Job Description

Posting number: 2026-08788

Department: Professional Educator Standards Board

Division: Professional Educator Standards Board

Job classification: EXEMPT

Posting type: Open

Categories: Administration, Administrative Assistant, Clerical & Data Entry, Community Services, Telecommunications, Education, Miscellaneous, Customer Service, Project Management, Organizational Development, Health Education, Higher Education, Business, Communications, Professional Education, Technical Education, Community and Social Services, Education, Training & Library, Office and Administrative Support, Sports & Physical Education, Program Management, K-12

Summary

EXEMPT

RECRUITMENT ANNOUNCEMENT

Director of Communication and External Relations

$80,000 to $110,000 annually

Closes November 04,2026

This is an exempt recruitment announcement from the Professional Educator Standards Board. This position, located in Olympia, WA, may be eligible for a partial teleworking schedule. Telework combines in-building and off-site days.

Who we are

We believe that the success of Washington’s students depends on the success of Washington’s educators. At the Professional Educator Standards Board (PESB), we strengthen and support the success of our educator workforce through every stage of their career.

We are one agency with two governing Boards: the Professional Educator Standards Board and the Paraeducator Board. Our policies and programs span Washington’s system of educator pathways, preparation, certification, and professional development opportunities. We oversee educator standards and licensure, and hold preparation programs accountable for the ways in which they recruit, support, and prepare diverse and classroom-ready educators.

Our board members and staff are committed to centering diversity, equity, and inclusion in every aspect of our work and to building respectful, reciprocal relationships with Tribal Nations across Washington State. As part of our commitment, we embrace the opportunity to address disparities and barriers perpetuated by historical and institutionalized racism within the overall education system, and we recognize the unique government-to-government relationship the state holds with Tribal Nations under the Centennial Accord.

Our agency values serve as a compass to guide our work. We value:

• Educator voice
• Diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Educator excellence for student success
• Community engagement
• Learning and innovation

To operate as an antiracist agency, we seek candidates aligned with these values, including candidates who bring experience or a genuine willingness to learn how to work in good faith with education partners, diverse constituencies, and Tribal Nations. Passion for the mission of PESB, including its commitment to equity and to honoring Washington’s diverse communities and Tribal Nations.

Position overview

This position provides strategic guidance to the Executive Director and other agency members to help engage the public, strengthen external partnerships, and promote the value and visibility of our work. The Director for Communication and External Relations must establish strong, collaborative relationships with internal teams to execute effective, equity-centered communications plans supporting agency needs and goals.

This role ensures communication with educators, paraeducators, preparation programs, school districts, Educational Service Districts (ESDs), educational organizations, policymakers, the public, and Tribal Nations in Washington State is not only clear and accurate but also culturally responsive, reflecting the histories, sovereignty, and self-determination of the communities we serve. The Director partners closely with the agency’s Tribal Liaison to ensure Tribal perspectives, protocols, and priorities are embedded in the agency’s communications, outreach, and public engagement work.

The Director will employ equity-centered and culturally responsive communications to elevate the agency’s core functions for educators (career exploration and discovery, preparation, credentialing, workforce development, and shortage). The role will also work to ensure the agency’s messaging reflects the needs of historically underserved communities and Tribal Nations. This role will lead and support the development and implementation of campaigns for multiple audiences to support the agency’s priorities, including legislative advocacy.

Key responsibilities

Agencywide communications

• Write, edit, and design agency communications materials, including one-pagers, reports, FAQs, and presentations, to effectively communicate information to diverse audiences (e.g., educators, legislators, stakeholders, associations, Tribal Nations, and community members).
• Ensure materials are accurate, accessible, culturally responsive, aligned with key messages, and promote the agency as a positive and transparent policymaker and partner.
• Create and maintain internal policies, processes, and training to guide and support staff on the use of communications tools, including guidance on culturally responsive communications practices.
• Promote agencywide initiatives and programs by developing key messages and talking points, leading audience analysis activities, implementing communications plans, and assessing opportunities for greater engagement and outreach.
• Provide media and outreach guidance for agency meetings and conferences, develop materials, and recommend promotional strategies to increase visibility, registration, and participation from diverse audiences and Tribal Communities.
• Alongside the Legislative Policy Team, translate complex policy, rulemaking, and certification/credentialing information into accessible language for diverse audiences.
• Align current and new agency materials with ADA requirements and accessibility best practices.
• Support agency Tribal Liaison in maintaining relationships between the board and Tribal education departments, Tribal Colleges, and Tribal leadership on matters related to educator standards and requirements, the John McCoy (lulilaš) Since Time Immemorial curriculum, Tribal-based teacher and paraeducator pathways, and workforce development.

