Bilingual Public Affairs Specialist (Public Affairs Specialist 2)

State of Oregon•Salem, OR

8d•$5,984 - $9,190•Hybrid

About The Position

This is a benefits-eligible, limited-duration position expected to last up to 24 months. While it is not a permanent appointment, it may transition to permanent status if future budget approval is secured. The agency is actively working to prioritize this request in the upcoming legislative session. At the Oregon State Fire Marshal (OSFM), our mission is simple yet crucial: to protect people, property, and the environment from fire and hazardous materials. Guided by a set of unwavering values, we strive to uphold integrity, dedication, leadership, partnership, and service to others in all we do. The OSFM actively supports a workforce representative of the communities we serve. We embrace diversity, practice inclusive excellence, and strive for equity and belonging to maintain a workplace where everyone is treated with respect and dignity. We value all lived experiences and welcome members of historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, LGBTQIA2S+, women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and others to apply. The OSFM is seeking a skilled and community-minded bilingual public affairs specialist to join our Public Affairs Unit. In this position, you’ll play a key role in ensuring critical fire and life safety information is accessible to communities across Oregon. You’ll develop communication strategies, create engaging multilingual content, support media relations, and collaborate closely with culturally specific organizations to strengthen outreach and resilience statewide. This position manages digital content, crafts messaging for websites and social media, translates and adapts materials, represents the agency at community events, and serves as a bilingual spokesperson during emergencies. Cultural competency and professional fluency in Spanish will be essential in this role to ensure inclusive, equitable communication as you help advance statewide wildfire preparedness efforts and contribute to equity‑centered practices that reach Oregon’s diverse communities. Become a part of the OSFM team and together, let's continue working towards a safer, more resilient Oregon for everyone!

Requirements

A Bachelor's Degree in Business or Public Administration, Public Relations, Marketing, Journalism, the Behavioral or Social Sciences or related degree and two years professional level experience in Public Relations or Affairs; OR Five years experience directly related to the position under recruitment; two of the five years must have been at the professional level.
Requires a valid drivers’ license with an acceptable driving record.
Requires full professional fluency in Spanish and English.
Applicants that are selected to move forward in the recruitment process will be required to complete a language skills assessment.

Nice To Haves

Full professional fluency in Spanish and English.
Experience writing in the Associated Press Style for many formats such as reports, website content, social media posts, letters, emails, etc.
Experience using computer programs such as graphic design programs, video editing programs, Microsoft Office Suite, and SharePoint.
Knowledge of best practices for publishing and layout of newsletters, news articles, and press releases.
Experience updating websites using a content management system.
Ability to effectively interact with a variety of people such as news reporters, other employees, the public, and partner agencies.
Ability to use critical thinking, emotional intelligence, and sound judgement while interacting with others.

Responsibilities

Develop communication strategies.
Create engaging multilingual content.
Support media relations.
Collaborate closely with culturally specific organizations to strengthen outreach and resilience statewide.
Manage digital content.
Craft messaging for websites and social media.
Translate and adapt materials.
Represent the agency at community events.
Serve as a bilingual spokesperson during emergencies.

Benefits

paid vacation
sick leave
11 holidays
24 hours of personal business leave
a floating day off each year
Medical, vision, dental (with most only 1%-5% employee share)
life insurance
additional optional benefits
Retirement programs through the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)
optional deferred compensation programs through the Oregon Savings Growth Plan
Student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)
Opportunities to expand your technical and professional skills.