Communications Officer

Jobtailor; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 95,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare benefits

Paid time off

Professional development

Job summary

Jobtailor is seeking a senior communications leader to guide the Oregon Public Health Division's messaging and media strategy. You will develop and execute comprehensive plans, translate complex policy into accessible messaging, and provide strategic counsel to leadership on communications and crisis response.

You will lead statewide and national earned-media efforts, build relationships with reporters, and manage high-profile issues with culturally responsive storytelling across multiple

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field with 5+ years PR/public affairs experience, or 8 years related work.
• Experience developing and managing strategic communications and crisis plans for high-profile issues.
• Media relationships: pitching stories, coordinating interviews, rapid responses.
• Spokesperson experience in interviews, press briefings, livestreams on sensitive topics.
• Strong writing, editing, storytelling, and cultural responsiveness across platforms.
• Ability to lead multiple projects, prioritize deadlines, and adapt in fast-paced settings.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and execution of comprehensive communications strategies for Oregon Public Health Division.
• Develop and implement proactive communications plans across channels.
• Translate policy/program information into clear, accessible messaging for diverse audiences.
• Advise division leadership on communications planning, public engagement, media relations, and crisis risk.
• Create messaging for legislative, media, and community audiences; manage sensitive issues.
• Lead statewide and national earned-media strategies and cultivate reporters relationships.
• Respond to media inquiries; coordinate interviews and press events; serve as spokesperson when needed.

Skills

Strategic Communications Planning

Crisis Communications Management

Media Relations

Public Engagement

Storytelling Skills

Writing and Editing

Education

Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience

Tools

Social Media

Graphic Design

Video Production

Web Content Mgmt

Job description

• Lead development and execution of comprehensive communications strategies supporting Oregon Public Health Division
• Develop and implement proactive communications plans
• Translate complex policy and program information into clear, accessible, culturally and linguistically responsive messaging
• Provide strategic counsel to division leadership on communications planning, public engagement, media relations, reputational risk, and crisis communications
• Develop messaging and materials for legislative, media, and community audiences
• Manage sensitive and high-profile issues
• Advise leaders on communications and public-perception impacts of policy and program decisions
• Lead statewide and national earned-media strategies
• Cultivate relationships with reporters and editors
• Respond to media inquiries and coordinate interviews and press events
• Serve as a spokesperson when appropriate
• Collaborate with leadership, program staff, government partners, community organizations, local public health authorities, and media representatives

Requirements

• 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 directly related experience, including five years at the professional level
• Demonstrated experience developing, implementing, and managing strategic communications and crisis communications plans for complex or high-profile issues
• Experience building and maintaining relationships with media members, pitching stories, coordinating interviews, and responding to media inquiries under tight deadlines
• Experience serving as an agency or organizational spokesperson in interviews, presentations, press briefings, or livestream settings involving sensitive or complex topics
• Strong writing, editing, and storytelling skills
• Ability to create clear, concise, and culturally responsive communications for diverse audiences across multiple platforms
• Experience identifying and elevating community-based, lived-experience, and public-interest stories
• Ability to manage multiple communications projects, prioritize competing deadlines, and adapt in fast-paced or emergency-response environments
• Experience overseeing or collaborating on multimedia content creation, including web content, social media, video production, graphic design, or other digital communications materials
• Skill advising leadership and cross-functional teams on communications strategy, reputational risk, public engagement, and messaging related to public policy or public health initiatives
• Successful criminal records check meeting OHA criteria
• Authorization to work in the United States; this position does not provide visa sponsorship
• Completion of I-9 documentation and E-Verify work-authorization confirmation within three days of hire

Core Competencies

Demonstrates expertise in developing and executing strategic communications plans, crisis communications, and media relations while effectively managing high-profile issues and cultivating relationships with diverse stakeholders. Proficient in creating culturally responsive messaging and advising leadership on public engagement and reputational risk.

Highest-signal resume keywords

• Strategic Communications Planning
• Crisis Communications Management
• Media Relations
• Public Engagement
• Storytelling Skills

ATS Optimization Keywords

Hard Skills

• Communications Strategy Development
• Crisis Communications Planning
• Writing and Editing
• Multimedia Content Creation
• Project Management

Soft Skills

• Relationship Building
• Adaptability
• Collaboration
• Prioritization
• Cultural Responsiveness

Certifications & Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree
• Successful Criminal Records Check

Industry Keywords

• Public Health
• Public Relations
• Public Affairs
• Community Engagement
• Media Inquiries

Tools & Technologies

• Social Media
• Graphic Design
• Video Production
• Web Content Management