Communications Manager

Role Overview

• Manage the Agency’s Office of Communications and Outreach section which includes developing program goals and objectives and monitoring progress;
• Identify, prioritize, and schedule work;
• Hire, manage, lead, and coach staff in the fulfillment of the objectives and goals of the Office of Communications and Outreach.
• Direct DEQ’s statewide communication and outreach efforts, including design and implementation of public information and education programs, internal and external communication and websites,
• Oversee media relations, as well as internal and external branding efforts;
• Act as a spokesperson for DEQ;
• Serve as the principal advisor to the director and executive team on communication and outreach.
• Represent the agency before the commission, the Governor’s Office, local governments, tribal governments, interested parties, and local and national media.

Requirements

• 6 years of supervision, management, or progressively related experience or 3 years of related experience and a Bachelor's degree.
• Demonstrated commitment to promoting and enhancing diversity; proven experience developing and implementing diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
• Experience communicating about public policy and process, including experience with public boards, committees, councils, and/or commissions.
• Experience as a supervisory manager of a communications section and team.
• Familiarity with a wide variety of communication tools, including press releases, email list serves, web and social media, as well as community engagement techniques.
• An understanding of how to work with news media on a wide variety of topics, both proactively and reactively.
• Experience communicating complex technical information and data to audiences who may be unfamiliar with the subject matter.
• Experience leading teams or organizations in crisis and emergency communications efforts.
• Experience leading the development of comprehensive and strategic communication planning and messaging efforts.
• Experience advising, briefing, staffing, and preparing executive leadership to engage in high-profile and contentious public relation environments (e.g. media interviews, press briefings, public meetings).
• Experience representing an agency or organization in meetings with government officials, commissions, advisory committees, interested parties, local and national media, and the public, sometimes in urgent, contentious, or high profile situations.
• Experience building and supporting high-performing, collaborative, and inclusive teams that appreciate and encourage diverse thinking and foster an inclusive culture of belonging; proven experience fostering teamwork among direct-report employees; experience coaching, mentoring, and motivating direct-report employees and peers through inclusivity, equity, and kindness.
• Supervisory management experience in the public sector (ex: local, state, or federal government, school districts, etc.); understanding of or experience in working with labor unions, particularly in a government setting.
• Skill in cultivating positive relationships across diverse teams while addressing workplace dynamics with professionalism and cultural sensitivity.
• Experience in strategic planning, plan implementation, succession planning, outcome-based management, and change management; champions process improvement.
• Excellent verbal and written communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability and experience managing human, financial, and informational resources in a manner that instills employee and public trust and accomplishes the organization's mission.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 11 paid holidays
• 10 hours of vacation per month, eligible to be used as accrued
• 8 hours of sick leave per month, eligible to be used as accrued
• 24 hours of personal business leave per fiscal year, eligible to be used after 6 months of service
• Optional life insurance packages
• Flexible spending accounts
• Membership in the Oregon Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)
• Optional deferred compensation retirement program
• Opportunity to potentially receive loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)
• Continuous growth and development opportunities
• Opportunities to serve your community and make an impact through meaningful work
• A healthy work/life balance, including flexible schedules and hybrid work options for many positions