This opportunity is open to current King County employees.  We are not accepting external applications at this time.
This recruitment aims to fill a Special Duty Assignment (SDA) position with an anticipated duration of up to three (3) years.  SDA's are filled by a King County employee who has successfully completed their initial probation. 

In 1966, West Point Treatment Plant was commissioned to protect public health and the natural environment of Puget Sound. Now, WTD is replacing and updating critical plant systems that have been in continuous operation since the facility's original construction. These are not your usual construction projects - crews will replace raw sewage pumps, engines and support systems while operators continue to run the plant 24/7. Engines will be replaced, one per year, until West Point reaches firm capacity with new pumps, scheduled to occur in three years. 

We are seeking a Communications Specialist I - Technical Writer to assist in producing reference documents and media that will help train staff and update facility manuals and/or operating procedures that will be impacted by construction changes.

This is an opportunity to learn and develop technical writing skills, which can lead to higher level career service positions

King County, named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., is a diverse and vibrant community that represents cultures from around the world. Our True North is to create a welcoming community where everyone can thrive.  We prioritize equity, racial, and social justice, making it a foundational and daily expectation for all employees. As a Communications Specialist I, you will actively apply these principles in all aspects of your work. Learn more about our commitment at http://www.kingcounty.gov/equity. 

What You Will Be Doing:

• Research and collect information from a variety of sources including facility manuals, equipment manuals, staff interviews, field observation, engineering drawings, and design specifications.

• Draft descriptions of wastewater treatment process systems, equipment functions, safety systems, and more.

• Produce or assist in producing media assets such as photos, videos, and graphics such as process diagrams and equipment layouts for treatment facilities.

• Follow a workplan for producing reference documents, such as sections of manuals and/or operating procedures.

• Format and publish content.

Qualifications You Bring:

• Excellent written communication skills.
• Experience with - or ability to learn - word processing, publication, content development, or graphic editing tools such as Microsoft Office or Adobe Creative Cloud tools.
• Experience developing training, reference, or instructional materials.
• Demonstrated interest in learning new skills or professional development (e.g., coursework, self-directed learning, or stated goals).
• Able to follow directions or a workplan to deliver assignments and projects on time.
• Ability to interpret regulatory documents and/or technical information.

• Customer Focus: Building strong customer relationships and delivering customer-centric solutions.
• Action Oriented: Taking on new opportunities and tough challenges with a sense of urgency, high energy, and enthusiasm.
• Collaborates: Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.
• Communicates Effectively: Developing and delivering multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences.
• Self-Development: Actively seeking new ways to grow and be challenged using both formal and informal development channels.
• Nimble Learning: Actively learning through experimentation when tackling new problems, using both successes and failures as learning fodder.

• A valid Washington State Driver's License (ability to travel to work sites not served by public transportation).

• Ability to read and interpret graphs, diagrams, charts, and schematics, or a willingness to learn.

• Ability to read and analyze dense or complex texts and assess what resources are needed or what questions need to be answered to understand the text.

• Demonstrated interest in developing skills in writing, producing graphics or infographics, or other forms of technical communication.

• Knowledge of wastewater treatment processes.

• Ability to document field conditions in an industrial environment, including traveling on elevated, grated, or underground walkways and working near industrial equipment.

• Staff safety is our highest priority. Because field documentation requires entering an industrial environment which may include chemicals, noise, and contaminants, King County will provide appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), safety training and escorts as necessary.

Working Conditions:

• Work Location: The Technical Communications and Training team works in a hybrid model, with days in the office as well as telecommuting. The ratio of remote to onsite work will be dependent on business needs and is subject to change. The primary onsite location is West Point Treatment Plant, 1400 Discovery Park Blvd, Seattle WA 98199.
  Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.
  King County has a robust collection of tools and resources to support working remotely. The individual selected for this opportunity will join an innovative and progressive team that is redefining how we work as we transition to the department's hybrid environment. Employees will be provided with a County-issued laptop and must maintain a home workspace with an internet connection where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours.
• Work Schedule: This full-time position works a 40-hour work week. This position is covered under the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and is overtime eligible.
• Union Representation: This position is represented by Teamsters 117.
• Duration: This recruitment aims to fill a Special Duty Assignment (SDA) position with an anticipated duration of up to three (3) years.  SDA's are filled by a King County employee who has successfully completed their initial probation. 

• Complete Application
• Resume
• Cover Letter
• Responses to the supplemental questions

Forbes named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer

No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.

To Apply

If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. 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.