Public Affairs Specialist 3 (Plain Language & Editorial Strategy Specialist)

About the Role

Champion clear, accessible communication that serves all Oregonians. 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

• Lead writing, editing, and communication projects for ODHS and OHA.
• Manage complex public affairs projects using Adobe Workfront.
• Develop messages relating to service equity, ease of access to services, plain language, safety, and innovation that are customer-centered, inclusive, and sustain strong business relationships.
• Develop and implement communication strategies that support agency priorities and public understanding.
• Review and edit content to ensure it is clear and easy to understand (plain language), consistent with agency messaging, and compliant with ADA digital accessibility standards.
• Serve as the agency's subject matter expert on plain language and accessible communications.
• Collaborate with communications, design, translation, and other teams to develop public-facing materials.
• Advise leadership on communication strategies and messaging for key initiatives.
• Support crisis communications and develop messaging for high-profile or sensitive issues.
• Help shape public affairs policies, communication plans, and strategic outreach efforts.
• Develop marketing and outreach strategies to engage the public and stakeholders.
• Provide guidance on internal communications to improve employee awareness and engagement.
• Create surveys, evaluation tools, and performance metrics to measure communication effectiveness.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• 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. Five of the eight years must have been at the professional level.

Essential Attributes

• Produces and edits clear, concise, and culturally responsive written materials using plain language principles and best practices for diverse audiences across multiple platforms, as demonstrated through professional writing, editing, and storytelling work samples.
• Demonstrates experience applying plain language principles to complex or technical content by improving clarity, organization, readability, and audience understanding, and by advising authors or subject matter experts on how to make content easier to understand and use.
• Manages multiple projects concurrently and meets competing deadlines in fast-paced or emergency response environments, as shown through examples of project plans, timelines, or completed deliverables.
• Advises and collaborates on the development of multimedia content (web, social media, video, graphics, and other digital materials) and applies plain language and audience-centered communication principles to ensure content is clear, usable, and appropriate for the intended audience, supported by examples of past projects and the applicant’s specific role in each.
• Advises leadership, subject matter experts, and cross-functional teams on plain language, editorial strategy, audience needs, message clarity, and effective communication related to public policy, public health, or other complex initiatives, demonstrated through examples of advisory work and outcomes.
• Develops and edits clear, effective oral and written communications for internal or senior-level audiences, evidenced by samples such as leadership messages, employee newsletters, or intranet content that successfully informed or motivated the intended audience.
• Communicates complex organizational changes, strategic initiatives, or organizational performance for diverse audiences, demonstrated through examples of communication plans, strategies, or executed campaigns.

Working Conditions

• Remote work or alternative work location will be considered in filling this position. The ability to report to Salem is required when business or operational needs are dependent on onsite activities.
• Remote work outside of the 50 United States of America and the District of Columbia is prohibited, per policy 50.050.01.
• Function in a high-energy environment with frequent interruptions. Must be flexible to meet tight deadlines and state of emergency support services.
• Frequent contact with other government staff, agency partners, contractors, and the general public.
• Work with a high degree of independence and receive general supervision from an administrative superior. Assignments are often self-generated and approved by a supervisor for implementation or are given in general terms with a due date and reviewed upon completion. Must ensure that completed work is in compliance with ODHS|OHA policies and federal regulations.
• Requires good verbal and writing skills, knowledge of computer systems, ability to make formal and informal presentations to large and small groups, and ability to meet rush deadlines requiring prioritizing/working under pressure.
• Requires frequent use of a PC, which includes repetitious hand movement.

Background Checks and Requirements

If selected as a finalist, we will conduct a criminal history and background check. Adverse criminal history or background check may lead to disqualification.

The Oregon Department of Human Services does not offer visa sponsorship. Within three days of hire, you will be required to complete the US Department of Homeland Security’s I-9 form confirming authorization to work in the United States. ODHS will use E-Verify to confirm that you are authorized to work in the United States.

Benefits

• ODHS Employee Resource Group communities that promote shared learning.
• Cost of Living Adjustments.
• Annual salary increases (until you reach the top of the listed salary range).
• Amazing benefits package.
• Possible eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Salary Range: $7,179 - $10,569

Application Deadline: 08/19/2026

Contact Information: Cris Jansen, crista.jansen@odhs.oregon.gov, Phone: 503-826-6988