Initial Posting Date:
06/24/2026
Application Deadline:
07/08/2026
Agency:
Oregon Youth Authority
Salary Range:
$7,179 - $10,569
Position Type:
Employee
Position Title:
Public Affairs Specialist 3 - Communications Director
Job Description:
The Oregon Youth Authority is looking for a Communications Director who can serve as the steady, strategic voice of an agency that is often in the public eye. When a story breaks about a youth in our care, when the Legislature asks hard questions, when a community is trying to understand what reform really looks like — you are the person who makes OYA clear, credible, and human. Reporting directly to the agency Director, you will lead OYA’s Communications Office, set enterprise communications strategy, serve as our lead spokesperson, and guide crisis and internal communications across nine close-custody facilities and statewide community programs. This is high-scrutiny, high-trust work: your decisions protect youth confidentiality, shape public understanding of juvenile justice, and carry real consequences for the people we serve. We are looking for a communicator who leads with both rigor and an equity lens, builds trust at every level of a large and dispersed organization, and turns complex, sensitive issues into honest, accessible messages. If you want your communications work to truly matter, this is where it will.
About OYA
The Oregon Youth Authority (OYA) is a national leader in the juvenile justice field, pioneering the implementation of a positive human development framework for its work with staff and youth, and using data to match the right youth with the right services. We seek to foster cultural competence and pursue equitable solutions to support youth under our care. Our agency mission is to protect the public and reduce crime by holding youth accountable and providing opportunities for reformation in safe environments.
If you are looking to join a team that values individual and cultural differences and the opportunity to contribute in the success of youth reformation by enriching our workforce with diversity, OYA wants to hear from you!
People of color, women and other members of historically underserved communities are strongly encouraged to apply!
For more information please visit www.oregon.gov/oya.
Join Us on Tuesday, June 30 between 2:00pm-2:30pm PST for Q&A Career Chat session about this position! You will have an opportunity to ask questions about this position and about OYA. This is not a mandatory requirement to join this session, just a friendly environment to ask questions and to learn a little more about OYA.
Click here to register for the OYA Communications Director Q&A Career Chat session.
Minimum Qualifications
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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
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Eight years of experience directly related to the position under recruitment. Five of the eight years must have been at the professional level.
[Professional-level public relations or public affairs experience means work in which the person independently exercised judgment to plan, develop, and carry out communications — writing and shaping messages for external or internal audiences, advising others on communication strategy, managing media or stakeholder relationships, or owning a communications product or campaign. To learn more about the classification specifications, please go here.]
Special Qualifications:
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Driver License Required: Driving is an essential function of this position. A valid driver license and an acceptable driving record are required for this position. We will conduct pre-employment driving records checks on our final candidate(s).
Required Skills:
Knowledge and ability to post and manage social media sites, publication tools, and limited video production.
Desired Attributes:
If you have these qualities, let us know! It’s how we will choose whom to move forward!
Note: You do not need to have all of these qualities to be eligible for this position.
How to Apply
Click on the "Apply" link above to complete your online application and submit by the posted closing date and time. For step-by-step instructions click apply to work for the state or current state employee.
Required Documents: cover letter and resume. Generic cover letters that do not address the qualities that you have under the “desired attributes” section may receive lower scores than those that addressed the desired qualities.
The work experience and/or education section of your application must clearly demonstrate how you meet all the minimum qualifications and desired skills and attributes listed above. Failing to attach required documents may result in disqualification of your application.
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.
Be sure to check Workday and your email for additional tasks and updates. After hitting submit there may be additional required tasks for you to complete prior to the announcement closing. Please save a copy of this job announcement for reference, as it is not available for you to view after the announcement deadline.
Eligible veterans and Oregon National Guard servicemembers (current and former) who meet the qualifications of the position will be awarded candidate preference. For more information, please visit Veterans Resources. Be sure to submit your documentation prior to the close date of this posting in order to have the preference considered.
Tentative Recruitment Schedule:
1st Round Interviews: week of July 13 (VidCruiter - Self recorded Video Interview)
2nd Round Interviews: July 20, 2026 (MS TEAMS)
3rd Round Interviews: July 24, 2026 (In-Person)
Please note that this timeline is tentative and subject to change as needed.
Additional Information:
Lead Differential: This position is eligible for lead work and will receive a 5% lead differential to your salary.
For a complete list of duties, responsibilities, and working conditions, please click here.
This recruitment will be used to establish a list of qualified candidates to fill multiple, current, and future vacancies.
Your application materials are used to determine your starting salary 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. For more information on pay equity, click here.
The salary range listed is the non-PERS participating rate. If you are already a participating PERS member or once you become PERS eligible, the salary range will increase by 6%. Please review the Classification and Compensation page for more details.
This position receives annual increases on anniversary date until the maximum of the salary range is reached.
This position is part of the state's management team.
Please save a copy of this job announcement for your reference, as it may not be available for you to view after the job closes.
What's in it for You?
OYA values our employees. We believe that your time outside of the workplace is as valuable as it is inside the workplace. We offer a great work/life balance with flexible work schedules on most positions and a competitive benefits package, including low-cost, high-coverage health insurance, generous time-off, and a competitive retirement plan.
Helpful Links & Resources
How to Set Job Alerts | Workday Applicant FAQ | What You Need to Know to Get the Job
Oregon Job Opportunities Webpage | Classification and Compensation | Pay Equity
Additional Information:
Our goal is to be a diverse workforce that is representative, at all job levels, of the citizens we are here to serve. OYA is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All aspects of employment including the decision to hire, promote, discipline, or discharge, will be individualized based on merit, competence, performance, and business need.
We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.” The more diverse we are, the better our work will be.
Applicants with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation to participate in the hiring process. For assistance regarding reasonable accommodation or for alternative format please contact OYA Recruitment at 971-345-1236. Oregon Relay Service can be reached by calling 7-1-1.
Pre-employment Checks:
In keeping with our mission, OYA will conduct a criminal record check, per OAR 416 Division 800, a driving record background check and a vulnerable population abuse and neglect check. Information obtained about an individual is confidential. An individual who refuses to consent to a criminal records/background check shall be disqualified from consideration in the position for which you applied. All applicants are subject to additional pre-employment check(s) such as fingerprint based on criminal records check, pre-employment drug screening and/or education verification as required for the position.
In 2003 Congress passed the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA), the first federal civil statue focused specifically on addressing sexual violence in juvenile facilities, jails, prisons, and other facilities. In recognition of the rights, safety, and well-being of the youth we serve you will be asked specific questions about your background to ensure our hiring and promotion practices comply with the National PREA standards.
All positions in OYA will require the incumbent to serve as a "mandatory reporter" of child abuse.
Visa Sponsorship:
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. OYA uses E-Verify to confirm that applicants are authorized to work in the United States.
Have Questions?:
For questions about the job announcement, email the OYA recruitment team at [email protected].
