Communications Specialist

COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST

Job title: Communications Specialist

Location: Hybrid or remote

Reports to: Creative Services Director

Status: Full-time, Exempt

Salary: $71,000 -$78,000 annually

We’re looking for a detail-oriented and versatile communications professional to join our creative services team. This role supports communication and content creation across a variety of channels—including newsletters, social media, email campaigns, websites, print materials, and professional-facing materials.

This is an opportunity to join a creative, mission-driven team working to support children, youth, families, and professionals in the child welfare system. You'll help produce clear, compelling communications that reflect our agency’s values, amplify the voices of those we serve, increase awareness of our services, and foster engagement with families, professionals, and partners. Join us in doing meaningful work at a welcoming agency that is recognized for excellence as well as our focus on work-life balance and staff well-being.

ABOUT US

Northwest Resource Associates (nwresource.org) is a nonprofit child welfare agency. We envision every young person having family that nurtures their growth and potential. We work toward this vision by designing and delivering programs and technology that empower youth, strengthen families, and improve child welfare systems in the Pacific Northwest and nationally.

Our programs have been recognized nationally for our focus on youth engagement and digital storytelling to better serve children, families, and professionals. More than four decades old, we are headquartered in Seattle, Washington, and have offices in Alaska and Oregon as well. You can find our program work at the following websites:

• AdoptUSKids (https://adoptuskids.org)
• Alaska Center for Resource Families (https://www.acrf.org/)
• Northwest Adoption Exchange (https://www.nwae.org/)
• Oregon Post-adoption Resource Center (https://www.orparc.org/)

Equity and inclusion are priorities across all programs at Northwest Resource Associates. We are passionate about inclusive and affirming policy and practice and are recognized by the Human Rights Campaign’s All Children, All Families program. We seek staff diversity in ability, age, ethnicity, gender identity and expression, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, and veteran status. In addition, we welcome applications from those with lived experience in foster care or with adoption. We are an equal opportunity employer.

WHO WE'RE LOOKING FOR

Our communications specialist plays a key role in advancing the mission of our agency by supporting the core areas of our work. By bringing strong writing, collaboration, and digital skills to this role, you’ll help us connect with the families, youth, and professionals we serve and advance our mission to find permanent, loving homes for children and youth in foster care.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Core communications duties

• Write, edit, and proofread content for a wide range of materials including newsletters, websites, social media posts, email marketing, talking points, blogs, and reports.
• Develop and manage editorial calendar and publish email campaigns, including monthly newsletters and automated email campaigns.
• Help manage and publish content on agency websites.
• Assist with the development and delivery of messaging across digital platforms and printed materials.
• Assist in monitoring analytics and preparing basic performance reports.
• Ensure all content adheres to brand and style guidelines, is accessible, and meets audience needs.

Strategic collaboration and planning

• Collaborate with program staff to gather stories, data, and updates.
• Serve as the main point of contact and collaboration between projects and the creative services team.
• Work with child welfare professionals to develop presentations, publications, and resources tailored to professionals.
• Work with creative services team to establish and institutionalize the use of report and presentation templates.
• Adhere to all agency policies and procedures including information security and the agency handbook.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in communications, social media management, or content creation.
• Bachelor’s degree in English, journalism, communications, or related experience.
• Exceptional writing and editing skills, ability to translate complex or sensitive topics into accessible, human-centered messages.
• Experience creating and publishing content on websites, email marketing tools, or social media channels.
• Strong project management skills and attention to detail.
• Proven ability to collaborate effectively, accept feedback, and adapt to changing needs.
• Commitment to continuous learning and improvement.
• Understanding of importance of equity, inclusion, unconscious bias, and disrupting systemic racism—or willingness to learn and participate in training and discussions.

Bonus skills and experience

• Experience with content creation tools (e.g., Canva, Adobe Creative Suite).
• Familiarity with website content management systems (e.g., WordPress) and email platforms (e.g., MailChimp).
• Experience with Agile methodology and project management tools (e.g., Jira, Trello).
• Nonprofit communications or child welfare experience.

LOCATION, SALARY AND BENEFITS, AND HOW TO APPLY

Location

We use a hybrid work model. Team members have access to our downtown Seattle office and may use it anytime though most work primarily remote. Employees may be asked to spend up to 20% of their time in the office.

Salary and benefits

This is a full-time, 40 hour per week position with a salary of $71,000 -$78,000 annually based on experience.

We offer flexible work schedules, 3.5 to 6 weeks of paid vacation per year, 15 to 16 paid holidays per year, paid sick leave, a generous family leave policy, a retirement plan, optional 403b plan, medical and dental insurance, life insurance, disability insurance, long-term care insurance, and commuter benefits.

How to apply

Submit a brief cover letter explaining your fit for the position, your resume, and a writing sample via our Airtable form: https://airtable.com/appBts5WI38NRQUr6/paglCC2G9oLNqKlmQ/form

Your writing sample should demonstrate your ability to communicate with a public audience using audience-centered messaging and storytelling.

We will accept applications until the position is filled. We will prioritize applications that come in on or before Aug. 17, 2025.