Director and other agency members to help engage the public, strengthen external partnerships, and promote the value and visibility of our work. The Director for Communication and External Relations must establish strong, collaborative relationships with internal teams to execute effective, equity-centered communications plans supporting agency needs and goals.

This role ensures communication with educators, para educators, preparation programs, school districts, Educational Service Districts (ESDs), educational organizations, policymakers, the public, and Tribal Nations in Washington State is not only clear and accurate but also culturally responsive, reflecting the histories, sovereignty, and self-determination of the communities we serve. The Director partners closely with the agency’s Tribal Liaison to ensure Tribal perspectives, protocols, and priorities are embedded in the agency’s communications, outreach, and public engagement work.

The Director will employ equity-centered and culturally responsive communications to elevate the agency’s core functions for educators (career exploration and discovery, preparation, credentialing, workforce development, and shortage). The role will also work to ensure the agency’s messaging reflects the needs of historically underserved communities and Tribal Nations. This role will lead and support the development and implementation of campaigns for multiple audiences to support the agency’s priorities, including legislative advocacy.