Communications Advisor - Limited Duration Assignment

Current employees: Please apply through the employee portal to be considered for this opportunity.

Pay Range:

$0.00 - $0.00 Annual

Department:

Non-Departmental

Job Type:

Limited Duration

Exemption Status:

United States of America (Exempt)

Closing Date (Open Until Filled if No Date Specified):

September 24, 2025

The Opportunity:

Annual Salary Range: $90,000 to $110,000

Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson’s Officeis seeking an experienced communications professional to provide consistent, timely, mission-driven and politically-sensitive communications across a broad range of channels and audiences. This role requires dynamism on the page, consistency of voice, and a thorough grasp of communications best practices as they play out in real world situations. If your supervisor and colleagues would describe you as someone who excels in a dynamic work environment, produces consistently against deadlines, positively collaborates with a team but executes independently and delivers strategic messaging in your sleep, we can’t wait to read your application.

In this challenging but highly rewarding role, you will have the daily opportunity to communicate about the most time-sensitive issues in the work to assist Multnomah County residents in understanding their local government. You will help capture and develop the voice of one of our most dynamic local leaders at a time when good governance is needed more than ever. You will use every communications best-practice and tool in your toolbox to convey county policies, values and positions, promote transparency and accountability and demonstrate local governments’ and the Chair’s best thinking, policy considerations and strategic use of taxpayer resources.

The Chair’s Office is filled with mission driven, highly motivated staff who are passionate about making Multnomah County a responsive, impactful, and accountable government that centers equity and recognizes the value and strength of each community member. Creativity, drive and enthusiasm for this community is an integral part of how we show up every day and help move the work forward.

Essential functions include:

Content Creation

• Write compelling content for multiple uses.
• Maintain a consistency of voice across multiple channels.
• Utilize effective and compelling communications strategies to convey county policies, values and positions, promote transparency and demonstrate local governments’ and the Chair’s considerate use of taxpayer resources.
• Prepare speeches, scripts, board materials, letters, newsletters, social posts, event memos, and media responses on message and on deadline.
• Produce content that is responsive, especially to requests for information from constituents and other elected officials and leaders.

Content Editing & Review

• Work across teams to produce, review and edit communications to internal and external partners.
• Assist Chair’s team, Central Communications and communicators across the county successfully produce timely and consistent communications.
• Stay up-to-date on current policy concerns and political topics to inform time-sensitive and politically sensitive communications.

Communications Strategy & Project Management

• Bring a strategic eye and voice across a broad system of communication.
• Establish and maintain strong networks and working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Effectively and efficiently timeline and project manage communications releases for external and internal stakeholders.

• Manage ongoing and one-time projects and events.
• Lead and participate on various committees and special projects as assigned.

Ideal Attributes:

• Great writing chops - able to produce in multiple formats and registers on tight deadlines and turnarounds.
• Strong editing skills and comfort with collaborative communications processes, giving and taking feedback.
• Strong organizational skills and consistency in meeting deadlines.
• Comfortable with technology, quick learner, early adopter.
• Comfortable with fast paced environments and competing priorities.
• Fosters a respectful, inclusive, and safe work environment.
• Strong drive for excellent customer service and communications follow-through.
• Flexibility to adapt and work with various job functions.

To Qualify

We will consider any combination of relevant work experience, volunteering, education, and transferable skills as qualifying unless an item or section is labeled required. Please be clear and specific about how your background is relevant. For details about how we typically screen applications, review our overview of the selection process page.

Minimum Qualifications/Transferable Skills*:

• Bachelor's degree; in lieu of degree, equivalent years of relevant experience will be considered.
• Five (5) years of experience performing the essential functions of this position, including but not limited to:

• Consistent work in communications and storytelling strategy.
• Work in a writing-heavy role where management of voice has been a core function; previous work with elected or in politics a plus.
• Ability to work and build communications collaboratively in a variety of applications for a variety of audiences with a variety of different kinds of collaborators.
• Strong knowledge of communications best practices.
• Good skills in connecting with and maintaining strong relationships across a variety of stakeholders.

*Transferable skills: Your transferable skills are any skills you have gained through education, work experience (including the military) or life experiences that are relevant for this position. Be sure to describe any transferable skills on your application and clearly explain how they apply to this position.

