Community Engagement Liaison - Public Affairs Specialist

What You’ll Do

As the Community Engagement Liaison, you will enhance the visibility, accessibility, and impact of the Oregon Advocacy Commissions by leading strategic communications, building community partnerships, and supporting authentic civic participation across the state. This role connects communities with legislators, the Governor’s Office, and the Advocacy Commissions to inform policy, advance equity, and reduce barriers for communities of color and women. You will develop outreach strategies, public‑facing materials including social media posts, data‑informed reports, and engagement activities that elevate community voice in policy design.

Serving as a key bridge between the Commissions and the public, this position strengthens trust, supports effective communication, and ensures community perspectives help shape state programs, policies, and budget decisions.

• Bachelor's Degree in Business or Public Administration, Public Relations, Marketing, Journalism, the Behavioral or Social Sciences or related degree and two years professional level experience in Public Relations or Affairs; or
• Five years’ experience directly related to the position under recruitment; two of the five years must have been at the professional level.

• Experience in large and small group facilitation, including the ability to solicit and value diverse viewpoints.
• Experience managing projects with multiple parties of interest, specifically experience working with communities of color, immigrants and refugees.
• Outstanding interpersonal skills.
• Understanding of and experience applying principles of network organizing and social justice movement‑building.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, including the ability to make connections across differences, build rapport, understand what motivates people, and communicate in a way that connects with diverse motivations.
• Experience in demographic analysis of communities of color, women, and other protected groups.
• Knowledge of graphic design principles and tools such as Adobe Creative Suite.

The Oregon Advocacy Commissions Office is committed to innovation, continuous improvement, outstanding service delivery, and support for each other as professionals and as people. We believe hiring highly skilled employees from diverse backgrounds is key to cultivating positive results, well‑informed outcomes, and valuing the unique skill set and perspective of all our team members.

• Comprehensive Health Coverage:
  Low‑cost medical, vision, and dental plans for you and your family. Additional benefits include life insurance, short‑ and long‑term disability, deferred compensation savings plans, and flexible spending accounts for health and childcare.
• Generous Paid Time Off: 11 holidays, 3 personal business days, monthly sick leave and vacation leave that increases with years of service.
• Career Development:
  Opportunities for professional growth and advancement.
• Get There – Oregon’s easy‑to‑use carpool matching tool and trip planner.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness:
  You may qualify for the PSLF program.
• Hybrid Work Opportunity:
  This position supports a hybrid work schedule with bi‑weekly in Portland attendance required. Occasional travel for business functions and face‑to‑face appointments may be required. You must live within a commutable distance to the Portland metro area.

The Oregon Advocacy Commissions Office is an Equal Opportunity, affirmative action employer committed to workforce diversity. We embody the value of hiring a workforce representative of the communities we serve, understanding that a diverse workforce revitalizes our state. We value diversity and foster a positive and welcoming environment where all employees can thrive.