Policy and Government Affairs Director (Consultant Advisor 1)

Initial Posting Date:

01/07/2026

Application Deadline:

02/04/2026

Agency:

Employment Department

Salary Range:

$8,097 - $12,522

Position Type:

Employee

Position Title:

Policy and Government Affairs Director (Consultant Advisor 1)

Job Description:

Are you looking for a high-impact role where your leadership will influence legislation, guide strategic decisions, and deliver meaningful results? Are you passionate about building partnerships and shaping policies that create opportunities for all? If you’re ready to lead with a purpose and make a lasting impact, apply today and help us turn vision into action and advance policies that support businesses, promote employment, and strengthen Oregon’s economic future!

The Policy & Government Affairs Director role is a new role that will be part of a new leadership team at Oregon Employment Department (OED). Rather than having two (OPA-4) senior legislative advisors co-leading OED’s legislative process, the team will consist of this role and one legislative, rules, and policy coordinator (OPA-2) who will provide support to the Policy & Government Affairs Director. The position will report to OED’s Chief of Staff, regularly consult with the agency Director, and be part of OED’s executive team.

At OED, we actively support a workforce that is representative of the people we serve including people from various races, genders, abilities, cultures, language skills, geographic locations, and justice system involvement. We value your life experiences and encourage everyone to apply with your transferable skills and qualifications from your work, school, and volunteer experiences. Please let us know if you need a reasonable accommodation.

WHAT YOU WILL DO:

The Policy & Government Affairs Director will lead and manage a comprehensive government relations program for OED, encompassing federal, state, and local legislative and liaison activities aligned with OED’s mission to support businesses and promote employment. This role is responsible for developing, directing, and implementing OED’s legislative strategies and programs at both the state and federal levels.

Externally, the position builds and maintains high-level partnerships with key stakeholders to advance state and federal policy initiatives. It identifies and engages cross-sector partners, brokers strategic commitments, and drives collaborative efforts to achieve OED’s strategic goals. The role also provides expert consultation that informs department goals and guides the Director’s decision-making, balancing legislative priorities, public expectations, legal requirements, and financial considerations.

• As the agency’s primary representative for government relations, this position speaks on behalf of the OED Director to legislators, business partners, and other state agencies.
• Plays a key role in setting internal and external policy direction, working closely with the Executive Leadership Team to shape public policy, resolve policy and program conflicts, and lead change management efforts that enhance agency operations and impact.
• Contributes to the development of agency-wide policies, budgets, and strategic goals.
• Leads the creation and execution of legislative and government affairs agendas in coordination with OED leadership.
• Represents the agency on legislative and interagency councils, committees, and workgroups, ensuring alignment with OED’s overall legislative strategy.
• Carries out the agency’s affirmative action, diversity, equity, and inclusion goals and responsibilities.

For a complete review of the position and responsibilities, please click here.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR:

Required Minimum Qualifications

• Seven years of executive-level policy development or foundational experience directly related to the position being recruited; OR
• An equivalent combination of education and experience

Desired Attributes

• Demonstrated knowledge of the legislative process at the state level; and experience working with legislative bodies at all levels (local, state and federal).
• Ability to exercise considerable independent professional judgment in dealing with collaborators (legislators and their staff, business and labor groups, other state agencies) in a highly competitive and very politically-charged environment.
• Experience negotiating and advocating for legislative concepts and state agency rules.
• Demonstrated abilitly to quickly learn a wide variety of policy and program areas including workforce, benefit programs, and others that are core to the agency.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, including the ability to clearly and succiently communicate complex issues to external parties
• Abililty to follow through on many workstreams under the stress of short timelines and a faced paced legislative environment.
• Demonstrated comfort with ambiguity and shifting priorities.
• Ability and skill in collaborating and achieving results through people who do not report to this position.
• Commitment to valuing diversity and promoting inclusion.

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU:

• A workplace that balances productivity with enjoyment and encourages learning and mentoring.
• Rewarding work in a dynamic and creative environment with colleagues who are passionate about public service.
• Work/life balance, 11 paid holidays a year, and a competitive benefits package.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness opportunity!
• Get There - Oregon’s easy-to-use carpool matching tool and trip planner.

