Director of Communications

About the Opportunity

Multnomah County is seeking a seasoned and dynamic executive to serve as the Communications Director. Reporting directly to the Chair’s Office, this pivotal leader directs and manages the County’s communications strategies and operations to effectively connect community members to essential services, provide critical updates, and share stories that promote equity.

As the primary architect of the County’s public voice, you will establish a strategic countywide communications framework that encompasses strong media relations and consistent external and internal messaging. We are looking for a leader who is proactive, responsive, and deeply committed to public service and transparency within a complex political environment.

The Role in Context

In this capacity, you will serve as the principal spokesperson for the County during major announcements and crisis events. You will act as the Lead Public Information Officer (PIO) within the Command Staff during severe weather and emergency activations, providing counsel to the Incident Commander. Your work will ensure the distribution of high-quality, engaging content across all platforms while maintaining relationships with local and national media outlets.

This role requires navigating a highly political environment while upholding the highest standards of integrity and legal compliance. You will collaborate with department directors to ensure departmental communication strategies align with countywide standards and work closely with the County Attorney’s Office to ensure public records responses are provided transparently.

Application Instructions

To be considered for this opportunity, current employees must apply through the employee portal. External candidates should submit a completed online application, a resume, and a cover letter.

Your resume must include the name of each employer, location, your title, a brief summary of responsibilities, and the number of employees supervised. Your cover letter should expand on your resume, addressing why you are interested in this position and demonstrating how your experience and skill set align with the qualifications listed. Please be thorough, as these materials will be scored and determine your eligibility for an interview.

Note: In accordance with Oregon Law, do not include school attendance dates in your application materials.

Selection Process

Candidates will be evaluated based on the following steps:

1. Initial Review: Screening for minimum qualifications, with potential additional preferred reviews or supplemental questions.
2. Evaluation: Consideration of top candidates in order of rank and score, which may include panel interviews, a hiring interview, and/or additional testing.
3. Finalization: All finalists must pass a thorough reference check and background check.

For details on the screening process, please review the county's overview of the selection process page.

Culture and Commitment

At Multnomah County, we don't 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, evaluating qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics.

All County employees have a role in serving the public during inclement weather, natural disasters, or other community emergencies. During these events, employees may be reassigned from their current position to support critical community needs.

Work Environment

This position is designated as "hybrid telework," meaning you will work both remotely and in person at an onsite location (at least 3 days per week). The onsite work location is the Multnomah Building at 501 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Portland, Oregon. All employees must reside in Oregon or Washington.

Contact

For questions regarding this recruitment, please contact Recruiter Cole Whitehurst at cole.whitehurst@multco.us or +1 (971) 271-3709. Reasonable accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities; please contact the recruiter in advance to request assistance.