Communications & Outreach Director

Salary: Starting at $100,000 annually

Department: County Commissioner District 1
Job Type: Elected Official Staff
Exemption Status: Exempt
Closing Date: August 05, 2026

About the role

The Office of Multnomah County Commissioner for District 1 is seeking a dynamic, strategic, and highly organized Communications & Outreach Director. This role serves as the public voice, media liaison, and community bridge for District 1’s Commissioner, Meghan Moyer. You will manage all internal and external communications, lead community outreach strategy, handle day-to-day scheduling, and oversee the execution of board proclamations. The ideal candidate excels in fast-paced environments, possesses sharp political acumen, and is deeply committed to serving the residents of District 1.

Multnomah County’s District 1 encompasses the vibrant heart and diverse landscapes of our community, spanning the west side of the Willamette River, Portland's inner east side, and western unincorporated areas including Sauvie Island. The District 1 Office is a small, collaborative team dedicated to creating responsive local policy, protecting the safety net for our most vulnerable residents, and maintaining deep connections with our neighborhood and business associations.

Responsibilities

Communications & Media Relations

• Draft and distribute press releases; build and maintain strong relationships with local media; and strategically pitch stories to relevant reporters.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for media inquiries, coordinating with senior staff to craft timely responses.
• Fully prepare the Commissioner for media appearances, including drafting talking points, conducting mock interviews, and managing logistics (travel, tech setups, and staging).
• Write and design regular community newsletters; manage and update the district website for better navigability; and oversee all social media platforms (including video creation and comment moderation) to expand digital reach.
• Track local news coverage concerning District 1 and collaborate regularly with the central County Communications department.

Community Outreach

• Act as the office liaison to neighborhood associations, community groups, advocates, and professional organizations.
• Plan and execute public town halls and community meetings, managing all logistics, photography, note-taking, and subsequent follow-up actions.
• Investigate district-specific issues raised by residents and develop communications—or collaborate on policy solutions—to address them.

Executive Scheduling & Operations

• Manage the Commissioner’s daily schedule, including booking meetings, events, and travel arrangements.
• Prepare the Commissioner for all engagements with detailed background information on topics and attendees.
• Travel with the Commissioner to community events to provide on-site support, capture photos, take notes, and track follow-up tasks.

Board Proclamations

• Collaborate with senior staff to identify key proclamations led by District 1.
• Draft proclamation text alongside community partners and the County Attorney; file all official documents with the Board Clerk.
• Organize board ceremonies, coordinate with guest presenters, and manage post-ceremony celebrations.

Office Administration

• Assist with constituent email correspondence, proofread formal policy documents, manage general office supplies/functions, and greet office guests.

Requirements

We will consider any combination of relevant work experience, volunteering, education, and transferable skills as qualifying unless an item or section is labeled required. Please be clear and specific about how your background is relevant.

Minimum Qualifications/Transferable Skills

• Equivalent to a Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Journalism, English, Communications, or related field. In lieu of a degree, we will consider equivalent years of related experience.
• Three (3) years of administrative, communications, marketing or public information experience.

Preferred Qualifications/Transferable Skills

You do not need to have the following preferred qualifications/transferable skills to qualify. However, we may consider some or all of the following when identifying the most qualified candidates. Please clearly explain on your application how you meet any of the following preferred qualifications/transferable skills.

• Experience in local government or political campaigns is highly preferred.
• Ability to work under tight deadlines and multiple competing priorities.
• Ability to interact and work with a diverse group of people and at all levels of the organization.
• Ability to maintain good customer service when responding to requests from community members.
• Proficiency in marketing software, tools and analytics (e.g. Mailchimp, HubSpot, Google Analytics, Adobe Creative Suite).
• Proficiency in social media platforms (e.g., Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X, Bluesky, TikTok, YouTube).
• Knowledge of strategic planning, implementation and project management.
• Experience applying a racial equity lens to communications and policy analysis.
• A commitment to promoting a culture of respect, inclusiveness, and culturally responsive communication informed by lived experience.

Pay

Starting at $100,000 annually

Schedule

This position works onsite at the Multnomah Building located at 501 SE Hawthorne Ave, Portland, Oregon 97209.