Environmental Cleanup Public Affairs Specialist (Public Affairs Specialist 2) - Room For Advancement

We are in search of a diligent Environmental Cleanup Public Affairs Specialist (Public Affairs Specialist 2) to join our collaborative team at Department of Environmental Quality in Portland, OR.
Growing your career as a Full Time Environmental Cleanup Public Affairs Specialist (Public Affairs Specialist 2) is an awesome opportunity to develop exceptional skills.
If you are strong in attention to detail, project management and have the right passion for the job, then apply for the position of Environmental Cleanup Public Affairs Specialist (Public Affairs Specialist 2) at Department of Environmental Quality today!

Environmental Cleanup Public Affairs Specialist (Public Affairs Specialist 2) Location Hybrid remote in Portland, OR : Initial Posting Date: 10/04/2023 Application Deadline: 10/29/2023 Agency: Department of Environmental Quality Salary Range: $5,145 - $7,901 Position Type: Employee Position Title: Environmental Cleanup Public Affairs Specialist (Public Affairs Specialist 2) : The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality strives to build and sustain an inclusive environment that embraces and values diversity. Employees at all levels of the agency work together to foster fairness, equity, inclusion, and belonging. We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, ethnicity, veteran, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age, or physical or mental disability. Candidates from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may not meet every one of our listed preferred qualifications. Lived experience may count towards the preferred qualification. If you are excited about this position, we encourage you to apply. If you are unsure as to whether or not you meet the qualifications of this position, please contact us to discuss your application. Are you passionate about preserving, enhancing, and protecting Oregon's environment? If so, please consider a career with the State of Oregon at the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) . At DEQ, employees have the opportunity to work with a dynamic and supportive team of mission-focused individuals tasked with maintaining, restoring, and enhancing the quality of Oregon's air, land, and water. Here is a video about DEQ: The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has a full-time opportunity available for an Environmental Cleanup Public Affairs Specialist (Public Affairs Specialist 2) in Portland, Oregon. This position is a permanent appointment to a Public Affairs Specialist 2 position funded through December 31, 2027. Please consider joining an innovative team, and work to advance our agency's mission to protect and improve Oregon's environmental quality. The Land Quality programs support this mission by assessing and managing environmental cleanups, promoting manufacturing and recycling of non-toxic commercial products, safely managing the disposal of solid and hazardous wastes, administering the state's underground storage tank and heating oil tank programs, and responding to spills of oil and hazardous materials. The Environmental Cleanup program ensures those responsible for contaminated sites take appropriate action; undertakes cleanup when necessary; and supports voluntary and independent cleanups to facilitate property transfers and redevelopment. The environmental goal is to minimize exposure to contaminants that have been released into the environment and present and unacceptable risk to people or the environment. Click here to view a map of all of the DEQ offices. What you will do! You will plan, coordinate, and execute communications and outreach for all Cleanup Program activities in the Headquarters office, with a particular emphasis on outreach to disadvantaged communities to understand the needs of those communities and enhance environmental justice outcomes; educate communities on the cleanup processes and resources available to them; and identify cleanup and redevelopment (brownfield) opportunities in underserved populations. You will provide information to the public and news media vis news releases, informational materials, and web content, as well as develop communication plans with staff. You will use a variety of communication and public involvement tools and practices, including public relations, education and media relations, staff training, and social media approaches. In addition, you will provide strategic communication analysis planning to the Cleanup Headquarters staff and Program Management Team to improve program-wide communications; advise staff and managers in communication and public involvement issues and activities; and develop messaging and other communications delivery materials for a variety of issues to ensure internal and external parties understand complicated and/or controversial issues. What's in it for you! The opportunity to work in a productive and creative environment where no two days are ever the same! We offer a competitive benefits package that offers comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans for the employee and their qualified family members, as well as paid sick leave, vacation leave, personal leave, and 11 paid holidays a year. In addition, we offer membership in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) , and you have the opportunity to potentially receive loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF) . If you are passionate about Oregon's environment, apply today! This is a full-time, AFSCME represented position. This recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies. What are we looking for? Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in a business or public administration, public relations, marketing, journalism, behavioral or social sciences, or a related degree, AND 2 years of professional-level experience in public relations or public affairs ( an equivalent combination of education and experience is acceptable) . Candidates who are most competitive will also reflect the following: Demonstrated understanding of environmental justice and the historical impacts for marginalized and underrepresented communities; ability to take personal responsibility for increasing their knowledge of environmental justice and diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Experience explaining complex, technical issues in plain language and in ways that are culturally relevant. Excellent verbal and written communication skills; ability to provide clear, concise, and compelling communication of policy and technical information tailored to the needs of diverse audiences. Experience providing strategic communications analysis planning and developing communication strategies, plans, and materials for a variety of issues. Experience in community outreach and engagement, including hosting community meetings, developing and maintaining relationships with community partners, and facilitating discussions between technical staff and interested community members. Demonstrated experience building and fostering relationships with a diverse group of partners including colleagues, interested parties, communities, organizations, and businesses. Ability to interpret and communicate complex and technical federal, state, and/or local environmental regulations and guidance to the public and community organizations. Ability to use individual initiative and judgment when interpreting agency policy in developing communication strategies and plans and responding to emergency needs. Experience writing about natural resources or climate change topics. Working Conditions: DEQ believes in a diverse and inclusive work environment. All employees are expected to contribute to a work environment that collectively values and benefits from respecting its diversity and promotes a culture of inclusiveness. This position will be based out of DEQ's Portland office, however, the successful candidate may be eligible for hybrid work. The logistics of hybrid work will need to be worked out with the Hiring Manager prior to your hire and may be changed at any time given specific job duties and business needs. DEQ will provide necessary hardware (laptop, monitor, keyboard, mouse, and cell phone) for an employee to successfully work from home. At DEQ sites, you will have access to a workspace, however, it may be shared with other employees. There will be occasional travel by car within the region and state for meetings, reporting on spills, conferences, trainings, public hearings, and public meetings, some of which may be held in the evenings and involve overnight stays. You may be required to direct or work in an on-site Joint Information Center during an emergency response with short notice and for extended hours. How to Apply: (complete the application in full) External Applicants Click on the ?Apply? button and submit your application. Click this link for the External Candidate job aid, and view this video for additional information. Internal Applicants (current State of Oregon employees): Apply through your employee Workday account. View this knowledge article for assistance. Helpful Tips: Allow yourself plenty of time to complete and submit the application. Workday will timeout after 15 minutes of inactivity. This posting closes at 11:59 PM on the close date listed. Please save a copy of the job announcement for your reference, as it may not be available for you to view after the job posting closes. Be sure to check both your email and Workday account for updates regarding this recruitment. Workday performs best in Google Chrome. Click here for Resources and a Job Support Page . Please Note: In addition to your related work experience and education, DEQ will use the desired attributes and minimum qualifications above, under the ? What are we looking for?? section to determine whom to interview. Please make sure your attributes and minimum qualifications are clearly demonstrated in your application material. Veterans Information: DEQ provides veterans' preference points to all eligible veterans. For more information on veterans' preference, please visit Veterans Resources , or call the Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs at: View phone number on us.edajobs.com. For privacy reasons, please do not attach veterans' preference documents when initially applying. You will be asked to submit those at a later time. Pay Equity: As an employer, the State of Oregon complies with HB 2005, the Pay Equity Bill. We do not discriminate on the basis of protected class in the payment of wages, and we do not screen applicants on the basis of their current or past compensation. Please visit for more information. Please note: the salary listed is the non-PERS qualifying salary range. If the successful candidate is PERS qualifying, the salary range will reflect an additional 6.95% (6% goes to PERS and .95% covers payroll taxes). Please review the Classification and Compensation page for more details. Work Authorization: DEQ does not offer visa sponsorships. On the first day of employment, all hires will be required to complete the US Department of Homeland Security's Form I-9, confirming authorization to work in the United States. In addition, hires will have three business days from their first day of employment to present documents that establish employment authorization and identity. DEQ is an E-Verify employer and will use E-Verify to confirm that hires are authorized to work in the United States. Questions/Need Help? If you have questions about the recruitment or need assistance to participate in the application process, please contact Maddy Ouye, Human Resources Analyst, at View email address on us.edajobs.com or View phone number on us.edajobs.com. TTY users: please use the Oregon Telecommunications Relay Service at View phone number on us.edajobs.com. Benefits of working as a Environmental Cleanup Public Affairs Specialist (Public Affairs Specialist 2) in Portland, OR:
? Opportunity to Make a Difference
? Advancement opportunities
? Generous Compensation

? Remote Work opportunity