Communications Manager; Communications Consultant

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

The Department of Ecology is hiring a Communications Manager (Communications Consultant
5) within the Spill Prevention, Preparedness, and Response program.

Location:

• Headquarters Office in Lacey, WA.
• Upon hire, you must live within a commutable distance from the duty station.

Schedule:

• This position is eligible for telework and flexible schedule options.
• A minimum of 1-2 days a week required to be in the office or as needed.
• Schedules are dependent on position needs and subject to change.

Application Timeline:

• Apply by December 21, 2025.
• This position will remain open until filled. Applications after the date may not be considered.

In this role, you will serve as the communications manager for the Spill Prevention, Preparedness, and Response Program. You will handle both internal and external communications and are expected to be a strong writer—producing press releases, communication plans, speeches, presentations, talking points, and a variety of other documents. You should feel comfortable both in front of and behind the camera.

As part of Ecology’s Spills Program, you will help support a team that responds to more than 4,000 spills every year. During emergency events, you are the “tip of the spear” for communication, serving as the lead Public Information Officer (PIO). You will be the voice of the incident, managing media calls, coordinating with partner agencies, and leading Joint Information Center operations.

This position is an excellent opportunity if you want to work with some of the best oil spill response teams in the country while stepping into a leadership role. When you’re not responding to spills, you will prepare for them and support the broader agency communications team, representing the Spills Program and assisting with agency wide communication needs.

You will be responsible for managing high‑stakes, time‑sensitive communication during environmental emergencies—often around the clock—while coordinating messaging across multiple agencies, jurisdictions, tribes, industry partners, and media outlets. These responsibilities require you to maintain accuracy under pressure, navigate political and public scrutiny, and lead effective communication efforts during major spill events.

• Develop and lead the Spills Program’s strategic communication strategies for executive leadership, the public, media, legislators, tribes, federal partners, and other interested parties.
• Serve as the primary media liaison and lead spokesperson for spill‑related issues, including emergency response communications.
• Manage and coordinate the 24/7 after‑hours communications manager team, including scheduling, training, and supporting statewide spill response.
• Lead public information operations during spill incidents, serving as Public Information Officer or Joint Information Center Manager within the Incident Command System.
• Supervise and mentor the Communications Consultant 3, guiding web content, accessibility, analytics, outreach strategies, and workflows.
• Develop, write, edit, and review key communication products, including news releases, communication plans, talking points, speeches, digital media, and educational materials.
• Strategically leverage website and social media platforms to communicate spills information, agency initiatives, and preparedness activities.
• Represent the agency at public meetings, briefings, legislative hearings, and interagency coordination efforts, providing expert communication guidance.

This role qualifies for assignment pay during emergency incidents while working a spill response outside of normal work hours; you will be eligible for Responder Pay. Reimbursement for travel, training, and any required equipment. Required clothing and PPE will be provided by the Program/Agency.

Eight (8) years of experience and/or education as described below:

• Experience in journalism, public relations/information, news media, digital/social media, marketing, digital accessibility, or writing/editing.
• Education in a field such as journalism, communications, public relations, news media, digital/social media, English, marketing,…