Public Works Strategic Communications Specialist

Salary Range 7,339.

The City of Vancouver is seeking an experienced communications professional to serve as the strategic communications leader for Public Works—one of the City’s largest and most visible service organizations. This is not a traditional communications role. We are seeking a trusted advisor, storyteller, strategist, and communicator who can help residents understand the essential services that support daily life—from drinking water and transportation infrastructure to environmental stewardship, emergency response, and community investment.

The successful candidate will work directly with Public Works leadership to develop communication strategies for programs and projects, navigate complex public issues, support media relations, and tell compelling stories that connect residents to the work happening throughout our community. This position offers a rare opportunity to build and lead communications for one of the region's most impactful public service departments.

This is a full-time, regular, exempt position. The schedule for this position is M-F, 8am to 5pm. Open until filled, first review - August 5, 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.

• Lead strategic communications initiatives supporting Public Works programs, services, projects, and priorities.
• Serve as a communications advisor to department leadership.
• Develop messaging and communication strategies for high-profile, sensitive, and complex projects and issues.
• Build and maintain productive relationships with media representatives and community stakeholders.
• Through the City’s emergency management structure, prepare crisis communications responses, talking points, and content for emergencies and crises.
• Supports activation of the central emergency operations center and inclement weather plans.
• Lead communication planning for major infrastructure, transportation, utility, and environmental projects.
• Create and publish Intranet content by producing clear, timely updates for digital channels that employees rely on.
• Develop executive-level presentations, speeches, talking points, and briefings.
• Coordinate PW communications and messaging with the citywide central Communications Department.
• Coordinate PW community engagement through the citywide Equity and Access Department.
• Ability to rapidly report onsite to various locations at any hour, including nights, weekends, and holidays, sometimes with little to no notice, to support public relations, media coordination, and emergency communication needs, including bringing and transporting necessary communication supplies and equipment.

• You are:
  An exceptional writer and storyteller.
• You are:
  Comfortable speaking publicly and representing an organization.
• You are:
  Skilled at building trust with executives, elected officials, media representatives, and community members.
• You are:
  Able to communicate complex technical information in ways people understand.
• You are:
  Calm under pressure and capable of making sound decisions in rapidly evolving situations.
• You are:
  Strategic, collaborative, and…