Communications Coordinator for Councilor Koyama Lane (Council Aide)

City of Portland; Beaverton (OR); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Portland is seeking a communications professional to lead strategic messaging and multichannel content for District 3. You will manage newsletters, GovDelivery communications, and social media, ensuring clarity and accessibility.

The role emphasizes media relations, public information, and community engagement in a dynamic city government environment. The candidate will write speeches, coordinate with policy staff, and help create a recognizable visual identity across channels, while

Qualifications

• Experience writing, editing, and developing public-facing communications.
• Ability to translate complex policy into clear messages for the public.
• Experience creating digital content across multiple platforms, including social media and email.
• Graphic design and multimedia content creation experience.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Write, edit, and distribute newsletters and communications.
• Maintain Portland.gov pages with events and updates.
• Plan and publish social media content, including Instagram.
• Draft press releases and respond to media inquiries.
• Write speeches and talking points for public appearances.

Skills

Public communications

Policy translation

Digital content

Graphic design

Deadline-driven

Tools

GovDelivery

Adobe Creative Suite

Job description

Office:

Office of Councilor Tiffany Koyama Lane, Portland City Council, District 3

Reports to:

Head of Staff / Councilor

Status:

Full-time, At-Will

Work Schedule:

Monday - Friday. This position may work occasional evenings and weekends.

Work Location:

This is an in-person position. Some remote work is negotiable. This position reports to 1120 SW 5th Ave, Portland, OR 97204. Remote work must be performed within Oregon or Washington. For more information, click here.

Union Representation:

This classification was recently recognized as represented by Communication Workers of America, Local 7901 (CWA). Terms and Conditions are currently being negotiated. To view labor agreements, current and future, please visit the Current City Labor Agreements page.

Starting Pay:

The City of Portland follows the Oregon Equal Pay Act. Your salary is determined based on the experience listed in your resume that is directly related and equivalent to the position for which you are applying.

Position Summary

• Strategic Messaging: Develop and implement strategic communications, crisis messaging, and public information/education plans
• Multichannel Content: Leverage social media, website updates, newsletters, and video/photography, and more to educate, inform, update, and share important news and decisions
• Media Relations: Act as a spokesperson, manage press inquiries, write press releases and speeches, and build relationships with journalists
• Team Support: Partner with policy staffers on messaging and materials; support constituent services and community engagement; and fill in wherever the team needs help. See a need, fill a need.

What You'll Do

Newsletter

• Write, design, and send the weekly newsletter covering the Councilor's work, City resources, and community events in District 3
• Build and maintain newsletter templates in GovDelivery (Granicus)
• Recruit, edit, and coordinate guest writers

Portland.gov

• Keep the Councilor's page current with events, announcements, and content
• Write and publish wins and accomplishments that make City Council work clear and accessible to the public

City of Portland Social Media accounts

• Plan and publish content across the Councilor's channels, with Instagram as a core platform
• Produce a range of post types, including graphics, carousels, stories, and reels
• Shoot and edit short-form video
• Engage with the community in a way that is timely, respectful, and in the Councilor's voice

Press Releases

• Draft and distribute press releases and media advisories
• Support media inquiries and coordinate with the rest of the team on responses

  Speeches, Talking Points, and Press Support

  • Write speeches and remarks for the dais, community events, and public appearances
  • Prepare talking points and briefing materials for opening remarks on the dais, press, meetings, and events
  • Work with team to prepare visual and verbal material for presentations
  • Learn the Councilor's voice deeply enough to write in it naturally

  Publicity Opportunities

  • Identify and pitch podcasts, op-eds, and speaking opportunities
  • Develop collaborations with community organizations, partners, and fellow offices

  Graphic Design

  • Design flyers, mailers, banners, social graphics, newsletter headers, event materials, and other visual assets
  • Keep a consistent, recognizable, and accessible visual identity across all channels

  Events

  • Support communications and logistics for community events, from promotion to on-site coverage

  Qualities We Value

  • Team player, without exception. You share credit, ask for help, and lift others up.
  • Kindness and generosity. You treat colleagues, constituents, and partners with respect and good faith.
  • Voice-matching. You can learn and write in the Councilor's voice with authenticity.
  • Agility. You switch between tasks quickly and stay organized when priorities shift.
  • Humor under pressure. You stay steady and find the funny when things get hectic.
  • Creativity. You bring fresh ideas to how we communicate and who we reach.
  • Alignment with our values. You are committed to progressive, justice-based, community-centered public service.

  Applicants must specifically address and demonstrate in their supplemental question responses, work samples and resume how their education, training and/or experience, meets each of the following minimum qualifications:

  1. Experience writing, editing, and developing public-facing communications, such as newsletters, press releases, speeches, talking points, website content, and social media posts.
  2. Experience translating complex policy into clear, accessible, and engaging messages for the public.
  3. Experience creating and managing digital content across multiple communication platforms, including social media, websites, and email marketing tools.
  4. Experience with graphic design and multimedia content creation, including designing visual materials and producing or editing short-form videos.
  5. Ability to work effectively in high-pressure situations, respond to urgent or time-sensitive issues, and meet tight deadlines.

  Preferred Qualifications:

  • Experience working in a legislative, campaign, or government communications office
  • Familiarity with Portland and the neighborhoods of District 3
  • Photography or videography skills
  • Experience utilizing GovDelivery and Adobe Creative Suite
  • Experience with accessibility and language access in public communications
  • Multilingual abilities

  What to Expect:

  1. Application Review - (Week of November 19th - November 27th): We'll review your application materials to ensure you meet the minimum qualifications listed above.
  2. Notice/Feedback - (Week of November 30th): You will receive an email when the minimum qualification review is complete. If you disagree with the evaluation results, you may request a review within 14 days of the email notice, per City Administrative Rule 3.01.
  3. Selection Process - (December 2027): The Councilor's Office will review qualified applications, conduct interviews, and check references.
  4. Conditional Job Offer - (January 2027): Final candidates may undergo a background or driving record check, depending on the position.

  Learn More About:

  • How to Apply Videos and Workshops
  • City of Portland Core Values
  • HRAR-3.01 - Recruitment Processes
  • Veteran Preference Information
  • Total Compensation and Benefits
  • Language Pay Differential Eligibility

  We’re committed to providing a fair, inclusive, and accessible hiring process. If you need assistance with your application or would like to request a reasonable accommodation due to a disability, pregnancy, or religious belief, please contact the recruiter listed below.

  Questions? We're here to help!

  If you have questions about this recruitment or need assistance, contact: