Language Access Communications Specialist, Public Affairs Specialist 2

The Oregon Health Plan Community Engagement & Communications unit strengthens pathways for community and partner voice across Medicaid policy, operations, and member-facing communications. The unit collaborates with OHA divisions and state agency partners, including Behavioral Health, Public Health, Health Policy and Analytics, Equity and Inclusion, External Relations, ODHS, the OHA Ombuds Program, OCHE, Innovator Agents, and the Healthier Together Oregon team to support coordinated, community-centered communication.

This position leads communications planning and implementation to embed equity, plain language, accessibility, and culturally responsive standards across Medicaid and OHP programs. The role analyzes and advises on communications and language access policies, ensuring information is clear, consistent, and responsive to members, partners, and impacted communities. Using qualitative and quantitative data, the position identifies disparities, translates complex policy into accessible language, and grounds messaging in community input.

The role coordinates language access needs and supports strategic priorities such as HR 1, Open Card Transformation, Healthier Oregon, and 1115 Waiver cycles. It develops content, applies language access best practices, manages multilingual communications, and provides project management to ensure broad accessibility. The position collaborates with diverse communities most affected by inequities and builds strong, respectful partnerships.

This announcement is for one, full-time, permanent, SEIU represented position based in Salem, Oregon. This is a hybrid [Remote-95% In office- 5%] position.

Minimum Qualifications:

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.

Desired Attributes:

• Experience developing and implementing language access, communications, outreach, or engagement strategies that advance health equity, improve access, and support culturally and linguistically responsive communication for diverse, underserved communities.
• Knowledge of health service delivery systems and public programs, especially OHP/Medicaid, and how community engagement and communications improve member access, experience, and outcomes.
• Experience supporting multilingual communications, language access initiatives, translation or interpretation coordination, and accessibility practices to ensure information is inclusive, understandable, and accessible to diverse audiences.
• Ability to foster collaboration and build effective working relationships with agencies, programs, community-based organizations, advocacy groups, and external partners to support coordinated communication and engagement.
• Ability to navigate complex or sensitive situations through collaborative problem‑solving, diplomacy, consensus-building, and solution-focused approaches while fostering trust and inclusive engagement.
• Strong oral and written communication skills, including developing and presenting public materials, reports, presentations, training, or correspondence tailored to varied audiences and communication needs.
• Demonstrated project coordination or project management experience managing multiple priorities, timelines, partners, and deliverables in a fast‑paced, collaborative environment.

Preference Statement:  Preference for full proficiency in English and one of Oregon’s five most common non‑English languages: Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese, Russian, or Korean.

About the Team & Benefits of Joining

We also offer a competitive benefits package including:

• Excellent, low-cost medical, vision, and dental coverage for you and your family.
• Optional benefits like life insurance, disability coverage, deferred compensation, and FSA options for health and childcare.
• Generous paid time off: 11 holidays, 3 personal days, monthly sick leave, and vacation accrual starting at 8 hours/month.
• Potential eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
• Retirement security through Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)/Oregon Public Service Retirement Plan (OPSRP).
• Training and development opportunities to grow your career with the State of Oregon.

How to APPLY

Submit your application at oregonjobs.org using job number REQ-200648.

Application Deadline:  06/01/2026