Communications Officer

State of Oregon • Portland, OR

3d • $78,972 - $121,260 • Hybrid

About The Position

This is a hybrid position offering significant work-from-home flexibility. The Communications Officer, Public Health Division, serves as a senior-level communications strategist within the Oregon Health Authority's External Relations Division. This position leads the development and execution of comprehensive communications strategies supporting Oregon's Oregon Public Health Division, a cornerstone division advancing health equity and transforming the state's health care system through 2030. Working closely with division leadership, program staff, government partners, community organizations, local public health authorities, and media representatives, the Public Health Division Communications Officer develops and implements proactive communications plans, translates complex policy and program information into clear and accessible messaging, and ensures information is delivered in culturally and linguistically responsive ways to diverse audiences across Oregon. As a trusted advisor to division leadership, this role provides strategic counsel on communications planning, public engagement, media relations, reputational risk, and crisis communications. The position develops messaging and materials for legislative, media, and community audiences; manages sensitive and high-profile issues; and advises leaders on the potential communications and public perception impacts of policy and program decisions. The Communications Officer also leads statewide and national earned media strategies, cultivating relationships with reporters and editors, responding to media inquiries, coordinating interviews and press events, and serving as a spokesperson when appropriate. Through strategic communications, media engagement, and public outreach, this position helps build understanding of the Oregon Public Health Division and highlights Oregon's leadership in public health delivery and its important role in Oregon’s health system transformation.

Requirements

• A bachelor's degree in business administration, public administration, public relations, marketing, journalism, behavioral science, social science, or related field AND five years of professional level experience in public relations or public affairs; OR Eight years of experience directly related to the position under recruitment. Five of the eight years must have been at the professional level.

Nice To Haves

• Demonstrated experience developing, implementing and managing strategic communications and crisis communications plans for complex or high-profile issues.
• Experience building and maintaining strong working relationships with members of the media, including pitching stories, coordinating interviews and responding to media inquiries under tight deadlines.
• Experience serving as an agency or organizational spokesperson in interviews, presentations, press briefings or livestream settings involving sensitive or complex topics.
• Strong writing, editing and storytelling skills with the ability to create clear, concise and culturally responsive communications for diverse audiences across multiple platforms.
• Experience identifying and elevating compelling stories, including community-based, lived-experience and public interest stories that increase public engagement and media coverage.
• Demonstrated ability to strategically manage multiple communications projects simultaneously, prioritize competing deadlines and adapt quickly in fast-paced or emergency response environments.
• Experience overseeing or collaborating on multimedia content creation, including web content, social media, video production, graphic design and/or other digital communications materials.
• Skill in advising leadership and cross-functional teams on communications strategy, reputational risk, public engagement and effective messaging related to public policy or public health initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Leads the development and execution of comprehensive communications strategies supporting the Oregon Public Health Division.
• Develops and implements proactive communications plans.
• Translates complex policy and program information into clear and accessible messaging.
• Ensures information is delivered in culturally and linguistically responsive ways to diverse audiences.
• Provides strategic counsel on communications planning, public engagement, media relations, reputational risk, and crisis communications.
• Develops messaging and materials for legislative, media, and community audiences.
• Manages sensitive and high-profile issues.
• Advises leaders on the potential communications and public perception impacts of policy and program decisions.
• Leads statewide and national earned media strategies.
• Cultivates relationships with reporters and editors.
• Responds to media inquiries.
• Coordinates interviews and press events.
• Serves as a spokesperson when appropriate.

Benefits

• Excellent, low-cost medical, vision, and dental coverage for you and your family.
• Optional benefits like life insurance, disability coverage, deferred compensation, and FSA options for health and childcare.
• Generous paid time off: 11 holidays, 3 personal days, monthly sick leave, and vacation accrual starting at 8 hours/month.
• Potential eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
• Retirement security through Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)/Oregon Public Service Retirement Plan (OPSRP).
• Training and development opportunities to grow your career with the State of Oregon.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior