Communications Office Interim Deputy Director

Multnomah County; Portland (OR); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Multnomah County is seeking an experienced, strategic leader to serve as Interim Deputy Director of Communications on a temporary Work Out of Class assignment. The role partners with the Director to shape the Office’s direction, supervise staff, and oversee operations while guiding high-impact projects.

The position emphasizes policy, brand integrity, and crisis communications with countywide reach. It requires strong leadership, privacy awareness, and the ability to stand in for the Director

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Public Administration, Marketing, or a related field.
• 1–4 years of professional experience in strategic communications, public information, media relations, or a related role.
• OR 5–8 years of relevant qualifying training and/or experience.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Communications Leadership & Policy: lead countywide communications strategies, long-term planning, and high-priority initiatives.
• Project & Program Leadership: lead designated program areas and special projects as assigned by the Director.
• Policy & Brand Integrity: enforce cohesive countywide communications policies, standards, and best practices to ensure legal compliance.
• Stakeholder Engagement: build relationships with Department Directors, senior leadership, Board members, and Board staff to align communications with county standards.
• Media Relations, Crisis Response & Digital Strategy: advise on media relations strategies and support digital engagement during crises.

Skills

Strategic communications

Leadership

Media relations

Crisis communications

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Public Administration, Marketing, or a related field

Job description

This is an internal job posting. Only former Multnomah County employees on an active recall list may apply for this opportunity through this site.

Current employees: Please apply through the employee portal to be considered for this opportunity.

Pay Range

$0.00 - $0.00 Annual

Department

Non-Departmental

Job Type

Elected Official Staff

Exemption Status

United States of America (Exempt)

Closing Date (Open Until Filled If No Date Specified)

October 14, 2026

The Opportunity

This is a temporary position expected to last until January 2027, but can end at any time.

The Communications Office is seeking an experienced, strategic, and adaptable leader for an internal Work Out of Class (WOC)/Temporary opportunity as the Interim Deputy Director of Communications.

This position fills a key leadership role within the Communications Office, working closely with the Director of Communications to set the Office’s overall direction, accomplish core priorities, and provide team management and operational oversight. The Interim Deputy Director will serve as a primary designee and substitute for the Director as needed, while supporting high-impact special projects across the organization.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Communications Leadership & Policy
• Strategic Advising: Advise and support the Communications Director on countywide communications strategies, long-term planning, and high-priority initiatives.
• Project & Program Leadership: Serve as a lead team member on designated program areas and special projects as assigned by the Director.
• Policy & Brand Integrity: Learn, model, and enforce cohesive countywide communications policies, standards, and best practices to ensure legal compliance and protect County integrity.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Build and maintain collaborative relationships with Department Directors, senior leadership, Board members, and Board staff to align departmental communications with countywide standards.
• Management, Operations & Resource Administration
• Team Supervision & Mentorship: Provide coaching, editing, approvals, and day-to-day supervision for team members as needed.
• Administrative Operations: Support key operational functions—including timekeeping, recordkeeping, and calendar maintenance—as assigned.
• Public Records Oversight: Support the Office in ensuring public records responses are processed transparently and in full accordance with legal regulations.
• Leadership Proxy: Serve as the Director’s designee or proxy in specific meetings, committees, and working groups.
• Acting Director Duties: Serve as Acting Director during the Director’s absence, leading the team in strategic meetings, emergency responses, and high-profile situations.
• Media Relations, Crisis Response & Digital Strategy
• Media & Spokesperson Duties: Advise on media relations strategies and serve as a backup official spokesperson for the County during major announcements or crisis events.
• Emergency Management: Serve as an alternate Lead Public Information Officer (PIO) within the Incident Command Staff during severe weather and emergency activations, providing communications counsel to the Incident Commander.
• Digital Strategy: Support efforts to expand the County’s digital footprint, ensuring the delivery of engaging, high-quality content across all platforms

To Qualify

We will consider any combination of relevant work experience, volunteering, education, and transferable skills as qualifying unless an item or section is labeled required. Please be clear and specific about how your background is relevant.

Minimum Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Public Administration, Marketing, or a related field.
• Experience: 1 to 4 years of professional experience in strategic communications, public information, media relations, or a related role.
• OR 5-8 years of relevant qualifying training and/or experience.

Preferred Qualifications/Transferable Skills*

• Proven experience in strategic communications, media relations, or public information.
• Strong leadership, editing, and team-mentoring abilities.
• Demonstrated experience handling sensitive, confidential, or crisis communications.
• Knowledge of public records compliance and government transparency standards.
• Ability to step into high-level meetings and represent leadership with confidence and professionalism.
• Transferable Skills: Your transferable skills are any skills you have gained through education, work experience (including the military) or life experience that are relevant for this position. Be sure to describe any transferable skills on your application and clearly explain how they apply to this position.

Screening and Evaluation

The Application Packet

• A completed online application including a resume and cover letter. If your application does not include these two documents your application will be considered incomplete and not considered further.
• A resume covering relevant experience and education. Please be sure your resume includes the following for each employer: name of employer, location, dates of employment, your title, and a summary of your responsibilities.
• Optional: A cover letter that expands on your resume, addresses why you are interested in this position and demonstrates how your experience and skill set aligns with the minimum and preferred qualifications and the primary responsibilities of this role.

The Selection Process

• Initial review of minimum qualifications
• If needed: An evaluation of application materials to identify the most qualified candidates. Subject matter experts will evaluate your resume and cover letter based on a rubric that has been built from the qualifications listed in this job announcement and the primary responsibilities of this position.
• Consideration of top candidates through interview/s and/or assignments.
• Reference check of three references with one being a current or former employer.

Additional Details

Hybrid Telework

This position is designated as “hybrid telework,” meaning you will be working both remotely (from home) and in person at an onsite location. The designation of Hybrid Telework may be subject to change at a future time. All employees must reside in Oregon or Washington; the county cannot support ongoing telework from other locations. The onsite work location for this position is the Multnomah Building located at 501 SE Hawthorne Blvd Portland, Oregon 97214.

Work Location

This position works onsite at the Multnomah Building located at 501 SE Hawthorne Blvd Portland, Oregon 97214.

Serving the Public, Even During Disasters

Everyday, Multnomah County staff work together to serve as a safety net for our communities. During a disaster, this safety net becomes even more critical. All County employees have a role in serving the public during inclement weather, natural disaster, or other types of community emergency response. During these emergency responses, while typically there begins with a call for volunteers, county employees may ultimately be reassigned from their current position to a role in the emergency response in order to support the critical needs presented by our communities. For more information, please visit the Disaster Service Worker Information page.

In accordance with Oregon Law

Multnomah County is not collecting school attendance dates in the initial application process; please do not include these dates in your resume, cover letter and other application materials.

Diversity and Inclusion

At Multnomah County, we don't just accept difference; we value it and support it to create a culture of dignity and respect for our employees.

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran or protected veteran status, genetic information and other legally protected characteristics. The EEO Know Your Rights poster is available for your reference. Multnomah County is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor. We request priority protected veteran referrals.

Veterans’ Preference

Under Oregon Law, qualifying veterans may apply for veterans’ preference. Review our veterans’ preference page for details about eligibility and how to apply.

Accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act

We gladly provide reasonable accommodation to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing an application or participating in this recruitment process. Please contact the recruiter below in advance to request assistance. Individuals with hearing or speech impairments may contact the recruiter through the Telecommunications Relay Service by dialing 711.

Recruiter

Dale Cornelius

Email: [e-mail]

Phone: [phone]

Job Profile

9400 - Staff Assistant