About WSDOT

Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is a multimodal organization with a global reputation for excellence! Our dedicated workforce is responsible to plan, design, build, and operate an integrated transportation system that safely and efficiently moves people and goods throughout the state. In addition to maintaining over 18,000 lane miles of state highway and 4,100 bridges, WSDOT manages the world's longest floating bridge, executes an award-winning Active Transportation Plan, holds a record for the world's widest tunneling project, and operates the largest ferry system in the nation! 

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The Opportunity

WSDOT's Office of Equity and Civil Rights (OECR) is currently seeking an experienced Communications Manager to fill a vital vacancy located in Olympia, WA. Reporting directly to the Deputy Director of the OECR, the Communications Manager will lead external and internal communications for the OECR and coordinate with modes and regions, allowing the agency to maintain the no surprises strategy with the public, legislators, and state officials/agencies. This position will identify issues, anticipate potential consequences, and advise the agency's top executives on communications challenges and opportunities. The incumbent will plan, develop, and implement communication strategies to meet WSDOT's business objectives and agency's accountability and transparency goals. Our top candidate will possess an extensive background in communications, and strong skills in management and leadership. 

What to Expect

The OECR is responsible for the agency's external civil rights programs, including On-the-Job Training Support Services (OJT/SS), Pre-Apprenticeship Support Services (PASS), Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Support Services (DBE/SS), Minority, Small, Veteran, and Women's Business Enterprise Program (M/S/V/WBE), Capacity Building Mentorship Program, Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Equal Employment Opportunity Contract Compliance (EEO CC), Tribal Employment Rights Ordinance (TERO), Title VI, Limited English Proficiency (LEP), Environmental Justice (EJ), Healthy Environment for All Act (HEAL Act), State Diversity Roadmap, and Agency-wide Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Plan. 

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Communications Manager will:

Serve as the primary public relations strategist for the Office of Equity and Civil Rights, providing strategic communications guidance to the office's management team, focusing on the HEAL Act.

Develop, market, and implement the office's various communications plans. 

Independently plan, develop, and implement communication strategies to meet agency communication objectives related to the DEI, EJ, HEAL Act) and Title VI as well as all OECR initiatives. 

Contribute to reaching departmental communications goals through publications, web articles, news releases and other communication materials.

Evaluate possible courses of action and makes decisions or advises regarding communication strategies.

Develop and implement the messaging and tools to effectively deliver information such as news releases, talking points, speeches, printed materials, web content, email, and social media.

Plan, organize and direct information, media, public relations, and internal communications programs for the HEAL act program, DEI work plan, other environmental justice programs and other OECR programs as needed. 

Serve as a spokesperson for the agency in response to media, other agency, or public requests for information in areas of expertise.

Develop plans and strategies for sharing information related to the HEAL act using internal and external chann