Salary : $125,559.46 - $163,826.62 Annually
Location : City Hall - 123 5th Ave, Kirkland, WA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number:Location: City Manager's Office
Opening Date: 10/06/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
FLSA: Exempt
Bargaining Unit: MAC
Job SummaryNote: This role is a Temporary opportunity with an anticipated end date of December 31, 2027. The anticipated end date is subject to departmental and budgetary considerations.
Manages and implements citywide internal and external communications programs. Plans, organizes, schedules, and carries out citywide information and/or community/public relations activities for the City.
Principal Accountabilities - Initiates new communications programs and projects to improve City communication and interaction with the community.
- Serves as an internal consultant, advising the City Council, City Manager and departments as needed on their communication and public involvement strategies and implementation methods.
- Coordinates media relations and provides information regarding City activities.
- Develops strategies regarding communicating agency initiatives, program and project timelines and comment processes and assists in analyzing comments received for City decision makers.
- Provides assistance with organization-wide complaint resolution activities as needed.
- Provides communication support during emergency events.
Essential Functions - Hires, trains, supervises, evaluates and disciplines communications staff that report to this position. Assigns tasks and distributes workload, and provides staff with communication and public involvement strategies and implementation methods. Provides direction and support to staff in their performance of their tasks, and reviews work products for quality and accuracy.
- Provides leadership and coordination for City staff in developing public involvement strategies and making information accessible through meetings and forums involving the public. Makes recommendations to departments regarding outreach efforts. Coordinates graphic design and public notice activities to assure consistency of content and presentation. Designs public outreach efforts for the City and identifies appropriate stakeholders and methods.
- Advises on high profile media issues and plays a strategic communications and public involvement role on emerging public policy issues and during emergencies.
- Represents the City to the news media and the community for all departments in cooperation with public information staff from other departments such as Fire and Police. Writes and distributes news releases, ops and eds and speeches by identifying newsworthy issues and topics beneficial to the community. Develops and maintains the necessary contacts with media representatives to effectively stay informed and positively influence communications as related to the City of Kirkland.
- Researches and recommends methods for improving community access to City government, ability to participate in the decision making process and increasing awareness of City programs and services. Determines the information needed to explain complex policies and develops and implements external and internal communication strategies for city initiatives.
- Serves as liaison for the City in community relations by participating in and/or facilitating public meetings, making presentations to various groups, and providing information concerning the City. Prepares and conducts public presentations to the community and media.
- Writes and edits a variety of reports, press releases, ops and eds, articles and video scripts. Coordinates the development, editing and publishing of the City's official newsletter; designs and prepares brochures, handouts and public relations materials. Serves as executive producer of Currently Kirkland Cable T.V. show.
- Serves as the City's Ombudsman and responds to citizen complaints and inquiries directed to the City Manager's Office and coordinates with appropriate department(s) concerning response and resolution.
- Prepares proclamations at the request of the Mayor, City Council or City Manager.
- Supports the emergency management program as the City Manager's liaison to the Emergency Management Action team and serves as primary Public Information Officer upon activation of the Emergency Operations Center.
- Implements and maintains social media tools as an effective means of public engagement.
- Develops, implements and maintains internal communication strategies on City Council and City Manager priorities.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities - Knowledge of policies, functions and responsibilities of local government or public jurisdictions.
- Advanced knowledge of interpersonal, public relations, presentation and communications skills (verbal and written).
- Knowledge and experience with a range of public involvement strategies and how to strategically apply them.
- Experience in public speaking and knowledge of presentation skills and techniques.
- Knowledge of public opinion research techniques and various methods of application in governmental issues.
- Ability to effectively respond to angry or upset customers and employ conflict resolution methods to resolve issues and complaints.
- Ability to maintain confidences and handle sensitive information.
- Knowledge of public communication plan development, and the production of support materials.
- Able to clearly present information sometimes under pressure in large and small groups.
- Able to serve as a consultant and trainer to staff, boards, neighborhood associations and community groups.
- Working knowledge of how various media activities occur, and in particular, a knowledge of media outlets; local media contacts, and social media venues.
Qualifications Minimum Qualifications Bachelor's degree with major course work in communications/public relations, journalism or public administration or a related field and five years progressively responsible experience, preferably working in or with public agencies, in developing and implementing communication and community involvement strategies and managing media relations or any equivalent combination of education and experience.
Other Working Conditions - Work is primarily performed in an office setting and frequently at other public settings for community meetings.
- Work involves computer use, and occasional lifting of objects up to 50 pounds such as audio/visual equipment.
- May be required to work beyond normal working hours to attend evening and weekend meetings.
Position requires a resume and cover letter noting how you meet the minimum qualifications for consideration of application. Applicants who are selected for next steps in the hiring process will be invited by phone or e-mail. Candidates are encouraged to apply at the earliest possible date as screening, interviewing, and hiring decisions will be made through the recruitment period, until such time as the vacancy is filled with first review of applicants by 15th day of posting.
This position includes a health insurance benefit package with 100% City-paid premiums for 1.0 FTE (medical/dental/vision for employee and dependents). Premium is prorated for less than 1.0 FTE positions with cost shared between City and the employee.
Participation in the Public Employees Retirement System is mandatory for all eligible positions.
Other employment benefits include:
- 401b Municipal Employee Benefits Trust (MEBT) with 6.2% City matching contribution
- Voluntary 457 Deferred Compensation plan
- Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) VEBA dollars with City contribution (City contribution depending on employee elected medical plan)
- Voluntary Flexible Spending Account for Healthcare and Childcare
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- City paid Life Insurance
- City paid Long-Term Disability (LTD) Insurance
- Paid vacation (starts with 13 days first year may be prorated for part-time positions)
- Annual 12 paid holidays, including one floating holiday
- Paid sick leave accruals (benefit may vary based on applicable bargaining unit)
- Paid Management Leave for select leadership positions
Perks include:
- Alternative work schedules
- Free EV charging at Level 2 and 3 chargers
- Free ORCA card for public transit
- Access to onsite fitness center and secure bike storage at City Hall
- Free employee parking
- Childcare programs with discounted tuition rates
- Wellness and transportation incentives
For further review of City Benefits and Perks please visit
