Public Affairs Specialist - Communications Director

Public Affairs Specialist 3 - Communications Director

The Oregon Youth Authority is looking for a Communications Director who can serve as the steady, strategic voice of an agency that is often in the public eye. When a story breaks about a youth in our care, when the Legislature asks hard questions, when a community is trying to understand what reform really looks like — you are the person who makes OYA clear, credible, and human.

Reporting directly to the agency Director, you will lead OYA's Communications Office, set enterprise communications strategy, serve as our lead spokesperson, and guide crisis and internal communications across nine close-custody facilities and statewide community programs. This is high-scrutiny, high-trust work: your decisions protect youth confidentiality, shape public understanding of juvenile justice, and carry real consequences for the people we serve.

We are looking for a communicator who leads with both rigor and an equity lens, builds trust at every level of a large and dispersed organization, and turns complex, sensitive issues into honest, accessible messages. If you want your communications work to truly matter, this is where it will.

The Oregon Youth Authority (OYA) is a national leader in the juvenile justice field, pioneering the implementation of a positive human development framework for its work with staff and youth, and using data to match the right youth with the right services. We seek to foster cultural competence and pursue equitable solutions to support youth under our care. Our agency mission is to protect the public and reduce crime by holding youth accountable and providing opportunities for reformation in safe environments.

If you are looking to join a team that values individual and cultural differences and the opportunity to contribute in the success of youth reformation by enriching our workforce with diversity, OYA wants to hear from you! People of color, women and other members of historically underserved communities are strongly encouraged to apply!

Minimum Qualifications:

• A bachelor's degree in business administration, public administration, public relations, marketing, journalism, behavioral science, social science, or related field AND five years of professional level experience in public relations or public affairs; OR
• Eight years of experience directly related to the position under recruitment. Five of the eight years must have been at the professional level.

Special

Qualifications:

• Driver License
  
  Required:
  
  Driving is an essential function of this position. A valid driver license and an acceptable driving record are required for this position. We will conduct pre-employment driving records checks on our final candidate(s).

Required Skills:

Knowledge and ability to post and manage social media sites, publication tools, and limited video production.

Desired Attributes:

• Strategic communications leadership
  - Experience developing and guiding organization wide communication strategies and advising executives on messaging and direction.
• Media relations and crisis communication — Skilled in serving as a spokesperson, managing media inquiries, and leading communications during urgent or high‑profile situations.
• Working in high-scrutiny environments
  - Comfortable communicating within settings where decisions are highly visible and require strict attention to confidentiality, accuracy, and judgement.
• Public policy, legislative, and public‑records knowledge — Understanding of legislative processes, advocacy communication, and public‑records and public‑meetings requirements.
• Trust-building and transparency work
  - Experience helping organizations strengthen credibility, navigate sensitive issues, and communicate with honesty and accountability.
• Building relationships across diverse teams and communities
  - Ability to connect with staff at all levels and engage partners, advocates, and communities using an equity-centered approach.

How to Apply:

• Click on the "Apply" link above to complete your online application and submit by the posted closing date and time. For step-by-step instructions click apply to work for the state or current state employee.
• Required…