Public Affairs Specialist 3

This is a hybrid position offering significant work-from-home flexibility.

About the role

The Public Affairs Specialist 3 with the Communications Unit in the Oregon Health Authority’s External Relations Division serves as a senior-level communications strategist supporting the Public Health Division. This role leads the planning, development, and execution of complex communications and public affairs initiatives that advance public health programs, policies, and emergency response efforts. The position works closely with agency leadership, subject matter experts, media representatives, and community partners to develop strategic communications plans, manage sensitive issues, and ensure clear, timely, and culturally responsive messaging for Oregonians. The role also serves as a key advisor to leadership on communications strategy, reputational risk, and public engagement efforts.

This position requires a highly skilled communications professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment and can manage multiple projects under tight deadlines. The ideal candidate has experience developing and implementing long- and short-term strategic and crisis communications plans on complex issues, while also maintaining strong relationships with members of the media. Responsibilities include pitching stories, coordinating interviews, responding to media inquiries, and serving as a spokesperson through television, radio, phone, and livestream interviews. The successful candidate will also identify and elevate compelling stories from communities across Oregon, including lived-experience and human-interest stories that support public awareness and engagement.

We are looking for someone with exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling abilities who can create and oversee content across multiple platforms, including press materials, web content, video, and graphic communications. Candidates should bring strong strategic thinking skills, sound judgment, and the ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences and stakeholders. The ideal person will be collaborative, adaptable, and comfortable navigating high-profile or sensitive issues while supporting the agency’s mission, values, and commitment to equity-centered public health communications.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and manage strategic communications and crisis communications plans for complex or high-profile issues.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with members of the media, including pitching stories, coordinating interviews, and responding to media inquiries under tight deadlines.
• Serve as an agency or organizational spokesperson in interviews, presentations, press briefings, or livestream settings involving sensitive or complex topics.
• Create clear, concise, and culturally responsive communications for diverse audiences across multiple platforms (press materials, web content, video, graphic communications).
• Identify and elevate compelling stories, including community-based, lived-experience, and public interest stories that increase public engagement and media coverage.
• Manage multiple communications projects simultaneously, prioritize competing deadlines, and adapt quickly in fast-paced or emergency response environments.
• Oversee or collaborate on multimedia content creation, including web content, social media, video production, graphic design, and other digital communications materials.
• Advise leadership and cross-functional teams on communications strategy, reputational risk, public engagement, and effective messaging related to public policy or public health initiatives.

Requirements

• A bachelor's degree in business administration, public administration, public relations, marketing, journalism, behavioral science, social science, or related field and five years of professional-level experience in public relations or public affairs; or
• Eight years of experience directly related to the position under recruitment, with five of the eight years at the professional level.

Benefits

• Excellent, low-cost medical, vision, and dental coverage for you and your family.
• Optional benefits like life insurance, disability coverage, deferred compensation, and FSA options for health and childcare.
• Generous paid time off: 11 holidays, 3 personal days, monthly sick leave, and vacation accrual starting at 8 hours/month.
• Potential eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
• Retirement security through Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)/Oregon Public Service Retirement Plan (OPSRP).
• Training and development opportunities to grow your career with the State of Oregon.

Pay

$6,581.00–$10,105.00 per month. The salary listed is the non-PERS qualifying range. If the successful candidate qualifies for PERS, the salary range will increase by 6.95%.

Schedule

This is a full-time, permanent, hybrid/remote position based in Portland, Oregon.

Employment is contingent upon a criminal records check that meets OHA criteria at the time of hire and throughout employment.