Press Officer (Central Public Information Officer)

Are you an experienced media relations professional with a track record of improving transparency and building public trust?

If so, please consider applying to be the City of Portland’s first Press Officer as we implement voter-approved changes to city government.

The following information aims to provide potential candidates with a better understanding of the requirements for this role.

About the position

Job Appointment : Full Time, Regular

Work Schedule : Monday - Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM, with some flexibility. Occasional night and weekend work will be required, including emergencies that cannot be planned.

Work Location : Hybrid - This position will report to the Portland Building (1120 SW 5th Ave, Portland, or 97204) for in person work.

Remote work must be performed within Oregon or Washington. For more information, click here.

Benefit : Please check our benefit tab for an overview of benefit for this position.

Language Pay Premium Eligible : This position may be eligible for Language Pay Differential for qualifying employees.

Union Representation : Non-represented, no union affiliation.

Application Material : Please click APPLY to submit your application via the City of Portland’s online portal. You will need to attach a cover letter and resume.

Position Summary

Based in the City Administrator’s Office, this new position serves as the city’s senior media strategist and spokesperson for the executive office.

The Press Officer will lead the development of a citywide media strategy, with an emphasis on addressing the issues that matter most to Portlanders and upholding the city’s commitment to equity and anti-racism.

The Press Officer speaks for the City, coaches executive leaders to prepare for interviews, and plans, executes and facilitates media events.

As the central point of contact for media, this person must develop strong working relationships with journalists and be highly responsive.

Candidates should be skilled writers and public speakers who thrive in a fast-paced environment, working with high-profile leaders.

Excellent judgment and discretion are essential, especially during crises and emergency situations.

Reporting to the Communications Officer, this position is a member of the Central Communications Team the group responsible for citywide communications channels and strategies.

Come join this fun, ambitious and diverse team to help Portlanders access the information and resources they need.

As a Press Officer, you will :

Serve as the spokesperson and journalists’ central point of contact for the City of Portland’s executive office, which includes the city administrator and a variety of central programs.

Example tasks : plan and facilitate press conferences, conduct on-air interviews, organize and respond to incoming media inquiries, coach executive leaders to prepare for interviews.)

Lead the development and implementation of a citywide media strategy that advances the City’s policy priorities and values, in collaboration with executive leaders and public information officers embedded in service areas nesting in a broader communications strategy for the city.

Example tasks : convening public information officers, coordinating review of the media strategy, presenting to executive leaders about media strategy, developing cross-bureau media initiatives.)

Write high-profile press releases and speeches on behalf of the City of Portland’s executive office, with minimal editing needed.

Example tasks : Write a press release about a new policy initiative passed by city council or write a speech for the City Administrator to speak to a community group.)

Collaborate with colleagues to leverage social media, photography / video, website content, and other creative channels to promote the city’s work.

Example task : Work with the city’s Social Media Coordinator to collaborate on a series of social media posts, press release and media outreach around the same topic.)

Although not required, the City of Portland encourages candidates that can speak more than one language to include that information in their resume.

Bilingual candidates are particularly encouraged to apply and may be eligible for a language pay differential.

Virtual Zoom Meet & Greet Opportunity Come meet the hiring manager and the senior recruiter for two new positions on the City of Portland’s Central Communications Team : the Press Officer and the Writer and Content Producer! We'll be talking about the position duties and responsibilities, day-to-day life in the roles, review the announcements, discuss how to apply, and answer questions you may have about the positions.

Monday, October 21, 2024 12 : 00pm Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Zoom Meeting Link : https : / / us06web.zoom.us / j / 82321865239

Have a question?

Contact Information :

Loan Tran Polanco, Recruiter

Bureau of Human Resources

[email protected]

The following minimum qualifications are required for this position :

• Experience serving as a media spokesperson and coaching executives to prepare for interviews for a high-profile government or civic organization.
• Ability to develop and deliver a media relations strategy that builds public trust, fosters civic engagement and helps an organization advance its mission.
• Experience with clear, concise and persuasive written and verbal communications, including public speaking.
• Ability to quickly learn about complex public policy issues and communicate them to a wide variety of audiences (understanding of Portland’s policy landscape is a plus).
• Knowledge and experience advancing equity and anti-racism through media strategy and other communications.
• Experience managing communications and media relations during emergencies and high-pressure events and exercise and contribute to sound decision-making.

STEP 1 : Apply online between October 14, 2024, to October 28, 2024

Required Application Materials :

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• Answer to three (3) Supplemental Questions (click on the Questions tab to preview the questions)

Optional Application Materials :

If you would like to request Veteran's Preference, please submit your Veteran documents (ex, DD214-Member 4, VA Benefit Letter, etc) by the closing date of the recruitment.

Application Tips :

• Your cover letter should include details describing your education, training and / or experience, and where obtained, which clearly reflects your qualifications for each of the numbered items in the "To Qualify" section of this announcement.
• Your résumé should support the details described in your cover letter.
• Salary Range / Equity Pay Analysis : Please note per the Oregon State Pay Equity Law your salary is determined based on the experience and education listed in your resume / application.

It is strongly encouraged to include any transferable experience (paid or unpaid regardless of how recent) to ensure your offer is reflective of all directly related and equivalent experience.

• Do not attach any additional documents.
• Please note, all completed applications for this position must be submitted no later than on the closing date and time of this recruitment.
• You can use AI tools to assist with your job application, but please make sure to personalize your responses to supplemental questions.

Avoid copying and pasting. We encourage using AI to generate ideas and then tailor them to reflect your own experiences and skills.

• All applications must be submitted via the City's online application process.
• E-mailed and / or faxed applications will not be accepted.

Step 2 : Minimum Qualification Evaluation : Week of October 28, 2024

• An evaluation of each applicant's training and paid and unpaid experience, as demonstrated in their resume and cover letter, weighted 100%.
• Your résumé and responses to the supplemental questions will be the basis for our evaluation of your qualifications for this position.

Incomplete or inappropriate information may result in disqualification.

You have 14 days from the notice of the minimum qualification evaluation results to let us know if you would like to review and discuss your evaluation result.

Please read the City of Portland Administrative Rule 3.01 for complete information.

Additional evaluation may be required prior to establishment of the eligible list and / or final selection.

Step 3 : Writing Sample Exercise

Those who meet the minimum qualifications will receive an email with instructions to complete a short exercise : recommending a media strategy and talking points for an example situation.

Step 4 : Establishment of Eligible List : Week of November 4, 2024

Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications will be placed on the equally ranked eligible list.

Step 5 : Selection (Interview) : November 2024

Hiring bureau will review and select candidates for an interview.

Step 6 : Offer of Employment : November 2024

Step 7 : Start Date : December 2024

• A start date will be determined after all conditions of employment have been met.
• Timeline is approximate and subject to change. Click here for additional information regarding the following :
• City of Portland Core Values
• Recruitment Process - Work Status
• Equal Employment Opportunity
• Veteran Preference
• ADA, Pregnancy, and Religious Accommodations

An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer

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