Lead Designer

Lead Designer

Salary

$61,152.00 - $80,683.00 Annually

Location

Snohomish County - Other, WA

Job Type

Full Time - Permanent

Job Number

2026-SCD LD

Department

Snohomish Conservation District

Opening Date

11/04/2026

Closing Date

Continuous

• Description
• Benefits

Description

Lead Designer

Terms: Regular full-time position (40 hrs/week), with benefits. Overtime eligible.

Bargaining Unit: AFSCME Local 3300

Hiring Range: Communications Specialist, Range 6. The full range for this classification is $61,152 - $80,683 (Steps 1-15). The expected hiring range for this position is $61,152 - $73,070 (Steps 1-10), depending on qualifications and experience.

Job Classification and Range: Communications Specialist, Range 6 (working title: Lead Designer)

Department: Outreach and Communications

Reports To: Communications and Development Director

Base Schedule: Full-time, 40 hours per week (five 8-hour days). Employees work a consistent daily schedule with established start and end times, set in coordination with their supervisor - start times between 7:00 and 9:00 a.m. and end times between 3:30 and 5:30 p.m. Alternate schedules, such as four 10-hour days, may be approved in advance based on operational needs. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required.

Application Instructions

To apply for this position, please submit the following materials via our website at https://snohomishcd.org/employment:

• Cover letter stating why you are interested in this position
• CV or resume detailing your related experience

If you have questions about applying or need accommodation during the application process, contact Sally Cunningham at hr@snohomishcd.org or (360) 631-6736.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and will be accepted until the position is filled. Priority deadline for applications is Monday, November 16, 2026.

Position Summary

The Lead Designer develops and executes Snohomish Conservation District's visual communications strategies. This role ensures creative and cohesive branding in print and digital design. The position is part of the Outreach and Communications Team which provides education, outreach, and communications support to all District programs - including Agriculture, Habitat, Forestry, Community Conservation, Youth Education, Outreach and Events, and District Operations. This position reports to the Communications and Development Director.

Duties

Essential Tasks

These are illustrations of the various types of work performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

Design

• Design and produce content for print and electronic communications, including postcards, social media, newsletters, flyers, booklets, brochures, large-scale signage, and websites.
• Successfully manage multiple complex projects from design conception to production readiness.
• Oversee conformity to branding guide in all communications, outreach, and marketing materials to maintain consistent, high-quality design.
• Work with the Communications & Marketing Specialist to design the annual report.

Website & Outreach Support

• Responsible for the overall appearance and function of SCD websites.
• Help maintain shared websites, such as Better Ground.
• Understand and interpret website analytics for future digital marketing campaign development.
• Collaborate across teams to ensure the website remains updated with accurate, timely information.
• Support digital promotion of outreach events and programs through Eventbrite, website calendar, etc.
• Support and collaborate with the Communications and Marketing Specialist to review and proofread designs, revisions, and other documentation for friendly and understandable language.
• Support community outreach events, including staffing, coordinating event details, and capturing photos.

Qualifications

Required knowledge, skills, and abilities

• Bachelor's degree in graphic design or a related field
• At least three years of professional experience in graphic design, branding, or a related field
• Knowledge of layouts, graphic fundamentals, typography, print, and web design
• Knowledge of search engine optimization (SEO) and answer engine optimization (AEO)
• Knowledge of Adobe PhotoShop, Illustrator, Sketch, InDesign, and other graphic design software
• Demonstrated illustration skills
• Experience supporting outreach events, including photography
• Demonstrated ability to translate purpose and tone into high-quality design within established SCD brand identity
• Strong attention to detail

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

This position requires the ability to:

• Operate a computer almost constantly throughout a standard workday.
• Work outdoors in all weather conditions and on rough or uneven terrain
• Sit or stand for long periods of time in a standard workday.
• Occasionally lift, pull, carry, push up to 40lbs, and to bend, twist, squat, kneel/crawl, and reach overhead.
• Occasionally work beyond an 8:00 am - 5:00 pm schedule or on the weekend.
• Drive a vehicle when travel is needed. Must hold a valid, unrestricted Washington State driver's license (or have the ability to acquire upon hire).

Supplemental Information

Work Location

The District offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes:

• Medical, including vision, insurance coverage through Washington State PEBB. The District covers employee dependent's medical premiums at 80%.
• Dental insurance coverage through Washington State PEBB for benefits-eligible employees. The District covers employee dependent's dental premiums at 100%.
• A monthly contribution to a health reimbursement arrangement (HRA) plan through Voluntary Employees Beneficiary Association (VEBA) for employees who have non-District medical insurance coverage.
• Life Insurance through Washington State Health Care Authority (WSHCA), with coverage paid for by the District.
• Long Term Care coverage through the WA Cares Fund, with premiums paid by the District.
• Long Term Disability through WSHCA.
• Additional voluntary supplemental insurance opportunities are also available.
• Annual (vacation) leave accrued at a beginning rate of 9.33 hours per month, 8 hours of paid sick leave per month and 12 paid holidays each year plus 1 personal day. All PTO hours are prorated to FTE.
• Auto-enrollment into the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP), option to disenroll after hired
• All employees are covered by standard State and Federal programs, including WA Paid Family Medical Leave, Unemployment Insurance, Workers Compensation, Social Security, and Medicare.
• Employer-contributed retirement program through the State of Washington Employees' Retirement System (PERS).
• Access to an Employee Assistance Program
• Terms of compensation and benefits are set by the Board of Supervisors, pro-rated based upon FTE, and may be amended at any time.

We strive to work in partnership with all, to provide equitable and accessible programming on a nondiscriminatory basis, and to continually improve how we do so. All programs and services of the Snohomish Conservation District are offered on a nondiscriminatory basis, without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, or genetic information.

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