Government Relations Manager

State of Oregon•Salem, OR

5d•$7,537 - $11,657•Hybrid

About The Position

Join a collaborative and mission-driven team within the Business Services Division, as the Government Relations Manager, where you will play a key role in shaping policy, strengthening partnerships, and supporting critical agency operations. This division provides essential administrative leadership across Financial Services, Human Resources, Information Services, Internal Audit, Physical Plant Operations, and Governance and Public Affairs. This position provides leadership to the Governance and Public Affairs team, and the individual in this position will help advance initiatives that promote transparency, accountability, and effective public service while supporting important functions such as public records oversight, interstate compact coordination, and agency-wide information practices. This is a dynamic opportunity for a strategic and relationship-focused professional who thrives at the intersection of government relations, public policy, and organizational leadership. In this role, you will collaborate with legislators, elected officials, state agencies, and community partners across education, human services, law enforcement, and public safety to help develop policies and practices that support the agency’s mission.

Requirements

Six years of supervision, management, or progressively related experience; OR three years of related experience and a bachelor’s degree in a related field.
Experience with creating a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace, and ensuring the needs of all our youth and communities, especially those who are marginalized. Applicable experience can include formal training/certifications specific to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion as well as lived experiences.
Ability to communicate effectively and collaboratively, both orally and in writing, to a broad spectrum of executive, management, professional, technical and support staff within the agency, other state and federal agencies, and the public.
Policy development and strategic planning.
Ability to facilitate meetings and committees, and to work with people who have diverse interests.
Ability to understand and communicate how policy changes may affect operations, policy, and the public and partners.
Knowledge of legislative and rulemaking procedures and format.
Good public relations skills.
Understanding of governmental relations.
Understanding of the public safety system and operating juvenile corrections systems.
A thorough understanding of the agency’s programs and activities, as well as a working knowledge of other state agency responsibilities.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of laws, rules, and standards related to public records, information management, confidentiality, and disclosure, including demonstrated ability to interpret statutes and apply legal exemptions.
Experience leading and supervising staff or managing programs, including assigning work, evaluating performance, coaching, and building effective, collaborative teams.
Skill in policy and legislative analysis, including reviewing bills, assessing operational and fiscal impacts, preparing testimony, and advising leadership on policy or statutory implications.
Experience managing complex legal and administrative processes, such as responding to tort claims, subpoenas, litigation holds, discovery requests, or coordinating with legal counsel.
Proficient in internal and external communication and business partner engagement skills, with the ability to work effectively with individuals and groups from diverse backgrounds, including legislators, legal partners, staff, youth, and community partners via software systems such as Microsoft TEAMS, Outlook, and Excel.
Demonstrated ability to make independent decisions on sensitive, complex, or precedent setting issues, including evaluating risks, determining appropriate actions, and recommending system or policy changes.

Responsibilities

Lead agencywide information management, public records operations, and legal compliance, including oversight of records retention, disclosure, expunction, archiving, litigation response, and coordination with DOJ, DAS Risk, and legal partners on complex or sensitive matters.
Direct the agency’s legislative strategy and policy development, including bill review and analysis, testimony preparation, legislative concept submission, implementation of passed legislation, and advising the Director and executive leadership on policy impacts, risks, and systemwide implications.
Provide strategic leadership and supervision across core functional teams, including the Governance and Policy Team, Communications Team, Records staff, and Interstate Compact for Juveniles Office, ensuring alignment with agency priorities, organizational values, and statewide juvenile justice objectives.
Bring your leadership, creativity, and passion for public service to a role where your work will help shape policy, strengthen partnerships, and make a lasting impact across communities statewide.