Children and Families Communications Specialist - Public Affairs Specialist 3

Initial Posting Date:

10/27/2026

Application Deadline:

11/07/2026

Agency:

Oregon Health Authority

Salary Range:

$6,581 - $10,105

Position Type:

Employee

Position Title:

Children and Families Communications Specialist (Public Affairs Specialist 3)

Job Description:

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.

Opportunity Awaits, Apply Today! – Children and Families Communications Specialist (Public Affairs Specialist 3)

The OHP Community Engagement & Communications unit within the Oregon Health Authority's Medicaid Division is focused on building and maintaining pathways to prioritize community and partner voice throughout Medicaid and Oregon Health Plan policy and operations, as well as supporting operational communications with members, providers, and other partners. The unit supports a broad portfolio that includes Medicaid Community-driven Advisory Bodies, OHP Community Engagement, OHP Community Communications, Medicaid Rules Coordination, and policy and program areas requiring intensive community input.

The primary purpose of this position is to lead strategic planning, development, and execution of community communications for the Oregon Health Plan (OHP), ensuring members, families, providers, Tribes, CCOs, and community partners receive clear, accurate, and culturally responsive information. This position provides direction to the OHP Community Communications team, supervises public affairs staff, and oversees member- and provider-facing materials that support understanding of OHP benefits, system navigation, and policy changes.

The position also oversees public affairs activities for Medicaid’s Children & Families Policy Team, including EPSDT and other children’s Medicaid services. The role establishes communication standards, manages budgets, evaluates communication effectiveness, and provides consultation to Medicaid leadership on communication impacts of policy decisions.

This position will collaborate with diverse populations most harmed by social injustice and inequities and will demonstrate the ability to build and steward positive, collaborative and partnership-based relationships with diverse community groups including communities of color, immigrant groups, the disability and neurodivergent communities, veterans, older adults, individuals identifying as LGBTQIA2S+ and other communities that have been traditionally marginalized.

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

What We Are Looking For

Minimum Qualifications: These qualifications must be reflected 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 desired attributes that we have identified as key to success for this role at OHA. These are the attributes we are looking for in our top candidate. If you have any of these, please let us know in your application.

• Demonstrated ability to read, write, speak and interpret English and one of the 5 most common languages in Oregon other than English (Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese, Russian, and Korean) with full proficiency.
• Experience leading or supporting the development and implementation of policies and programs at the community, state, and/or national level that advance health equity (address systemic health disparities, expand culturally responsive and inclusive services, factor in social determinants of health) and elevate the voice of community and those with lived experience.
• Knowledge of health services delivery systems, particularly the Oregon Health Plan/ Medicaid administration in Oregon, including experience working with Coordinated Care Organizations, social safety net programs, health service providers or community-based organizations.
• Knowledge and experience supporting and leading implementation of federal policies for children covered by Medicaid.
• Ability to foster inter-and cross-agency collaboration and to facilitate coordination of community centered policies, programs, and continuous quality strategies.
• Strong oral and written communication skills across a variety of forums; experience communicating qualitative and quantitative information, verbal and written, that are accessible to and understood by audiences with different levels of comprehension or interest and that are culturally responsive, inclusive, and appropriate.
• Experience presenting and articulating the value and relevance of research and evaluation data to facilitate quality assurance, strategic planning, and decision-making.
• Demonstrated project management experience, including ability to effectively manage multiple project timelines and priorities and promote human-centered change management.

Application Guidance

Your candidate profile and application are your opportunity to showcase your skills and interest in this role. Submissions will be reviewed for clarity, consistency, and communication skills, and for alignment with the guidance provided in the below:

Submission Requirements:

·         Resume – Attach your current resume that clearly outlines your education and work experience relevant to this position.

·         Cover Letter (Optional) – A cover letter is not required, but if included, it will be reviewed and considered during the review and selection process.

·         Supplemental Questions – Answer all supplemental questions completely and accurately.

·         Final Check! – Before submitting, confirm that all required materials are included, and your Workday Job History is current. The information in your application will be used to complete an Equal Pay Analysis to determine salary placement upon hire. Visit the Equal Pay Analysis Webpage for more information.

How to Apply:

·         External Candidates:  Visit the State of Oregon job opportunities webpage or click the “Apply” tab above to submit your application, following all submission requirements.

·         Internal Candidates: Current State of Oregon employees must apply through their employee Workday login, following all submission requirements.

After You Apply:

• Complete any pending tasks in Workday under “My Applications” prior to the application deadline.
• Check your email (including junk folder) and Workday inbox regularly for updates on your application.

Reminders:

• Eligible veterans and Oregon National Guard servicemembers (current and former) who meet the qualifications of the position will be awarded candidate preference. To protect your information and ensure correct processing, please follow the instructions for submitting your Veterans’ Preference documentation.
• Please download and save a copy of this job announcement and linked position description, as it is not available after the application deadline.

About the Team & Benefits of Joining

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, low-cost medical, vision, and dental coverage for you and your family.

·         Optional benefits like life insurance, disability coverage, deferred compensation, and FSA options for health and childcare.

·         Generous paid time off: 11 holidays, 3 personal days, monthly sick leave, and vacation accrual starting at 8 hours/month.

·         Potential eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

·         Retirement security through Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)/Oregon Public Service Retirement Plan (OPSRP).

·         Training and development opportunities to grow your career with the State of Oregon.

Additional Details

• This announcement is for one, full-time, permanent SEIU represented, Children and Families Communications Specialist (Public Affairs Specialist 3) position based in Salem, Oregon.
• This is a hybrid (5% in-office) position. “Review Section 4: Working Conditions” in the position description (linked above) for more information.
• Employment is contingent upon a criminal records check and a driving records check that meets OHA criteria at the time of hire and throughout employment.
• The salary listed is the non-PERS qualifying range. If the successful candidate qualifies for PERS, the salary range will increase by 6.95%. For more information, see the Classification and Compensation page.
• 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.
• This position does not provide visa sponsorship. Within three days of hire, you will be required to complete I-9 documentation and confirm authorization to work in the United States. OHA will use E-Verify to verify work authorization. If your employment eligibility depends on sponsorship now or in the future, you will not meet the requirements for this position.
• We evaluate candidates based on their own skills and experience. Unless explicitly approved, outside resources – including Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools – are not permitted during assessments or interviews. Use of unauthorized resources will disqualify a candidate from further consideration.

Contact Information
Recruiter: Stephanie Mitchell
Email: [email protected]
Phone (text friendly): (503) 979-7679

Accommodation Requests (ADA): OHA provides reasonable accommodations under the ADA, which may include alternative formats of materials or language support. If you need an accommodation to apply for this position or participate in the selection process, please contact the recruiter listed above.

Helpful Links & Resources

How to Set Job Alerts | Workday Applicant FAQ | Oregon Health Authority | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Veterans Resources | What You Need to Know to Get the Job

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 protected class – including race, sex, veteran status, disability, age, color, religion, national origin, marital status, or sexual orientation – and does 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.