Communications Officer - Community Development Department

City of Beaverton; Beaverton (OR); Hybrid; USD 57,000 - 76,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, vision and life insur-

PERS retirement

PTO + holidays

VEBA/HRA and EAP

Job summary

The City of Beaverton is seeking a Communications Officer to lead communications and community engagement for the Community Development Department (CDD) and the Beaverton Urban Redevelopment Agency (BURA). You will help residents, businesses, stakeholders, and decision-makers understand projects, programs, policies, and investments shaping Beaverton's neighborhoods and livability.

This role sits at the intersection of strategy, public engagement, and development, coordinating with city teams to

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, journalism, public administration, or a related field.
• Four years of experience in public information, media relations, or similar work.
• Experience communicating about public services or complex governmental programs.
• Equivalent combination of education and experience enabling the incumbent to perform the essential functions.

Responsibilities

• Create and carry out communication plans for CDD and BURA programs, projects, and policy changes.
• Lead proactive storytelling to explain policy development, timelines, and planning initiatives.
• Develop messaging for downtown revitalization, redevelopment, and public improvements.
• Coordinate media responses for CDD and BURA projects and urban renewal initiatives.
• Position the city for competitive grants through strategic communications.
• Support public information and community coordination during emergencies.

Skills

Strong writing and storytelling

Collaborative relationships

Public engagement planning

Data-informed communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in communications/public relations/journalism/public administration or related field

Job description

The City of Beaverton is seeking a Communications Officer to lead communications and community engagement for the Community Development Department (CDD) and the Beaverton Urban Redevelopment Agency (BURA). This position sits at the intersection of strategic communications, public engagement, and community development, and will help residents, businesses, stakeholders, and decision-makers understand the projects, programs, policies, and investments that shape Beaverton's neighborhoods, transportation systems, economic vitality, and long-term livability.

The Communications Officer is housed within the Community Engagement and Communications Division (CEC) and serves as the dedicated communications partner for CDD and BURA, working closely with city staff and leadership, boards and commissions, neighborhood organizations, and regional partners. You will develop communication and engagement strategies, create compelling content, support public involvement efforts, coordinate media relations, and help ensure community members receive clear, timely, and accessible information.

What you will do:

Strategic and proactive communication

• Create and carry out communication plans for CDD and BURA programs, projects, and policy changes.
• Lead proactive storytelling that helps the community understand the work of the department including policy development and decision-making, project timelines, development activity, and planning initiatives.
• Develop messaging and materials that explain work in downtown revitalization, redevelopment, and public improvements.
• Provide communication support for policy changes, operational updates, and public education.
• Coordinate responses to media inquiries related to CDD and BURA projects, planning efforts, business development, code compliance, and urban renewal initiatives.
• Work with city teams and partners to position the city for competitive grants.
• Support public information and community coordination during emergencies.

Community engagement and outreach

• Track development and construction projects to identify neighborhood impacts and anticipate notification and outreach needs.
• Serve as the main link between CEC, CDD, BURA, and community partners during the land use review process.
• Track engagement metrics and use data to improve communication effectiveness.
• Maintain editorial and engagement calendars for planning initiatives, project milestones, housing program updates, and community outreach events.

Digital, print, and presentation communication deliverables

• Determine graphic design and multimedia needs and coordinate with creative staff and contractors to develop accessible, brand-aligned materials for print, web, presentations, social media, email, and outreach.
• Work with CDD and BURA leadership and program staff, and CEC and Information Technology and Services team members to create, manage, and publish content for webpages, newsletters, social media, and email communication.
• Prepare clear content and presentations for neighborhood groups, boards, commissions, City Council, and partner agencies.

Additional duties are outlined in the Program Administrator class specification.

What you will bring:

• Experience developing and executing strategic communications and public engagement efforts.
• Strong writing and storytelling skills, with the ability to translate complex, technical, or policy-related information into engaging content for diverse audiences.
• The ability to build collaborative relationships with colleagues, community members, partner organizations, boards and commissions, and other stakeholders.
• Experience planning and supporting meaningful public engagement processes that encourage participation and build trust.
• Strong organizational skills and sound judgment, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, navigate sensitive issues, and adapt to changing needs.
• A commitment to accessible, inclusive communication and a data-informed approach to evaluating and improving communications and engagement efforts.

Why Beaverton?

This position offers an opportunity to shape how Beaverton communicates about growth, redevelopment, public improvements, economic development, housing, and planning. You'll work on high-profile initiatives while collaborating with professionals across multiple disciplines and helping cultivate meaningful community engagement. Upcoming priorities include downtown revitalization, neighborhood engagement, redevelopment initiatives, and strategic storytelling that highlights the impact of city programs and investments.

This is a full-time, non-exempt, SEIU-classified position. The classification is Program Administrator. Most work is performed during regular weekday business hours, although flexibility is required to attend evening board and commission meetings and occasional weekend events. Hybrid work opportunities may be available following the completion of probation. There is one vacancy.

Minimum qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, journalism, public administration, or a related field, and
• Four years of experience in public information, media relations, or similar work; and
• Experience communicating about public services or complex governmental programs; or
• An equivalent combination of education and experience enabling the incumbent to perform the essential functions of the position.
• Ability to pass reference checks and education verification, and satisfy the requirements of a background check.

Studies have shown that some candidates hesitate to apply for a position if they do not believe they meet 100% of the hiring criteria. The city’s talent acquisition goals include hiring the candidate who is best able to meet the performance objectives of the role. We encourage people with non-traditional skill sets and experiences to apply, even if you believe you do not meet 100% of the qualifications and hiring criteria described.

Wagerange: $41.43 - $55.52 hourly

Starting pay within the posted range is based on a review of your related work experience, as required by the Oregon Equal Pay Act. We compare the experience shown in your application materials with the qualifications for the position. Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will start at step one. Applicants whose work history clearly demonstrates additional directly related experience may be placed at a higher step within the range.

To ensure an accurate evaluation, please include all relevant work history in your application, including part-time, volunteer, or other roles that show related experience.

Total compensation package and benefits

In addition to competitive pay, the city offers a wide variety of benefits to regular employees which make up an exceptional total compensation package.

The city pays the full retirement contribution to the Oregon Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS) including the employee portion; provides employees with an opportunity to participate in a deferred compensation retirement plan; makes available a public service loan forgiveness program and tuition reimbursement program; and offers excellent health, dental, vision and life insurance coverage.

Additional benefits include excellent paid time off (PTO) accrual, PTO cash out options, wellness programs and incentives, an employer-funded Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) VEBA, an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and bilingual pay premiums.