Job summary
Job post source
This job is directly from Sound Transit
Job overview
The Public Information Officer at Sound Transit manages media relations and communications to promote the agency's projects and services, ensuring accurate and timely dissemination of information.
Responsibilities and impact
The role involves writing press releases, managing media events, monitoring social media, collaborating with agency staff on communication strategies, and representing the agency to the media while supporting internal and external communications.
Compensation and benefits
The salary range is $61k to $155k with a midpoint of $108k, complemented by comprehensive benefits including health, dental, vision, retirement plans, paid time off, parental leave, tuition reimbursement, and other perks such as pet insurance and ORCA card.
Experience and skills
Candidates need a bachelor's degree in Communications or related fields and four years of professional experience in media relations or corporate communications, with skills in crisis communication, media monitoring, writing, public speaking, and project management.
Career development
Sound Transit offers professional development opportunities, tuition reimbursement up to $5,000 annually, and career growth in a supportive environment emphasizing work-life balance and recognition.
Work environment and culture
The company promotes a diverse, equitable, and inclusive culture aligned with its core values, encouraging sustainability and safety in a hybrid office and field work environment.
Company information
Sound Transit is a public transportation agency focused on regional transit projects, known for its commitment to equity, sustainability, and community engagement.
Team overview
The Public Information Officer works within the Communications, Marketing and Engagement Department, collaborating across agency teams in a matrixed environment to develop and execute communication strategies.
Job location and travel
The position is hybrid, based in an office with field visits to construction sites, requiring occasional exposure to outdoor conditions and safety training.
Unique job features
This role uniquely combines media relations with strategic communication planning for a public agency, involving direct interaction with news media and management of public information materials across multiple platforms.
Company overview
Sound Transit is a public transit agency serving the Seattle metropolitan area, providing regional bus, light rail, and commuter rail services. The agency generates revenue through a combination of passenger fares, local taxes, and federal grants. Established in 1993, Sound Transit has been pivotal in expanding transportation infrastructure to reduce congestion and improve mobility in the region. Notable projects include the Link light rail system, which has significantly enhanced connectivity across key urban and suburban areas.
How to land this job
Tailor your resume to emphasize your experience in media relations, crisis communications, and producing diverse public information materials such as news releases, speeches, and social media content, aligning with Sound Transit's focus on strategic communication and media engagement.
Highlight your skills in managing media inquiries, planning media events, and collaborating across departments to develop communication strategies, as these are key responsibilities in the job description.
Apply through multiple platforms including Sound Transit's official careers page and LinkedIn to maximize your chances of being noticed by recruiters and hiring managers.
Connect with professionals in Sound Transit's Communications, Marketing, and Engagement Department on LinkedIn; start conversations by referencing recent Sound Transit projects or media campaigns, or by asking about their experience working within a public transportation agency's communications team.
Optimize your resume for ATS by incorporating keywords from the job description such as 'media relations,' 'crisis communications,' 'public information materials,' 'media monitoring,' and 'strategic communication' to pass initial automated screenings.
Use Jennie Johnson's Power Apply feature to automate tailored applications across multiple job boards, identify relevant LinkedIn contacts for networking, and ensure your resume is ATS-optimized, allowing you to focus your energy on preparing for interviews and networking.
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