Job Description
Communications Director
Legislative Assembly
Oregon
Job details
Salary
$5,794 - $8,691 a month
Full Job Description
Initial Posting Date:
01/14/2021
Application Deadline:
01/25/2021
Agency:
Legislative Assembly
Salary Range:
$5,794 - $8,691
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 Communications Director. The individual in this position will lead the caucus office’s efforts to communicate internally and externally about the priorities of the Oregon House Democrats, the caucus’s legislative agenda, and the legislature’s 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 to secure favorable coverage. Of critical importance is a commitment to progressive values, racial justice, and building a future where everyone can thrive. 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.
Normally, the House Majority Office Communications Director will work full time in Salem during sessions of the Oregon Legislature, with more flexibility for working outside the Capitol during interim months. However, given the public health constraints of the global pandemic, this position will be primarily remote for the first few months of the 2021 Legislative Session, with a reassessment in the spring based on public health and safety metrics.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES OF CAUCUS COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR
The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by people in this position. Staffers may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.
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 BIPOC communities, youth, and those historically marginalized from the democratic process through:
Strategic Communications Planning - Leads caucus communications planning through legislative sessions and interim periods
Media Relations – Craft external messaging, press strategy, media outreach, press releases, media Q&As, talking points, speeches, articles, and other materials for the House Majority Leader and other members of the caucus to communicate top priorities, prepare for interviews, and other media appearances.
Content – Create 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 – Work with the House Majority Leader and fellow staff to craft caucus communications and strategy. Draft internal comms materials: emails, newsletters, speeches, one-pagers etc.
Social Media – Manage and optimize the House Democratic Caucus’ online presence and social media platforms, creating and publishing compelling timely content to facilitate transparency and foster engagement.
Time Management - execute all of the above while working with moving deadlines and flexible work hours.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
A successful candidate for this position will have knowledge of:
Evolving trends in new media and social media usage
Current news events
Basic principles of journalism (high written and verbal communication skills)
Basic graphic design
The legislative process
Oregon’s political landscape
And possess the ability to:
Write for diverse audiences
Manage tight timelines
Work collaboratively with other communications staff and caucus team members
Condense complicated policy information into usable language
Navigate a variety of outreach channels and learn new software
Remain organized
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
The ability to communicate in multiple languages is a plus, as are multimedia skills like photography and videography.
HOW TO QUALIFY:
Your application must demonstrate:
Bachelor’s degree and seven (7) to nine (9) years of related experience. An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to demonstrate ability to perform the duties of the position may be considered.
Please Note: Attach your current cover, resume, writing sample and three references. Applications submitted without all documents may not be reviewed. Your cover letter should clearly demonstrate how your work history demonstrates the knowledge, skills and abilities listed above.
WHY THE OREGON STATE LEGISLATURE?
Work/life balance - paid leave and a competitive benefits package .
We offer full medical, vision and dental with paid sick leave, vacation, personal leave and ten paid holidays per year.
Collaborative work environment with a team of bright, hardworking, and fun individuals.
Opportunities for professional development to expand your breadth and depth of knowledge.
Support the creation of public policy and watch as history unfolds for the State of Oregon as ideas become crafted into policies and laws.
The Legislative Branch is made up of 7 small-medium state agencies where you can really get to know your co-workers.
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 both documents may not be reviewed.
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.
SPECIAL INFORMATION :
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 roughly 6.95% and 6% will be 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.
Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States. Applicants who require VISA sponsorship will not be considered at this time.
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.gov or (503) 986-1373.
The Oregon State Legislature is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to Workforce Diversity.