Content Strategist

Position Title: Content Strategist 

Classification: Public Affairs Specialist 3 

Salary: $6,420 - $9,859.00 ($6,866.00 - $10,545 PERS) 
 

We are seeking a Content Strategist to join our Office of Relations, Management, and Support (ORMS) at the Oregon Department of Education. This is a permanent position represented by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU).  
 

This position follows a hybrid work model. Onsite presence will be required when business or operational needs are best supported in person, such as collaboration, training, or work that requires access to onsite resources. Employees approved to work remotely must have a reliable and secure internet connection and maintain a professional work environment that supports productivity. While working remotely, employees are expected to maintain the same level of performance, responsiveness, communication, and availability as they would be in the office. 

About Us:  

The Oregon Department of Education’s (ODE’s) mission is to foster equity and excellence for every learner through collaboration with educators, partners, and communities. In fulfilling its mission, ODE has the vision to ensure all students have access to and benefit from a world-class, well–rounded, and equitable education system. 

The Deputy Superintendent of Public Instruction is the Director and administrative head of the Department of Education. The Governor, who is the Superintendent of Public Instruction, has delegated to the Deputy Superintendent the responsibility of performing all of the duties, functions and powers of the Superintendent. These include providing leadership and oversight to Oregon's prekindergarten to grade 12 education system. The Deputy Superintendent is the chief executive officer for the State Board of Education and is responsible for interpreting and administering Board policies and rules. This position is part of the Communications Unit, which is within the Office of Relations, Management, and Support (ORMS). The position works across the agency to consistently meet the agency’s communications needs in line with the priorities of the Deputy Superintendent of Public Instruction (ODE Director) and the Superintendent of Public Instruction (Governor).   
 

What You Will Do! 
 
The primary purpose of this position is to lead the planning, development, and execution of a cross-agency content calendar. This position plays a key role in ensuring proactive, coordinated, and accessible communications that support ODE’s mission, initiatives, and public transparency 

This role sits at the intersection of strategy, storytelling, and public impact. As the Content Strategist, you won’t just create content, you’ll shape how the Oregon Department of Education communicates, plans, and tells its story across the state. 

You’ll have the opportunity to build and lead a new, agency-wide content strategy, designing systems that bring clarity, alignment, and intention to communications across a complex organization. Your work will help ODE communicate more proactively and strategically, ultimately making communications more transparent, accessible, and effective. 

Typical duties include: 

• Lead strategic content planning across the agency. On a typical day, this role coordinates with program offices and the communications team to plan, refine, and manage a quarterly content calendar. This includes identifying priority topics, aligning messaging with agency goals, anticipating upcoming milestones or issues, and ensuring timelines and approvals stay on track. 

• Develop and shape high-impact communications content. The Content Strategist regularly writes, edits, and reviews content for multiple audiences and platforms, such as newsletters, intranet posts, web content, social posts, slide decks, one-pagers, and talking points. Each day involves translating complex education policy, data, or initiatives into clear, accessible, and equity-centered messaging.   

• Develop strategic communications plans for key agency initiatives and projects and advise leadership and program staff on messaging strategy. This role serves as a communications strategist for agency programs, initiatives, and projects, helping develop communications plans and advising on communications approach, tone, timing, and audience considerations, especially for high-profile or sensitive issues. This position helps anticipate public reaction, mitigate risk, and ensure consistent messaging across the agency.  

• Manage cross-agency workflow and execution. The Content Strategist tracks deliverables from planning through publication, coordinates reviews and approvals, and adjusts plans as priorities shift. A typical day includes problem-solving, aligning contributors, improving processes, and ensuring communications are delivered accurately, on time, and in alignment with agency values. 

Please click here to view the full position description 

This position works primarily in an office environment. Occasional travel, early morning, evening, and some weekend and night work. It is understood that the hours of work may vary from day to day, week to week. Work is sometimes accomplished within demanding time-sensitive constraints, particularly during legislative sessions. Statewide travel, including periodic travel to other states to learn and share innovative and best practices will occur on an as-needed basis. The job requires the ability to complete multiple assignments on tight timelines. Work requires a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail. This position frequently deals with politically sensitive topics; must quickly understand complex situations, issues, initiatives, and programs and determine communication strategy. Must exercise good, consistent judgement. May have to deal with frustrated or upset constituents, employees or partners. Requires considerable contact with ODE staff and leadership across the agency, as well as constituent/education partners, the State Board of Education, and members of the general public and outside of Oregon. This position requires a driver license and an acceptable driving record or an alternative means of transportation. 

Minimum Qualifications (Required) 

 
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. 
 
Minimum qualifications must be met to qualify for this position.  
 

Desired Attributes: 

• Strategic communications leadership: Demonstrated ability to plan and execute integrated communications strategies that align with organizational goals, anticipate issues, and support public understanding of complex initiatives. 

• Exceptional writing and editing skills: Proven strength in writing clear, accessible, and audience-appropriate content across multiple formats, including internal communications, public-facing materials, and executive-level messaging. 

• Experience managing complex workflows and editorial calendars: Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, coordinate contributors across teams, and deliver communications on time through structured planning and tracking systems. 

• Sound judgment in high-stakes or sensitive situations: Evidence of strong professional judgment when advising leadership, handling sensitive information, or navigating politically or publicly complex topics. 

• Collaborative and influential partner: Ability to build trust across divisions, facilitate planning conversations, and influence without authority—bringing people together around shared communications goals. 

