Public Information Officer (Public Affairs Specialist 3)

The Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care is excited to announce a permanent opening for a Public Information Officer (Public Affairs Specialist 3). In this central communications role, you will lead media strategies, elevate critical initiatives, and connect communities to the services and supports that empower children and families. Now is your chance to make a difference and help Oregon’s youngest learners thrive.  

This position will work a hybrid schedule of working both in the office and at an alternate location (home). In office work is anticipated quarterly or as needed for meetings. Please note, there will be occasional travel around the state to attend various events (press conferences, media events, program/facility visits, community events, etc.). 

If you are bilingual in Spanish, we encourage you to apply; however, you do not need to be bilingual in Spanish to apply or be considered for this position. We serve diverse communities and recognize the importance of serving people in their preferred language. If interested in using your bilingual language skills, upon passing a test, you will receive 5% bilingual differential pay.  

About the Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC): 

At DELC, we are dedicated to helping Oregon’s young children and families learn and thrive. As the state agency responsible for early learning programs, child care licensing, and family support services, we play a crucial role in shaping the future of Oregon’s children from birth to kindergarten. 

We administer state-funded early learning programs, including home visiting and site-based infant, toddler, and preschool services. We also develop coordinated systems through Early Learning Hubs and collaborate with Child Care Resource and Referral organizations to provide training, coaching, and quality improvement opportunities for early learning providers. 

With over 275,000 young children in Oregon, we have a unique opportunity to transform early childhood support systems, creating a brighter future for families across the state. Research shows that investing in early childhood has lifelong benefits, and now is your chance to be part of an agency making a lasting impact for generations to come. 

Why Join Our Team? We are passionate about equity in early childhood education. At DELC, we value dedication, integrity, and collective wisdom, fostering a diverse, inclusive, and welcoming workplace where all employees can thrive. We challenge ourselves to lead with courage, refine practices, and drive meaningful change for children and families statewide. 

What We Offer: 

• Comprehensive Benefits: Low-cost medical, vision, and dental coverage for you and your family, plus optional benefits like life and disability insurance, deferred compensation, and flexible spending accounts. 

• Work-Life Balance: 11 paid holidays, 3 personal days, 1 special day, monthly sick leave, and vacation accruals that increase every 5 years. 

• Student Loan Forgiveness: Potential federal loan forgiveness after 120 qualifying payments. 

• Inclusive Culture: A diverse, welcoming workplace committed to equity and continuous improvement. 

Our Commitment to Equity: Equity is at the heart of our mission. We strive to remove barriers, foster inclusiveness, and create meaningful change for underrepresented communities. Our goal is to ensure all DELC employees, child care providers and the children and families we support thrive. If you are ready to make a difference and help shape Oregon’s future, we would love to have you on our team! 

What you will do: 

This position serves as the agency’s lead media relations and communications strategist, acting as the chief spokesperson and primary point of contact for news media. The role oversees message development and ensures consistent, accurate, and inclusive communications across earned media, emergency and crisis situations, and public outreach efforts. Responsibilities include writing and coordinating press materials, managing media inquiries and events, maintaining strong relationships with reporters and partners, and supporting executive leadership, the Governor’s Office, and the Legislature on communications matters. The position also provides strategic guidance to internal teams, ensures materials are accessible and in plain language, develops crisis communication plans, and trains staff and subject matter experts to effectively engage with the media, while upholding records management standards and fostering an equitable and respectful work culture. 

To view a complete job description, click here 

What we are looking for (minimum qualifications): 

• A bachelor's degree in communications, public relations, marketing, journalism, or related field AND five years of professional level experience in public relations or public affairs; OR 

• Eight years of experience in public relations or public affairs. Five of the eight years must have been at the professional level. 

In addition, we are looking for applicants that have the following Desired Attributes (requested skills): 

• Demonstrated experience serving as a primary media contact or spokesperson, including responding to media inquiries and representing an organization publicly. 

• Ability to develop, align, and manage clear, consistent messaging across media, crisis communications, and public-facing materials. 

• Experience planning for and responding to high-profile, time-sensitive, or emergency situations with sound judgment and accuracy. 

• Strong ability to write and edit press releases, talking points, briefs, and other communications tailored to diverse audiences. 

• Proven skill in building and maintaining effective working relationships with reporters, partners, leadership, and interagency or external parties. 

• Commitment to inclusivity. Experience ensuring communications are inclusive, culturally responsive, and accessible, including plain language and multilingual approaches. 

• Ability to work effectively with executive leadership, cross-functional teams, and subject matter experts to provide strategic communications guidance and training. 

• Experience managing records, tracking communications, and ensuring compliance with public records requirements, policies, and standards. 

• Bilingual proficiency in Spanish is preferred but not required. Please note, if the successful applicant is bilingual in Spanish, they will receive an additional 5% differential for performing bilingual translations.  

The Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care 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. Candidates of all racial and ethnic backgrounds, as well as bilingual/multicultural individuals, are encouraged to apply. 

To Apply: 

The screening of candidates will be based on a review of an attached resume (limit to two pages). While a cover letter is not required, it is highly encouraged. If you submit a cover letter, please tailor it to the position and address your experience with the desired attributes listed above. Candidates whose backgrounds most closely match the desired attributes and experience section as outlined in this announcement will be invited to interview. For helpful tips on putting together your application materials and interviewing, visit our Resources for Job Seekers page. Please do not attach transcripts or letters of recommendation to your application, only a resume and cover letter will be reviewed. If additional information is needed, we will follow up.  

Additional Information: