SOCAC Communications Specialist (Public Affairs Specialist 3)

Initial Posting Date:

04/30/2026

Application Deadline:

05/13/2026

Agency:

Oregon Health Authority

Salary Range:

$6,581 - $10,105

Position Type:

Employee

Position Title:

SOCAC Communications Specialist (Public Affairs Specialist 3)

Job Description:

Opportunity Awaits, Apply Today!  - SOCAC Communications Specialist (Public Affairs Specialist 3)

This position leads all communications for the System of Care Advisory Council (SOCAC) team, working closely with governor‑appointed members, agency partners (OHA, ODHS, ODE, OYA), contractors, Tribes, federal partners, community providers, and people with lived experience. The role ensures coordinated, accurate, and compliant communication about SOCAC priorities, actions, outcomes, public‑meeting requirements, and partner opportunities. It also serves as the primary point of contact for media and legislative information requests.

Key responsibilities include maintaining communication requirements on behalf of the SOCAC, ensuring applicability to a variety of statewide collaborators, tracking SOCAC communication needs, and updating or refining communication strategies and materials. The position manages and executes an ongoing SOCAC communication plan and develops a wide range of materials, including guidance documents, fact sheets, toolkits, videos, presentations, and webpages. It works closely with intersecting programs to ensure alignment with SOCAC’s 2025–2029 Strategic Plan.

For a full review of the position description, please click here.

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.

What We Are Looking For

Minimum Qualifications: These qualifications must be visible 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;

OR

Eight 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 skills and lived experiences that we have identified as key to success in this role at OHA. These are the attributes we are looking for in our top candidate. If you possess any of these, please let us know in your application.

• Skilled in website information architecture, digital content structure, and design layout.
• Strong writing ability for audiences with varied comprehension, literacy, and engagement levels.
• Effective verbal communication skills for presenting complex information to diverse audiences.
• Advanced communications expertise, including strategic communications, analytics, and professional writing.
• Experience developing strategic communications plans aligned with organizational goals and priorities.
• Proven background in media relations, issue management, and crisis communications for large or high‑visibility organizations.
• Demonstrated ability to support executive communications, messaging, and leadership engagement.
• Experience designing partner‑engagement processes and producing culturally and linguistically competent communications for diverse communities.
• Experience using web, digital, and other communication channels to advance public education, influence public opinion, and support communication strategies in politically complex environments; experience in team collaboration and coordinating diverse stakeholder interests.

Preference Statement: Bilingual skills are preferred but not required.

Special Requirements: To be hired, you must have a criminal records.

We are seeking someone who shares Oregon Health Authority’s mission and values. OHA values health equity, service excellence, integrity, leadership, partnership, innovation and transparency. OHA’s health equity definition is “Oregon will have established a health system that creates health equity when all people can reach their full potential and well-being and are not disadvantaged by their race, ethnicity, language, disability, age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, social class, intersections among these communities or identities, or other socially determined circumstances. Achieving health equity requires the ongoing collaboration of all regions and sectors of the state, including tribal governments to address: the equitable distribution or redistributing of resources and power; and recognizing, reconciling, and rectifying historical and contemporary injustices.” OHA’s 10-year goal is to eliminate health inequities. Click here, to learn more about OHA’s mission, vision and core values. 

Application Guidance

How to Apply: Submission Requirements - At the time of application, ensure the work history in your applicant profile is up to date and attach a current copy of your resume, cover letter, and answer all supplemental questions.

• External Candidates: Visit the State of Oregon job opportunities webpage to submit your application. Be sure to follow all application submission requirements.
• Internal Candidates: Current State of Oregon employees must apply through their employee Workday login. Be sure to follow all application submission requirements.

After You Apply:

• Before the job announcement closes, log in to your Workday account to check for pending tasks under “My Applications” and complete them.
• Remember to check your email (including your junk folder) and Workday inbox for updates on your application.
• We value our veterans! To ensure the security of your information, kindly follow the instructions for how to submit your Veteran documents for preference found here. Please do not attach your Veterans’ preference documentation in the Resume/CV field of your application.

Reminders:

• Your candidate profile and application materials are great opportunities to showcase your interest in the position and highlight your skills and experience. Submissions will be screened for consistency and communication skills, including attention to detail, spelling, and grammar. For more tips and guidance, check out What you need to know to get the job!
• This announcement is for one, full-time, permanent, SEIU represented, Public Affairs Specialist 3 position based in Salem, Oregon.
• This is a HYBRID (5% IN-OFFICE) position; approximately once per month in office. Please check SECTION 4. WORKING CONDITIONS, of the position description linked above to review more details regarding the details surrounding the working conditions.
• Please download and save a copy of this job announcement and linked position description, as it is not available after the application deadline. For questions about the announcement, or if you require an alternate format to apply, please contact the Senior Recruiter, Stephanie Mitchell at Voice: [503-979-7679] (TTY 711) or Email: stephanie.d.mitchell@oha.oregon.gov. 
• For Workday technical support dial 1-855-524-5627. 

Benefits of Joining Our Team

We offer a workplace that balances productivity with enjoyment; promote an atmosphere of mutual respect, dedication, and enthusiasm. You will collaborate with a team of bright individuals to work with and learn from. If you're driven by the passion to do something meaningful that changes lives, the Oregon Health Authority is the place for you. We also offer a competitive benefits package including:

• Excellent medical, vision, and dental benefits package for the employee and qualified family members with a very low monthly out-of-pocket cost.
• Optional life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, deferred compensation savings program, and flexible spending accounts for health care and childcare expenses.
• Employee benefits include 11 paid holidays, 3 personal business days, 8 hours of monthly sick leave, and vacation accrual starting at 8 hours per month.
• Possible eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
• Membership in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)/Oregon Public Service Retirement Plan (OPSRP).

• Training opportunities that will help grow your career with the State of Oregon.

Additional Details

• The information in your application will be used to complete an Equal Pay Analysis to determine salary placement upon hire. Visit the Department of Administrative Services Equal Pay Analysis Webpage for more information.
• 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%. Review the Classification and Compensation page for more details on the classification.
• 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.
• Agency does not offer visa sponsorship. Within three days of hire, applicants will be required to complete I-9 documentation and confirm 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.

Helpful Links & Resources

How to Set Job Alerts | Workday Applicant FAQ | Oregon Health Authority | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Veterans Resources

The Oregon Health Authority is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer, committed to fair employment practices and pay equity for all employees. We do not discriminate based on any protected class—including race, sex, veteran status, disability, age, color, religion, national origin, marital status, or sexual orientation—and we do not screen applicants based on current or past compensation. Salary is determined through a fair review of your education, experience, and training as it relates to the position.

OHA is an anti-racist organization working to eliminate health inequities and dismantle structural barriers that impact underserved communities. Join us in advancing our Strategic Plan and building a more equitable Oregon.