Salary: $74,760.00 - $115,884.00 Annually
Location : South Harbor, Tacoma, WA
Job Type: Regular/Full-Time
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 741
Department: Communications
Opening Date: 07/09/2026
FLSA: Exempt
Bargaining Unit: POT NON
Anticipated Starting Salary: between $74,760 - $90,552 depending on qualifications

Job Summary

Anticipated hiring salary is between $74,760 - $90,552 depending on qualifications.
The Communications Specialist develops and delivers compelling, visually engaging communications across multiple channels to support the Port of Tacoma's mission, strategic priorities, and public engagement objectives. The position serves as the Port's primary graphic design resource, creating and producing a large volume of high-quality visual communication materials and graphic design assets for digital and print channels. Working collaboratively with the communications team and staff across the organization, the Communications Specialist manages the Port's social media channels and develops written and visual content that informs, educates, and engages internal and external audiences while ensuring consistency with the Port's brand standards and communication objectives. The ideal candidate is a proactive self-starter with a strong background in visual storytelling, exceptional graphic design skills, strong writing and editing abilities, and demonstrated success managing social media for a large organization.
Essential Functions

• Support the development and execution of the Port's social media strategy by planning, creating, and publishing engaging content, including text, images, videos, and infographics, across all Port social media channels. Monitor platforms for audience engagement, respond to comments and direct messages, and analyze performance metrics to inform continuous improvement.
• Design and produce a variety of graphic design materials and visual assets for digital and print communications, including social media graphics, infographics, reports, flyers, signage, presentations, and other communications materials. Ensure visual content aligns with Port brand standards and communication objectives.
• Conceptualize, research, write, edit, and produce content in alignment with the Port's strategic projects and initiatives for use across a variety of communications channels, including e-newsletters, intranet, website, flyers, fact sheets, presentations, and other materials, maintaining a consistent voice, tone, and quality.
• Collaborate with the communications team and staff across the Port to align messaging, identify story opportunities, gather information, and develop content that supports organizational priorities and initiatives.
• Track, analyze, and report on social media performance metrics to evaluate content effectiveness and provide recommendations for improving audience engagement and content performance.
• Provide support for emergency, incident, and crisis communications as needed by assisting with the development and dissemination of timely, accurate, and responsive messaging during critical situations.

Required Education and Experience

Bachelor's degree with an emphasis in communications, public relations, marketing, journalism or a closely related field required. An additional four (4) years of relevant experience may substitute for a bachelor's degree. A portfolio demonstrating graphic design and visual communications work is required.

Minimum of two (2) years of communications, marketing, public relations, or related experience in a corporate, government, nonprofit, or agency environment is required. Demonstrated experience in social media management and graphic design is required.
Additional Requirements

• A positive and collaborative work style with strong interpersonal and communications skills; highly organized and detail-oriented; strong time management skills with the ability to successfully manage multiple projects and competing priorities; ability to work effectively with employees at all levels of the organization.
• Demonstrated graphic design skills with the ability to conceptualize, develop, and produce professional-quality visual communications materials for a variety of digital and print platforms.
• Advance proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud applications, including InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator. Experience with motion graphics a plus.
• Strong writing, editing, and proofreading skills with the ability to create clear, engaging content for a variety of internal and external communications channels.
• Ability to establish and maintain respectful, cooperative, and effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders. Demonstrated ability to support communication and outreach efforts that engage a wide range of audiences and communities.
• Ability to ensure all content aligns with brand standards, maintains a consistent voice and tone, reflects organizational values, and effectively tells the story of the Port.
• Ability to use analytics and reporting tools to evaluate social media and digital communication performance and make data-informed recommendations to improve audience engagement and content effectiveness.

This individual must demonstrate a caring customer service attitude, a strong commitment to operational excellence, and dedication to the organization's core values: Integrity & Transparency; Excellence; Adaptability; Stewardship; Teamwork & Partnerships; and Health & Safety. The Port seeks candidates who will embrace and model these values both internally and externally, and who understand what it means to carry out these values in their everyday work. We value individuals who also bring an impeccable work ethic, honesty, and integrity, and who consistently exhibit enthusiasm, energy, and a drive to succeed.
01

Do you have a minimum of a bachelor's degree with an emphasis in communications, public relations, marketing, journalism or closely related field?

• Yes
• No

02

How many years of professional experience in communication, marketing and/or public relations, including developing communications in a corporate or government environment do you have?

• 0 to less than 2 years
• 2 years to less than 4 years
• 4 years to less than 6 years
• 6 years or more

03

Briefly describe your experience in in social media management and graphic design work.
04

Please paste a link to your portfolio demonstrating your graphic design and visual communications work. If you do not have an online portfolio, please enter "See attached" and upload your portfolio document as an attachment to your application.
Required Question