Job Description

ABOUT OREGON CASCADES WEST COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS (OCWCOG)

OCWCOG manages a variety of local, State, and Federal programs to serve residents, local governments, and businesses in our tri-County Region. OCWCOG is recognized by the State of Oregon as an Area Commission on Transportation (ACT) and a Type B Medicaid Transfer Agency. Additionally, the association is recognized by the Federal Government as an Area Agency on Aging (AAA), an Economic Development District (EDD), an Economic Development Revolving Loan Fund Coordinator, a U.S. Department of Agriculture Revolving Loan Agency, and staffs the two Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) in the Region. These designations increase OCWCOG’s ability to serve our communities’ needs.

 

As an Oregon intergovernmental entity, in addition to the programs and services that OCWCOG is required by State or Federal contract to provide, OCWCOG helps businesses find appropriate capital; facilitates seniors and persons with disabilities plan for independent living; coordinates local road improvement priorities; and assists with administration and technical support for its member governments.

 

Each program works towards OCWCOG’s mission of helping the Region’s communities collaborate to solve problems and connect member governments, businesses, and individuals with a wide array of resources.


About the Region

Oregon Cascades West Council of Governments’ (OCWCOG) member governments are in the Willamette Valley and the Central Oregon Coast, located within Benton, Lincoln, and Linn Counties. The rugged Oregon seacoast, the high mountain passes of the Oregon Cascades, lush greenery, and the agricultural abundance of the Valley are an attractive addition to an education, employment, and cultural hub of the Region.


The Willamette Valley is located at the foot of the Oregon Coast Range and comprises some of the most fertile farmland in the Northwest. Stretching from just below the Oregon-Washington border   to the city of Eugene, the Willamette Valley has long been considered the heartland of Oregon. OCWCOG serves two Counties in the Valley – Benton and Linn, which contain  the  Region’s  two largest cities – Corvallis and Albany, Oregon State University, as well as 18 smaller and diverse jurisdictions, including Lebanon and Philomath, and a multitude of housing, school, dining, and shopping options.


OCWCOG is located at the southern tip of the Valley, a one-hour drive to Portland and 40 minutes to Eugene – the Region’s major airports and  gateways;  and, a twenty-minute drive to Salem, Oregon’s State Capitol, where many of OCWCOG funding agencies and partners are located. The Southern Willamette Valley is best known for its agriculture and its innovation, which include a flourishing wine industry, innovation accelerators, a growing start-up culture, high- tech industry, and access to tens of thousands of students, professionals, and entrepreneurs affiliated with Oregon State University, Samaritan Health Systems, Linn-Benton Community College, Hewlett Packard, the U.S. Department of Energy, and hundreds of other businesses, non- profits, agencies, and community partners.


The Willamette Valley is further divided into two distinct wine appellations, both known for rich and robust Pinot Noir and exceptional Pinot Gris that is home to more than 550 wineries. Hazelnuts, raspberries, blackberries, and Christmas trees are also major exports of the Valley.


SUMMARY OF POSITION

Plans and executes public information activities of the Oregon Cascades West Council of Governments (OCWCOG), including production of staff messages, newsletters, program brochures, audio-visual presentations, and news releases.


Performs position duties in a manner which promotes customer service and harmonious working relationships, including treating all persons courteously and respectfully.  Engages in effective team participation through willingness to assist and support co-workers, supervisors, and other work related-associations. Develops good working relationships with division and agency staff and supervisors through active participation in accomplishing group projects and in identifying and resolving problems in a constructive manner.  Demonstrates openness of constructive feedback and suggestions, in an effort to strengthen work performance.  Contributes to a positive, respectful and productive work atmosphere.  Regular attendance is required to meet the demands of this job and to provide necessary services.


The Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate we are looking for will be energetic, a quick study with the skill to share the Council of Governments story. This candidate will have the ability to engage with communities served by OCWCOG, the OCWCOG Board, and various committees with OCWCOG participation. The ideal candidate will have inspiring and inviting communication skills and will be responsible for written material for diverse audiences. This position requires someone who has the ability to create reports, track and communicate about annual events, create newsletters and event flyers. This position has the additional responsibility of moderating and curating OCWCOG’s social media and online presence. This responsibility is primarily focused on content and not back-end processes.


ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES

50% External Communications

  • Develops an agency communications plan in consultation with Senior Leadership of the Council of Governments. Communication plan may include:
         o Update and expand (in collaboration with leadership) OCWCOG online presence
         o Maintain records of media coverage, gather and report on analytics and metrics
         o Manage OCWCOG social media strategy
  • Executes assigned components of the communications plan, including, but not limited to, news releases, Council of Governments newsletter (s), annual report, brochures, periodic reports specifically to each member governments, etc.
  • Coordinates agency events as directed.
  • Represents the Council of Governments at selected meetings and events.
  • Evaluates communication activities periodically, makes recommendations to change communications strategies as needed.
  • Works to ensure clarity and consistency of messages
  • Facilitate adoption of the agency "Brand".


40% Internal Communications
• Assists Senior Leadership with communications strategies for communications to staff (including email messages, all-staff meetings, monthly themes etc.)
• Represent GA at assigned meetings


10% Other Job Duties

• Performs other related duties as assigned.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:  Receives general supervision from the Executive Director.


SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:  None.


MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS


Experience & Training

Completion of Associates Degree in Business or Public Administration, Public Relations, Marketing Journalism, Communications, or the Behavioral or Social Sciences or related degree and one year training and/or experience in preparing newsletters, reports and news releases; or any satisfactory equivalent combination of experience and training which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of the job.


Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of:

• Structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition and grammar.
• A wide-range of writing techniques to inform and persuade different audiences with various levels of comprehension.
• Media production, communication and dissemination techniques and methods including alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral and visual media.
• Human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality and interests; and learning and motivation.
• Typical administrative systems and procedures for operating business software such as desk top publishing, word processing and office filing systems.
• Techniques of publishing and layout for newsletters, news articles and press releases.
• Theories, principles and techniques of organizational and interpersonal communication. Methods and techniques of data gathering and analysis of public opinion, including statistical analysis             techniques.


Skill to:
• Write so that an audience with different levels of comprehension or interest can understand the material.
• Transmit information by spoken word so that an audience with differing levels of comprehension can understand the presentation.
• Explain points of view in structured and unstructured situations.
• Interact with others and avoid offense in dealing with people.
• Work with people having diverse interests to attain mutual positive ends.
• Give full attention to what other people are saying, take time to understand the points being made, ask questions as appropriate and not interrupt at inappropriate times.
• Consider the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
• Gather, evaluate and interpret data to arrive at valid conclusions.
• Identify sources of information, what kinds of information are needed and apply different methods of collecting data.


WORKING ENVIRONMENT
Work is performed primarily in an office environment utilizing a personal computer, telephone and a variety of office equipment.  Position requires sitting for long periods of time and performing extensive computer work.  Occasional travel may be required to monitor Providers, attend meetings and/or trainings.


Licenses, Certificates, & Other Requirements

Possession of a Valid Oregon Driver’s License, or the ability to obtain reliable transportation in order to travel throughout the three-county area.


Position requires successful completion of a criminal history check.


This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by an employee occupying this position.  Employees are required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by their supervisor.


Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills and abilities. To successfully perform this job, the employee will possess the abilities or aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently.


COMPENSATION PACKAGE


Starting salary is $24.26 - $32.56/hourly DOQE. A step increase will be awarded upon successful completion of a probationary period (typically six months), and then annually thereafter to the top of the range. OCWCOG offers an attractive benefits package including:


Retirement – OCWCOG pays both the employer’s percentage, and employee’s six percent (6%) contribution into the Oregon Public Employees System (PERS). In addition to PERS, OCWCOG pays into Social Security. 
Insurance – For select plans, OCWCOG currently pays one hundred percent (100%) of the insurance premiums for the employee and their eligible dependents. The insurance package includes medical, prescription, dental and vision coverage, alternative care, life, accidental death and dismemberment.
Holiday Leave – OCWCOG provides ten and one half (10 ½) fixed holidays, plus two (2) personal days during each fiscal year.
Additional Benefits – Deferred compensation options, Long-term care Insurance, Employee Assistance Program, Credit Union memberships, and options to participate in pre-tax Health Savings Account or Flexible Spending Account.
Sick Leave – Full-time employees accrue eight (8) hours of sick leave each month.
Vacation Leave – Full-time employees accrue vacation leave each month according to the following schedule:
            0-36 months              -  8 hours/month
          37-72 months              - 10 hours/month
        73-144 months              - 14 hours/month
      145 months and above     - 16 hours/month


GENERAL INFORMATION


This position is represented by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), pursuant of the Collective Bargaining Agreement.


TO APPLY
You must submit the following application materials to be considered as a viable candidate:

1. A current resume that clearly describes your experience, skills, and/or knowledge related to the requirements of the position and demonstrates that you meet qualifications of the position listed above.


2. A cover letter explaining how your background, experience and training qualify you for this position. Please describe your experience and training specifically as they relate to the Minimum Qualifications.


If you are an eligible veteran and wish to claim veterans’ preference points AND you also meet the minimum qualifications for this position, the points will be added to your score. To receive veterans’ preference points, you MUST attach to your application materials the following required documentation:

• A copy of your DD214/DD215 form; OR a letter from the US Dept of Veteran’s Affairs indicating you receive a non-service connected pension for the five (5) point preference.
• A copy of your DD214/DD215 form; AND a copy of your veteran’s disability preference letter from the Dept. of Veterans’ Affairs for the ten (10) point preference.


OCWCOG provides veterans’ preference in employment to all eligible veterans.  For more information, please go to the State website:  

Veterans Information


OCWCOG is an equal opportunity/ affirmative action employer and is strongly committed to enhancing the diversity of its workforce.  Assistance will be provided in the recruitment, application and selection process to applicants with disabilities who request such assistance.  Please call (541) 812-6016  as early as possible regarding any assistance you may require.


If you have any questions please contact HR at hrrecruit@ocwcog.org.   In the subject line please include the position title and the posting number.


To apply scroll down to the bottom and click Apply.


The Position Number for this position is 202114.