Initial Posting Date:
11/21/2025Application Deadline:
12/11/2025Agency:
Judicial DepartmentSalary Range:
$8,767 - $13,601Position Type:
EmployeePosition Title:
Public Information OfficerJob Description:
Interviews: We anticipate holding first-round, virtual interviews on December 18 and 19, 2025, and second-round, in-person interviews on January 9, 2026. Candidates advancing through the screening process may be asked to provide writing or other work samples. Please do not include any samples with your initial application.
Who We Are
The Executive Services Division (ESD) is within the Office of the State Court Administrator (OSCA) at the Oregon Judicial Department (OJD). ESD provides OJD’s executive policy, legal advice, communications, and governmental relations services, as well as support for judicial branch leadership structures and meetings, judicial coverage, administrative services, and general coordination and assistance to support and promote judicial branch success.
We are committed to building a diverse, inclusive team and encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply. We consider relevant work, lived experience, and education, plus any transferable skills and abilities that may meet our qualifications or the skills and attributes we need for this position. We welcome all candidates who are inspired by our work and mission.
Position Highlights
ESD is seeking a highly experienced strategic communicator, with excellent writing and editing skills, and proven record of successful media relations to join us as our next Public Information Officer. The position is based in Salem, Oregon, with the possibility of hybrid (in person and remote) work.
In this role, you will be the primary media spokesperson and key communications leader for the judicial branch. You will foster collaborative working relationships with the media, community partners, judges, OJD staff and senior leadership, and other key partners. At the direction of the OJD leadership or Government Relations Team, you also may be asked to communicate with legislative offices and representatives from other state agencies.
You will develop a deep understanding of the OJD mission, vision, goals, programs, and operations, as well as the justice and legal systems and how the judicial branch fits in state government. You will respond to media inquiries and research, write, edit, and distribute media releases, alerts, public service announcements, FAQs, talking points, speeches, web content, and presentations. You will effectively plan and participate in media interviews, either as the spokesperson or in support of subject-matter experts. You will monitor news and media activity relevant to judicial interests and share your findings. You will also track OJD court cases that are likely to attract media and public interest and help facilitate appropriate responses to inquiries.
Additionally, you will supervise, mentor, and motivate the OJD communications team to support consistent messaging in the judicial branch’s internal and external communications. You will help lead OJD’s editorial strategy, ensure consistent messaging and branding, and advise and confer with senior leadership, judges, and staff to help resolve communications-related issues. You will strategize, develop, implement, and evaluate improved communication methods to reach key audiences. You will also conduct statewide, regional, and localized communications needs assessments through written surveys, focus groups, interviews, and other methods, analyze the results, and recommend future actions.
Under the direction of the State Court Administrator and in collaboration with our government relations and communications teams, senior leadership, and subject-matter experts, you will support the institutional, internal, external, and government relations communications, including strategy, messaging, presentation, outreach, and response. You will provide strategic advice and responses to resolve sensitive and complex issues, and advise on content and presentation approaches for public-facing web content.
Although OJD currently has a limited social media presence, you will help evaluate and recommend future social media outreach opportunities, develop plans and guidelines, provide editorial direction, and support daily activities as required.
You will spend part of your time coordinating community outreach events and analyzing information received during public, legislative, and community group meetings. You will collaborate with the Oregon State Bar media liaison to provide materials, workshops, and roundtable discussions for the media about our courts. You will also coordinate with local, state, and federal public information officers as needed.
Assigned tasks may be changed to accommodate workload and organizational needs.
Instructions for REQUIRED Cover Letter and Work History/Resume
Your cover letter and work history/resume should demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications, the Special Qualifications, and the Requested Skills and Attributes, which are listed below.
Cover Letter (REQUIRED)
Attach your cover letter (not to exceed two pages) in the Resume/Cover Letter section of the application. Your cover letter and filename should include your name.
In the body of your cover letter, please include responses to all Requested Skills and Attributes listed below.
Address the cover letter “To the Hiring Manager.”
Do not use a generic cover letter; please personalize your cover letter for this position. We read every letter.
Prepare your cover letter before starting your Workday application.
Work History/Resume (REQUIRED)
Attach your updated resume in the Resume/Cover Letter section of the application. Your resume and filename should include your name.
OR
Complete the Job History/Work Experience portion of your Workday profile if you are not using an updated resume.
Failure to follow these instructions may result in rejection of your application. All application materials will be evaluated for consistency of information, and your letter will be evaluated for grammar, spelling, punctuation, and language use in addition to demonstrated experience.
The application deadline is 11:59 p.m. on the date listed above.
Minimum Qualifications
(These must be evident in your resume or work history.)
The qualified candidate must have a bachelor’s degree in public relations, communications, journalism, marketing, or a related field.
AND
At least five (5) years of increasingly responsible public relations experience that supports the duties, knowledge, skills, and abilities for the position.
OR
Any combination of education and experience equivalent to nine (9) years of experience that typically supports the knowledge, skills, and abilities for the position.
Special Qualifications
(These must be verifiable.)
None.
Requested Skills and Attributes
(These must be addressed in your cover letter.)
Exceptional writing and editing skills for a range of purposes (as noted above).
Experience building and maintaining trusted relationships with leadership, staff, reporters and editors, and other internal and external partners.
Experience using technology and software related to design, publication, communication, and social media to create and deliver written and visual content to inform, respond, explain, and persuade.
Experience training, assigning, monitoring, and evaluating the work of others.
Experience and skill with media relations, including public speaking, responding to requests, and serving as a spokesperson with media outlets on behalf of an employer.
Knowledge of how to effectively communicate with government officials and the media.
Familiarity with the Oregon Judicial Department or another court or court-connected entity is preferred.
Benefits To You
We pay 95% to 99% of medical insurance premiums for full-time employees, including mental health coverage.
10 paid holidays, 2 floating holidays, 3 personal business days, separate sick and vacation paid leaves (prorated for part-time employees), and other employee benefits such as optional insurances and flexible spending plans.
OJD will pay you a 5% allowance for bilingual skills (includes ASL) if you can pass a skills test and are assigned to use those skills on the job.
Salary offers are made with consideration of the candidate’s education and experience.
Working Conditions
This is a full-time position, and the work schedule is currently 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. This position is FLSA-exempt and ineligible for overtime compensation for hours worked more than 40 per workweek.
Occasional early morning, evening, night, weekend, and holiday work required.
Occasional in-state and overnight travel may be required, including possible travel in inclement weather, to visit local courts and participate in meetings and events.
A combination of in-person and remote work may be available for this position, with administrative authority approval. In-person meetings and in-person attendance for training sessions and other office events may be required, regardless of any prior approved and scheduled remote workdays.
Daily management and multi-tasking of projects with conflicting requirements, priorities, and deadlines.
This position maintains professional working relationships and has daily contact with team members, judges, court staff, agencies, media, and the public.
Frequent contact with people from diverse backgrounds.
Long periods of sitting or standing while working at a computer.
Lifting items that weigh up to 15 pounds.
Must be familiar, experienced, and comfortable with using a full array of current technology tools and office software programs for accessing and performing work and research, and for communications on and off the worksite. The following equipment may be used: telephone, OJD-assigned computer with multiple monitors, smartphone and other mobile devices, videoconferencing equipment, copy machine, scanner, and other office equipment.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Criminal Background Check
You will be subject to a criminal background check if you are a finalist. Adverse results are evaluated on a case-by-case basis and may result in disqualification if the circumstances are directly related to the duties and responsibilities of the position.
Reference Checks
By submitting your application to OJD, you consent to reference checks about your qualifications, your workplace performance, and your work product.
United States Employment Eligibility
OJD does not offer visa sponsorships. Within three days of hire, you will be required to complete the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s I-9 form confirming authorization to work in the United States. OJD will use E-Verify to confirm that you are authorized to work in the United States.
Future Vacancies
Apply now if you are interested in this or future vacancies. This job announcement may be used to fill future vacancies in this class of work.
Veterans’ Preference
Eligible veterans who meet the qualifications will be given preference in the recruitment process. To receive preference, veterans must attach the appropriate documentation after they receive an email in their Workday inbox requesting the information to verify eligibility. The action item, asking veterans to attach their documentation, will arrive after they have submitted their initial application materials. Visit the Oregon job opportunities Veterans web page for additional details, information, and resources.
Conduct Expectations
Because of OJD's role in providing justice and upholding the rule of law, employees of the department are required to meet the highest standards of professional conduct and ethics while on the job, and also to maintain those same high standards when taking actions in their personal lives that could reflect on the department. As an employee, you will be expected to preserve the confidentiality of information received in the course of OJD employment.
Pay Equity
As an employer, OJD complies with Oregon’s pay equity law. Salary offers are made with consideration of the candidate’s education and experience. For more information on pay equity, click here.
Employee Benefits
Click here to access information specific to OJD employee benefits.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness
OJD is an eligible employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. To learn more about this program, and how to qualify, please click here.
Questions and Support
If you require an alternate format to complete the application process, call 503-986-5930, or TTY: Oregon Relay Service 711 for the hearing impaired. Be prepared to describe the alternate format needed.
Workday related information and resources are available here.
For questions about a specific OJD job posting, call 503-986-5930 or email ojd.hrsd@ojd.state.or.us.
The Oregon Judicial Department embraces equal opportunity and affirmative action. We are committed to building a diverse team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. The more inclusive we are, the better our work will be.