• Serving as the lead contact for questions from local media and writing a press release to inform our community on Public Works projects or emergency response activities.
• Providing senior-level consulting on marketing strategies for public infrastructure improvements or other major initiatives.
• Representing Public Works in conversations at a community meeting to discuss a sensitive concern in their neighborhood.
• Managing social media accounts with relevant video or photos of PW services.
• Connect with your team of four, which you will provide guidance and supervision.
• Attend team meetings, work independently on projects, and utilize development time to grow your career with the City of Eugene.

• Retirement Plans
• Medical, Dental and Vision Coverage
• Paid Time Off
• Employee Assistance Program
• Flexible spending accounts for transportation, childcare and healthcare
• Opportunities to work on City-wide initiatives.

Public Information / Public Relations:
You will be an integral part of the Public Works leadership team, providing senior level strategy recommendations to our department’s public relations activities. This will include creating a strategic public information and engagement plan to communicate with media and the community about Public Works activities. Developing relationships with local media covering the department and key issues will be important in order to proactively pitch stories and respond to requests from the media. You will also write or approve press releases and publications for internal and public information.
You will be a part of the City’s Public Information Team (a City-wide team of public relations professionals), representing Public Works services. Collaborating with other City departments to ensure our messaging is timely and consistent with the City’s strategic goals will be important for our program’s success.
Public Works has numerous services and projects that the community will be interested in learning about. You will develop, plan, oversee and implement public information goals and objectives for the department and for specific programs and projects. Consulting with and providing assistance to key management and project staff on strategies to foster community relations and public engagement will be critical to the success of our program. This could include developing and overseeing the implementation of public information, promotional, and citizen engagement programs, and providing creative and logistical support for special events.
You will serve as a lead for department PIOs to ensure messaging is clear and concise. Also, a part of this lead role will be to identify and train spokespersons, coordinate communication protocols, provide pre-interview media coaching to department staff, and provide staff training on public information procedures.
You will be responsible for oversight of the department website and social media content.
It will be your responsibility to respond to inquiries from the community, City Council and media and to coordinate with program managers in a timely and effective manner.
Public Works prepares a strategic plan and an annual report to inform the community on the department’s initiatives and achievements. You will oversee the development and production of these plans and reports while working with the department leadership team.
Supervision of Creative Services Team:
You will lead a team of four creative, dedicated and skilled public information staff. This will include planning, prioritizing, and supervising public information activities assigned to graphic design, videography, and stormwater education staff, temporary personnel, and student interns. Additionally, you will be responsible for monitoring work activities, and evaluating work products and procedures.
You will exercise full supervision over the Creative Services team, which includes the following responsibilities: selection, supervision and evaluation of assigned staff; assigning work and ensuring appropriate training is provided; investigating complaints; recommending and administering disciplinary actions; handling sensitive personnel matters; and recommending grievance responses. An important value to the City of Eugene is building a diverse and healthy workplace and facilitating your staff’s development on such issues as diversity, wellness and creating a respectful working environment will be a priority.
As part of managing the full scope of the Creative Services team and programs, you will develop and administer the public information budget, monitor and approve expenditures, and negotiate and administer contracts with vendors.
Emergency Response:
During emergencies and other critical incidents, you will serve as an information resource to the media and public with a focus on Public Works response activities, and occasionally you may need to support the City-wide response effort. These responsibilities may require you to respond outside of traditional work hours. Another important responsibility will be to proactively develop crisis communications strategies for important issues that may arise.
Legislative Issues:
There is often proposed state legislation that will impact Public Works’ services. You will facilitate our department’s processing and tracking of bills and ensure the City’s legislative coordinator and our Executive Director receive timely responses on issues effecting Public Works.
Other Important Duties:
Everyone needs a team, and as part of Public Works Administration, you will be a part of developing and implementing goals and objectives for the division. You will serve on a variety of City committees and task teams representing the department and the City.
This posting wouldn’t be complete without acknowledging you may participate in other related duties as assigned.

Any equivalent combination of education and experience which provides the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the job. Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they are able to perform every task in the job description. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may be one who comes with relevant transferrable skills from a variety of sources and experiences.
The City will consider any equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, education, and experience to meet minimum qualifications. If you are interested in applying, we encourage you to think broadly about your background and skill set for the role.
A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:
Experience: Five years professional experience in public relations or public information including two years of supervisory responsibility or four years of responsible lead worker experience.
Training: Equivalent to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in public information, communications, marketing, journalism or a closely related field.
License or Certificate:
Possession of or ability to obtain a valid Oregon driver's license. Must pass driving records check, and if hired, maintain a driving record that meets the City's standard. Oregon law requires that an out-of-state license holder must obtain a valid Oregon license within 30 days of becoming domiciled in the state (ORS 803.355).
Possession of or ability to obtain relevant National Incident Management System certifications from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
The Ideal Candidate will possess the following knowledge, skills and abilities:
Knowledge of:
Principles, practices, methods and procedures for coordinating and operating a public relations and information program using traditional and digital media.
General functions and operations of public works.
News media operations and standards, techniques, timelines and methods used in preparing news releases and publications.
Communication techniques in crisis, critical incident or emergency situations.
Website design, development, organization, maintenance and content management, and the use of social media for public purposes.
Pertinent Federal, State and local laws, codes and regulations.
Effective methods of preparing and presenting facts and information to the public and media.
Design, marketing and outreach strategies to ensure public exposure to public works offerings.
Political and media landscape in relevant issue areas.
Business English including editing procedures, extremely detailed knowledge of grammar, spelling, punctuation, style and syntax.
Principles and practices of public speaking.
Principles and practices of budget preparation.
Principles of supervision, training and performance evaluation.
Modern office procedures, computer equipment, computer software including Microsoft Office (Word, Excel and Power Point), and web design and management software.
Principles and procedures of record keeping.
Ability to:
Act as department spokesperson: comfortable and skilled in broadcast, print and social media interviews.
Create and deploy content for news releases, council newsletters, fact sheets, byline articles, annual reports, presentations, event relations in support of the department, and adapt the voice and tone of messaging to the appropriate audience.
Be available to respond to emergency incidents outside of traditional work hours and serve as the department's lead PIO during emergency operations when necessary.
Develop, plan, organize, coordinate and administer a comprehensive public relations program for the Public Works Department. Develop strategic and communication plans.
Analyze problems, identify solutions, evaluate consequences of proposed actions, and implement recommendation to support public information.
Analyze proposed and adopted legislation, policies and administrative rules, as well as legislative impacts and application to the department.
Solicit, organize, analyze and present material for internal and external use.
Interpret and apply federal, state and local policies, procedures, laws and regulations.
Evaluate and develop improvements to public relations programs, goals, policies or methods for the Public Works department.
Identify and respond to public issues and concerns or direct to appropriate department staff.
Coordinate production of informational materials in various media forms.
Deal constructively with conflict.
Supervise, train and evaluate assigned staff.
Prepare and monitor a budget.
Prepare short and long term for programs.
Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing. Speak publicly before a variety of groups in an effective manner, both formally and extemporaneously. Gather, interpret and adapt to cultural contexts.
Establish and maintain positive and professional working relationships with those contacted in the course of work. Create a culturally inclusive work environment.

What to Expect from our Selection Process: Applicants are screened based upon their relevant knowledge, abilities, skills, experience, and training. The selection process varies according to the position and can include such things as screening of supplemental questionnaires, written or skill tests, ability or fitness tests, interviews, and assessment processes. In addition, background investigations and records checks may be required. Some positions also require applicants to have a psychological evaluation and/or physical examination and a drug test prior to employment. Marijuana use is evaluated consistent with current state law regulations. PLEASE NOTE: Once the posting closes, the process can take 4-6 weeks to complete.