Communications Strategist

Oregon Department of Transportation; Salem (OR); Hybrid; USD 73,000 - 113,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid holidays

Flexible schedules

Paid leave

Public service loan forgiveness

Job summary

Oregon Department of Transportation in Salem seeks a Public Affairs Specialist 3 – Communications Strategist to serve as the agency’s senior strategic communications expert for the road usage charge program and related legislative efforts.

You will plan and develop public affairs campaigns, provide counsel to management and the Governor’s Office, represent ODOT at meetings and with media, and build partnerships statewide. Hybrid work options are available based on business needs.

Qualifications

• Eight years of experience directly related to the position, five at the professional level.
• OR a 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.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement communication strategies and long-range plans that advance goals and priorities of the agency and Oregon’s road usage charge program.
• Plan and lead statewide marketing and outreach efforts to launch and increase awareness of agency programs.
• Establish new communication policies, procedures and standards.
• Evaluate and prepare reports and recommendations to agency and program staff.
• Develop, procure and manage consultant contracts for public marketing and education campaigns.
• Build and maintain partnerships with local governments, community organizations, private sector partners, other state agencies and news media.
• Respond to media inquiries and provide guidance to leadership.
• Develop and supervise the creation of digital and physical communication materials.
• May require working outside of traditional work hours and traveling statewide.
• Hybrid work options available – frequency of hybrid work will be based on business needs.
• To request a copy of the position description, which includes all duties and working conditions, please email [e-mail].

Skills

Public relations

Media relations

Communications strategy

Storytelling

Education

Bachelor's degree (PR/Comm/BA etc.)

Job description

Title

Public Affairs Specialist 3 – Communications Strategist

Employer

Oregon Department of Transportation – Communications Section – Salem

Location

Salem, Oregon

Posting Information

Initial Posting Date: 09/15/2026

Application Deadline: 10/06/2026

Position Type: Employee

Salary Range: $6,581 - $10,105

Role

In this role, you will serve as the agency’s senior level strategic communications expert for Oregon’s road usage charge (RUC) program and the legislative effort (HB 3991) to make this program required for electric and hybrid vehicles starting in July 2027. You will plan and develop public affairs and public information/education campaigns to inform the public on who needs to pay the road usage charge and how to pay it. You’ll also help set program policy, provide strategic communication counsel to management, create and manage strategic communications for the Governor’s Office, legislature, federal, state and local officials around the implementation of the road usage charge and represent ODOT at meetings, to public groups and the media. If you’re looking for an opportunity to support an effort with statewide and national significance and impact,

Main Responsibilities

• Develop and implement communication strategies and long-range plans that advance goals and priorities of the agency and Oregon’s road usage charge program.
• Plan and lead statewide marketing and outreach efforts to launch and increase awareness of agency programs.
• Establish new communication policies, procedures and standards.
• Evaluate and prepare reports and recommendations to agency and program staff.
• Develop, procure and manage consultant contracts for public marketing and education campaigns.
• Build and maintain partnerships with local governments, community organizations, private sector partners, other state agencies and news media.
• Respond to media inquiries and provide guidance to leadership.
• Develop and supervise the creation of digital and physical communication materials.
• May require working outside of traditional work hours and traveling statewide.
• Hybrid work options available – frequency of hybrid work will be based on business needs.
• To request a copy of the position description, which includes all duties and working conditions, please email [e-mail].

Benefits

• Work/life balance, 11 paid holidays a year, flexible work schedules, paid leave and so much more. Learn more about working at the Oregon Department of Transportation and the benefits we offer.
• Comprehensive and equitable base salary offer within the listed range. Through an equal pay assessment, we will determine the salary offer using the information you provide in your submitted application materials. Please ensure your application materials are detailed, accurate and reflect your skills, experience (paid and unpaid) and education as they relate to the position when applying.
• The salary range listed is the non-PERS monthly salary range. If you are already a participating PERS member or once you become PERS eligible, the salary range will increase by 6.95%.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness opportunity!

Minimum Qualifications

Eight years of experience directly related to the position under recruitment. Five of the eight years must have been at the professional level.

OR

A 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.

Special Qualifications

Driving is an essential function of this position. You must have a valid U.S. driver license and an acceptable driving record. We will conduct pre-employment driving records checks on our final candidate(s). Your license does not have to be issued in Oregon to be considered.

Desired Attributes

• Experience managing marketing and paid media campaigns.
• Knowledge of strategic communications and effective communications planning.
• Effective verbal and written communications (including storytelling).
• Proven experience organizing community engagement events.
• Experience writing news releases, giving on-air interviews and pitching stories to media.

Additional Information

• We do not offer visa sponsorship. If you are hired, you will be required to fill out the US Department of Homeland Security’s I‑9 form confirming you are able to work in the US. We are not an E‑Verify participating employer, and we are unable to proceed if E‑Verify participation is required [e.g., STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT) Extension].
• The State of Oregon does not request or require your age, date of birth, attendance or graduation dates from an education institution during the application process.
• We may use this recruitment to fill multiple or future vacancies.
• We will conduct name-based criminal background checks on final candidates, not including current ODOT employees. All applicants may be subject to additional pre‑employment check(s) such as driver license, LEDS (Law Enforcement Data System), and/or education verification as required for the position.
• You will be represented by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU).

Equal Employment Opportunity

ODOT is an Equal Employment Opportunity and
Affirmative Action Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation or any other class protected by state or federal laws in admission or access to our programs, services, activities, hiring, and employment practices. Applicants with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation during the application process. For questions, concerns, or complaints regarding EEO/AA/ADA, contact 1-877-336-6368 (1-877-EEO-ODOT). This information can be made available in an alternative format by contacting ODOT Recruitment at 503-986-3700. Oregon Relay Service can be reached by calling 7-1-1.

Communications specialist, communications planning, media relations, PR, public relations