Public relations and legislative support

• Develop and implement campaigns for multiple audiences to support legislative advocacy for agency initiatives.
• Work closely with the Executive Director and staff to support the agency’s legislative priorities by advising on communications strategy, framing, positioning, and research, ensuring an equity and Tribal Relations lens is applied throughout.
• Cultivate and maintain knowledge of and relationships with educational organizations, policymakers, Tribal Nations, and other partners and constituencies as needed.
• Ensure consistent messaging in legislative materials such as fact sheets, talking points, and presentations.
• Track media coverage, write press releases, coordinate interviews, identify story opportunities, and maintain consistent and positive press relationships.
• Serve as the first point of contact and agency spokesperson for media inquiries.
• Provide direct and proactive advice, consultation, and assistance to the Executive Director and staff, as needed, regarding public information matters, including providing direct assistance in researching, providing information, and developing messages.
• Support the Tribal Liaison with establishing, cultivating, and maintaining government-to-government relationships with Washington’s Tribal Nations, consistent with the state’s Centennial Accord and related Tribal Consultation policies.

Digital Communications

• Manage graphic design for agency materials, including one-pagers, reports, FAQs, ADA compliance, and presentations to effectively communicate information to diverse audiences (e.g., educators, legislators, stakeholders, associations, and community members).
• Manage the design and execution of social media, collaborating with agency teams to identify social media content, using best practices, engagement tactics, user-experience design strategies, accessibility compliance, and strengthening content through plain talk principles that reach diverse audiences.
• Manage agency social media tools and profiles, including the content calendar, Facebook, X (formerly known as Twitter), LinkedIn, Medium, and YouTube.
• Lead the design, management, and maintenance of the agency’s internal and external websites, ensuring all formatting, content, and designs align with our agency style guide, meet accessibility requirements, and prioritize the user experience.
• Manage contracts related to website design, management, and maintenance.

Executive director and board meeting support

• Provide outreach support to the Executive Director by researching and identifying opportunities for stakeholder engagements, networking events, and strengthening partnerships through a variety of communication platforms.
• Draft talking points, correspondence, presentations, or other materials at the direction of the Executive Director.
• Support board meetings, public hearings, and rulemaking processes with clear communication of opportunities for public and Tribal input, including:
• Develop, support, consult, or review Executive Director and other staff team presentations and materials.
• Attend all PESB board meetings to manage media opportunities and support the Executive Director, staff, and board members.
• Provide technical support for in-person and virtual meetings.
• Other duties as assigned by the Executive Director.

Required qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in communications, journalism, or a related field.
• Five or more years of relevant experience in communications or public relations.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate across cultural, linguistic, and community differences, as well as engage in courageous conversations around race, equity, and Tribal Sovereignty.
• Experience working respectfully and productively with education organizations, policymakers, Tribal nations, constituencies, and other partners.
• Understanding of Tribal sovereignty and government-to-government consultation protocols.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and in team environments.
• Ability to work a varied schedule, including evenings, weekends, and travel to board meetings across the state approximately 6-8 times a year.
• Significant experience in providing strategic communications guidance for complex policy initiatives.
• Proficient in website and document accessibility guidelines to ensure ADA compliance.

Desired qualifications

• Master’s degree or higher in communications, journalism, or a related field.
• Seven or more years of relevant experience in communications or public relations.
• Ability to create graphics to illustrate complex ideas or work with graphic artists to achieve that end.
• Proficiency in print and online publishing applications, including Canva and Adobe Creative Suite.
• Experience working in education (P-12 or higher education) OR experience in public or state service.
• Passion for the mission of PESB, including its commitment to equity and to honoring Washington’s diverse communities and Tribal Nations.
• Demonstrated ability to employ a range of problem-solving strategies with self and others for organizational advancement.

Condition of employment

All state employees must live within Washington state during employment. Telework is available within the state.

Compensation

Annual compensation for the position is $80,000 to $110,000 per year and depends upon experience, educational background, and qualifications. Washington State offers a generous benefits package including health, dental and life insurance, retirement, and an optional deferred compensation program. Please visit the Health Care Authority website for information regarding health benefits and the Department of Retirement Systems for retirement plan information. This position serves at the pleasure of the Executive Director and is exempt from civil service laws. The position is not represented by a bargaining unit.

Application process

Those interested in this position must apply through Careers.wa.gov. Applications must include the following documents in MS Word and PDF format only:

• A letter of interest specifically addressing the qualifications listed in this announcement
• A current resume
• A list of three or more professional references.

Please address any questions to:

Sal Salazar, Human Resources

Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction

600 Washington Street Southeast

Olympia, WA 98504-7200

360-725-6278, Sal.salazar@k12.wa.us

The Professional Educator Standards Board is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from job seekers who will contribute to our diversity. PESB provides equal access to all programs and services without discrimination based on sex, race, creed, religion, color national origin, age, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation including gender expression or identity, the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability. Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format may contact the Human Resources Office at 360-725-6271 or hroffice@k12.wa.us.