Strategic Initiatives Advisor

Oregon Department of Transportation; Portland (OR); Hybrid; USD 84,000 - 124,000; Full time

Job summary

Oregon Department of Transportation in Portland is seeking an Operations & Policy Analyst 4 – Strategic Initiatives Advisor to serve as the primary staff and advisor for the region’s Policy & Development Manager. You will undertake special initiatives related to transportation policy and projects and represent the agency on committees and multi‑agency efforts.

The role requires a flexible, entrepreneurial and collaborative approach, with the ability to manage cross‑disciplinary initiatives and

Qualifications

• Eight years of experience in transportation planning, public policy or a similar field.
• A bachelor's degree in public policy, urban planning, business or public administration or related field.
• Five years of professional evaluative, analytical and planning work.

Responsibilities

• Develop policy and strategy options for unique issues and evaluate the best course of action.
• Identify and track projects and initiatives designed to advance the agency mission and goals.
• Organize multi-disciplinary, multi-jurisdictional policy group projects on complex issues.
• Serve as regional liaison to external and internal efforts and advisory committees.
• Prepare and conduct briefings and presentations to committees and elected officials.
• Develop and maintain communication materials such as reports and talking points.

Education

Bachelor's degree in public policy, urban planning, business or public administration, behavioral or social sciences, finance, economics, political science or any degree demonstrating the capacity for the knowledge and skills

Job description

Job Description

Operations & Policy Analyst 4 – Strategic Initiatives Advisor

Oregon Department of Transportation

Delivery and Operations Division – Region 1

Policy & Development

Portland / Hybrid

Initial Posting Date: 08/21/2026

Application Deadline: 09/10/2026

Agency: Department of Transportation

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

Position Type: Employee

Position Title: Strategic Initiatives Advisor

In this highly visible role, you will serve as the primary staff and advisor for the region’s Policy & Development Manager. You will undertake special initiatives related to transportation policy and projects and represent the agency on various committees and multi‑agency efforts. In addition, you will coordinate major cross‑disciplinary initiatives and help find resolutions to various challenges related to project development. This job calls for a flexible, entrepreneurial and collaborative approach and someone who can see possibilities and multiple paths to desired outcomes.

Before applying, visit our applicant information website to learn more about our process. If you are a current State of Oregon employee, you must apply through your employee Workday profile.

We provide a safe and reliable multimodal transportation system that connects people and helps Oregon's communities and economy thrive. We encourage people from all backgrounds and abilities to apply for our positions.

A Day In The Life

• Develop policy and strategy options for unique issues and evaluate and recommend the best course of action.
• Identify and track projects and initiatives designed to advance the agency mission and goals.
• Organize and guide multi-disciplinary, multi-jurisdictional policy group and team projects that deal with complex and politically sensitive issues.
• Serve as the regional liaison to external and internal efforts and standing groups and provide support for ODOT advisory committees.
• Respond to priority requests from state and agency leadership, the legislature and outside agencies, including evaluating proposed legislation.
• Help evaluate grant funding and political support requests made by outside parties.
• Prepare and conduct briefings and presentations to committees and elected officials.
• Develop and maintain communication materials such as reports, presentations, handouts and talking points.
• Take on ad hoc assignments from section and regional leadership as needed.
• Work is primarily performed in a typical office environment with frequent phone and in-person contact.
• This position requires the ability to work flexible hours to accommodate early morning or evening meetings and occasional travel is required. Hybrid work options are available.
• To request a copy of the position description, which includes all duties and working conditions, please email [e-mail].

What’s In It For You

• 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

• Any combination of experience and education equivalent to eight years of experience in transportation planning, public policy or a similar field
• A bachelor's degree in public policy, urban planning, business or public administration, behavioral or social sciences, finance, economics, political science or any degree demonstrating the capacity for the knowledge and skills; and five years professional‑level evaluative, analytical and planning work.

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.

What We’d Like To See

If you have these attributes, let us know in your application materials! It’s how we will choose whom to move forward! You do not need to have all these qualities to be eligible for this position. We may also use transferable skills, experience and education to help us decide who will move forward.

• Demonstrated experience in the analysis and writing of transportation policy.
• Experience with regional politics and the process of influencing multi‑agency decision making, including being comfortable engaging senior agency staff and elected officials.
• A history of developing innovative solutions and working collaboratively.
• Experience as a project manager working in a demanding environment.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently under changing conditions with conflicting deadlines.

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 become part of the state's management team.

ODOT is an Equal Employment Opportunity and Aff…? 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.