Children and Families Communications Specialist; Public Affairs Specialist

Position: Children and Families Communications Specialist (Public Affairs Specialist 3)
Initial Posting Date: 10/27/2026

Application Deadline:11/07/2026

Agency:

Oregon Health Authority Salary Range:$6,581 - $10,105

Position Type:

Employee

Position Title:

Children and Families Communications Specialist (Public Affairs Specialist
3)

Job Description:

If this opportunity aligns with your strengths, background, and commitment to fostering inclusivity, we encourage you to apply! At the Oregon Health Authority (OHA), we value diversity and encourage applicants from all backgrounds and experiences to help us build a stronger, more equitable future for all.

Opportunity Awaits, Apply Today! – Children and Families Communications Specialist (Public Affairs Specialist
3)
The OHP Community Engagement & Communications unit within the Oregon Health Authority's Medicaid Division is focused on building and maintaining pathways to prioritize community and partner voice throughout Medicaid and Oregon Health Plan policy and operations, as well as supporting operational communications with members, providers, and other partners. The unit supports a broad portfolio that includes Medicaid Community-driven Advisory Bodies, OHP Community Engagement, OHP Community Communications, Medicaid Rules Coordination, and policy and program areas requiring intensive community input.

The primary purpose of this position is to lead strategic planning, development, and execution of community communications for the Oregon Health Plan (OHP), ensuring members, families, providers, Tribes, CCOs, and community partners receive clear, accurate, and culturally responsive information. This position provides direction to the OHP Community Communications team, supervises public affairs staff, and oversees member- and provider-facing materials that support understanding of OHP benefits, system navigation, and policy changes.

The position also oversees public affairs activities for Medicaid’s Children & Families Policy Team, including EPSDT and other children’s Medicaid services. The role establishes communication standards, manages budgets, evaluates communication effectiveness, and provides consultation to Medicaid leadership on communication impacts of policy decisions.

This position will collaborate with diverse populations most harmed by social injustice and inequities and will demonstrate the ability to build and steward positive, collaborative and partnership-based relationships with diverse community groups including communities of color, immigrant groups, the disability and neurodivergent communities, veterans, older adults, individuals identifying as LGBTQIA2S+ and other communities that have been traditionally marginalized.

For a full review of the position description, please .

What We Are Looking For

Minimum Qualifications:

These qualifications must be reflected in your application for consideration.

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;

OREight years of experience directly related to the position under recruitment. Five of the eight years must have been at the professional level.

Desired Attributes:
The following are desired attributes that we have identified as key to success for this role se are the attributes we are looking for in our top candidate. If you have any of these, please let us know in your application.

Demonstrated ability to read, write, speak and interpret English and one of the 5 most common languages in Oregon other than English (Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese, Russian, and Korean) with full proficiency.

Experience leading or supporting the development and implementation of policies and programs at…