Deputy Public Affairs Manager

State of Washington
State of Washington

Tumwater, WA, USA

USD 86,892-123,804 / year

Posted on Jun 15, 2026

Description

Our Mission: Keep Washington Safe and Working!
Our Values: Customer Focus, One L&I, Respect, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Learning and Growth, Reliability


The target pay range typically considered for this position is $86,892-$123,804 annually. The full pay range for this WMS Band is $80,376-$130,320 annually.

Are you looking to take the next step as a professional communicator? This is a great role for a fast learner and leader who wants to play a crucial role helping shape and represent a 3,000-employee organization as a strategic advisor, spokesperson and manager.

The Deputy Public Affairs Manager is a senior leadership role within L&I’s Web & Communication Services Division, reporting to the Public Affairs Manager. This position serves as a trusted advisor to division and agency leadership, leads communication strategy for the agency’s largest division (Insurance Services), and manages an outreach program designed to prevent workplace injuries among young workers.

This position represents L&I on high-profile media and public affairs issues, coordinating closely with the Governor’s office communications staff on media relations and issues of statewide significance. This role is ideal for an experienced communicator who thrives in a vibrant, collaborative environment and wants to continue growing as a leader while helping shape the public conversation around issues that affect workers and employers across Washington state.

As a senior communications leader for the agency, you will:

  • Advise the Public Affairs Manager and serve as spokesperson or advisor on their behalf when needed.
  • Anticipate emerging issues, assess risks and develop communication strategies that support both immediate and long-term agency priorities.
  • Lead and develop a 3–5-person team of communication professionals while building the division’s digital media capabilities and expertise.
  • Plan and execute communication, outreach, education, marketing, and public engagement efforts that engage workers, employers, and stakeholders.
  • Manage special projects, including the agency's Plain Language strategy.

As the lead communications advisor to L&I’s Insurance Services Division, you will also:

  • Serve as strategic communication advisor to the Insurance Services leadership team, helping guide messaging, establish goals, and guide data-informed decisions.
  • Advise division and agency leadership on public opinion related to sensitive workers' compensation issues, public concerns, and policy decisions.
  • Help develop information for external audiences, including legislators and stakeholders.

Duties

Some of what you will be doing

  1. Act on behalf of the Public Affairs Manager when needed, representing the agency publicly with the media.
  2. Lead communication strategies for controversial and high-profile issues, advising agency leadership on messaging, public perception, and reputational risk.
  3. Direct and supervise an experienced team of several Communication Consultant 5 professionals, guiding their work in developing communication plans, messages, and tactics aligned with the agency's mission and strategic plan.
  4. Evaluate and strengthen the agency’s use of traditional and digital communication channels, determine the right messages reach the right audiences, and continually build the digital media skills and effectiveness of the Public Affairs team.
  5. Oversee and analyze the quality and effectiveness of Insurance Services Division communications, ensuring strategies are consistently implemented across all programs and resources are used appropriately.
  6. Oversee the Injured Young Workers Speaker Program, establishing goals, tracking success metrics, and evaluating effectiveness to recommend improvements.
  7. Identify opportunities to advance the agency's mission through earned media, web content, social media, marketing, advertising, and emerging communication channels.
  8. Help organize and lead team meetings, video and photo shoots, speaker presentations, and special events. .
  9. Develop staff skills and capabilities, ensuring they can deliver clear, accurate, and timely information to both external and internal audiences.
  10. Implement the agency's Plain Language strategy, helping lead the agency's implementation of Executive Order 23-02 (Download PDF reader), collaborating with program representatives to review and update key documents, and championing plain language practices across the agency through training and internal outreach.

Qualifications

Required Education, Experience, and Competencies.

  • Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications or related field.
  • At least five years’ experience as a reporter, editor, marketing professional, creative content producer, public information officer, or related position at a large public or private entity.
  • Demonstrated ability to think critically, plan strategically, and exercise sound judgement while managing complex or sensitive issues.
  • Ability to navigate complex political and stakeholder environments while maintaining productive relationships.
  • Being sensitive and proactive to public attitudes and concerns.
  • Working effectively and collaboratively with staff, external partners and stakeholders.
  • Ability to write clearly and effectively, to develop comprehensive communications strategies; to provide effective communications advice to top management; to manage short-term and long-term projects, and to effectively lead and serve on teams.
  • Experience in a leadership position and supervising others.
  • Experience creating and/or managing creation of digital media strategy and content.
  • The ability to take action and to learn and grow.
  • The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.

Supplemental Information

Things You Need To Know

State employees who meet the qualifications will become eligible for a generous retirement package at the end of the employee’s career. Click on the “Benefits” tab to learn more.

At L&I, your voice matters. In addition, L&I is a diverse state agency dedicated to the safety and health and security of Washington's 3.3 million workers. Take a look at this brief video and learn more about why L&I is an employer of choice.

The assigned duty station for this position is Tumwater, Washington. Teleworking may be one of the work schedule options for this position. Telework is dependent upon business needs and supervisor approval. The frequency of telework will be discussed with the supervisor of the position at the time of offer.

To receive more information on opportunities at L&I sign up for GovDelivery and select L&I job alerts.

Application process

We will contact the top candidates directly to interview for this position. Because we base the selection on information provided by you, it is in your best interest to identify the knowledge, skills, and abilities that address the required and desirable qualifications described in the announcement.

Please include the following documents with your application:

  1. A cover letter describing specific qualifications.
  2. A current resume detailing applicable experience and education.
  3. A list of at least three professional references with current telephone numbers.

Please do not attach or place any medical information (vaccination status included) within the application, resume, or cover letter. If you do, we will have to reject your application to safeguard others from receiving your confidential information. You will have to remove the confidential information before you can apply again.

To learn more about our hiring process timeline at L&I please visit our L&I recruiting page at Hiring Process at L&I. If you would like to read our website in a language other than English, scroll up to the top of the page to select your language of choice from the banner.

Background Check Notice

Prior to a placement in this position, a background check, including criminal history record will be conducted. Information from your background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining your eligibility to perform the requirements of the position.

Other information

  • For positions requiring travel, you must have a valid unrestricted driver's license and have insurance if driving a privately owned vehicle on state business.
  • This position is represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE).
  • Candidates who are offered a job with L&I must possess work authorization that does not require sponsorship by the employer for a visa now or in the future.
  • The Department of Labor & Industries complies with the employment eligibility verification requirements of the federal employment eligibility verification form, I-9. The selected candidate must be able to provide proof of identity and eligibility to work in the United States consistent with the requirements of that form on the first day of employment.
  • Please note: L&I may use this announcement to fill multiple permanent and/or non-permanent positions.

Did You Know?

Washington is America's Top State to live, play, and work, according to U.S. News (2021). Join the L&I team and enjoy all the Evergreen State has to offer.

In addition to offering a positive balance between life and work, L&I provides one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation. We also believe your voice matters. We value our employees and their work-life balance by encouraging flexible schedules. L&I is a diverse state agency dedicated to the safety and health and security of Washington's 3 million workers.

Veterans Preference

Applicants wishing to claim Veterans Preference should attach to their application a copy of their 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 L&I’s Jobs@lni.wa.gov.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Employer

L&I employees come from all walks of life. We strive to hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

We believe in the importance of recognizing the value each of us contribute to the success of the agency mission. Having a diverse workforce is this agency’s greatest resource of strength and knowledge. It is through the combination of talents and abilities that we can pursue finding effective measures to provide the best customer service. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace for everyone and we strongly mean everyone.

The State of Washington is an equal opportunity employer. Persons with a disability who need accommodation in the application process or testing process, or those needing this announcement in an alternative format, may call 360-902-5700. TTY users should first call 711 to access the Washington Relay Service.
You are welcome to include the name and pronoun you would like to be referred to in your materials and we will honor this as you interact with our award-winning diverse and inclusive organization.

For more Information

If you have any questions regarding this job posting, program, or the agency, please contact Steve Camerer (he/him)

See more open positions at State of Washington