Communications Office Interim Deputy Director

This is an internal job posting. Only former Multnomah County employees on an active recall list may apply for this opportunity through this site.

Current employees: Please apply through the employee portal to be considered for this opportunity.

Pay Range:

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Closing Date (Open Until Filled if No Date Specified):

The Opportunity:

This is a temporary position expected to last until January 2027 but can end at any time.

The Communications Office is seeking an experienced strategic and adaptable leader for an internal Work Out of Class (WOC)/Temporary opportunity as the Interim Deputy Director of Communications.

This position fills a key leadership role within the Communications Office working closely with the Director of Communications to set the Offices overall direction accomplish core priorities and provide team management and operational oversight. The Interim Deputy Director will serve as a primary designee and substitute for the Director as needed while supporting high-impact special projects across the organization.

Key Responsibilities

A. Strategic Communications Leadership & Policy

• Strategic Advising: Advise and support the Communications Director on countywide communications strategies long-term planning and high-priority initiatives.
• Project & Program Leadership: Serve as a lead team member on designated program areas and special projects as assigned by the Director.
• Policy & Brand Integrity: Learn model and enforce cohesive countywide communications policies standards and best practices to ensure legal compliance and protect County integrity.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Build and maintain collaborative relationships with Department Directors senior leadership Board members and Board staff to align departmental communications with countywide standards.

B. Management Operations & Resource Administration

• Team Supervision & Mentorship: Provide coaching editing approvals and day-to-day supervision for team members as needed.
• Administrative Operations: Support key operational functionsincluding timekeeping recordkeeping and calendar maintenanceas assigned.
• Public Records Oversight: Support the Office in ensuring public records responses are processed transparently and in full accordance with legal regulations.
• Leadership Proxy: Serve as the Directors designee or proxy in specific meetings committees and working groups.
• Acting Director Duties: Serve as Acting Director during the Directors absence leading the team in strategic meetings emergency responses and high-profile situations.

C. Media Relations Crisis Response & Digital Strategy

• Media & Spokesperson Duties: Advise on media relations strategies and serve as a backup official spokesperson for the County during major announcements or crisis events.
• Emergency Management: Serve as an alternate Lead Public Information Officer (PIO) within the Incident Command Staff during severe weather and emergency activations providing communications counsel to the Incident Commander.
• Digital Strategy: Support efforts to expand the Countys digital footprint ensuring the delivery of engaging high-quality content across all platforms

To Qualify:

We will consider any combination of relevant work experience volunteering education and transferable skills as qualifying unless an item or section is labeled required. Please be clear and specific about how your background is relevant.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelors degree in Communications Journalism Public Relations Public Administration Marketing or a related field.
• Experience: 1 to 4 years of professional experience in strategic communications public information media relations or a related role.
• OR 5-8 years of relevant qualifying training and/or experience.

Preferred Qualifications/Transferable Skills*: You do not need to have the following preferred qualifications / transferable skills to qualify. However keep in mind we may consider some or all of the following when identifying the most qualified candidates. Please clearly explain on your application how you meet any of the following preferred qualifications/transferable skills.

• Proven experience in strategic communications media relations or public information.
• Strong leadership editing and team-mentoring abilities.
• Demonstrated experience handling sensitive confidential or crisis communications.
• Knowledge of public records compliance and government transparency standards.
• Ability to step into high-level meetings and represent leadership with confidence and professionalism.

*Transferable Skills: Your transferable skills are any skills you have gained through education work

experience (including the military) or life experience that are relevant for this position. Be sure to

describe any transferable skills on your application and clearly explain how they apply to this position.

Screening and Evaluation

The Application Packet:

• A completed online application including a resume and cover letter. If your application does not include these two documents your application will be considered incomplete and not considered further.
• A resume covering relevant experience and education. Please be sure your resume includes the following for each employer: name of employer location dates of employment your title and a summary of your responsibilities.
• Optional: A cover letter that expands on your resume addresses why you are interested in this position and demonstrates how your experience and skill set aligns with the minimum and preferred qualifications and the primary responsibilities of this role.
  

The Selection Process: For details about how we typically screen applications review our overview of the selection process page. We expect to evaluate candidates for this recruitment as follows:

• Initial review of minimum qualifications
• If needed: An evaluation of application materials to identify the most qualified candidates. Subject matter experts will evaluate your resume and cover letter based on a rubric that has been built from the qualifications listed in this job announcement and the primary responsibilities of this position.
• Consideration of top candidates through interview/s and/or assignments.
• Reference check of three references with one being a current of former employer.

Additional Details

Hybrid Telework: This position is designated as hybrid telework meaning you will be working both remotely (from home) and in person at an onsite location. The designation of Hybrid Telework may be subject to change at a future time. All employees must reside in Oregon or Washington; the county cannot support ongoing telework from other locations. The onsite work location for this position is the Multnomah Building located at 501 SE Hawthorne Blvd Portland Oregon 97214.

Work Location: This position works onsite at the Multnomah Building located at 501 SE Hawthorne Blvd Portland Oregon 97214.

Serving the Public Even During Disasters: Everyday Multnomah County staff work together to serve as a safety net for our communities. During a disaster this safety net becomes even more critical. All County employees have a role in serving the public during inclement weather natural disaster or other types of community emergency response. During these emergency responses while typically there begins with a call for volunteers county employees may ultimately be reassigned from their current position to a role in the emergency response in order to support the critical needs presented by our communities. For more information please visit the Disaster Service Worker Information page.

In accordance with Oregon Law Multnomah County is not collecting school attendance dates in the initial application process; please do not include these dates in your resume cover letter and other application materials.

Diversity and Inclusion: At Multnomah County we dont just accept difference; we value it and support it to create a culture of dignity and respect for our employees.

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race color religion sex sexual orientation gender identity national origin disability veteran or protected veteran status genetic information and other legally protected characteristics. The EEO Know Your Rights poster is available for your reference. Multnomah County is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor. We request priority protected veteran referrals.

Veterans Preference: Under Oregon Law qualifying veterans may apply for veterans preference. Review our veterans preference page for details about eligibility and how to apply.

Accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act: We gladly provide reasonable accommodation to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing an application or participating in this recruitment process. Please contact the recruiter below in advance to request assistance. Individuals with hearing or speech impairments may contact the recruiter through the Telecommunications Relay Service by dialing 711.

Questions

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Application information may be used throughout the entire selection process. This process is subject to change without notice.

Disclaimer: This announcement is intended as a general descriptive recruitment guide and is subject to change. It does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.

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