Communications Strategist

Posted: 09/15/2026 • Application deadline: 10/06/2026

About the role

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. 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. 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.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement communication strategies and long-range plans that advance agency goals and the RUC 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 for 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 based on business needs.

Requirements

• Eight years of experience directly related to the position, with five of those years at the professional level.
• OR a bachelor's degree in business administration, public administration, public relations, marketing, journalism, behavioral science, social science, or a related field AND five years of professional‑level experience in public relations or public affairs.
• Driving is an essential function: must have a valid U.S. driver license and an acceptable driving record; pre‑employment driving record check will be conducted.

Qualifications

Preferred attributes (not required but valued):

• 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.

Skills

Skills implied by the preferred qualifications: strategic communications planning, media relations, community engagement, campaign management, writing and speaking, partnership building.

Benefits

• Work/life balance.
• 11 paid holidays per year.
• Flexible work schedules.
• Paid leave.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness opportunity.
• Hybrid work options available.

Pay

Salary range: $6,581 – $10,105 per month (non‑PERS). If you are already a PERS member or become PERS eligible, the salary range increases by 6.95%.

Schedule

May require working outside traditional work hours and traveling statewide. Hybrid work options available – frequency based on business needs.