• Equity-centered and accessible communications approach: Demonstrated commitment to inclusive, culturally responsive, and accessible communications practices, particularly in a public-sector or education context. 

We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job. We would encourage you to apply, even if you don't meet every one of the attributes listed.    

Why Us? 

At ODE, we pride ourselves on creating an inclusive, collaborative, and innovative atmosphere. Autonomy is supported while also being offered opportunities to work in dedicated teams or partnerships across the agency. Our office supports a healthy work/life balance and shows genuine care for team members, students, partners, and school leaders. Our team members share and educate with passion for equitable practices and sustainable development for leaders across Oregon. We maintain a constant learning and growing mentality to strive for optimum innovation and consistently applied equity practices. 

Our Amazing Benefits Include: 

• Excellent medical, vision and dental benefit package for the employee and qualified family members with very low monthly out-of-pocket cost 

• Paid days off – 

• 11 paid holidays per year, 

• 3 additional paid "Personal Business Days" per year, 

• 8 hours of sick leave accumulated every month, 

• Progressive vacation leave accrual and increases every 5 years. 

• In addition to standard medical benefits and employee leave, the state also provides additional optional benefits, such as basic life insurance, short-term disability, Paid Leave Oregon, long-term disability, deferred compensation savings program, and flexible spending accounts for health care and child care expenses. 

• Student Loan Forgiveness Program: if you have federal student loan debt or are thinking of going back to school, then you will want to look into this program. If you make 120 qualifying payments on your student loan while working full time for a qualifying employer, your student loan debt may be forgiven. 

• If you currently work at an Oregon school district or education service district, we may be able to transfer in your sick leave balance! 

If you have a desire to make a difference in the lives of Oregonians, apply today! 

To Apply: 

Your cover letter and resume are the perfect opportunity to highlight your interest in the position and showcase your skills and experience that make you the best candidate for the position.   

• Upload a resume and cover letter.  

• In your cover letter, please include your qualifications relating to any of the desired attributes mentioned for this position (limit to no more than 2 pages).  Your resume and cover letter may be uploaded in the Resume/Cover Letter field on the online application. Failure to attach a cover letter and resume may result in the disqualification of your application.  

• In addition to your related work experience and education, we will use the attributes and minimum qualifications listed under the “What we are looking for” section above to determine whom to interview. Please make sure the attributes and minimum qualifications you possess are clearly demonstrated in your resume and cover letter.  

• Important: Please monitor both your email and Workday account for updates regarding this recruitment. You may be asked to submit additional information after initial application. 

• External Applicants: Click on the “Apply” button and submit your resume and cover letter. Please make sure to attach all required documents in the section titled Resume/Cover Letter.  

• Internal Applicants: (this includes Current State of Oregon employees): Apply via your employee Workday account.  

Please contact ode.jobs@ode.oregon.gov if you have any questions on the application process. 
 

Additional Information: 
 

• Salary Range: The range listed is the Non-PERS salary range. Public Employee Retirement System (PERS) participating members will have their base salary increased by 6.95% and pay a 6% employee contribution to PERS. 

• Your application materials will be used to determine salary based on a pay equity assessment. For further information, please visit the Pay Equity Project homepage. 

• The job posting closes at 11:59 PM (PDT) on the close date. After you submit your application, be sure to respond to the two questionnaires relating to public records requests and veterans’ preference immediately following your submission. These questions are necessary to complete the application process. 

• Communication: Please monitor your Workday account, as communication will be sent to your Workday account. You must have a valid e-mail address to apply. 

• Future Vacancies: This recruitment announcement will be used to establish a list of qualified candidates to fill the current vacancy and may be used to fill future vacancies as they occur. 

• External Applicants (non-state of Oregon employees): If you would like to retain a copy of this job posting, please print a copy before submitting your application. Once the job posting has closed, you will not be able to access the posting. 

• Background Check: This position requires successfully passing a criminal record check, which may require a fingerprint-based records check and/or credit history check, as a condition of employment. 

• If you need an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), have questions or need assistance with the application process, please contact us at ode.jobs@ode.oregon.gov. Please be sure to include the job requisition number.  

• Veterans: Eligible veterans who meet the qualifications will be given veterans' preference.  For further information, please see the following website: Veterans Resources.  You may also call the Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs at 1-800-692-9666. 

• Visa Sponsorship: The Oregon Department of Education does not offer visa sponsorship. Within three days of hire, all applicants will be required to complete the US Department of Homeland Security's Form I-9, confirming authorization to work in the United States. The Oregon Department of Education is an E-Verify employer. If you are the successful candidate you must present your I-9 acceptable documents (See page 3)  for employment verification. 

• The State of Oregon does not request or require your age, date of birth, attendance or graduation dates from an educational institution during the application process  

Helpful Links and Contact Information: 
 

• Learn more about ODE 

• Understanding the State Application Process 

• Resources for Job Seekers 

• Get There - Oregon’s easy-to-use carpool matching tool and trip planner. 

• Live, work, and play in Salem, Oregon. 

• For additional information, you may contact us by e-mail at ode.jobs@ode.oregon.gov.  

The Department of Education is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer committed to a diverse workforce. The Department strives to create an inclusive environment that welcomes and values the diversity of the people we serve. We foster fairness, equity, and inclusion to create a workplace environment where everyone is treated with respect and dignity. If you are unsure whether you meet the qualifications of this position, please feel free to contact us to discuss your application.  

Come for a job | Stay for a career | Make a difference...for a lifetime!