Senior Legislative & Government Relations Strategist (OPA4)

Oregon Housing & Community Services; Salem (OR); Hybrid; USD 84,000 - 124,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Vacation & sick leave

11 paid holidays

3 paid personal days

Flexible spending accounts

PERS retirement plan

Job summary

Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) is seeking a Senior Legislative and Government Relations Strategist to support programs, staff, and executive leadership. The role will monitor committees, engage with partners, and participate in legislation development while preparing leadership for legislative presentations and policy analysis.

The position requires a Bachelor’s degree with five years of evaluative, analytical and planning work, or eight years of combined experience and education,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree plus five years professional-level evaluative, analytical and planning work.
• 8 years of experience in combination with education as an alternative to the above requirement.
• Knowledge of public and legislative procedures.
• Analytical ability and strong written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to collaborate with diverse stakeholders and communities.

Responsibilities

• Monitor legislative committees and engage with partners and local governments.
• Participate in legislation development and prepare agency leadership for legislative presentations and policy analysis.
• Provide policy analysis on potential legislation affecting OHCS.
• Coordinate agencywide legislative projects and ensure proper implementation of legislative intent.
• Engage with the Legislature, Governor's Office, local governments and advocates.

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Business or Public Administration, Behavioral or Social Sciences, Finance, Political Science or any degree demonstrating the capacity for the knowledge and skills

Job description

Posting Dates

Initial Posting Date: 10/05/2026

Application Deadline: 10/14/2026

Agency: Oregon Housing and Community Services

Salary Range: $7,537 - $11,098

Position Type: Employee

Position Title: Senior Legislative & Government Relations Strategist (OPA4)

Job Description

Oregon Housing & Community Services Senior Legislative & Government Relations Strategist [Operations & Policy Analyst 4] Hybrid - Salem, OR Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) Public Affairs Division is looking for a Senior Legislative & Government Relations Strategist to support OHCS's programs, staff and executive leadership. This person will monitor legislative committees, engage with partners and local governments, participate in legislation development, prepare agency leadership for legislative presentations and policy analysis.

OUR COMMITMENT TO EQUITY, DIVERSITY, & INCLUSION

OHCS commits to inclusive excellence by advancing equity and diversity in all that we do. We are an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and encourage applications from members of historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQ+ community members, and others to help us achieve our vision of a diverse and inclusive community.

Vision

Our Vision is that all Oregonians can pursue prosperity and live free from poverty.

Mission

Our Mission is to provide stable and affordable housing and engage leaders to develop an integrated statewide policy that addresses poverty and provides opportunity for Oregonians.

Core Values

Our Core Values: Collaboration - Compassion - Equity - Integrity - Leadership - Transparency.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

• Hybrid > This position is a combination of hybrid and remote.
• This is a permanent, full-time management service position.
• This recruitment will be used to establish a list of qualified applicants to fill the current vacancy and may be used to fill future vacancies as they occur.
• This position will involve travel on official State business. Should you choose to drive a motor vehicle you must have a valid driver's license and an acceptable driving record. If not, you must have an alternate method of transportation.
• This position requires both a resume and a cover letter, the cover letter will need to address the desired attributes listed in this job posting.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

The Senior Legislative and Government Relations Strategist works within the Government Relations Section and provides support across OHCS programs, staff, and with executive leadership. This role actively contributes to the development and implementation of local, state, and federal legislative strategies that directly support the mission, vision, priorities and goals of the agency. Under the direction of the Assistant Director of Government Relations, this highly independent position strategically plans, advises, and orchestrates the agency legislative agenda and other government relations' priorities with the Oregon State Legislature, the Office of the Governor, local governments and industry advocates to facilitate successful and efficient progression of agency programs.

The position's primary responsibilities include proactively monitoring legislative committees, engaging with partners and local governments, participating in legislation development, ensuring effective cross-department coordination, preparing agency leadership for legislative presentations and policy analysis related to potential legislation impacting OHCS. The Government Relations Strategy lead works closely with local governments and monitors the impacts of federal legislation and federal rules on OHCS programs, offering expert advice to the Assistant Director of Government Relations on communicating the effects of federal and state actions to local partners and to our Congressional delegation and federal advocacy partners. Lastly, the position is the lead on coordinating agencywide legislative projects and guarantees that legislative intent is met in implementation and that legislators and partners are engaged effectively.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

A Bachelor's Degree in Business or Public Administration, Behavioral or Social Sciences, Finance, Political Science or any degree demonstrating the capacity for the knowledge and skills; and five years professional-level evaluative, analytical and planning work.

-OR-

Any combination of experience and education equivalent to eight years of experience that typically supports the knowledge and skills for the classification.

