Communications Officer (Public Affairs Specialist 3)- Limited Duration/Job Rotation Opportunity!

State of Oregon

13d • Hybrid

About The Position

Are you an experienced communications professional with a passion for leadership and making an impact? Do you possess exceptional strategic communication skills and excel in high-pressure environments with competing priorities? If so, we invite you to apply and become a valued member of our team! At the Oregon Employment Department, we actively support a workforce that is representative of the people we serve including people from various races, genders, abilities, cultures, language skills, geographic locations, and justice system involvement. We value your life experiences and encourage everyone to apply with your transferable skills and qualifications from your work, school, and volunteer experiences. Please let us know if you need a reasonable accommodation. WHAT YOU WILL DO: As the Modernization Communications Officer, you will develop and execute strategic, comprehensive, and integrated communication plans designed to inform internal and external audiences about the agency and its programs, including Modernization, the Workforce Modernization Project, job seeker services, employer and business services, and more. This position leads the planning and project management activities related to strategic communications, collaborating with colleagues from Modernization, Workforce Operations and other OED divisions, local workforce boards, and WorkSource Oregon partner agencies to ensure accuracy and execute these plans. In this role you will: Serve as the point of contact for the Communications Office staff to plan and implement the agency’s Modernization project communications infrastructure, strategic communications plan, and Modernization-specific communication strategies. Advise the Communication Director and agency leadership about optimal communications approaches. Serve as an agency spokesperson for media interactions. Conduct proactive media and public outreach activities. Collaborate with multiple partners and interested parties toward the best outcome for shared customers – job seekers and local businesses. Conduct advanced internal communication programs for employees and WorkSource Oregon partner employees. Promote initiatives through traditional and social media. Coordinate responses to media requests for public records, facility access, and interviews with staff. Coordinate with program partners to prepare customer-facing communication. Write and/or edit key agency communications for agency leaders. Monitor and report results of communication activities. For a complete review of the position and responsibilities, please click here.

Requirements

• A Bachelor's Degree in Business or Public Administration, Public Relations, Marketing, Journalism, Behavioral or Social Sciences, or related degree, and five years professional level experience in Public Relations or Affairs; OR Eight years experience directly related to the position under recruitment; five of the eight years must have been at the professional level.

Nice To Haves

• A strong communications background that demonstrates the ability to plan and implement strategic communication strategies for both internal and external audiences
• Knowledge of how to effectively interact with a variety of audiences including, the public, partners and interested parties, news media representatives, and government staff
• Demonstrated success at developing internal and external relationships
• Experience in editing for readability, grammar, AP style and plain language
• Ability to develop culturally and equitably responsive and inclusive communications for a wide variety of diverse audiences
• Ability to analyze programs and identify the characteristics of target audiences to determine the most effective communication techniques for reaching these audiences
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with people having different or conflicting interests or opposing points of view
• Preference may be given to candidates who are bilingual (Spanish/English)
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
• Commitment to valuing diversity and promoting inclusion

Responsibilities

• Serve as the point of contact for the Communications Office staff to plan and implement the agency’s Modernization project communications infrastructure, strategic communications plan, and Modernization-specific communication strategies.
• Advise the Communication Director and agency leadership about optimal communications approaches.
• Serve as an agency spokesperson for media interactions.
• Conduct proactive media and public outreach activities.
• Collaborate with multiple partners and interested parties toward the best outcome for shared customers – job seekers and local businesses.
• Conduct advanced internal communication programs for employees and WorkSource Oregon partner employees.
• Promote initiatives through traditional and social media.
• Coordinate responses to media requests for public records, facility access, and interviews with staff.
• Coordinate with program partners to prepare customer-facing communication.
• Write and/or edit key agency communications for agency leaders.
• Monitor and report results of communication activities.

Benefits

• A workplace that balances productivity with enjoyment and encourages learning and mentoring.
• Rewarding work in a dynamic and creative environment with colleagues who are passionate about public service.
• Work/life balance, 11 paid holidays a year, and a competitive benefits package.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness opportunity!
• Get There - Oregon’s easy-to-use carpool matching tool and trip planner.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 501-1,000 employees