Government Relations State and Regional Affairs Coordinator

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:

Elected Official Staff

Exemption Status:

United States of America (Exempt)

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

March 11, 2026

The Opportunity:

Overview

Annual Salary Range:$90,000 - 115,000

Multnomah County seeks a talented professional for the position of Government Relations State and Regional Affairs Coordinator in the Office of Government Relations. This is a fast-paced position that requires excellent interpersonal and communication skills and strong writing. As the State and Regional Affairs Coordinator, you will work with elected leaders and staff from local governments within and around Multnomah County and lobby members of the Oregon Legislature to further the mission of the Multnomah County Board of Commissioners. The position also serves as a state legislative analyst and political advisor to Multnomah County staff and the Board of County Commissioners.

Major Job Responsibilities:

• Develop an outreach plan and maintain relationships with area local governments and community advocacy organizations   
• Collaborate with state legislators, state agencies, local governments and interest groups to get legislation introduced, defeated, modified or passed by the Oregon legislature and signed by the Governor
• Monitor hearings, meetings, and other legislative activities in state, regional and local government
• Utilize bill tracking management software to track, analyze, research, issue spot, and interpret legislation in order to provide legislative updates for commissioners and departments
• Advise the Government Relations team and Board when formulating strategies for a wide range of complex and politically sensitive legislative issues informed by community, local, regional and state relationships
• Represent Multnomah County at hearings, meetings, regional policy tables and other legislative activities, including drafting and delivering testimony
• Work internally with elected and departmental leaders to develop county positions on complex issues that reflect internal and sometimes competing priorities

Key Attributes Needed:

• You are familiar with using an equity or racial justice lens in decision making processes and knowledgeable about the principles and practices of collaborative decision-making; you have experience facilitating and engaging in conversations about race, social justice, economic mobility and/or other intersectional experiences that play a critical role in engaging a diverse community
• Knowledge of legislative or local government processes and protocols
• Experience working with and lobbying elected officials
• Excellent and effective communication skills, including outstanding writing skills
• Demonstrated skill in collaborating with staff, community stakeholders or public officials to advance the County's agenda
• Strong attention to detail
• Ability to manage stress and remain flexible in a changing environment
• Passion for County issues
• Knowledge of communications portals and web-based resources for legislative activity
• Have knowledge of and the ability to interpret and apply relevant sections of local, regional, state, and federal mandates
• Knowledge of Multnomah County government, its mandates and functions, and familiarity with the regional and local policy issues and challenges that affect Multnomah County is a plus
• Ability to conduct an analysis of issues and policies with an equity lens and in accordance with County values and priorities
• Ability to remain objective in a political environment and to properly handle private and confidential matters

About Us:

Who we are, what we do, where we work, and why it matters.

At Multnomah County, our top priority is to meet the many needs of our residents. We provide a wide array of essential services in the areas of health, community justice, roads, elections, libraries, jails, bridges, tax and assessment, records, animal services, mental health and addiction services, and more.

The county and its departments are governed by our non-partisan, publicly-elected Board of County Commissioners. The board is made up of four commissioners representing their respective districts and the Chair, who serves as the chief executive officer for the County. Our diverse, dynamic workforce consists of more than 6,000 employees whose work collectively touches every person who lives, works or does business in Multnomah County. We value a culture of inclusivity, sustainability and innovation, and we continuously strive to improve the quality of life for County employees and residents alike. When you work for Multnomah County, you will make a positive impact on the community, no matter what position you hold.

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.

Minimum Qualifications/Transferable Skills*:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent years of relevant experience
• 1-2 years of experience working in a local government, legislative and/or public policy-making position
• Familiarity working with community groups, government entities, or elected officials
• Demonstrated experience effectively communicating politically sensitive information
• Experience developing briefing materials and talking points
• Demonstrated organization and project management skills & abilities
• Driving is required for County business on a regular basis or to accomplish work; must possess a valid driver's license, and possess and maintain an acceptable driving record throughout the course of employment
• Ability to travel as needed for legislative activities during the state legislative session

Preferred Qualifications/Transferable Skills*: You do not need to have the following preferred qualifications/transferable skills to qualify. However, keep in mind we may consider some or all of the following when identifying the most qualified candidates. Please clearly explain on your application how you meet any of the following preferred qualifications/transferable skills.

• Experience working in lobbying or legislative analysis positions
• Experience tracking legislation and drafting policy recommendations
• Demonstrated ability to interact confidently with state legislators, local elected officials, agency staff, and other government leaders
• Demonstrated ability to develop long-term relationships with elected officials and government leaders
• Strong understanding of how the Oregon legislative process works and how local government functions

*Transferable skills: Your transferable skills are any skills you have gained through education, work experience (including the military) or life experience 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

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

• A completed 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, and if applicable the number of employees under your supervision.
• A cover letter that expands on your resume and addresses
  • why you are interested in this position and;
  • demonstrates how your experience and skill set aligns with the minimum and preferred qualifications listed.

Note: The application, resume and cover letter 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, addressing how you meet the minimum and any preferred qualification listed, as these materials may be scored and determine if you move forward in the process.

The Selection Process: 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, phone screen, and/or send out additional supplemental questions to identify those highest qualified.
• Consideration of top candidates: We will consider qualified candidates in order of rank and score from the list of eligible candidates. This may include panel interview(s), a hiring interview, and/or additional testing to determine the best candidates for a position.
• Background check and reference checks: All finalists must pass reference checks and some departments may require a criminal records check.

Additional Details

This recruitment may be used to fill full-time, part-time, temporary, limited duration and on-call positions.

Type of Position: This position is classified as a Staff Assistant and is an executive, unclassified position and serves at the pleasure of the Director and may be subject to discharge at any time. This salaried executive position is not eligible for overtime.

Schedule: Monday - Friday; There may be some flexibility with scheduling, and daily start and end times.

Hybrid Telework: This position is designated as “hybrid telework,” meaning you will be working both remotely (from home) and in person at an onsite location. The designation of Hybrid Telework may be subject to change at a future time. All employees must reside in Oregon or Washington; the county cannot support ongoing telework from other locations. The onsite work location for this position is at Multnomah Building: 501 SE Hawthorne Blvd., Portland, OR 97214

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 and education. 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 theDisaster Service Worker Informationpage.

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:

Jessi Rhodes

Email:

jessi.rhodes@multco.us

Phone:

+1 (971) 8650407

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