Communications PRMedia Strategist (Portland, Oregon)

The Oregon Education Association is seeking an experienced Communications PR/Media Strategist to lead the Associations effort to provide a strong and unifying voice for education with OEA members and the public. The Communications PR/Media Strategist works on statewide internal and external communications covering a variety of OEA organizational work including politics policy organizing and advocacy; trains leaders staff and coalition partners; and ensures the interests of members are given as much public attention as possible.

The annual salary for this position is $99551 - $158450; placement on the salary schedule is dependent on relevant experience. Employees receive fully paid medical dental and vision benefits for themselves and qualified dependents significant paid time off and paid holidays employer contribution to 401k after meeting eligibility requirements pension vesting after five (5) years of employment and much more.

JOB SUMMARY:

The Communications PR/Media Strategist for the Oregon Education Association leads the Associations effort to provide a strong and unifying voice for education with OEA members and the public. The Communications PR/Media Strategist works on statewide internal and external communications covering a variety of OEA organizational work including politics policy organizing and advocacy; trains leaders staff and coalition partners; and ensures the interests of members are given as much public attention as possible.

This position provides strategic leadership to OEA leaders and staff in guiding effective overall communications that will move OEAs priorities focused on its mission vision and core values. A key element in this work is developing and driving an organization wide strategic communications plan complete with systems of measurement and accountability. Working collaboratively with all of OEAs Centers the PR/Media Strategist works to ensure that OEAs brand is well represented through empowering local leaders as spokespersons and purposeful promotion of OEAs priorities through integrated media strategies. Strong planning prioritization and organizational skills are key elements to success in OEAs large organization.

Advanced written verbal and social media communication skills are necessary. Collaborative strategic planning within the Center for Public Affairs & Professional Excellence and other OEA Centers will be routine. Also demonstrable ability to work well as a team and to be responsive to OEA members leaders and staff are critical.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

1. Support and advance the OEA mission vision and values.
2. Contribute to support and actively engage in the organizations commitment to create and maintain a diverse equitable and inclusive workplace. Participate in activities trainings and/or workgroups to support OEAs commitment in this important mission.
3. Primary writer and editor of general and political communications (electronic and print) designed for members and leaders of the OEA at the local and statewide levels as well as external audiences.
4. Crafts opinion pieces for publication.
5. Drafts and designs letter-to-the-editor responses.
6. Designs and drives organizational strategic communication plan to promote OEA priorities mission vision and core values inclusive in brand identity.
7. Purposeful promotion of OEA priorities through engaging with integrated multi-media platforms and strategies (earned shared and owned).
8. Serves as the chief internal spokesperson in contacts with the media and as the spokesperson for the organization as designated by the President.
9. Helps identify and prepare members to be spokespeople.
10. Helps prepare OEA leadership for conversations with press and other public engagements including the development of talking points for the organization.
11. Maintains and cultivates effective relationship with members of the media pitches pieces to the media and aggressively pushes OEA priorities and member interests.
12. Develops effective communications training and delivery for leaders members and staff.
13. Develops and implements both short and long-term strategic communication goals --- with clear accountability measures.
14. Writes speeches talking points and other scripts for a variety of people and events with an ability to adjust tone.
15. Lead coalition strategic communications efforts.
16. As assigned serves as a primary communications strategist to leaders and members in organizing strikes or political campaigns.
17. Assists the OEA President Vice President and governance leaders in speeches media communication and other related matters.
18. Lead professional staff person for OEA Representative Assembly event production including organizing and orchestrating the multi-media agenda.
19. Regular coalition and community outreach.
20. Effective member of a team.
21. Other duties as assigned by the Executive Director or designee.

QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION

• Bachelors Degree in Journalism Communications Public Relations or other related field.

EXPERIENCE

• At least five years experience in communications and media relations.
• Advanced experience in editing and writing.
• Excellent computer skills including the use of word processing databases graphics/photo-editing and multimedia software. Understanding of basic graphic file formats for effective print and electronic communications.
• Follows and can effectively implement emerging trends in electronic communications and social media platforms.
• Experience developing and implementing effective media and message trainings.
• Curiosity and interest in labor and education issues.
• Creative and collaborative problem-solving techniques.
• Demonstrable advanced experience in project management.
• Ability to work really well with people in a team and to lead collaborative efforts.
• Proven experience as a self-starter capacity to juggle multiple projects and priorities and still meet dead-lines with high quality work.
• Ability to work with outside vendors such as strategists printers advertisers etc.
• Experience in writing for members organizations such as labor unions trade groups or non-profit organizations.

OTHER

• Willingness to travel for work-related purposes on a regular basis valid Drivers License; must have reliable transportation.

OTHER INFORMATION

SUPERVISORY

• The employee works under the general direction of the Director of Public Affairs & Professional Excellence Executive Director and/or designee and is expected to operate with relative independence and a minimum of supervision in handling complex problems with initiative creativity and sound professional judgment. This position with another professional staff employee directs the work of an associate staff employee in the department.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• The work will be performed at the OEA Headquarters location.