HOW TO APPLY:

• Required: Attach a resume and cover letter. Your cover letter must not exceed two (2) pages. Please make sure your cover letter clearly addresses the desired attributes and minimum qualifications you have under the “What We Are Looking For” section above. Please upload your documents in the “Resume/Cover Letter” section of the application. In addition to your related work experience and education, we will use the desired attributes and required minimum qualifications to determine who to interview.
• External Applicants: Click on the “Apply” link above to fill out the online application and submit by the posted closing date. Please use your preferred name on application materials.
• Current State of Oregon employees (this includes temporary employees): Apply through your employee Workday account. Please ensure the work history in your applicant profile is up-to-date and reflects your current position.
• 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.
• The job posting closes at 11:59 PM (PDT/PST) on the close date. Immediately after you submit your application, be sure to respond to the two questionnaires relating to public records requests and veterans’ preference. These questions are necessary to complete the application process.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

• 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.
• The use of outside resources such as Artificial Intelligence software during applicant skill assessments, examinations, and/or interviews is prohibited unless otherwise stated by the hiring agency. Unauthorized use of outside resources during the hiring process will result in disqualification.
• This position is management service and is not represented by a union.
• This recruitment may be used to fill current and future Permanent, Limited Duration, Job Rotation and Temporary vacancies as they occur.
• The salary listed is the non-PERS qualifying salary range. If the successful candidate is PERS‑qualifying, the salary range will reflect the additional 6.95%. Please review the Classification and Compensation page for more details.
• Eligible veterans and Oregon National Guard servicemembers (current and former) who meet the qualifications of the position will be awarded veterans' preference. For more information, please visit Veterans Resources.
• Salary Determination: The information in your Workday profile will be used to complete an equal pay assessment to determine salary placement upon hire.
• United States Employment Eligibility: The Oregon Employment Department 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. If your employment authorization and documentation is contingent on sponsorship now or in the future, you will not meet Agency employment eligibility standards. The Oregon Employment Department is an E-Verify employer. If you are the successful candidate you must present your I‑9 acceptable documents (See page 2) for employment verification.

IN-STATE HYBRID WORK INFORMATION:

Candidates may be approved for hybrid work. Hybrid work suitability is evaluated based upon business needs at the time of hire. Hybrid work approval can be revoked at any time. Candidates are expected to:

• Reside within (or be willing to relocate to) Oregon, or one of its bordering states within a reasonable commuting distance (e.g. Vancouver, Washington) within 30 days from date of hire.
• Be able to report to the office location listed in the job posting, as necessary.
• Demonstrate access to a broadband internet connection that meets or exceeds the minimum acceptable requirements; Click Here to view the minimum acceptable requirements. OED IT Services will provide the necessary hardware to employees who are approved for remote work.
• Have a private workspace.
• Maintain good standing (i.e., no performance or attendance issues).

CRIMINAL RECORDS CHECK:

The Employment Department is committed to being a leader in providing its employees with fair and equal employment opportunities and recognizes that as a best practice in equity and inclusion, criminal background check policies shall be job related and consistent with business necessity. For positions with authorized access to FBI Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) information, a separate criminal records check is conducted by the Oregon State Police. If you would like further information on how each criminal records check is conducted, please read our Criminal Record Check Policy or contact us at the number below with any questions. Note: This position has been designated to have authorized access to Federal Tax Information (FTI) and/or Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS). To verify identification, the successful candidate will be subject to a criminal background check which may require a fingerprint-based background check as a condition of employment.

CONTACT INFORMATION & HELPFUL LINKS:

If you have questions about the position or need an alternate format to apply, please contact us at 503‑947‑1289; EmployeeServices@employ.oregon.gov. Please be sure to include the job requisition ID number.

Guidance our hiring managers use: Equity and Inclusion Recruitment Questions and Gender Identity and Expression Procedure!

Reasonable Accommodations | Veterans Resources | How to Set Job Alerts | Workday Applicant FAQ

Interview Scoring Criteria used during recruitment | What You Need to Know to Get the Job

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

The Oregon Employment Department is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer Committed to Workforce Diversity. At the Oregon Employment Department, we foster fairness, equity, and inclusion to maintain a workplace environment where everyone is treated with respect and dignity regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, age, veteran status, disability, or status as a victim of domestic violence, harassment, sexual assault, or stalking. This applies to every aspect of our employment practices, including recruitment, hiring, retention, promotion, and training.