Communications Specialist

Initial Posting Date:

07/29/2026

Application Deadline:

08/12/2026

Agency:

Department of Transportation

Salary Range:

$6,581 - $10,105

Position Type:

Employee

Position Title:

Change & Engagement Team Communications Specialist (Rotational Opportunity - State Employees Only)

Job Description:

Public Affairs Specialist 3 – Change & Engagement Team Communications Specialist (Rotational Opportunity – State Employees Only)
Oregon Department of Transportation
Driver & Motor Vehicle (DMV) Services Division
Innovation and Planning Service Group (IAP) / Change & Engagement Team (CET) Section
Salem

The role: 

Join our team as the change & engagement team communications specialist where you will help shape how DMV communicates with employees, customers and partners. By developing communication strategies that encourage new technologies, services and initiatives, you will help employees and customers see, adopt and successfully use the tools and resources DMV provides. You will improve access to services, advance transparency and build trust through clear, timely and effective communication. You will design and execute strategic public affairs and public information plans for the initiatives backed by DMV’s strategic action plans, and the Governor’s goals and expectations. This is an opportunity to make a visible impact on projects that improve customer experience while helping employees navigate change. If you enjoy strategic communication, collaboration and solving complex communication challenges you will find this to be a rewarding and meaningful role! Apply today!

This is a rotational opportunity open only to current State of Oregon employees in permanent positions and in good standing (limited duration and temporary employees not eligible). This opportunity will last until 12/31/26, but the duration can change at any time depending on business needs. You must have your manager’s approval before applying for this assignment.
 

We provide a safe and reliable multimodal transportation system that connects people and helps Oregon's communities and economy thrive. We encourage people from all backgrounds and abilities to apply for our positions.

Before applying, visit our applicant information website to learn more about our process. If you are a current State of Oregon employee, you must apply through your employee Workday profile.
 

A day in the life:

• Plan long-range communications, public education and outreach strategies.

• Supervise the writing and production of publications about agency programs.

• Research, write and edit internal and external messages including social media posts, news articles, web content and talking points for employees.

• Create content for the intranet and internet.

• Create and execute change and communication strategies that may include user experience testing, customer journey mapping, social media kits, partner media kits and toolboxes, internal communication guides, listservs, newsletters, surveys and focus groups.

• Advise on and create key messages for executive leaders, managers, and customer-facing staff to encourage strategic initiatives, public affairs issues, and projects.

• Develop and oversee an ongoing DMV engagement strategy to reinforce internal and external communication, public awareness, and customer feedback loops to support DMV strategic planning.

• Serve as a communications resource during legislative sessions and consult with management and create presentations for legislative committees and the executive branch.

• Provide ongoing assistance for executive branch and legislative branch communications, including advising and preparing weekly, monthly and periodic reports to documenting the progress on DMV key performance metrics, change initiatives, and key strategies.

• Advise and contribute to DMV websites strategies and information architecture to make sure customers

• and partners can easily find the information they need.

• Work in a typical office setting, with travel required. Hybrid work options available with working in office no more than 3 times a month.

• To request a copy of the position description, which includes all duties and working conditions, please email [email protected].
   

What’s in it for you:

• Work/life balance, 11 paid holidays a year, flexible work schedules, paid leave and so much more. Learn more about working at the Oregon Department of Transportation and the benefits we offer.

• Comprehensive and equitable base salary offer within the listed range. Through an equal pay assessment, we will determine the salary offer using the information you provide in your submitted application materials. Please ensure your application materials are detailed, accurate and reflect your skills, experience (paid and unpaid) and education as they relate to the position when applying. 

• The salary range listed is the non-PERS monthly salary range. If you are already a participating PERS member or once you become PERS eligible, the salary range will increase by 6.95%.

• Public Service Loan Forgiveness opportunity!
   

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Minimum qualifications (for information only):

Eight years of experience directly related to the position under recruitment. Five of the eight years must have been at the professional level;

OR

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.

Special qualifications:

Driving is an essential function of this position. You must have a valid US driver license and an acceptable driving record. We will conduct pre-employment driving records checks on our final candidate(s). Your license does not have to be issued in Oregon to be considered.
 

What we’d like to see:

If you have these attributes, let us know in your application materials! It's how we will choose whom to move forward! You do not need to have all these qualities to be eligible for this position. We may also use transferable skills, experience and education to help us decide who will move forward.

• Extensive knowledge of structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition and grammar.

• Experience with a wide range of writing techniques to inform and persuade different audiences with various levels of comprehension.

• Experience with media production, communication and dissemination techniques and methods including alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral and visual media.

• Extensive knowledge with theories, principles and techniques of organizational and interpersonal communication.

• Knowledge in statistical analysis techniques.
   

How to apply:

• Complete the following required steps:

  • Fill out the application or attach a resume. Please contact the recruiter under the ‘Need help?’ section if you have any questions about how to fill out the experience fields or to attach a document. Your submitted experience fields or attached resume must include dates (MM/YYYY) for each employer.

  • Complete questionnaire. Answer the checkbox-style questions before submitting your application.

• After you submit your application, please respond to the public records request authorization and gender identity questionnaire. This screen will come after you submit and will complete the process. If you are a current State of Oregon employee, the tasks will come to your Workday inbox.

• If you are a veteran or Oregon National Guard servicemember, you may receive preference. The task to upload your documents will be available after you submit your application. For privacy reasons, please do not attach your military service document(s) to your application or combine it with any other required document attachments.

Need help?

• For questions, call 503-931-1206 or email [email protected].
   

Additional information:

• Rotation Details: Applies only to rotation candidates (current State of Oregon employees) applying for this as a rotational assignment). 

  • This opportunity is scheduled to last until 12/31/26, but could change based on business needs.

  • Rotational candidates do not have to meet the position's minimum qualifications to be considered. The successful candidate may be eligible for work out of class compensation within this classification's salary range.

  • You must have your manager’s approval before applying for this opportunity. You may submit their written approval with your application materials or, if selected for interview, bring it to your interview.

  • You must be a current permanent State of Oregon employee in good standing (temporary and limited duration employees are not eligible) to apply.

  • The successful candidate will remain eligible for cost-of-living increases and regular salary adjustments, as applicable, and will remain in their permanent classification, salary range and representation.

  • Relocation will not be paid. Employee will return to their permanent position upon completion of this assignment. However, the assignment can be terminated at any time without prejudice by the sending manager, receiving manager and/or employee.

• We do not offer visa sponsorship. If you are hired, you will be required to fill out the US Department of Homeland Security’s I-9 form confirming you are able to work in the US. We are not an E-Verify participating employer, and we are unable to proceed if E-Verify participation is required [e.g., STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT) Extension].

• The State of Oregon does not request or require your age, date of birth, attendance or graduation dates from an education institution during the application process.

• We may use this recruitment to fill multiple or future vacancies.

• We will conduct name-based criminal background checks on final candidates, including current ODOT employees. All applicants may be subject to additional pre-employment check(s) such as driver license, LEDS (Law Enforcement Data System), and/or education verification as required for the position.

• You will be represented by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU).

ODOT is an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation or any other class protected by state or federal laws in admission or access to our programs, services, activities, hiring, and employment practices. Applicants with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation during the application process. For questions, concerns, or complaints regarding EEO/AA/ADA, contact 1-877-336-6368 (1-877-EEO-ODOT). This information can be made available in an alternative format by contacting ODOT Recruitment at 503-986-3700. Oregon Relay Service can be reached by calling 7-1-1.

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