Communications Officer

State of Oregon; Portland (OR); Hybrid; USD 67,000 - 103,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Excellent medical, vision, dental

Life insurance

Disability coverage

FSA options

Paid time off

PERS/OPSRP retirement

Professional development

Job summary

State of Oregon's Oregon Health Authority seeks a Public Affairs Specialist 2 to manage health policy and Medicaid communications. This full-time role is hybrid/remote and involves coordinating with reporters, drafting responses, and translating complex policies for public audiences.

You will collaborate with experts across departments, support crisis communications, and contribute to engaging content for newsletters and social media. Eligibility to work in the United States is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with two years PR/affairs experience or five years related experience.
• Two of the five years must have been at the professional level.
• Experience as a public information officer or spokesperson is preferred.
• Media relations or communications work experience is preferred.
• Drafting talking points, statements or speeches is preferred.
• Condensing complex policies into plain language is required.
• Developing social media or public-facing content is desirable.
• Crisis communications experience is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Work with reporters and respond to media inquiries.
• Draft and route media responses for approval to ensure accurate, timely information.
• Identify and relay public interest stories and information.
• Develop shareable content, including for newsletters and social media.
• Work with subject matter experts from various departments.
• Help manage crisis communications work.
• Provide occasional in-person event support (1–2 times per month).

Skills

Public relations

Media relations

Drafting talking points

Crisis communications

Plain language writing

Social media content

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business or Public Administration, Public Relations, Marketing, Journalism, Communications or related field

Job description

Public Affairs Specialist 2 (Hybrid/Remote)

This position involves being a public information officer (PIO) on topics related to health policy and Medicaid.

On a day-to-day basis, your role would be to:

• Work with reporters and respond to media inquiries.
• Draft and route media responses for approval to ensure accurate, timely information.
• Identify and relay public interest stories and information.
• Develop shareable content, including for newsletters and social media.
• Work in close collaboration with subject matter experts from a variety of departments.
• Help manage crisis communications work.
• Provide occasional in-person event support (scoped as possible for 1 - 2 times per month within normal work hours).

Minimum Qualifications

• A Bachelor's Degree in Business or Public Administration, Public Relations, Marketing, Journalism, Communications the Behavioral or Social Sciences or related degree and two years professional level experience in Public Relations or Affairs OR Five years experience directly related to the position under recruitment; two of the five years must have been at the professional level.

Desired Attributes

• Serving as a public information officer or spokesperson for an organization
• Media, media relations or communications work
• Drafting talking points, statements or speeches
• Condensing complex policies into plain language
• Developing social media, web content or public-facing documents
• Crisis communications work
• A fast-paced work environment with deadlines
• Demonstrating resourcefulness, sound judgment, excellent time management skills and the ability to work on multiple initiatives

Preference Statement

• Bi-lingual or multi-lingual.
• Experience in or knowledge of Medicaid or health policy.
• Demonstrated commitment to advancing health equity.

Job Details

• One vacancy
• Fulltime, permanent
• SEIU represented
• Public Affairs Specialist 2 position
• Classification: Public Affairs Specialist 2
• Location: Portland, Oregon (Hybrid/Remote)

Employment Requirements

• Employment is contingent upon a criminal records check that meets OHA criteria at the time of hire and throughout employment.
• Employment does not provide visa sponsorship.
• Within three days of hire, you will be required to complete I-9 documentation and confirm authorization to work in the United States.
• OHA will use E-Verify to verify work authorization.
• If your employment eligibility depends on sponsorship now or in the future, you will not meet the requirements for this position.

Benefits

• Excellent, low-cost medical, vision, and dental coverage for you and your family.
• Optional benefits like life insurance, disability coverage, deferred compensation, and FSA options for health and childcare.
• Generous paid time off: 11 holidays, 3 personal days, monthly sick leave, and vacation accrual starting at 8 hours/month.
• Potential eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
• Retirement security through Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)/Oregon Public Service Retirement Plan (OPSRP).
• Training and development opportunities to grow your career with the State of Oregon.

Company Culture

We offer a workplace that balances productivity with enjoyment; promote an atmosphere of mutual respect, dedication, and enthusiasm. You will collaborate with a team of bright individuals to work with and learn from. If you're driven by the passion to do something meaningful that changes lives, the Oregon Health Authority is the place for you.

Equal Opportunity and Diversity Statement

The Oregon Health Authority is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer, committed to fair employment practices and pay equity for all employees. We do not discriminate based on protected class - including race, sex, veteran status, disability, age, color, religion, national origin, marital status, or sexual orientation - and does not screen applicants based on current or past compensation. Salary is determined through a fair review of your education, experience, and training as it relates to the position. OHA is an anti-racist organization working to eliminate health inequities and dismantle structural barriers that impact underserved communities. Join us in advancing our Strategic Plan and building a more equitable Oregon.

Salary Range

$5,988 - $9,191