Pierce Transit
Public Relations Officer
Recruitment Announcement
ABOUT PIERCE TRANSIT
Pierce Transit was founded in 1979 when local voters
approved a 0.3% sales tax to fund public transportation.
Since then, the agency has grown to become the
second largest transit agency in Washington State.
The agency serves 292 square miles of urban and rural
Pierce County, providing local and express bus service,
specialized SHUTTLE transportation for people with
disabilities, and ridesharing services including a large
vanpool fleet.
The agency provides a vital link in the regional
transportation system by making connections with King
County through express bus services. Pierce Transit is a
municipal corporation, not part of the City of Tacoma,
Pierce County or Sound Transit.
Pierce Transit serves the following jurisdictions within
Pierce County: Auburn, Edgewood, Fife, Fircrest, Gig
Harbor, Lakewood, Milton, Pacific, Puyallup, Ruston,
Steilacoom, Tacoma, University Place and portions of
unincorporated Pierce County.
Pierce Transit is governed by a nine-member Board of
Commissioners. The Board is currently made up of elected
officials representing Pierce County, Tacoma, Lakewood,
Puyallup, University Place and the smaller cities and
towns in Pierce County. The governance structure allows
for a tenth, non-voting union representative, however, this
right is currently not being exercised and the position is
vacant. The Board is responsible for adopting policies that
govern the operation of the transit agency and its services
and employs the Chief Executive Officer to carry out the
day-to-day management and administration of the agency.
1802 BLACK LAKE BLVD SW, SUITE 101 • OLYMPIA, WA 98512
360-867-1410 • WWW.KARRASCONSULTING.NET
Pierce Transit Public Relations Officer Recruitment Announcement
ABOUT THE POSITION
The Public Relations Officer reports to the CEO, serves as a member of the agency’s Executive Team and has
primary responsibility for planning, organizing, coordinating and executing a proactive public relations program to
promote Pierce Transit.
This position serves as the primary agency spokesperson to the media and provides timely and transparent information
to the public and enhances the visibility of the agency’s strategic initiatives, key messages, and programs. In addition,
the Public Relations Officer establishes and promotes the agency’s brand and helps develop meaningful community
engagement through a variety of public process approaches. This position does not supervise other employees.
Additional responsibilities include:
• Coordinates and promotes contact with the press;
community organizations; federal, state and local
agencies and the general public.
• Prepares and disseminates press releases, feature
articles for publication, letters to the editor and other
related media pieces.
• Directs the development of a comprehensive public
relations strategy, through consultation with internal and
external stakeholders that improves communication and
engagement with citizens and customers.
• Interprets complex transportation issues and crisis
situations and translates information into clear, easily
understood forms for public consumption.
• Identifies challenges and emerging issues faced by the
agency and works with the Board of Commissioners,
CEO, Executive Team and staff to recognize
communication opportunities in order to design and
execute appropriate strategies to address them.
• Provides advice to agency-wide departmental citizen
engagement efforts – monitoring projects as they are
implemented and giving attention to sensitive issues
as they emerge.
• Coordinates and delivers media training seminars for
agency personnel.
• Develops and oversees tools to measure the success and
continuously improve the quality of public relations.
1802 BLACK LAKE BLVD SW, SUITE 101 • OLYMPIA, WA 98512
360-867-1410 • WWW.KARRASCONSULTING.NET
Pierce Transit Public Relations Officer Recruitment Announcement
THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
APPLICATION PROCESS
For this important role Pierce Transit seeks an
experienced public relations professional who is
deeply committed to the success of the agency and
is a strategic big-picture thinker. The ideal candidate
will have a passion for public service and will lead by
example to gain the confidence of the public, the
media and staff.
Persons interested in this position must submit a cover
letter, salary history and a current resume.
The preferred candidate will have experience and
demonstrated success in the following areas:
• Strategic public relations leadership with an
understanding of the relationship between public
agencies, the media and the community.
• Understanding of the news media, its structures and
technology for reporting news.
• Familiarity with trends in communications,
identity building, and public relations strategies
for public entities.
• Cultural competency that enables effective working
relationships in cross-cultural situations.
• Integrity, honesty, compassion, courage, optimism,
and good judgment.
• Creative problem solver, bringing fresh ideas and a
progressive approach.
If you have questions regarding this announcement,
please call Marissa Karras at 360-956-1336. The
position will remain open until filled; however
the screening process will move quickly. Please
submit your application materials as soon as
possible but no later than May 29th, 2015 to
[email protected]. The annual salary
range for this position is $78,916 - $118,373. The
initial salary will depend on the candidate’s overall
credentials. Pierce Transit offers a generous benefit
package including medical/dental, retirement, life
and disability insurance, paid holidays, vacation and
sick leave and optional deferred compensation.
Pierce Transit is an equal opportunity employer, values
workplace diversity and seeks to create an environment
and culture that embraces employee differences. All
qualified applicants are considered in accordance with
applicable laws prohibiting discrimination on the basis
of race, religion, color, gender, age, national origin,
sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, marital
status or veteran status or any other legally protected
status. We will provide assistance in the recruitment,
application and selection process to applicants with
disabilities who request such assistance.
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
A bachelor’s degree and five years of progressively
responsible experience in public relations,
communications, media or a related field.
1802 BLACK LAKE BLVD SW, SUITE 101 • OLYMPIA, WA 98512
360-867-1410 • WWW.KARRASCONSULTING.NET