Job Description
Initial Posting Date:
05/28/2024
Application Deadline:
06/11/2024
Agency:
Legislative Assembly
Salary Range:
$6,521 - $9,781
Position Type:
Employee
Position Title:
Communications Director
Job Description:
The Oregon House Majority Office seeks a talented, trail-blazing storyteller to join the team as our Communications Director. The individual in this position will lead the caucus office’s efforts to communicate externally and internally about the priorities of the Oregon House Democrats, the caucus’s legislative agenda, the work of the legislature, and our role in pushing for a more equitable future.
The position requires strong writing skills, experience with new and emerging communications media, and a track record of working with the press. Of critical importance is a commitment to the values of the House Democratic Caucus. A successful candidate for this position will recognize that Oregonians gain information from a diverse array of sources and will find innovative ways to reach people where they are.
The House Majority Office Communications Director will work full time at the State Capitol in Salem during sessions of the Oregon Legislature, with more flexibility for working outside the Capitol during interim months.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES OF CAUCUS COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR
Develop an innovative communications strategy to engage Oregonians as active participants in their democracy and inform them of the work of the legislature and the House Democrats’ policy agenda, while finding new ways to engage those historically marginalized from the democratic process through:
Strategic Communications Planning
- - Leading caucus communications planning through legislative sessions and interim periods
- External Communications – Crafting external messaging, talking points, press releases, media Q&As, speeches, articles, and other materials for the House Majority Leader and members of the caucus. Assisting members in preparing for interviews and press conferences and review OpEds or other external communications they draft. Media Relations
- - Creating press strategies, manage outreach to the media, develop relationships with reporters, and be responsive to their inquiries.
- Content – Creating timely, compelling content to tell policy stories across a variety of channels and mediums. Translating complex policy goals into real world terms that is accessible in multiple languages.
- Internal Communications – Working with the House Majority Leader and fellow staff to craft caucus communications and strategy. Drafting internal communications materials: emails, newsletters, speeches, one-pagers, etc.
- Social Media – Managing and optimizing the House Democratic Caucus’s online presence and social media platforms, creating and publishing compelling timely content to facilitate transparency and foster engagement.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
A successful candidate for this position will have knowledge of:
- Basic principles of journalism (high written and verbal communication skills)
- Basic graphic design
- Oregon’s political landscape
- The legislative process
- Current news events
- Evolving trends in new media and social media usage
And possess the ability to:
- Write for diverse audiences and be comfortable navigating the ideological diversity within the House Democratic Caucus
- Condense complicated policy information into usable language
- Write in a variety of unique voices, including the Majority Leader, other caucus members, and the caucus as a whole
- Navigate a variety of outreach channels and learn new software
- Manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment, under tight or shifting deadlines, while staying organized and on top of things.
- Work collaboratively with communications staff in other leadership offices as well as and the Majority Office team
- Exercise independent professional judgment with a high degree of confidentiality
To review the position description in its entirety, please click here.
HOW TO QUALIFY:
Your application must demonstrate:
Bachelor’s degree and seven (7) to nine (9) years of experience.
- An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to demonstrate ability to perform the duties of the position may be considered.
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS:
The ability to communicate in multiple languages is a plus, as are multimedia skills like photography and videography.
TO APPLY:
- IF YOU ARE NOT A STATE EMPLOYEE: To apply for this position, follow the "Apply" link and complete the application & questions online. If this is your first time applying in our new system "Workday", you will need to create a new user profile. You can even drag and drop your resume into Workday and it will read and generate your Work History! Be sure to attach a cover letter and resume.
- CURRENT STATE EMPLOYEES: Login to Workday using the Career app on your Home Page. Prior to clicking "Apply", update your employee profile to reflect your Education, Skills, and Job History (including your current job).
- Attach your current cover letter and resume. Applications submitted without all documents may not be considered.
- Please monitor your Workday account, as all communication will be sent to you through this system. You must have a valid e-mail address to apply.
- This announcement closes at 11:59 PM on the close date listed. Application materials will be reviewed on a rolling basis but should be submitted by December 8 for full consideration.
SPECIAL INFORMATION:
- The Capitol Building is undergoing extensive renovation and construction projects which may limit accessibility to employees. This may require Legislative employees to work both from home and within the building as the construction project dictates. While working from home, personal, stable and high-speed internet access will be required to perform the functions of this position. There may be occasions that require employees scheduled to be working from home, to report to the Capitol or an offsite building. Every effort will be made to provide reasonable notice. However, employees may be required to report to the building under short notice. The State Capitol building is located at 900 Court Street NE, Salem, OR 97301.
- Oregon state government provides qualifying veterans and disabled veterans with preference in employment in accordance with ORS 408.225, 408.230, and 408.235. If you are requesting veterans' preference, you may receive an additional questionnaire in your Workday account. In order to ensure your privacy, we are asking that you complete the Veterans’ Questionnaire and attach your qualifying military documents at that time. This questionnaire will be sent to your Workday account after you submit your application. We ask that you complete the questionnaire before the application deadline; extensions may be granted if necessary and reasonable. For questions about documentation, please visit:
Veterans Resources. Or call the Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs at: 1-800-692-9666.
- The salary in this job posting reflects the base salary without contributions to the Public Employee Retirement System (PERS). Employees eligible for PERS will have their salary increased by 6.95% and 6% will automatically be subject to a mandatory employee contribution to PERS.
- The work experience and/or education section of your application must clearly demonstrate how you meet all the minimum and desired skills listed above.
- An offer including salary will not be extended until an equal pay analysis is completed pursuant to ORS 652.220 and 659A.357. An equal pay analysis will be conducted utilizing the education and work experience section of the legislative application.
- Work Authorization: The Oregon State Legislature does not offer visa sponsorships. On the first day of employment, all hires will be required to complete the US Department of Homeland Security’s Form I-9, confirming authorization to work in the United States. In addition, hires will have three business days from their first day of employment to present documents that establish employment authorization and identity. The Oregon State Legislature is an E-Verify employer and will use E-Verify to confirm that hires are authorized to work in the United States.
- If you have questions regarding this recruitment, or need assistance to participate in the application process, please contact Aimee Steketee, Human Resource Analyst, at
aimee.steketee@oregonlegislature.govor (503) 986-1373.
- The Oregon State Legislature is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to Workforce Diversity.
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