Communications Manager (Communications Manager 2)

State of Oregon•Street, MD

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

Are you interested in applying your communications leadership skills to protecting and enhancing Oregon’s environment? If so, please consider a career with the State of Oregon at the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality strives to build and sustain an inclusive and equitable environment that embraces and values diversity. Employees at all levels of the agency work together to foster fairness, equity, inclusion, and belonging. We strive to be a workplace where we share our authentic identities, while advancing our individual professional goals, and while collaborating to protect, preserve, and enhance the environment for current and future generations. We celebrate and appreciate diversity, champion equity, and treat each other with respect and dignity. We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, ethnicity, veteran status, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, marital status, age, or physical or mental disability in the administration of our programs and activities. Visit DEQ’s Civil Rights and Environmental Justice page. Opportunity: The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has a full-time opportunity available for a Communications Manager (Communications Manager 2). This position is based out of Portland, Oregon. Please consider joining an innovative team, and work to advance our agency’s mission to protect and improve Oregon’s environmental quality. The Agency: The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality is the primary regulatory agency of the government of the U.S. State of Oregon responsible for protecting and enhancing the state's natural resources. At DEQ, employees have the opportunity to work with a dynamic and supportive team of mission-focused individuals tasked with maintaining, restoring, and enhancing the quality of Oregon’s air, land, and water. This position serves within the Office of the Director’s Office of Policy and External Relations. The Office of Policy and External Relations ensures that the legislative agenda and budget are effectively developed and implemented, and that DEQ is connected to and collaborating with communities across Oregon and other interested parties. This office has lead responsibility for liaison work with the Legislature and Environmental Quality Commission; communication with and outreach to Oregon communities; media and public relations; coordination with the Governor’s office and other state agencies; and development of budget policy packages and legislative concepts for the agency request budget and operating budget. For a visual representation of DEQ’s offices and their locations, view our DEQ Offices and Vehicle Inspection Testing Stations map. What you will do! You will manage the Agency’s Office of Communications and Outreach section which includes developing program goals and objectives and monitoring progress; identifying, prioritizing, and scheduling work; and hiring, managing, leading, and coaching staff in the fulfillment of the objectives and goals of the Office of Communications and Outreach. You will direct DEQ’s statewide communication and outreach efforts, including design and implementation of public information and education programs, internal and external communication and websites, and content management of the agency’s internal document management and storage platform; oversee media relations, as well as internal and external branding efforts; act as a spokesperson for DEQ; and serve as the principal advisor to the director and executive team on communication and outreach. In addition, you will represent the agency before the commission, the Governor’s Office, local governments, tribal governments, interested parties, and local and national media. As a State supervisory manager, you will be expected to develop proficiency in, as well as model to others, these competencies: proactive communication, innovation, intentional engagement, mentoring and developing others, stewardship, and business acumen. These competencies are demonstrated by: Ensuring staff are supported and have the tools, learning, and equipment necessary to perform their duties. Coaching, mentoring, and motivating staff; meeting regularly with staff to provide leadership, guidance, and feedback, and to encourage skill development and career growth. Setting clear work objectives, goals, and expectations for staff; evaluating performance and addressing performance in a timely manner. Building team cohesion; encouraging collaboration and ensuring staff are cross-trained.

Requirements

6 years of supervision, management, or progressively related experience or 3 years of related experience and a Bachelor’s degree.

Nice To Haves

Demonstrated commitment to promoting and enhancing diversity; proven experience developing and implementing diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
Experience communicating about public policy and process, including experience with public boards, committees, councils, and/or commissions.
Experience as a supervisory manager of a communications section and team.
Familiarity with a wide variety of communication tools, including press releases, email list serves, web and social media, as well as community engagement techniques.
An understanding of how to work with news media on a wide variety of topics, both proactively and reactively.
Experience communicating complex technical information and data to audiences who may be unfamiliar with the subject matter.
Experience leading teams or organizations in crisis and emergency communications efforts.
Experience leading the development of comprehensive and strategic communication planning and messaging efforts.
Experience advising, briefing, staffing, and preparing executive leadership to engage in high-profile and contentious public relation environments (e.g. media interviews, press briefings, public meetings).
Experience representing an agency or organization in meetings with government officials, commissions, advisory committees, interested parties, local and national media, and the public, sometimes in urgent, contentious, or high profile situations.
Experience building and supporting high-performing, collaborative, and inclusive teams that appreciate and encourage diverse thinking and foster an inclusive culture of belonging; proven experience fostering teamwork among direct-report employees; experience coaching, mentoring, and motivating direct-report employees and peers through inclusivity, equity, and kindness.
Supervisory management experience in the public sector (ex: local, state, or federal government, school districts, etc.); understanding of or experience in working with labor unions, particularly in a government setting.
Skill in cultivating positive relationships across diverse teams while addressing workplace dynamics with professionalism and cultural sensitivity.
Experience in strategic planning, plan implementation, succession planning, outcome-based management, and change management; champions process improvement.
Excellent verbal and written communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
Ability and experience managing human, financial, and informational resources in a manner that instills employee and public trust and accomplishes the organization's mission.

Responsibilities

manage the Agency’s Office of Communications and Outreach section which includes developing program goals and objectives and monitoring progress; identifying, prioritizing, and scheduling work; and hiring, managing, leading, and coaching staff in the fulfillment of the objectives and goals of the Office of Communications and Outreach
direct DEQ’s statewide communication and outreach efforts, including design and implementation of public information and education programs, internal and external communication and websites, and content management of the agency’s internal document management and storage platform
oversee media relations, as well as internal and external branding efforts
act as a spokesperson for DEQ
serve as the principal advisor to the director and executive team on communication and outreach
represent the agency before the commission, the Governor’s Office, local governments, tribal governments, interested parties, and local and national media

Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision insurance
11 paid holidays
10 hours of vacation per month, eligible to be used as accrued
8 hours of sick leave per month, eligible to be used as accrued
24 hours of personal business leave per fiscal year, eligible to be used after 6 months of service
Optional life insurance packages
Flexible spending accounts
Membership in the Oregon Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)
Optional deferred compensation retirement program
Opportunity to potentially receive loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)
Continuous growth and development opportunities
Opportunities to serve your community and make an impact through meaningful work
A healthy work/life balance, including flexible schedules and hybrid work options for many positions