Communications & External Affairs Program Specialist (EMPS 3)

Salary: $6,870.00 - $9,246.00 Monthly
Location : Pierce County - Lakewood, WA
Job Type: Full Time - Permanent
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number:
Department: Military Department
Opening Date: 11/06/2026
Closing Date: 11/23/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Description
Communications & External Affairs Program Specialist

Emergency Management Program Specialist 3

Camp Murray, WA

Under the direction of the Washington Military Department (WMD) Communications Director, this position serves as a senior emergency management and communications professional responsible for leading and coordinating complex emergency management and public information activities across the department.

This is a civilian position and does not require military service affiliation.

Duties
Some of the various responsibilities within this role:

• Leads State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) Public Information and ESF 15 External Affairs operations before, during, and after SEOC activations.
• Develops, coordinates, and disseminates accurate, timely, accessible emergency public information that supports incident objectives.
• Ensures appropriate staffing, readiness, training, and operational effectiveness of ESF 15 during SEOC activations.
• Coordinates messaging with state, local, Tribal, federal, and nongovernmental partners to ensure consistent, unified communication.
• Monitors information, media, and emerging issues; correct misinformation and advise on communication risks.
• Leads or supports Joint Information Center (JIC)/Joint Information Systems (JIS) operations as required to maintain coordinated statewide public information.
• Helps ensure all communication products comply with accessibility, legal, and policy requirements.
• Participates in planning, incident action processes, and after-action reviews to improve communication capabilities.
• Provides the Communications Director with help to develop key messages, talking points, fact sheets, press releases, web content, email alerts, newsletters, social media content, briefing materials, and other communications products for internal and external audiences.
• Serves in the absence of the Communications Director, acting as spokesperson and advising leadership on public information strategies, outreach, and legislative-related communications.

Qualifications
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Two years of experience as an Emergency Management Program Specialist 2,

OR

A Bachelor's degree and four years of professional level experience in emergency management, public information/relations, journalism, communications, homeland security, disaster mitigation planning, emergency communications systems, financial management (grant management, contracting, claims management, budgeting), training/education, public information/affairs, program/project management, scientific environmental analysis or planning, civil/structural engineering, legislative affairs, and/or urban planning.

Additional qualifying experience will substitute, year for year, for the education requirement. A Master's or Ph.D. degree will substitute for one year of the experience requirement.

AND

Two years of professional experience in public information/relations, journalism, or communications.
Note: This experience may be gained currently with the experience listed above.

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES:

• Growth Mindset: Actively demonstrate a commitment to learning and growth.
  • Demonstrated ability to reflect, learn, and adapt behavior to improve individual and organizational effectiveness.
• Service Oriented: Demonstrate a willingness to take action to understand and meet the needs of others.
  • Demonstrated ability to understand and respond to the needs of others, remove barriers, and contribute to equitable responsive service delivery.

Knowledge of:

Public information and strategic communication principles, including media relations, news operations, risk communication, traditional and digital media platforms, and effective methods form communicating with diverse audiences.

Skills and Abilities to:

• Communication Development
• Emergency Management/Incident Response
• Critical Thinking & Decision Making
• Strategic Communication
• Digital Communication
• Written and Verbal Communication
• Media and Stakeholder Relations
• Public Outreach and Engagement

Supplemental Information
Compensation: Wage/salary depends on qualifications or rules of promotion.
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
Background Investigation:Must successfully complete the appropriate background checks required for employment. Must be willing to sign releases of information and shall not have access to any investigative materials and files. The processing of background checks can take up to six months post-employment. Failure to successfully pass a background check may be cause for termination.

Driver's License:

1. Valid to drive in the State of Washington.
2. Must meet requirements of the REAL ID Act. This is required for base access and will be required upon hire.

Military Facility: Willingness to work on a Military Controlled Access Installation.
Camp Murray utilizes the Defense Biometric Identification System (DBIDS) for entry to the installation. Must meet access requirements / background check which can be found in the ). This includes possession of an Enhanced Driver's License, or other REAL ID Compliant Identification.

Work Hours: The standard work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8 hours a day, or a four-day per week schedule, 10 hours per day, with either Mondays or Fridays off. The actual work hours will be established between the employee and supervisor and will start no earlier than 6:00am and end no later than 6:00pm.

Telework: This position may be eligible for some telework. The incumbent will work with their supervisor to identify an appropriate work schedule and balance between remote and in person work based on operational need and employee preference. Reporting to the workstation for work activities and participating in in-person meetings is required.

Emergency Assignment: Upon activation of the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) or Joint Field Office (JFO), incumbent may be required to work in an alternate location with rotating shifts, including weekends and evenings, in a highly stressful and fast-paced environment.

Travel: Some travel up to 5% - May be rarely required for overnight stays.

** HOW TO APPLY **

Applications for this recruitment will be accepted electronically via www.careers.wa.gov. It is very important that the "Work Experience" and "Supplemental Questionnaire" portion of the application is completed in as much detail as possible.

In order to be considered for this opportunity, please include the following with your online application:

• An attached Resume outlining your experience to date.
• An attached Cover Letter that further explains your qualifications and indicates why you believe you are a viable candidate for this role.
• Contact details for a minimum of three (3) professional references. Please include at least two (2) past/current supervisors, one peer and/or subordinate, if applicable. For each reference include the following:

• Name
• Professional Title
• Working Relationship
• Daytime Phone Number
• Email Address

NOTE: This information may be entered in the "References" section of the online application or can be an attached document.** A resume will not substitute for completing the "work experience" section of the application.
Incomplete applications may disqualify you from eligibility for the position. You must ensure all application areas, including supplemental questions, are completed in full.

This recruitment may be utilized to fill additional Emergency Management Specialist 3 vacancies within 60 days after the recruitment closing date.
If you have questions about the application process or this recruitment, please email Geri Harding at geri.harding@mil.wa.gov

Technical Support: Reach out to NEOGOV directly at 1-855-524-5627 for technical support and login issues.

More than Just a Paycheck!
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.

We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.

Read about our benefits:
The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.

Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.

Insurance Benefits
Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.

Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.

To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.

Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.

Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.

The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.

Retirement and Deferred Compensation
State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.

Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.

Social Security
All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness
If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Holidays
Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.

Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more informati