• Job Description

  Req#: 4320879
  Metro is dedicated to shaping a better future for the greater Portland region. The work the people of Metro do every day benefits the lives of the people who live here, today and tomorrow. We offer a highly competitive compensation and benefits program. Learn more about the benefits Metro offers.
  
  Metro’s Planning, Development and Research department develops the ongoing and next-level land use and transportation plans for more than 1.7 million residents of greater Portland in Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington counties.
  
  If you are passionate about connecting near- and long-term community growth and development to the lived experiences, challenges and aspirations of today’s residents, then you could be who were looking for to lead strategic communications for Metro’s urban land and transportation efforts as the Senior Communications Specialist. As part of Metro's communications team, you will keep a strategic eye on policy, program and project discussions to ensure that the public is aware of the effect of decisions, how they can be part of the discussions, and what they can expect from Metro and other partners.
  
  As the Senior Communications Specialist you will:
  
  • Create and implement communications strategies to generate community and partner awareness for policies, long-term plans, and community investments.
  • Lead the identification of key audiences for complex planning policy and projects, messaging and stories that resonate with those audiences, methods for delivering and expanding awareness and interest, and the timing to ensure that communities can engage with decisions.
  • Facilitate and lead the management of complex communications strategies that consider Metro’s channels for connecting with the public, including broad and focused media outlets.
  • Manage partnerships and build new relationships with leaders in other organizations.
  • Project manage varying communication needs of multiple programs/projects, looking for opportunities to leverage existing connections and narratives.
  • Advise management and project teams on potential communications and media impacts of proposed changes to Metro programs, policies, and operations.
  • Develop scopes of work and manage contracts or grant programs with community-based organizations or private communications firms.
  • Make regular presentations to the public, Metro Council, Metro committees, staff from local cities and counties and planning staff.
  • Engage directly with media, identifying ways to support Metro's planning projects/programs.
  • Develop, create and manage content to explore and express the narrative for the work of Metro’s Planning, Development and Research department as well as Metro’s role in and ethos for governance for greater Portland.
  
  Attributes for success:
  
  • Experience connecting with communities of color; immigrant, rural, or other disadvantaged populations; and/or people historically excluded from policy- and decision-making processes.
  • Ability to engage (in person, by email, and on the phone) with people from different cultures and lived experiences to understand their unique perspectives and use that information to develop and implement effective communications strategies.
  • Understanding that government transparency and community awareness involves building on community visions and desired outcomes, developing accessible language for technical processes and information, creating resonant messages for multiple audiences, and developing ways to connect to people, including through media and social media strategies.
  • Passion for providing superior public service in a team environment.
  • Skilled in project management, problem solving, and collaborating with technical and policy leads, other communications professionals, elected representatives, and community leaders.
  • Ability to work occasional evenings, weekend or holiday shifts.
  Diversity and inclusion: At Metro, we’re committed to hiring a workforce representative of the communities we serve, recognizing that a diverse workforce strengthens our organization. We invest in employees by supporting equitable and inclusive hiring practices, employee policies and training programs.
  
  TO QUALIFY
  We will consider any combination of relevant work experience, volunteering, education, and transferable skills as qualifying unless an item or section is labeled required. Please be clear and specific in your application materials on how your background is relevant.
  
  Minimum qualifications:
  
  • Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science, Business or Public Administration, Public Relations, Marketing, the Behavioral or Social Sciences or related degree; AND
  • Five years professional level experience in Public Relations or Affairs; OR
  • We will consider any combination of education and experience that provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties and responsibilities of the position.
  
  Remote work: The Planning, Development and Research Department supports a flexible, hybrid work environment. Residency in Oregon or Washington is a requirement for employment.
  
  If this statement is true for you, then you may be ineligible to apply:
  If I was terminated for cause during any of my employment with Metro, or resigned in lieu of termination, I understand I may be ineligible for rehire for a minimum of 3 years.
  
  Like to have qualifications:
  You do not need to have the following preferred qualifications/transferable skills to qualify. However, keep in mind we may consider some or all of the following when identifying the most qualified candidates. Your transferable skills are any skills you have gained through education, work experience, including the military, or life experience that are relevant for this position.
  
  • Knowledge of best practices for public communications, public policy development and land use or transportation planning.
  
  COMPENSATION AND REPRESENTATION
  Based on the Oregon Pay Equity Act requirements, Metro’s internal equity review process, and the candidates’ qualifications, the appointment will typically be made between $78,728.00 and $91,208.00 annually. The full-salary range for this position is $78,728.00 to $105,580.80 annually.
  
  This position is not eligible for overtime and is represented by AFSCME. It is classified as a Senior Public Affairs Specialist. Classification descriptions are typically written broadly and do not include the specific duties and responsibilities of the positions.
  
  SCREENING AND EVALUATION
  The application packet: The application packet consists of the following documents. Please ensure that you upload these documents in your online application. Make sure your application is complete, missing any part of these items could result in an incomplete application and will not be moved forward in the recruitment.
  
  • A resume covering relevant experience and education. Please be sure your resume includes the following for each employer:
    1. Your title
    2. Name and location of employer
    3. Dates of employment
    4. Summary of your responsibilities
  • A cover letter explaining how your lived experience, your education and your work experience have prepared you for the responsibilities of this position.
  
  The selection process: We expect to evaluate candidates for this recruitment as follows. The selection process is subject to change.
  
  • Initial review of minimum qualifications
  • In-depth evaluation of application materials to identify the most qualified candidates
  • Consideration of top candidates/interviews
  • Testing/assessments
  • Reference check
  Questions?
  Recruiter: Jasmine Cardenas
  Email: Jasmine.Cardenas@oregonmetro.gov Equal employment opportunity: All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, familial status, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability for which a reasonable accommodation can be made or any other status protected by law. Assistance will be gladly provided upon request for any applicant with sensory or non-sensory disabilities.
  
  Online applications: Metro accepts job applications online. If you need assistance or accommodation with your application, or access to a computer, email jobs@oregonmetro.gov.
  
  Accommodation: Reasonable accommodation is available to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing this application or participating in this process. To obtain confidential assistance please contact Human Resources by emailing jobs@oregonmetro.gov.
  
  Pay equity at Metro: Every worker must get equal pay for equal work regardless of your gender, race, age or other protected characteristics. Metro has established processes and conducts routine pay equity reviews as part of the hiring process to ensure compliance with the 2017 Oregon Pay Equity Act.
  
  Public Employees Retirement System (PERS): Unless otherwise stated in a collective bargaining agreement, Metro pays both the employee and employer portion of PERS contributions for eligible employees.
  
  Veterans' preference: Under Oregon Law, qualified veterans may be eligible for veterans' preference when applying for Metro positions. If you are a veteran and would like to be considered for a veterans' preference for this job, please provide qualifying documents as instructed during the application process.

• About the company

  Metro is the regional government for the Oregon portion of the Portland metropolitan area, covering portions of Clackamas, Multnomah, and Washington Counties.

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