Salary: $88,774.40 - $124,966.40 Annually
Location : Tacoma, WA
Job Type: Non-Classified
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: P0320-25A
Department: Customer Experience & External Affairs
Division: TPU External Affairs
Opening Date: 08/15/2025
Closing Date: 9/2/2025 5:00 PM Pacific

Position Description
Do you thrive on tackling complex communication challenges and shaping impactful narratives? Are you a strategic thinker with a passion for driving organizational goals through effective communication? If so, we have an exciting opportunity for you!

Tacoma Public Utilities is looking for someone to join our team as a Senior Communications Analyst. In this pivotal role, you will be responsible for planning and executing sophisticated communication initiatives utilizing your advanced expertise and strategic acumen. Using effective communication, grounded in tact, patience, and professionalism, you will partner closely with key internal stakeholders to develop and implement comprehensive communication plans that resonate with target audiences and align seamlessly with our organizational objectives.

The ideal candidate will have a strong analytical mindset and a deep understanding of infrastructure and integrated communications. They will be highly accountable, consistently meeting deadlines and following established processes with precision and reliability. Comfortable in fast-paced, high-pressure environment, they will have a proven track record of managing a high volume of projects while maintaining exceptional attention to detail. Additionally, they will have demonstrated expertise in advising on and executing communications strategies that drive measurable results.

This position will work a full-time schedule Monday through Friday with core hours between 8:00am and 5:00pm, and may have occasional evening and weekend work. A partial telework schedule may be available; however, a minimum of three days of in-office work per week is expected.
Primary Responsibilities Include:

• Provide
  
  strategic communications support to internal clients to assess and address their communication needs.
• Develop comprehensive communications plans and
  
  strategies.
• Implement strategic communication efforts across a variety of channels such as web,
  
  social media, print, and other mediums.
• Analyze data to evaluate the effectiveness of communication efforts and use insights
  
  to refine strategies.
• Provide media relations support by drafting
  
  talking points, preparing press releases for review, and assisting in responses
  
  to media inquiries.

Qualifications

Minimum Education*
Bachelor's degree in public relations, communications, marketing or directly related field

Minimum Experience*
4 years of public information, community engagement/outreach and/or marketing experience

*Equivalency: 1 year of experience = 1 year of education

Desired Qualifications
Experience managing complex communications projects

Licensing, Certifications and Other Requirements
Washington State Driver's License
Selection Process & Supplemental Information

This recruitment is being managed by Joanna Hambrick; if you would like to be notified of similar opportunities or stay connected with things going on at Tacoma Public Utilities and the City of Tacoma, !

City of Tacoma Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
At the City of Tacoma, we're on a mission to make our workforce as diverse and inclusive as the community we serve. We're committed to eliminating racial and other disparities, and we actively seek out candidates from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures. Join our team at the City of Tacoma and help us build a more vibrant, inclusive, and equitable community for all.

The City of Tacoma believes that diversity of thought, background, and experience contributes to our success and innovation. If you're passionate about this role and our mission, we encourage you to apply. If you have a less traditional background, we want to hear about your transferrable skills and experience. We value a variety of perspectives and are excited to see what you bring to the table.
Apply

Interested individuals should apply online by completing the application and attaching a resume and cover letter by the closing date and time listed on the job announcement. Applications received without attaching the required materials may not progress in the selection process.
Compensation & Benefits
Pay Details:
Hourly Rate: $42.68- $60.08
Annual Salary: $88,774.40- $124,966.40
Get Assistance

For assistance with the application process or questions regarding this job announcement please contact the Human Resources office at (253) 591-5400 by 4:00 p.m. of the closing date of the job announcement.

For technical difficulties using the Neogov system, call the applicant support line at 1-855-524-5627 between 6:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time. This will allow us to assist you before the job announcement closes.

Communication with the City of Tacoma

We primarily communicate via email during the application process. Emails from Tacoma.gov and/or governmentjobs.com should be placed on your safe domain list to ensure that you receive notifications in a timely manner. As a precaution, you may also want to check your junk email folders.
The City of Tacoma provides excellent medical, dental and vision plans for the whole family; paid holidays and paid leave; participation in the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System (alternate plan for Police/Fire); continuing education and advancement opportunities and a growing variety of City-sponsored health and wellness opportunities and incentives.

Medical Coverage: For eligible employees and their families, including domestic partners and dependent children age 26 or younger.

Dental Coverage: For eligible employees and their families, including domestic partners and dependent children age 26 or younger.

Vision Coverage: For eligible employees and their eligible dependents.

Paid Leave: City employees are entitled to received paid holidays, sick/vacation leave or personal time off (PTO), depending upon union affiliation and appointment type.

Insurance Plans: Employees are covered by a long-term disability plan. Short-term and expanded long-term disability insurance plans are also available to employees. The State Industrial Insurance Act also covers employees.

Deferred Compensation: Income can be set aside on a pretax basis and invested for supplementation of normal retirement income.

Retirement: All employees of the City, except members of the Police and Fire services, Tacoma Rail and certain project employees, are included in the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System. Information on the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System can be found at www.cityoftacoma.org or by calling (253) 502-8200.

Other Employment Information

Direct Deposit: Employees are paid on a bi-weekly schedule by direct deposit.

Salary Increases: Based on satisfactory job performance, the City provides for a regular progression of salary increases for most classifications according to the salary schedule.

Union Affiliation: Many job classifications are covered by union security provisions which require union membership, dues, or payment of equivalent service fees.

Note: The provisions of this job announcement do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained herein may be modified and/or revoked without notice.
01

Do you have an equivalent combination to a bachelor's degree in public relations, communications, marketing or directly related field and 4 years of public information, community engagement/outreach and/or marketing experience? *Equivalency: 1 year of experience = 1 year of education

• Yes
• No

02

Describe a time you had to develop a communication plan for a complex project or initiative. How did you get information about your topic, what were the key elements of your plan, and how did you ensure its alignment with organizational goals?
03

Please provide an example of how you evaluate the effectiveness of a communication strategy and how those insights led to adjustments.
04

Describe your experience providing strategic communication support to internal clients. How do you typically assess their needs and build effective working relationships?
05

One of the City's Principles that guides us is Equity. Describe what equity means to you and describe any experience you have working with diverse groups of people.
06

Please tell us how you learned about this job opening.

• Job Interest Card notification
• Professional organization
• Military organization
• City of Tacoma employee
• Online job board posting
• Word of mouth
• LinkedIn
• Tacoma Training & Education Program (TTEP)
• Indeed
• Facebook
• Instagram
• Careers in Government
• Government Jobs
• Outreach Event
• National Diversity Network
• African American Job Network
• Disability Job Network
• Asian Job Network
• Latino Job Network
• Retirement Job Network
• LGBT Job Network
• Veteran Job Network
• Other

07

Please provide specific information regarding how you learned about this job opening. Thank you, your feedback will be used to evaluate our success reaching the public and refine our methods for future job postings.
Required Question