SOCAC Communications Specialist (Public Affairs Specialist 3)

State of Oregon • Salem, OR

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

This position leads all communications for the System of Care Advisory Council (SOCAC) team, working closely with governor‑appointed members, agency partners (OHA, ODHS, ODE, OYA), contractors, Tribes, federal partners, community providers, and people with lived experience. The role ensures coordinated, accurate, and compliant communication about SOCAC priorities, actions, outcomes, public‑meeting requirements, and partner opportunities. It also serves as the primary point of contact for media and legislative information requests. Key responsibilities include maintaining communication requirements on behalf of the SOCAC, ensuring applicability to a variety of statewide collaborators, tracking SOCAC communication needs, and updating or refining communication strategies and materials. The position manages and executes an ongoing SOCAC communication plan and develops a wide range of materials, including guidance documents, fact sheets, toolkits, videos, presentations, and webpages. It works closely with intersecting programs to ensure alignment with SOCAC’s 2025–2029 Strategic Plan.

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.
• Must have a criminal records check.

Nice To Haves

• Skilled in website information architecture, digital content structure, and design layout.
• Strong writing ability for audiences with varied comprehension, literacy, and engagement levels.
• Effective verbal communication skills for presenting complex information to diverse audiences.
• Advanced communications expertise, including strategic communications, analytics, and professional writing.
• Experience developing strategic communications plans aligned with organizational goals and priorities.
• Proven background in media relations, issue management, and crisis communications for large or high‑visibility organizations.
• Demonstrated ability to support executive communications, messaging, and leadership engagement.
• Experience designing partner‑engagement processes and producing culturally and linguistically competent communications for diverse communities.
• Experience using web, digital, and other communication channels to advance public education, influence public opinion, and support communication strategies in politically complex environments; experience in team collaboration and coordinating diverse stakeholder interests.
• Bilingual skills are preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

• Leads all communications for the System of Care Advisory Council (SOCAC) team.
• Ensures coordinated, accurate, and compliant communication about SOCAC priorities, actions, outcomes, public-meeting requirements, and partner opportunities.
• Serves as the primary point of contact for media and legislative information requests.
• Maintains communication requirements on behalf of the SOCAC.
• Ensures applicability of communication to a variety of statewide collaborators.
• Tracks SOCAC communication needs.
• Updates or refines communication strategies and materials.
• Manages and executes an ongoing SOCAC communication plan.
• Develops a wide range of materials, including guidance documents, fact sheets, toolkits, videos, presentations, and webpages.
• Works closely with intersecting programs to ensure alignment with SOCAC’s 2025–2029 Strategic Plan.

Benefits

• Excellent medical, vision, and dental benefits package for the employee and qualified family members with a very low monthly out-of-pocket cost.
• Optional life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, deferred compensation savings program, and flexible spending accounts for health care and childcare expenses.
• 11 paid holidays, 3 personal business days, 8 hours of monthly sick leave, and vacation accrual starting at 8 hours per month.
• Possible eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
• Membership in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)/Oregon Public Service Retirement Plan (OPSRP).
• Training opportunities that will help grow your career with the State of Oregon.

What This Job Offers

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