Communications Specialist I - Scale Up of HIV Prevention Services in Sexual Health Clinics (SHIPS)

Salary: $39.82 - $50.47 Hourly
Location : Ninth & Jefferson Building at Harborview Campus - 908 Jefferson Street Seattle 98104, WA
Job Type: Term-Ltd
Job Number: 2026SMD28191
Department: DPH - Public Health
Division: Prevention
Opening Date: 10/13/2026
Closing Date: 10/27/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Bargaining Unit: Z3 : KC Personnel Guidelines
Full- or Part-Time: Full Time

Summary
Public Health - Seattle & King County (PHSKC) Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) team at the Sexual Health Clinic at Harborview Medical Center is seeking a Term-Limited Temporary (TLT) or Special Duty Assignment (SDA) Scale Up of HIV Prevention Services (SHIPS) Communications Specialist I. The Communications Specialist will develop and implement communication and engagement plans that help build community understanding of HIV/PrEP/STI services and research breakthroughs in King County. This position will work on the PrEP team and develop strategic communication and outreach planning for target populations.

The SHIPS Communications Specialist works closely with leadership, research staff, and patient focus groups to ensure messaging reflects values and goals of the work done at the Sexual Health Clinic and with partnering organizations.

Temporary Opportunity. Term-Limited Temporary (TLT) positions are "at will" positions but are eligible for benefits. This TLT is currently anticipated to last 12 months. One factor that could effect the end date of the position is an unanticipated change in funding.

This vacancy can also be filled as a Special Duty opportunity. Special Duty Assignments are open to Career Service, Career Service Exempt or other regular (non-temporary) employee in King County who has completed their initial County probation. You must have supervisor approval prior to taking a Special Duty Assignment.

Note: This posting will create a list of qualified candidates that may be considered for selection of additional vacancies of the same position type over the next 6 months.

Work Schedule

Typical work schedule is 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. This is a non-exempt position and is subject to the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is overtime eligible.

Work Location

The primary location will be based at the Sexual Health Clinic, Harborview Ninth and Jefferson Building located at 908 Jefferson St, Seattle, WA 98104, 11th Floor.

Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.

Job Duties

• Coordinate and facilitate Sexual Health Clinic awareness and promotion social marketing campaigns and resources.
• Research and create topical health information resources; print and electronic resources, educational and promotional resources, and other materials that are accurate, culturally appropriate, and educationally sound for a variety of audiences.
• Interact with specific audiences to provide information, listen to concerns and help resolve problems.
• Coordinate with communicators, staff, and community partners to gather content and identify timely communication opportunities.
• Maintain editorial calendars and publication schedules to ensure timely and reliable delivery of recurring communications products.
• Analyze readership, engagement and performance metrics to inform content decisions and improve communication effectiveness.
• Provide recommendations to improve internal communications strategies, processes and channels.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills
Minimum Qualifications:

• Experience with email distribution, content management or digital publishing platforms.
• Knowledge of communication principles, research methods, and techniques.
• Skilled in developing and implementing strategic communications plans with clear direction, concise messaging, and measurable outcomes.
• Skills in synthesizing and communicating technical information in ways that everyone can understand to include the development of outreach materials, news releases, web content etc.
• Skills in identifying and assessing the communication needs of key audiences, including multi-lingual and disability audiences.
• Familiar with Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, SharePoint, and Teams.
• Familiarity with simple audio/video editing tools, screen-recording applications, and digital content platforms used to create internal and external communications.
• Demonstrated interest in public health, human behavior, and/or social science research.
• Skill in working under pressure and meeting deadlines

Desired Qualifications:

• Minimum two (2) years of progressively responsible experience in communications, patient engagement, or related fields; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience that demonstrates the ability to perform the role effectively.
• Experience managing health education communications projects/social marketing campaigns including developing and staging components, organizing interdependent tasks, managing communications among partners and stakeholders, making recommendations regarding changes to project scope, and evaluation.
• Current knowledge of the biology and epidemiology of HIV and other STDs.
• Knowledge and experience developing print and electronic health education materials and resources.
• Demonstrated skill writing copy to explain complex health topics at appropriate reading levels.
• Education in marketing, journalism, science/technical communications or related field or experience leading communications work, to include developing communications strategies, identifying tactics, developing materials, implementing and evaluating events or projects.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision and exercise independent good judgment.
• Competency, comfort, and experience working and communicating with diverse populations and interest groups such as; men who have sex with men, transgender individuals, adolescents, younger adults, drug users, etc.

