Communications Manager (UTC INTERNAL ONLY)

Communications Manager (UTC INTERNAL ONLY)

Salary

$104,683.00 - $115,848.00 Annually

Location

Thurston County - Lacey, WA

Job Type

Agency Internal - Permanent

Remote Employment

Flexible/Hybrid

Job Number

2026-03843

Department

Utilities and Transportation Commission

Division

Communications

Opening Date

05/26/2026

Closing Date

6/2/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

• Description
• Benefits

Description

WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION

Respect. Professionalism. Integrity. Accountability.

Communications Manager

This opportunity is ONLY open to current UTC employees. No other applications will be considered.

Salary Consideration:

The starting salary offer will be determined based on the successful candidates' qualifications within the budgeted salary range of $104,683 - $115,848 annually. However, there is an ability for growth and development in this salary for the individual once appointed.

This recruitment is open until June 2, at 11:59pm.

UTC reserves the right to make a hiring decision and/or choose to close or extend this recruitment at any given time.

The Opportunity:

The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) seeks to fill the role of Communications Manager within the Communications Division. This position plans, develops, and administers extensive marketing, public outreach and engagement programs based on the commission's strategic goals, performing ongoing and long-term monitoring to ensure efforts comply with program requirements and expected outcomes.

Hybrid:

Although this is a hybrid opportunity, the successful incumbent must reside within Washington state and must be available to report to the Lacey, Washington headquarters building when needed.

Travel:

Occasional travel during and outside normal work hours throughout the state for public meeting and other purposes.

Duties

Some of What You'll Do:

• Manage a team of three staff members responsible for media relations and external affairs, website maintenance and improvement, digital accessibility, internal communications, digital media, public outreach, Plain Talk, and special projects and initiatives.
• Develop and implement communications strategies and tactics and respond to media and public inquiries and requests for information about matters before the commission. Establish and maintain productive relationships with the media.
• Work directly with the Communications Director to ensure accurate and current public information materials are available and accessible to consumers, regulated industries, and stakeholders. Implement internal and external communications strategies and tactics.
• Act as Plain Talk lead to ensure inclusive and accessible communication for all channels - digital, print, advertising, etc. Ensure all agency communications are clear, easy to understand, and accessible to all. Provide guidance to leaders and staff on Plain Talk best practices, design best practices and brand standards. Lead efforts to ensure agencywide adherence to standards.
• Manage the agency's social media communications program. Maintain an active presence on the commission's social media channels.
• Manage the agency's internal communications program. Provide guidance to leaders and staff about best practices for communicating across the agency, including timing, tone, channels and audiences. Develop processes and policies to reinforce the best practices. Identify and implement improvements to increase how employees engage with their colleagues and leaders.
• Work with communications team to develop and distribute the weekly Good Morning UTC internal staff newsletter, IS quarterly newsletter and various external newsletters including UTC Connections and Mover News. Ensure each issue meets high editorial standards and is editor-in-chief of the publications.
• Write and produce informational materials for the news media, general public and commission staff to educate and inform the public and the news media. This includes news releases, presentations, reports to the governor, speeches, and various other communications.

Qualifications

Required Experience and Education:

• A bachelor's degree with major study in communications, public relations or related field.
• A minimum of five years' experience in one or more of those fields.

Additional professional experience in information, journalism, communications or public relations may be substituted, year-for-year, for education.

• Experience leading or supervising staff with demonstrated ability to perform the Leadership Principles below.

Knowledge of:

• Principles of strategic communications planning.
• Principles of website and social media communication, including design, content development and maintenance.
• Editing methods.
• Communicating technical information to non-technical audiences.
• Writing online content.
• Capabilities of the news media and how it undertakes and completes its job.
• Marketing principles and techniques.
• Outreach methodologies and development of educational materials.
• Experience working with diverse communities and understanding the impact of race, bias, discrimination, and differential treatment of communities composed of Black, Indigenous, and people of color; individuals who identify as LGBTQ+; individuals with disabilities; immigrants; limited English-speaking persons; veterans and others who have been historically marginalized.

