Deputy Communications Director; CM

Initial Posting Date: 10/14/2026

Final date to receive applications: 11/04/2026

Agency:
Department of Human Services

Salary Range: $7,537 - $11,657

Position Type:
Employee

Position Title:

Deputy Communications Director (CM2)

The Oregon Department of Human Services is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are guided by our Equity North Starand our vision for a positive

RiSE organizational culture that advances equity and diversity. We encourage applications from members of historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQIA2S+ community members, and others to help us achieve our vision of a diverse and inclusive community.

The Communications Unit guides the ODHS brand and helps people in Oregon connect with human services so they can reach their potential. We tell meaningful stories, create equitable and useful experiences, and build bridges with Tribal Nations, people who use our services, providers, community partners, ODHS employees, other state agencies and elected officials.

Opportunity awaits! Help people in Oregon discover, understand and access the services that support their lives.

ODHS is seeking a Deputy Communications Director (CM2) to serve as one of two Deputy Communications Directors. We are looking for a strategic, innovative leader who brings a marketing mindset, a deep understanding of customer needs, and a passion for making government services easier to find, understand and use.

In this role, you will help shape how ODHS connects with the people it serves. You will lead a multidisciplinary team responsible for audience engagement, digital strategy, creative content and design, outreach and media relations. You will use customer insights, emerging trends and performance data to develop strategies that strengthen awareness of ODHS services, improve the customer experience and build meaningful connections with the communities we serve.

You will partner with agency leaders to establish strategic priorities, align resources with organizational goals, manage complex and highly visible issues, and measure the impact of your team’s work. You will champion creative approaches that put people at the center of how ODHS delivers information and connects individuals and families with essential services.

You will also seek and use feedback from people who use ODHS services and community partners to identify opportunities, test new approaches and make the experience of engaging with government clear, simple and accessible.

You will also strengthen team practices, develop staff and provide coverage for the Communications Director when needed.

Want to learn more about the Deputy Communications Director position and get your questions answered? Join us for an information session on October 22, from 8:30 – 9:30 a.m. Pacific Time.

Join the Zoom Gov information session

Meeting :

Passcode: 643423

Join by phone:  or

• Plan, launch, and oversee digital and traditional marketing campaigns (SEO, SEM, social media, email and content) that help people in Oregon discover, understand and access ODHS services, tailored to the needs, experiences and preferences of diverse audiences, including the public, ODHS employees, legislators, community partners and Tribal Nations.
• Use analytics tools to track key performance indicators (KPIs), such as return on investment (ROI), engagement rates and conversion metrics, to identify barriers, understand audience needs and inform strategies that make interactions with ODHS more relevant, useful and effective.
• Guide the use of web, social media, multimedia, design, storytelling and emerging platforms to increase awareness, improve engagement and make complex government services and information easier to navigate.
• Supervise and mentor staff, set clear expectations, delegate effectively and foster a collaborative, psychologically safe environment where employees can contribute ideas, develop their skills and deliver high-quality work.
• Champion clear, plain-language and accessible information that reflects the experiences of the people ODHS serves.
• Advise agency leaders on audience engagement, emerging issues, reputation, media relations and effective responses to complex or high-profile situations, including emergencies.
• Review and approve public-facing materials, including media responses, news releases, talking points and other content.
• Improve workflows, standards and resource management to…