Supplemental Information
Are you ready to make a difference? dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.

Application Process

If you are interested in pursuing this position and supporting King County's vision for unified, equitable, and high-performing government, please follow the application instructions carefully. Provide us with your work history as applicable, ensuring that you provide details that highlight your ability to fulfill the requirements for this position.

If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, or you would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process, please contact Salyse Duckworth at sduckworth@kingcounty.gov.

King County's Vision, Mission, and ACTIVATE Values unite us.

King County serves residents with a relentless sense of urgency, delivering on commitments with transparency and accountability. We are action-oriented, creative problem solvers who collaborate across roles, engage directly with communities, and challenge the status quo to achieve meaningful impact. As a unified team, we uphold high ethical and stewardship standards, embrace change, stay curious, and continuously improve. Across all interactions, we listen first, act quickly, and stay aligned as a team to earn and sustain public trust. Learn more about our Vision, Mission, and ACTIVATE Values here and visit our Why work at King County page here.

Who May Apply

This opportunity is open to all qualified applicants.

The following items are required to be considered for this vacancy:

• NEOGOV Job Application (The responses on your job application should be thorough and complete and will be used in the screening process)
• Supplemental Questions (The responses to the supplemental questions should be thorough and complete and will be used in the screening process)
• Resume - Your resume should be thorough and complete and will be used in the screening process.

(Please note: Additional attachments will not be reviewed as part of the evaluation process if not outlined as a required application material as outlined above).

Your application may be rejected as incomplete if you do not include the relevant information in the application. Cover letters and/or resumes are not accepted in lieu of a completed application. Applications and/or Supplemental Questionnaires that state "see my resume" or "see my personnel file" are considered incomplete and will not be accepted.

Necessary Special Requirements

• The selection process may include evaluation of application materials and supplemental questions, interviewing, and testing. You must completely fill out the application with your relevant education and work experience.
• The selected candidate must be able to pass a thorough background investigation, but findings may not necessarily disqualify an applicant for employment.
• For more information on our selection process, please refer to For tips on interviewing, please visit
• Employees are required to protect the privacy and security of protected health information as defined in State and Federal Law.
• Public Health relies on office automation (Microsoft Office) and web-based enabled tools, therefore candidates must be proficient and comfortable with computer use to perform functions associated with on-going work.
• Employees are required to adhere to OSHA/WISHA guidelines including but not limited to completing their mandatory trainings on time and obtaining required immunizations.
• Regular and reliable attendance, effective communication skills, and development of effective working relationships are requirements of all Public Health positions.
• When Public Health responds to an emergency, and in accordance with KC policy and procedures, we may assign duties outside your regular job description. This may involve responding at any time, including nights and weekends, with possible deployment to locations other than the department.
• If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement.

Union Membership

This position is not represented by a labor union.

Contact

If you have questions or would like more information about the recruitment process, please contact Salyse Duckworth, HR Analyst at
King County offers a highly-competitive compensation and benefits package designed to meet the diverse needs of our employees and support our employees' health and well-being. Eligible positions receive the following benefits and have access to the following programs:

• Excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage options: King County provides eligible employees with options, so they can decide what's best for themselves and their eligible dependents
• Life and disability insurance: employees are provided basic coverage and given the opportunity to purchase additional insurance for both the employee and eligible dependents
• Retirement: eligible King County employees may participate in a pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and a 457(b) deferred-compensation plan
• Transportation program and ORCA transit pass
• 12 paid holidays each year plus two personal holidays
• Generous vacation and paid sick leave
• Paid parental, family and medica