Public Affairs Specialist 3 - Communications Director

State of Oregon•Salem, OR

1d•$7,179 - $10,569•Hybrid

About The Position

The Oregon Youth Authority (OYA) is seeking a Communications Director to serve as the agency's strategic voice. This role involves leading OYA’s Communications Office, setting enterprise communications strategy, acting as the lead spokesperson, and guiding crisis and internal communications across nine close-custody facilities and statewide community programs. This is a high-scrutiny, high-trust position that requires protecting youth confidentiality, shaping public understanding of juvenile justice, and making informed decisions with real consequences. The ideal candidate will be a communicator who leads with rigor and an equity lens, builds trust across a large and dispersed organization, and transforms complex, sensitive issues into clear, accessible messages.

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.
Professional-level public relations or public affairs experience means work in which the person independently exercised judgment to plan, develop, and carry out communications — writing and shaping messages for external or internal audiences, advising others on communication strategy, managing media or stakeholder relationships, or owning a communications product or campaign.
Driver License Required: Driving is an essential function of this position.
A valid driver license and an acceptable driving record are required.
Knowledge and ability to post and manage social media sites, publication tools, and limited video production.

Nice To Haves

Strategic communications leadership - Experience developing and guiding organization wide communication strategies and advising executives on messaging and direction.
Media relations and crisis communication — Skilled in serving as a spokesperson, managing media inquiries, and leading communications during urgent or high‑profile situations.
Working in high-scrutiny environments - Comfortable communicating within settings where decisions are highly visible and require strict attention to confidentiality, accuracy, and judgement.
Public policy, legislative, and public‑records knowledge — Understanding of legislative processes, advocacy communication, and public‑records and public‑meetings requirements.
Trust-building and transparency work - Experience helping organizations strengthen credibility, navigate sensitive issues, and communicate with honesty and accountability.
Building relationships across diverse teams and communities - Ability to connect with staff at all levels and engage partners, advocates, and communities using an equity-centered approach.

Responsibilities

Serve as the steady, strategic voice of the agency.
Lead OYA’s Communications Office.
Set enterprise communications strategy.
Serve as the lead spokesperson.
Guide crisis and internal communications across nine close-custody facilities and statewide community programs.
Protect youth confidentiality.
Shape public understanding of juvenile justice.
Make decisions that carry real consequences for the people served.
Communicate within settings where decisions are highly visible and require strict attention to confidentiality, accuracy, and judgment.
Advise executives on messaging and direction.
Manage media inquiries.
Lead communications during urgent or high-profile situations.
Help organizations strengthen credibility, navigate sensitive issues, and communicate with honesty and accountability.
Connect with staff at all levels and engage partners, advocates, and communities using an equity-centered approach.
Post and manage social media sites, publication tools, and limited video production.
Serve as a "mandatory reporter" of child abuse.