Health Policy Communications Lead — Hybrid/Remote

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

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.