Initial Posting Date:

12/19/2025

Application Deadline:

01/04/2026

Agency:

Parks and Recreation Department

Salary Range:

$7,353 - $11,373

Position Type:

Employee

Position Title:

Communications Manager

Job Description:

Home - Oregon State Parks

Welcome Statement

Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) is proud to care for Oregon’s extraordinary landscapes and rich cultural history. The department serves its visitors and all Oregonians through its properties and programs, and recognizes that the state’s resilience and beauty are strengthened by its diverse population. Oregon State Parks are public spaces where all are welcome. We value and serve everyone, and we are committed to providing safe and equitable access to state parks and agency programs. The department will not tolerate racism, harassment, discrimination or intimidation in any form.

Your New Role

As a Permanent, Full-time Communications Manager 2, you will lead and execute a comprehensive strategic communications strategy that supports Oregon Parks and Recreation Department’s mission, enhance public engagement, and ensure consistent brand representation as part of a communications, policy and external relations team. You will oversee staff responsible for internal and external communications, including brand management, merchandise, marketing, graphic design, public information, media relations, social media, signage coordination, and general communications efforts. You will manage a creative and strategic team, ensuring high-quality, timely, and impactful messaging across all platforms.

In this role you will coordinate and implement all aspects of the organization’s communications strategy, ensuring consistent brand messaging across internal and external platforms. This includes leading a multidisciplinary team responsible for marketing, design, public information, and digital engagement. You will collaborate with agency leadership, other managers, and community partners to manage, develop, and administer strategies and activities that communicate the agency’s mission, strategic priorities, goals, ongoing operations, services, and programs to diverse internal and external audiences.

Additionally, you will engage frequently with the public, specific user groups, and key stakeholders, gathering feedback and insights to inform strategic improvement plans. Based on this input, you will identify opportunities for enhancement and lead the implementation of changes that elevate the agency’s communications efforts.

For a complete review of the position and responsibilities please click here.

This position is located in Salem and has the potential for hybrid-remote work; however, travel expenses to Salem for required in-person duties are not reimbursed.

Frequent travel (approximately 20%) to state park locations within Oregon may be required and qualify for reimbursement.

What's in it for you:

An exciting opportunity to help millions of visitors connect with the top state parks across America; working alongside a dedicated, skilled, and passionate team of professionals. Additional benefits include:

• Work/life balance, 11 paid holidays a year, and a competitive benefits package.

• Advancement and learning opportunities that will help grow your career with the State of Oregon.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Six years of supervision, management, or progressively related experience;

OR

• Three years of related experience and a Bachelor’s degree in public relations, communications, journalism, marketing, or a related field.

Special Requirements:

• To be hired, a criminal record and driving record check must be completed that meets OPRD Criteria at the time of hire, and throughout employment while also maintaining a valid driver’s license.

Desired Attributes:

• Exceptional writing and editing skills for a range of media, public affairs and marketing purposes.

• Experience building and maintaining trusted relationships with leadership, staff, reporters and editors, and other internal and external partners.

• Experience using technology and software related to design, publication, communication, and social media to create and deliver written and visual content to inform, respond, explain, and persuade.

• Experience in collaboration with internal staff, external partners and building a strong team.

• Experience training, assigning, monitoring, and evaluating the work of others.

• Experience and skill with media relations, including public speaking, responding to requests, and serving as a spokesperson with media outlets on behalf of an employer.

• Knowledge of how to effectively communicate with government officials and the media.

• Familiarity with communications within state government agencies is preferred.

How to Apply:

A Resume AND A Cover Letter are required to be attached for this announcement. Failure to do so may eliminate your application from consideration.

Applications will be reviewed for minimum qualifications and desired attributes listed above, consistency of information, and professional communication.

• Use the "My Experience" section in your Workday candidate profile to provide a detailed overview of your work history, experience, and skills, demonstrating how you meet the minimum qualifications and any of the desired attributes listed above. What You Need to Know to Get the Job

• The information in your application will be used to complete an Equal Pay Analysis to determine salary placement upon hire. Click here to learn more about Equal Pay Analysis.

• External Applicants: Click on the “Apply” link and submit your application. View this video or this knowledge article for assistance.

• Internal Applicants (Current State of Oregon employees): Apply via your employee Workday account. View this knowledge article for help.

• Veterans: We value the dedication of Veterans! Take advantage of Veterans’ Preference by submitting the required documentation at time of application. The requirements can be found on the Veterans' Resources page under “Qualifying for Veterans’ Preference”.

• After applying, log in to your Workday account (application site) to see if you have any pending tasks or actions that need to be completed before the announcement closes. Save a copy of this job announcement for your reference.

• Video interviews are tentatively scheduled for early January with candidates selected to move forward.

Additional Information:

• This position is management service and not represented by a union.

• This announcement may be used to fill future vacancies as they occur.

• Oregon Parks & Recreation Department does not offer visa sponsorships. Within three days of hire, all applicants will be required to complete the US Department of Justice Form I-9, confirming authorization to work in the United States. Oregon Parks and Recreation Department uses E-Verify to confirm that applicants are authorized to work in the United States.

Contact Information:

• For questions about this position, contact hiring supervisor: Katie Gauthier, Katie.Gauthier@oprd.oregon.gov, 503-510-9678

• For questions on application process, email: OPRD.Recruiting@oprd.oregon.gov.

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Oregon Parks and Recreation Department is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer, committed to diversity.

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.