What are the responsibilities and job description for the DSHS HCLA Communications Consultant 3 position at Washington State Department of Social and Health Services?
Description
Communications Consultant 3 - WA Cares Fund
Make a meaningful impact in long-term care policy by embracing this thrilling opportunity. The WA Cares Fund is the first of its kind in the United States, showcasing why Washington State leads the nation in long-term care initiatives. Created by the WA State Legislature, the WA Cares Fund offers affordable long-term care insurance coverage to all working Washingtonians. This is a rare opportunity to become one of the key team members as we introduce the nation’s first long-term services and supports social insurance program.
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
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.
E quivalent education/experience may qualify.
Additional Knowledge, Skills And Abilities We Are Looking For
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
Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history may be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability and competence to perform in the job. This announcement may be used to fill multiple vacancies. Employees driving on state business must have a valid driver's license. Employees driving a privately owned vehicle on state business must have liability insurance on the privately owned vehicle.
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.
E-Verify® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Communications Consultant 3 - WA Cares Fund
Make a meaningful impact in long-term care policy by embracing this thrilling opportunity. The WA Cares Fund is the first of its kind in the United States, showcasing why Washington State leads the nation in long-term care initiatives. Created by the WA State Legislature, the WA Cares Fund offers affordable long-term care insurance coverage to all working Washingtonians. This is a rare opportunity to become one of the key team members as we introduce the nation’s first long-term services and supports social insurance program.
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.
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.
E quivalent education/experience may qualify.
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 s earch 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.
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
Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history may be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability and competence to perform in the job. This announcement may be used to fill multiple vacancies. Employees driving on state business must have a valid driver's license. Employees driving a privately owned vehicle on state business must have liability insurance on the privately owned vehicle.
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.
E-Verify® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security
