Senior Legislative & Government Relations Strategist (OPA4)

Oregon Department of Human Services; Salem; Hybrid; INR 726,000 - 1,069,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid holidays & time off

Retirement plan (PERS)

Job summary

Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) is seeking a Senior Legislative & Government Relations Strategist to support agency programs, staff and leadership in a hybrid role based in Salem, Oregon. The role focuses on developing legislative strategies and coordinating with state officials, local governments, and partners to advance OHCS priorities.

Under the Assistant Director, you will monitor committees, prepare leadership for briefings, and provide policy analysis to guide cross‑department

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree and five years' evaluative, analytical and planning work.
• OR
• Eight years' experience with equivalent education.

Responsibilities

• Monitor legislative committees and engage with partners and local governments.
• Develop and implement local, state, and federal legislative strategies.
• Prepare agency leadership for legislative presentations and policy analysis.
• Coordinate agency-wide legislative projects and ensure alignment with legislative intent.
• Advise on communicating effects of policy changes to partners and to the Congressional delegation.

Skills

Public policy knowledge

Legislative procedures

Stakeholder engagement

Analytical thinking

Oral communication

Written communication

Social justice awareness

Plain-language translation

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Public Administration

Job description

Initial Posting Date: 10/05/2026 Application Deadline: 10/14/2026 Agency: Oregon Housing and Community Services Salary Range: $7,537 - $11,098 Position Type: Employee

Position Title: Senior Legislative & Government Relations Strategist (OPA4)

Job Description: Oregon Housing & Community Services Senior Legislative & Government Relations Strategist [Operations & Policy Analyst 4] Hybrid – Salem, OR Oregon Housing & Community Services (OHCS) Public Affairs Division is looking for a Senior Legislative & Government Relations Strategist to support OHCS’s programs, staff and executive leadership. This person will monitor legislative committees, engage with partners and local governments, participate in legislation development, prepare agency leadership for legislative presentations and policy analysis.

OUR COMMITMENT TO EQUITY, DIVERSITY, & INCLUSION

OHCS commits to inclusive excellence by advancing equity and diversity in all that we do. We are an AffirOur Vision is that all Oregonians can pursue prosperity and live free from poverty. Our Mission is to provide stable and affordable housing and engage leaders to develop an integrated statewide policy that addresses poverty and provides opportunity for Oregonians. Our Core Values: Collaboration – Compassion – Equity – Integrity – Leadership – Transparency.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Hybrid > This position is a combination of hybrid and remote. This is a permanent, full-time management service position. This recruitment will be used to establish a list of qualified applicants to fill the current vacancy and may be used to fill future vacancies as they occur. This position will involve travel on official State business. Should you choose to drive a motor vehicle you must have a valid driver’s license and an acceptable driving record. If not, you must have an alternate method of transportation. This position requires both a resume and a cover letter, the cover letter will need to address the desired attributes listed in this job posting.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

The Senior Legislative and Government Relations Strategist works within the Government Relations Section and provides support across OHCS programs, staff, and with executive leadership. This role actively contributes to the development and implementation of local, state, and federal legislative strategies that directly support the mission, vision, priorities and goals of the agency. Under the direction of the Assistant Director of Government Relations, this highly independent position strategically plans, advises, and orchestrates the agency legislative agenda and other government relations’ priorities with the Oregon State Legislature, the Office of the Governor, local governments and industry advocates to facilitate successful and efficient progression of agency programs. The position's primary responsibilities include proactively monitoring legislative committees, engaging with partners and local governments, participating in legislation development, ensuring effective cross-department coordination, preparing agency leadership for legislative presentations and policy analysis related to potential legislation impacting OHCS. The Government Relations Strategy lead works closely with local governments and monitors the impacts of federal legislation and federal rules on OHCS programs, offering expert advice to the Assistant Director of Government Relations on communicating the effects of federal and state actions to local partners and to our Congressional delegation and federal advocacy partners. Lastly, the position is the lead on coordinating agencywide legislative projects and guarantees that legislative intent is met in implementation and that legislators and partners are engaged effectively.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• A Bachelor's Degree in Business or Public Administration, Behavioral or Social Sciences, Finance, Political Science or any degree demonstrating the capacity for the knowledge and skills; and five years professional-level evaluative, analytical and planning work.
• –OR– Any combination of experience and education equivalent to eight years of experience that typically supports the knowledge and skills for the classification.

