Communications Coordinator

State of Oregon • Salem, OR

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Oregon Public Utility Commission (PUC) is pleased to announce an exciting opportunity to serve as a full-time Communications Coordinator. The agency is seeking a proactive and enthusiastic communicator that pursues opportunities to highlight the PUC's impactful and forward-looking work. The electric, natural gas, and telecommunication industries are currently undergoing profound, if not revolutionary changes. Technology innovation, changes in market structures, and new environmental directives are all having a significant impact on the utility sector. PUC employees take pride in their work developing regulatory practices and policies that improve the lives of utility customers, community members, and our environment. As the Communications Coordinator, working as part of a two-person communications team and part of the agency’s executive office, you will have the opportunity to tell the story that helps the public and stakeholders appreciate and connect with the work of the PUC by creating a climate that cultivates transparency, best practices, and fresh perspectives. About the Oregon Public Utility Commission (PUC): The PUC sets utility rates and terms of service through broad delegated legislative powers and must balance the interests and rights of multiple organizations and individuals representing divergent and conflicting business, consumer, and public interests. Investor-owned utilities currently receive approximately $5 billion in revenues annually from 2.4 million Oregon consumers. The PUC’s decisions on individual issues may be more than $100 million in annual revenues paid by Oregon consumers. The PUC receives no General or Lottery funds, and instead is funded through a dedicated per-month fee on regulated natural gas, electric, telecommunication, and water utility bills. Our mission is to ensure Oregonians have access to safe, reliable, and fairly priced utility services that advance state policy and promote the public interest. We use an inclusive process to evaluate differing viewpoints and visions of the public interest and arrive at balanced, well-reasoned, independent decisions supported by fact and law. More information about the PUC can be found online at: www.oregon.gov/PUC. Benefits for joining our Team: Become a critical part of an important state agency at a dynamic time. Play a central role in protecting Oregonian ratepayers and achieving climate objectives set for the agency by the legislature, while balancing the competing needs of utilities and stakeholders. Join colleagues who are innovative and passionate about public service. Enjoy 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. Possible eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Requirements

• A Bachelor’s degree in Business or Public Administration, Public Relations, Marketing, Journalism, the Behavioral or Social Sciences or related degree and two years professional level experience in Public Relations or Affairs OR Five years experience directly related to the position under recruitment; two of the five years must have been at the professional level.

Nice To Haves

• Advanced education in Communications, Journalism, or English.
• Work experience with a public utility commission, energy utility provider, regulated utility, or consumer advocacy organization.
• Work experience developing and effectively disseminating information about an organization to maintain and promote the organization's mission, goals, and values.
• Work experience that demonstrates strong written and verbal communication skills; including the ability to comprehend complex material and express it clearly to the public.
• Work experience analyzing information, identifying the target audiences, and determining the most effective communication techniques to reach audiences.
• Work experience facilitating and leading meetings independently and/or leading staff training on communication-related topics.
• Work experience operating business software such as desktop publishing, Microsoft Office, and web-based document sharing systems.
• Work experience creating and maintaining an organization's social media and website content, that includes developing graphic design and editing video content.
• Work experience that demonstrates excellent time management skills and the ability to follow through on multiple initiatives and produce results under short timelines and changing agendas.

Responsibilities

• Work in partnership with the Communications Team to serve as media contact, as well as developing and implementing communication strategies to engage and educate diverse audiences on the work of the PUC. This is done by collaborating closely with all levels of PUC management and staff, stakeholders, and other state agencies, as well as participating in public meetings.
• Design and develop agency processes and policies that promote public awareness of PUC programs and decisions, representing the PUC through public speaking, legislative issue responses, pertinent policy implementation, and strategic communications to internal and external stakeholders.
• Serves as one of the PUC’s primary media contacts; receives external inquiries directed to the PUC and responds, or coordinates a response, to those inquiries.
• Develops expertise around utility regulatory principles and practices, as well as emerging issues so that information can be communicated clearly and accurately to the media, members of the public, and other stakeholders.
• Ensures complex regulatory issues are clearly and concisely communicated.
• Maintains current knowledge of principles governing media and public relations and provides effective input into agency policies and procedures governing communicative relations with the Governor’s Office, the legislature, other government agencies, and the public.
• Prepares press releases, reports, fact sheets, newsletters, specialized publications, and other important communications for distribution to the news media, government officials, stakeholders, utility service providers, consumer interest groups, members of the public, and other stakeholders with interests in PUC regulatory proceedings or utility safety matters.
• Develops and maintains professional relationships with the media and press/public relations officers of agency stakeholders, including regulated utilities, the Governor's Office, the legislature, and other state agencies. Works cooperatively with these representatives to coordinate media events and/or publicity as required.
• Independently drafts and/or edits agency communications, including various reports, slide decks, the agency budget, filings with other state and federal agencies, and letters to external entities.
• Develops resources for staff including report and PowerPoint templates, and guidance to ensure written documents are clearly understood by the public.
• Provides insightful perspective and a desirable framework in the development of the PUC’s communication practices, public outreach activities, policies and procedures, and practices regarding the public affairs functions of the agency.
• Works with management to develop short-term and long-term objectives to enhance public awareness of the Commission through outreach and educational efforts.
• Identifies and publicizes newsworthy projects, events, and commission decisions.
• Serves as the agency’s webmaster for the external website and provides content for the internal intranet website for employees. Ensures web content aligns with State of Oregon online content standards and is professional in appearance.
• Stays informed on decisions before the commission to best handle inquiries and determine upcoming communication needs.
• Utilizes graphic design and video editing skills, as well as manages the various social media platforms of the agency to further reach the public on our work.
• Represents the Communications Team on internal committees, coordinates and completes internal communications in various capacities.
• Develops and maintains agency style standards, guiding staff in the development of presentations, reports, and publications, including reviewing content and design.

Benefits

• work/life balance
• 11 paid holidays a year
• competitive benefits package
• Advancement and learning opportunities that will help grow your career with the State of Oregon
• Possible eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level