Communcation and Policy Manager

The Opportunity:

• Are you a passionate and accomplished policy developer?

• Do you thrive in a fast paced, collaborative and challenging environment?

• Are you an excellent & effective verbal & written communicator with internal and external stakeholders?

• Are you looking for a role that showcases your sensational skills and also contributes to the community & common good?

If you answered ‘yes’ to these questions, this is the next step in your natural career progression.  Please read on!

We’re seeking a savvy communications and policy professional with the right blend of vision, experience and community focus to become the Department of Community Justice’s Communication and Policy Manager (Public Relations Coordinator job profile).

This role will support the Department Director in the development, coordination, and implementation of public safety policy, both external and internal to the Department of Community Justice (DCJ).  This position works closely with DCJ management, other county departments, and other public safety partners at the local and state level to support and assist the Director’s efforts in planning and developing policy for a coordinated system of justice services.

The Policy and Communications Manager participates as a member of the Department’s executive management team to make decisions regarding policy development and implementation. The position has broad authority over the coordination of special projects, (e.g., developing a public education campaign to deepen public support for evidence-based approaches to teen drug use; working with the Oregon Association of Community Corrections Directors to educate state legislators on key policy issues affecting the field; researching and developing a new violence assessment process). The impact of these efforts directly affects the department’s relationships with other agencies and the public, the department’s ability to respond to legislative changes, and our ability to inform the development of effective public safety policy in Multnomah County.  The duties of this position are highly flexible, including handling sensitive and confidential information and involve a high level of independent decision making.

In addition, this role provides executive-level staffing support to the Department Director.  Successful implementation of the responsibilities related to this position requires a high level of trust and coordination with both the Department Director and the department’s executive management team.

Primary responsibilities of this position include:

External Communications

• Primary contact for the County Communications Office. 

• Contributes media story ideas and offers suggestions.

• Links County Communications to DCJ staff and resources for developing story materials. 

• Updates Directors’ Office and DCJ staff on developing media matters.

• Coordinates Critical Incident Responses. 

• Develops and coordinates social media, marketing materials, departmental branding, etc. 

• Plans and directs DCJ’s public education and internal communications programs. 

• Writes, edits and reviews web articles, press releases, newsletters, Op-Eds and articles for national, local and trade media. 

• Writes internal and external reports, white papers and correspondence for the Department Director. 

• Writes and designs presentations and materials for presentation to the Board of County Commissioners, other public safety partners, legislative representatives, and other external entities.

Monitor Legislation and Policy Issues

Work closely with other county departments, the public affairs office, County Government Relations, Oregon Juvenile Department Directors Association, American Probation and Parole Association, and the Association of Oregon Counties to monitor legislative and public policy issues that affect community corrections and juvenile justice, write policy papers, legislative testimony, fiscal impact statements and other informational materials.

Budget and Policy Development

• Perform project based operational, policy and fiscal analysis, including the development of departmental budget narratives and program offers. 

• Provide advice, based on that analysis, to the Department Director and management staff regarding policy and operational issues.

Internal Communications

• Creates and reviews talking points to ensure consistent messaging on departmental positions. 

• Oversee web governance committee & Communications Committee.

• Develop department-wide communications for the Directors' Office.

Supervision of Staff

• Planning, prioritizing, and assigning work.

• Maximizing the potential of employees.

• Evaluating operations, activities, and staff and creating change when needed.

• Strategic problem solving.

• Participating in budget preparation and administration.

• Overseeing day-to-day operations of assigned program/services and staff.