DESIRED ATTRIBUTES

• Knowledge of public and legislative procedures, with a focus on housing and community service policies. Analyze complex policies and effectively communicating analyses to stakeholders including delivering reports for legislative purposes.
• Ability to cultivate relationships and work effectively and respectfully with politically, ideologically, culturally, and geographically diverse people and communities.
• Demonstrated knowledge of social justice issues, a deep commitment to equity and social justice in strong alignment with OHCS values, and an understanding of how racism impacts housing outcomes.
• Expert oral and written communication for public participation and other government processes.
• Ability to disseminate complex information in plain language, including agency policies, statutes, and industry reports.

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU

You will become part of an innovative and strategic group of professionals and enjoy a competitive salary and benefits package! A positive environment that offers opportunities for career growth and cross-training. An agency that supports and encourages work/life balance and overall wellness.

• Generous benefits package including, employer-paid health insurance, vacation, and sick leave, eleven paid holidays, three paid personal days, flexible spending accounts, and an employer contribution retirement plan (PERS).

The posted salary range is the total possible range for the classification. Candidates are screened through a Pay Equity process that evaluates various factors. Please see the Pay Equity website for more information.

RECRUITMENT TIMELINE

• These dates are approximate and may change.
• Recruitment Closes: 10/14/26
• Recruiter Screening for Minimum Qualifications: On-going
• Hiring Manager Screening for Requested Skills: On-going
• 1st Round of Interviews: Week of 10/19/26
• 2nd Round of Interviews: TBD if needed
• Anticipated Start Date: 11/16/26

APPLICATION GUIDANCE AND REQUIREMENTS

Work Authorization: Oregon Housing & Community Services (OHCS) does not offer VISA sponsorships. Within three days of hire, you will be required to complete the US Department of Homeland Security’s I-9 form containing authorization to work in the United States. OHCS will use E-Verify to confirm that you are authorized to work in the United States.

Veteran’s Preference: Eligible veterans who meet the qualifications will be given veterans' preference. For further information, please see the following website: Veterans Resources.

If you need a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), have questions or need assistance with the application process, please send your request to [e-mail] and include the job requisition number.

Finalists will be subject to a computerized criminal history check. Adverse background data may be grounds for immediate disqualification.

Work Authorization: Oregon Housing & Community Services (OHCS) does not offer VISA sponsorships. Within three days of hire, you will be required to complete the US Department of Homeland Security’s I-9 form containing authorization to work in the United States. OHCS will use E-Verify to confirm that you are authorized to work in the United States.

The State of Oregon does not request or require your age, date of birth, attendance or graduation dates from an educational institution during the application process.

If you have questions about the job announcement, or need an alternate format to apply, please contact the HR Solutions Inbox at: [e-mail]

WHO WE ARE

Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) is Oregon’s housing finance agency. We provide financial and program support to create and preserve opportunities for quality, affordable housing for Oregonians of lower and moderate incomes. Our vision is that all Oregonians can pursue prosperity and to live free from poverty. Across Oregon, housing has emerged as a paramount concern. The lack of available housing, high rents and high home prices are driving rapid increases in housing instability and homelessness. The data is clear: too many Oregonians are without a safe, stable, and affordable place to call home. OHCS is placing greater emphasis on strategic planning and the way we invest our resources. Recently, we have restructured, refocused, and reimagined our agency. Our work has led to an increased