What are the responsibilities and job description for the DSHS HCLA Communications Consultant 3 position at State of Washington Dept. of Social and Health...?
Description
Communications Consultant 3 - WA Cares Fund
DSHS’s Home & Community Living Administration (HCLA) WA Cares Fund is hiring key team members now to assist as we move toward statewide rollout of these benefits. Beginning in 2026, the innovative work that you do now will aid beneficiaries and their loved ones to apply for and access their earned benefits that help pay for long-term care. Your experience, knowledge, and skills make a difference.
This position leads content strategy and planning for WA Cares Fund communications within the Home & Community Living Administration. This role plays a central part in shaping the public’s experience with the program, supporting equitable access to information and benefits, and influencing public perceptions of WA Cares Fund and DSHS.
In this role, you will independently determine the most effective methods, channels and messaging needed to reach diverse audiences across the state. You will create detailed content plans and schedules, and you will write, edit and review materials for a wide range of communication platforms. You will use data to support strong decision-making. You will review engagement metrics and study what messages connect with people to improve and inform future content. You will collaborate with program leadership, communications and outreach partners, policy staff, operations teams and external organizations to ensure accuracy, consistency and alignment across all materials.
Please note: This position has a duty station of Lacey, however it has approval to work from a home office when business needs allow.
Some of what you’ll do:
- Develop content strategies and determine the best channels and messaging for statewide outreach.
- Create plans, schedules and content for social media, website pages, email marketing, print materials, webinars, paid media and earned media.
- Devolop content for WA Cares Fund newsletters, news articles, press releases, speech talking points, presentations, advertisements, marketing materials, fact sheets, brochures, frequently asked questions, posters, infopraphics, toolkits, and reports.
- Reviews and edits content developed by WA Cares Fund outreach, policy, and operations staff for accuracy, tone, clarity, grammer, Associated Press and in-house style, formatting, and consistency across all materials.
- Ensure all materials follow WA Cares Fund and department brand, style and quality standards.
- Manage multiple communication projects and maintain consistency in tone, clarity and formatting.
- Produce a range of materials, including newsletters, press releases, speeches, fact sheets, brochures, toolkits and video scripts.
- Maintain and update digital content, conduct regular web audits and ensure accessibility and usability best practices.
- Lead storytelling efforts, including interviewing participants and writing narrative content.
- Coordinate with internal teams, cross-agency partners, designers and community organizations to support cohesive messaging.
- Assist with webinar planning, including speaker coordination and materials preparation.
- Participate in internal communication efforts and complete other duties as assigned.
Who should apply? Professionals with:
A bachelor’s degree involving major study in communications, journalism, marketing or related field AND at least three years of demonstrated experience with writing and copyediting.
OR
Seven years of demonstrated experience in communications, journalism, marketing, or related field which must include writing and copyediting.
Additional knowledge, skills and abilities we are looking for:
- Clear and adaptable writing ability: Writes for a wide range of formats, audiences and communication channels. Can translate complex policy and technical content into clear, accessible language.
- Strong editorial judgment: Able to ensure accuracy, consistency and adherence to style guidelines.
- Understanding of communication metrics: Confident in reviewing engagement metrics across communication activities, identify trends and use those insights to support consistent, effective content planning.
- Organizational skills: Able to manage multiple projects, timelines and content calendars.
- Web and digital communication ability: Comfortable writing for online platforms using accessibility and readability best practices and keeps up to date with current search engine optimization (SEO) and social media best practices.
- Understanding of inclusive communication: Writes content that reaches and respects culturally diverse audiences.
- Collaboration and coordination: Works effectively with internal teams, leadership, cross-agency partners and external organizations.
DSHS partners with people to access support, care, and resources:
Interested? Apply today!
The Department of Social and Health Services’ (DSHS) vision that people find human services to shape their own lives requires that we come together with a sense of belonging, common purpose, shared values, and meaningful work. It is crucial to our agency’s vision that you bring a fairness, access, and social justice commitment to your work with DSHS. We strive to support all Washingtonians, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, people with physical, behavioral health, and intellectual disabilities, elders, LGBTQIA individuals, immigrants and refugees, and families building financial security.
Questions? Please reach out to DSHS Recruiter Georgina Pringle at Georgina.Pringle@dshs.wa.gov and reference job number #08308.
Supplemental Information
Washington State Department of Social and Health Services is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in any area of employment, its programs or services on the basis of age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, marital status, race, creed, color, national origin, religion or beliefs, political affiliation, military status, honorably discharged veteran, Vietnam Era, recently separated or other protected veteran status, the presence of any sensory, mental, physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, equal pay or genetic information. Persons requiring accommodation in the application process or this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the Recruiter at (360) 725-5810. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384.
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Salary : $4,653 - $6,259
