Communications Advisor

Posting number: 2026-00901

Department: Department of Education & Early Learning

Job classification: Strategic Advisor 1, Exempt

Posting type: Open & Promotional

Categories: Communications

Summary

The Mayor and City Council are striving to bring Seattle to the top of the list of cities known for positive change, innovation, and sound financial management. The Department of Education and Early Learning (DEEL) is charged with improving the lives of Seattle families by helping children enter kindergarten prepared to succeed, providing support so students achieve academically and the achievement gap is reduced, and making sure students graduate from high school prepared for college or career. The use of data and personal narratives to tell the story of the DEEL’s impact toward achieving education equity for Seattle children, youth, and families is central to our work.

The Communications Advisor will report to the Communications Manager and work in partnership with key department leadership, staff, and the Mayor's Office to broaden awareness of the Department's investments, public programs, and priorities. We seek a well-rounded contributor to our team with a broad set of capabilities ranging from social media, media relations, photography, video, graphic design, marketing strategies, to project management. The use of data and personal narratives to tell the story of Department of Education and Early Learning's (DEEL) impact toward achieving education equity for Seattle children, youth, and families is central to our work.

Examples of duties

Here’s more about what you’ll be doing:

 Your top priorities will be:

• Media relations
• Social media management
• External affairs event scheduling and presentation preparation 

Your day-to-day responsibilities will include:

• Working as an integral member of the DEEL communications and external affairs team to highlight work done by DEEL’s service divisions and share program information with the public
• Leading the department’s media relations strategy, including relationships with key media outlets, advertisement buys, and coverage of DEEL work in print, web, video, and other formats
• Managing and maintaining DEEL’s social media accounts (Facebook, Twitter)
• Managing department listserv (GovDelivery) and producing quarterly newsletter
• Developing and managing communications plans for key department activities such as funding opportunities, program enrollment, investment announcements, and legislation
• Supporting regular communication functions such as website maintenance (CMS/Ingenuix, blog), email inbox monitoring, media monitoring, SharePoint site construction, stakeholder engagement meetings (in-person and virtual), photography, videography, and graphic design
• Convening and facilitating community engagement meetings (in-person, virtual, and webinars)
• Representing DEEL as spokesperson in meetings and media interviews

• Supporting major projects, including the preparation of Families, Education, Preschool and Promise (FEPP) Levy Oversight Committee (LOC) and City Council presentations
• Developing a Language Access Plan to promote equitable access to Department resources cradle-to-career
• Cultivating of the Department’s relationship with community-based, in-language, and ethnic media outlets

• Providing customer service to City colleagues and the general public on matters related to department business

Qualifications

You will be most successful if you have experience in a broad set of areas, including social media, media relations, visual content creation, marketing strategies, and project management. A commitment to listening, creating space for diverse perspectives, and the pursuit of inclusive and just outcomes must be at the center of your professional practice. The ability to communicate at all levels tactfully and effectively will also contribute to your success. Specifically, you’ll be prepared to take on this role if you have a combination of the following:

Skills and Knowledge:

• Communicating clearly and effectively in person and through written communication, preferably in cross-cultural contexts
• Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to meet tight deadlines

• Race and social justice issues, content expertise, or prior experience in education-related fields a plus
• Photography, videography, or graphic design

The ability to:

• Work with the following programs:  Microsoft Suite, Adobe Suite, Indesign, Powerpoint, GovDelivery, Ingenuix/CMS platforms, WordPress, WebEx, Zoom, and social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter).   
• Generate creative solutions to problems by identifying available resources and working collaboratively.
• Navigate and adapt to dynamic political environments.

Supplemental information

This full-time (1.0 FTE) position is classified as a Strategic Advisor 1, Exempt. It is exempt from FLSA (not eligible for overtime) and the Civil Service System.

Pay: The full salary range for this position is $51.88 - $77.82 per hour. The salary for this individual role has been identified between $66.00-$68.00 per hour.

Working Schedule. This position offers the flexibility of a hybrid work schedule.   Employees will be expected to be in-office three days a week.  

Hiring Timeline: Interviews for this position are tentatively scheduled for August 10-14, 2026, with a second round scheduled for August 17-21, 2026.

Accommodations: We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact Sandra Wong at sandra.wong@seattle.gov to request accommodation.

Benefits: The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at: https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits. Please select an option under the “Most Employee Benefits” heading.

Why work at the City? At the City of Seattle, public service is more than a job; it’s a chance to shape the future and make a meaningful difference in the lives of everyone who works, lives, or plays in our city. With 12,000 employees across 40+ departments and 1,100 job titles, we are united by a common purpose: to create a Seattle that is vibrant and welcoming for all. Whatever your role, you’ll help power a forward-looking city that leads by example — inclusive, innovative, equitable, and community-focused — while joining a diverse team committed to solving challenges and making a lasting impact together. Join us in building a Seattle where everyone thrives! 

 APPLICATION PROCESS:

Applications will be accepted for this position until 4:00 PM Pacific Time on Tuesday, July 28, 2026. To be considered for this position, in addition to completing your application fully, please attach:

• A PDF of your current resume
• Cover Letter

Incomplete applications will not be considered. 

We encourage you to review the City of Seattle’s Application and Interviewing Tips Guide, which may be used as a resource as you prepare to apply and interview for positions with the City of Seattle.

Who May Apply:  This position is open to all candidates who demonstrate alignment with the skills and experience described above.

Questions: If you have questions, please contact Sandra Wong at sandra.wong@seattle.gov.