For a copy of the Position Description please contact: [e-mail]

DESIRED ATTRIBUTES

The most competitive candidates will possess the following attributes, experience, and knowledge:

• Knowledge of public and legislative procedures, with a focus on housing and community service policies.
• Analyze complex policies and effectively communicating analyses to stakeholders including delivering reports for legislative purposes.
• Ability to cultivate relationships and work effectively and respectfully with politically, ideologically, culturally, and geographically diverse people and communities.
• Demonstrated knowledge of social justice issues, a deep commitment to equity and social justice in strong alignment with OHCS values, and an understanding of how racism impacts housing outcomes.
• Expert oral and written communication for public participation and other government processes.
• Ability to disseminate complex information in plain language, including agency policies, statutes, and industry reports.

WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU

You will become part of an innovative and strategic group of professionals and enjoy a competitive salary and benefits package!

• A positive environment that offers opportunities for career growth and cross-training.
• An agency that supports and encourages work/life balance and overall wellness.
• Generous benefits package including, employer-paid health insurance, vacation, and sick leave, eleven paid holidays, three paid personal days, flexible spending accounts, and an employer contribution retirement plan (PERS).

• The posted salary range is the total possible range for the classification. Candidates are screened through a Pay Equity process that evaluates various factors. Please see the Pay Equity website for more information.

RECRUITMENT TIMELINE

Recruitment Closes: 10/14/26

Recruiter Screening for Minimum Qualifications: On-going

Hiring Manager Screening for Requested Skills: On-going

1st Round of Interviews: Week of 10/19/26

2nd Round of Interviews: TBD if needed

Anticipated Start Date: 11/16/26

APPLICATION GUIDANCE AND REQUIREMENTS

• Current State of Oregon employees: Apply via your employee Workday account.
• External applicants: View this application instructional video. A PDF is also available by clicking here.
• REQUIRED: Attach your most up-to-date Resume. Please ensure your Workday profile matches your submitted resume.
• REQUIRED: Attach a Cover Letter that demonstrates how you meet the "Desired Attributes" for this position.
• A Cover Letter that does not meet the required criteria will be graded as ineligible.

If you have questions about the job announcement, or need an alternate format to apply, please contact the HR Solutions Inbox at: [e-mail]

WHO WE ARE

Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) is Oregon's housing finance agency. We provide financial and program support to create and preserve opportunities for quality, affordable housing for Oregonians of lower and moderate incomes. Our vision is that all Oregonians can pursue prosperity and to live free from poverty. Across Oregon, housing has emerged as a paramount concern. The lack of available housing, high rents and high home prices are driving rapid increases in housing instability and homelessness. The data is clear: too many Oregonians are without a safe, stable, and affordable place to call home.

OHCS is placing greater emphasis on strategic planning and the way we invest our resources. Recently, we have restructured, refocused, and reimagined our agency. Our work has led to an increased emphasis on data, research, and customer service. We are carrying that effort forward with the Statewide Housing Plan. The plan articulates the extent of Oregon's housing problem and what we can do to address it. OHCS committed to the Housing Stability Council and our stakeholders that the plan will be responsive to the needs of the state.

OHCS released its Building Oregon's Future: 2023 Annual Report to update the agency's significant progress in meeting the goals outlined in the 2019 Statewide Housing Plan. We are now more than halfway into the five-year plan.

To learn more about Oregon Housing and Community Services, visit our website: https://www.oregon.gov/OHCS/pages/index.aspx

PUBLIC AFFAIRS DIVISION

The Public Affairs Division promotes OHCS' core services, programs and mission by leading internal/external government relations, strategic communications, and engagement. The Division serves as a bridge between policymakers, public interest, and partner organizations to promote stable housing. Public Affairs actively strives to center equity and racial justice and to form deep partnerships across the housing continuum to achieve equitable and affordable housing outcomes for all Oregonians.

WANT TO KNOW MORE? LET US HELP YOU!

* If you need a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), have questions or need assistance with the application process, please send your request to [e-mail] and include the job requisition number.

* The salary listed is the non-PERS qualifying salary range. If the successful candidate is PERS qualifying, the salary range will reflect an additional 6.95%. Please review the Classification and Compensation page for more details.

* Please save a copy of this job announcement for reference as it may not be available to view after the job closes.

* Finalists will be subject to a computerized criminal history check.Adverse background data may be grounds for immediate disqualification.

* Work Authorization: Oregon Housing & Community Services (OHCS) does not offer VISA sponsorships. Within three days of hire, you will be required to complete the US Department of Homeland Security's I-9 form containing authorization to work in the United States. OHCS will use E-Verify to confirm that you are authorized to work in the United States.

* Veteran's Preference: Eligible veterans who meet the qualifications will be given veterans' preference. For further information, please see the following website: Veterans Resources. NOTE: If claiming veterans' preference please be sure to check your Workday account for pending tasks or actions under your "My Applications" section.

* The State of Oregon does not request or require your age, date of birth, attendance or graduation dates from an educational institution during the application process.

APPENDIX

* [e-mail]

* Application Instructional PDF

* Application Instructional Video

* Benefits Information

* Classification and Compensation Page

* OHCS Website

* Oregon's Statewide Housing Plan - Halfway Progress Report

* Oregon's Statewide Housing Plan - Full Plan

* Pay Equity

* Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)

* Veterans Resources