Ability to:

• Quickly make thoughtful and analytical decisions regarding message and communication strategy.
• Effectively communicate with all levels of the organization, the media, and the public.

Demonstration of Leadership Competencies:

Develop teamwork through leadership defines team standards, responsibilities, processes, and goals. Promotes a cooperative and respectful work environment. Works for consensus. Anticipates and resolves conflicts. Identifies opportunities in adverse situations. Leverages team diversity to improve team effectiveness; promotes unique team talents. Appropriately and timely shares information, internally and externally. Models desired behavior.

Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Competencies (expected of all employees):

• The ability to take action to learn and grow.
• The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.
• EDI Knowledge, Understanding, & Commitment.
• Self-Awareness.
• Cultivating Mutually Beneficial and Trusting Strategic Partnerships.
• Inclusive Excellence & Allyship.

UTC Core Competencies (expected of all employees):

• Accountability
• Measuring Success and Improvement
• Customer Focus
• Results Focus
• Communication Skills
• Adaptability/Flexibility
• Self-Development
• Continuous Process Improvement

Desired Experience, Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• Principles and theories underlying government regulation of utilities and transportation companies.
• Issues facing industries regulated by the commission.
• Commission mission, goals, objectives and priorities.
• Roles and responsibilities of private and public entities involved in the provision of telecommunications, electricity, natural gas, water, solid waste, railroad, private ferry, bus, household goods services, and the regulation of those service providers.

Skills to:

• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with key public affairs stakeholders, including commissioners, agency managers and staff, members of the media, staff in the Governor's communications office, legislative staff, consumers, and representatives of regulated companies.
• Cultivate relationships with news, media, generate positive media coverage, write news releases, plan news briefing, and manage media outreach.
• Provide training, counsel and material resources for other staff in media relations, publicity and community relations.
• Oversee positioning and image for the commission.
• Manage communications-related graphic design, photography, illustration, and printing efforts.
• Analyze complex utilities and transportation issues and identify the issues of interest and importance to the media and public.

Supplemental Information

READ THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION COMPLETELY:

• This position is covered under civil service rules, Chapter 357-58 of the Washington Administrative Code (WAC).

How to Apply:

Current UTC employees may click the Apply button at the top to begin. To be considered for further screening, ensure you attach the following documents to your completed application:

• Letter of Interest - describing how you meet the position qualifications and why you believe you are the ideal candidate.
• Resume - detailing your applicable competencies, experience and education.
• References - At minimum, three (3) professional references with current telephone numbers and email addresses must be included with your application; one (1) contact MUST be your current or most recent supervisor.

If you are viewing this recruitment on any website other than www.careers.wa.gov, please note the recruitment title and apply through Washington state's official portal. Your application may be received incomplete if using a third-party website. If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing, or completing your application, please call NEOGOV toll-free at (855) 524-5627 or email support@neogov.com.

Veterans Preference:

For information about YesVets, please click here.

Applicants wishing to claim Veterans Preference should attach to their application a copy of their redacted DD-214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22, or signed verification of service letter from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. Please blackout any personally identifiable data such as Social Security numbers. For further information, contact UTC Human Resources at humanresources@utc.wa.gov.

More than Just a Paycheck!

Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.

We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. Thats why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.

Read about our benefits:

The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.

Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.

Insurance Benefits

Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.

Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.

To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.

Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.

Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.

The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.

Retirement and Deferred Compensation

State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems web site.

Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.

Social Security

All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Holidays

Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.

Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.

Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.

Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.

Sick Leave

Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.

Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

Vacation (Annual Leave)

Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.

Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.

Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

As provided in WAC 357-58-175, an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165.

Note: Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.

Military Leave

Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.

Bereavement Leave

Most employees whose family member or household member dies, or for loss of pregnancy, are entitled to five (5) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.

Additional Leave

Leave Sharing

Parental Leave

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

Leave Without Pay

Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.

Updated 01-07-2026

Employer State of Washington

Address View Job Posting for Agency Information

View Job Posting for Location, Washington, 98504

Website http://www.careers.wa.gov