Digital Content & Design Specialist

Digital Content & Design Specialist

Salary

$40.76 - $47.39 Hourly

Location

Seattle Municipal Tower, 700 5th Ave., Seattle, WA

Job Type

Classified Civil Service, Regular, Full-Time

Job Number

2026-01001

Department

Department of Education & Early Learning

Opening Date

07/29/2026

Closing Date

8/18/2026 4:00 PM Pacific

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Position Description

The Department of Education and Early Learning (DEEL) invests in education equity to close race-based opportunity gaps cradle to career. The department aspires to improve the lives of Seattle children, youth, and families by promoting access to high-quality childcare, kindergarten readiness, college and career readiness, and completion of postsecondary degrees or career credentials. DEEL stewards the Families, Education, Preschool, and Promise (FEPP) Levy, the largest publicly funded education levy in the country.

The Digital Content & Design Specialist plays a key role in advancing organizational communication, employee engagement, and digital storytelling efforts. This position supports the Leadership and Administration Division by creating engaging content that informs, connects and inspires employees while strengthening workplace culture and organizational alignment. This role also supports the Communications team within the Impact and External Affairs Division to enhance public-facing messaging and promote programs and initiatives through compelling digital content and creative design. You will utilize your creative and collaborative communications, and multimedia graphic design expertise to support department programs and enhance both internal and external engagement.

DEEL strives to embed the City's Race and Social Justice Initiative into our daily work and seeks staff who value working in partnership with the community, government, and other entities to eliminate racial disparities and achieve racial equity.

Job Responsibilities

Your top priorities in this role will be:

• Leading employee communications and engagement initiatives, including an employee newsletter, onboarding, orientation and all staff events
• Developing engaging digital contents and materials that support both internal and external communication efforts
• Supporting SharePoint modernization project and maintain platforms to improve access, collaboration, and information sharing.
• Applying race and social justice lens to all work and engage in office efforts to eliminate racial disparities and achieve racial equity in City government and broader community.

Your day-to-day activities will include:

Leadership & Administration Support:

• Developing and coordinating internal employee communications, including newsletters, announcements, executive messaging, presentations, communication templates, and communication timelines.
• Supporting department and division planning activities, employee engagement initiatives, and participation in Race and Social Justice-related workgroups and special projects.
• Using Adobe Creative Suite and Microsoft 365 products to design graphics, layouts, branded materials, reports, and digital content, ensuring ADA compliance for internal and external audiences.

Impact & External Affairs Support:

• Creating presentations and visual materials for leadership briefings, community engagement efforts, and public-facing initiatives.
• Collaborating with cross-functional teams to develop visually accessible communication materials and engagement content.
• Developing social media and multimedia content, maintaining and updating the department's internal SharePoint communication site.
• Performing other communications and design-related assignments of a comparable level.

You will be most successful in this role with a combination of the following:

Experience in:

• Graphic design, illustrating infographics, and creating engaging informational videos.
• Social media content management and public facing messaging
• Working with Adobe InDesign and Photoshop software.
• Working with Ingenuix CMS and SharePoint to update and maintain internal and external websites.

The ability to:

• Demonstrate high degree of discretion in handing controversial projects and tasks with public audience.
• Work independently in a self-directed manner and collaborate with a team.

Qualifications

In addition to the ability to complete the tasks mentioned above, you will need to possess the following required qualifications (or a combination of education, training or experience that provides an equivalent background required to perform the work of the class):

• Bachelors degree in English, Journalism, Marketing, Communications, Public Relations, or a closely related field.
• One year of professional experience in public relations, marketing, journalism, or other fields involving the preparation and distribution of public information materials

OR

• Associate degree in English, Journalism, Marketing, Communications, Public Relations or a closely related field.
• Two years of professional experience in public relations, marketing, journalism, or other fields involving the preparation and distribution of public information materials

OR

• Three years of professional experience in public relations, marketing, journalism, or other fields involving the preparation and distribution of public information materials

Additional Information

This full-time Civil Service position is classified as a Public Relations Specialist and is eligible for overtime. It is governed by a collective bargaining agreement between the City and the union, PROTEC17 - Professional Unit.

Pay: The full pay range for this position is $40.76 to $47.39 per hour. New employees typically begin at Step 1 of the pay progression, which is $40.76 hourly. Current City employees starting rate of pay will be based on Personnel Rules.

Working Schedule: This position offers the flexibility of a hybrid work schedule. Employees will be expected to be in-office three days a week. Individual schedules will be based on agreement between the employee and their supervisor.

Hiring Timeline: First interviews for this position are tentatively scheduled for September 1 to 8, 2026. Second interviews are tentatively scheduled for September 11 to 14, 2026.

Accommodations: We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact Sandra Wong at sandra.wong@seattle.gov to request an accommodation.

Language Premium Pay: Individuals selected to fill this position may be eligible to receive Language Premium Pay (SMC 4.20.360), which provides a $200.00 monthly stipend to qualified bilingual employees who are properly evaluated and assigned to provide direct communication in-language, interpretation, or translation services to the public on behalf of the City of Seattle.

Benefits: The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package, including vacation, holiday, and sick leave, as well as medical, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the Citys website at: https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits. Please select an option under the heading "Most Employee Benefits."

Why work at the City? At the City of Seattle, public service is more than a job; it's a chance to shape the future and make a meaningful difference in the lives of everyone who works, lives, or plays in our city. With 12,000 employees across 40+ departments and 1,100 job titles, we are united by a common purpose: to create a Seattle that is vibrant and welcoming for all. Whatever your role, you'll help power a forward-looking city that leads by example - inclusive, innovative, equitable, and community-focused - while joining a diverse team committed to solving challenges and making a lasting impact together. Join us in building a Seattle where everyone thrives!

APPLICATION PROCESS:

Please submit your application at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/seattle/no later than 4:00pm Pacific Time on Tuesday, August 18, 2026. To be considered for this position, in addition to completing your application fully, please attach:

• A PDF of your current resume which illustrates your related skills, experience, and abilities
• A cover letter explaining your interest in this opportunity with the Department of Education & Early Learning and capability to perform this body of work
• A sample of your work product and/or a link to your online portfolio

We encourage you to review the City of Seattle's Application and Interviewing Tips Guide, which may be used as a resource as you prepare to apply and interview for positions with the City of Seattle.

Questions: If you have questions, please contact Sandra Wong at sandra.wong@seattle.gov

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents.

More information about employee benefits is available on the Citys website at:

Benefits - Human Resources | seattle.gov

01

In a few sentences, what interests you about this position?

02

Describe your experience developing digital content and communications materials for internal and internal audiences. What strategies have you used to increase employee engagement and information sharing?

03

Please tell us how you have applied a racial equity lens to your work and the impact it has had.

04

How would you handle a negative online interaction/comment?

05

What workflows do you use to gather stories for creating presentations?

06

Which social media platform is most interesting to you right now and why?

07

This position offers the flexibility of a hybrid work schedule. Employees will be expected to work in-office a minimum of three days a week. Individual schedules will be determined between you and your supervisor. Please confirm your understanding and ability to meet the needs of this role.

• Yes
• No

08

To be considered for this position, your application must be complete. Did you attach a cover letter, resume, and work sample to this application? (If you have an online portfolio, please provide that link here)

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer City of Seattle

Address Seattle Municipal Tower

700 5th Avenue, Suite 5500

Seattle, Washington, 98104

Website http://www.seattle.gov/jobs