Screening and Evaluation

Application Packet: Your completed application must include the following items:

• Online application
• A resume that contains your relevant experience and education. Please be sure your resume includes the following for each employer: name of employer, location, dates of employment, your title, a brief summary of your responsibilities, the number of employees under your supervision.
• A cover letter that expands on your resume, addresses why you are interested in this position and demonstrates how your experience and skill set align with the minimum requirements.

Note:The application and resume should demonstrate your work experience/skills and how it is related to those shown in the Overview and To Qualify sections of the job announcement. Please be thorough, as these materials may be used and determine your eligibility for an interview.

Internal Applicants: After you have submitted your application, please check your Workday inbox and complete the Veterans’ Preference Questionnaire prior to the application deadline.

The Selection Process and Timeline: For details about how we typically screen applications, review our overview of the selection process page. We expect to evaluate candidates for this recruitment as follows:

• Initial review of minimum qualifications: We may do an additional preferred review and/or send out additional supplemental questions to identify those highest qualified.
• Consideration of top candidates: This may include panel interview(s), a hiring interview, and/or additional testing to determine the best candidates for a position.
• Professional reference checks: All finalists must pass reference checks.

Note:Application information may be used throughout the entire selection process. This process is subject to change without notice.

Multnomah County offers an exceptional benefits package, including employer-funded retirement savings; health and dental insurance at very low cost to full-time employees and their dependents; paid parental leave; wellness programs; a focus on work-life balance; and much more. Find more details on our benefits website.

Equal Pay Law: Please be advised that the pay range listed for this position is intended to provide general guidance on the earning potential for the role. However, actual compensation will be determined in accordance with the Oregon Equal Pay Law and will take into account factors such as the candidate's relevant experience, education seniority, training, and/or tenure. Candidates should expect that initial offers will be made within the listed pay range and may not be at or near the top of the range.

Serving the Public, Even During Disasters: Everyday, Multnomah County staff work together to serve as a safety net for our communities. During a disaster, this safety net becomes even more critical. All County employees have a role in serving the public during inclement weather, natural disaster, or other types of community emergency response. During these emergency responses, while typically there begins with a call for volunteers, county employees may ultimately be reassigned from their current position to a role in the emergency response in order to support the critical needs presented by our communities. For more information, please visit the Disaster Service Worker Informationpage.

Additional Information:

• This position is classified as a Staff Assistant and is an Unclassified position and serves at the pleasure of the Elected Official and may be subject to discharge at any time.
• This position is Limited Duration, through June 30, 2026. It may be extended.
• This is a salary, executive position that is not eligible for overtime.
• Work location varies. This position is approved for a hybrid schedule: generally onsite Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays, and often remote on Wednesdays and Fridays.
• The onsite work location is at the Multnomah Building, 501 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Portland, OR 97214.
• All employees must reside in Oregon or Washington; the county cannot support ongoing telework from other locations.
• This recruitment may be used to fill full-time, part-time, temporary, limited duration and on-call positions.

In accordance with Oregon Law, Multnomah County is not collecting school attendance dates in the initial application process; please do not include these dates in your resume, cover letter and other application materials.

Diversity and Inclusion: At Multnomah County, we don't just accept difference; we value it and support it to create a culture of dignity and respect for our employees.

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran or protected veteran status, genetic information and other legally protected characteristics. The EEO Know Your Rights poster is available for your reference. Multnomah County is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor. We request priority protected veteran referrals.

Veterans’ Preference: Under Oregon Law, qualifying veterans may apply for veterans’ preference. Review our veterans’ preference page for details about eligibility and how to apply.

Accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act: We gladly provide reasonable accommodation to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing an application or participating in this recruitment process. Please contact the recruiter below in advance to request assistance. Individuals with hearing or speech impairments may contact the recruiter through the Telecommunications Relay Service by dialing 711.

Questions?

Recruiter:

Norman Ross

Email:

norman.ross@multco.us

Phone:

+1 (503) 9882568 x82568

Application information may be used throughout the entire selection process. This process is subject to change without notice.

Disclaimer: This announcement is intended as a general descriptive recruitment guide and is subject to change. It does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.

Job Profile:

9400 - Staff Assistant