Strategic Communications Manager for Unhoused Response (Limited Duration / Acting-in-Capacity)

Full Job Description

If you are you looking to:

• Build community understanding on one of Eugene’s most important topics through strategic communications that inform, engage and result in productive dialogue
• Use your creativity and skills to tell the important stories of the work the City does to support unhoused community members as they move through the housing continuum - from living unsheltered to sheltered to finding permanent housing
• Work collaboratively to coordinate communications across six City departments by working alongside thoughtful colleagues to deliver consistent, coordinated messaging on homelessness, livability and the City’s response to these critical topics
• Strengthen relationships with media, community leaders and state partners
• Engage diverse audiences on this topic using multiple communication channels

Then, we invite you to apply for this rewarding job opportunity. Our work environment is dynamic, fun, and flexible, and relies on strong ties and collaboration with other work groups, agencies, and community members.

The City of Eugene is seeking an experienced community and public relations professional to fill the role of the Strategic Communications Manager for Unhoused Response. This individual will lead City of Eugene communications efforts related to homelessness in collaboration with a team of talented professionals across the City organization including those on the Homeless Services, Public Space and Public Information Teams.

Application Deadline: Friday, February 27, 2026, at 5:00 pm PT

Accepting Online Applications Only

Information on How to Apply

Cover Letter Required: Please submit a cover letter describing your qualifications and interest in this job. Please be specific and provide examples related to:
Strategic communications on complex or sensitive public issues
Media relations and proactive storytelling
Cross-departmental or cross-organizational coordination
Multi-channel content creation and campaign execution
Please do not reference your resume in your cover letter

Classification: Senior Management Analyst
Salary: $44.83 - $60.52 hourly / $93,246.40 - $125,881.60 annually
The City of Eugene determines starting pay within the range based on relevant education and experience as provided by the applicant in their application materials. This process is consistent with the Oregon Equal Pay Act (OEPA).
Department, Division: Planning and Development, Central Services / Administrative Services, City Manager's Office
This position also works with the Homeless Services Team and Public Space Team (a cross-departmental, collaborative City team responding to the impacts of homelessness on the community, focusing on safety, sanitation and equitable access to public spaces).
Position Information: Non-Represented, Exempt
Work Location: Hybrid work environment including the Atrium Building, 99 W. 10th Avenue and Eugene City Hall, 500 4th Avenue, Eugene, with regular visits to other City Departments like Public Works and the Eugene Police Department; and remote at times depending on work needs. This role includes occasional field work, which may involve navigating uneven terrain, light hiking, and walking on wet or muddy surfaces.
Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM with flexibility per business need. Must be available to work on site in Eugene, Oregon.
Benefits: The City of Eugene offers robust and competitive benefits. For more information, select the Benefits Tab, or view benefits summaries as well as see information about all employee benefits.
Bilingual Pay Benefit: This position qualifies for up to an additional 5% of base salary for bilingual pay. Please see “Supplemental Information” at the end of the posting for more information.
Living & Working in Eugene: Information about living in Eugene, how the City of Eugene operates, and more can be found on our website.

About the Limited Duration (LD) Opportunity:

• Open to the public and City of Eugene full-time and part-time LD employees and Recreation Activity Employees (RAE).
  • If you are a current City of Eugene RAE or Limited Duration employee, you will not have rights back to your position.
• This Limited Duration position could last between 18 to 24 months per business need.
• The City of Eugene offers robust and competitive benefits. For more information, select the Benefits Tab, or view benefits summaries as well as see information about all employee benefits.
• Employees hired into Limited Duration positions will be members of the AFSCME bargaining unit and covered by the contract except for items outlined below:
  • Limited Duration employees are at-will and do not have a probationary period; they accrue no seniority, have no bumping or layoff provisions, and have no discipline or discharge rights.

About the Acting in Capacity Opportunity:

• Open to regular City of Eugene employees; at the end of the assignment, you will return to your regular position.
• This Acting in Capacity position could last between 18 to 24 months per business need.
• You must meet the minimum qualifications for the Acting in Capacity position.
• You must receive permission from your supervisor to apply.
• If you are on probation, it may impact supervisory approval to apply for this opportunity.

If you are currently a member of a union, you will continue to be represented during this AIC position.Acting in Capacity Pay is determined based on the applicable collective bargaining agreement or Administrative Policies Manual (APM).

Pay placement will be the minimum of your current pay so long as it is not above the maximum of the Acting in Capacity salary range.

If you are in a position that is at the same salary range as the Acting in Capacity assignment you are applying for, there may be no change in pay for the Acting in Capacity assignment.

Requirements

A dual-report supervision model will be employed with both the City Communication Director and the Communications and Engagement Manager in Planning and Development Department sharing supervision of this position. This model is guided by a shared operating agreement and in coordination with the Homeless Services, Downtown, and Public Space Teams (cross-departmental collaborative City teams addressing homelessness and responding to the impacts of homelessness on the community, focusing on safety, sanitation and equitable access to public spaces).

• Build community trust and stakeholder buy-in by co-creating timely, clear, and relatable communication in coordination with staff working on this topic.
• Manage the City’s internal and public-facing communications related to homelessness and livability.
• Advise city leadership by providing data-driven strategic communications recommendations, monitor public and media sentiment, and advise on messaging.
• Establish a comprehensive communication strategy, implementation plan, and measurable tactics to drive public understanding of what the City is doing to address homelessness.
• Cultivate strong working relationships across six City departments and specific teams working on this topic (Public Information Team, Homeless Services Team, Public Spaces Team Incident Commander, Downtown Incident Commander, and the Alternative Response Coordinator) to build consensus, buy-in, and trust to effectively align messaging and coordinate communication efforts related to homelessness.
• Increase digital engagement by executing a data-informed content strategy and content calendar in coordination.

Proactively engage local journalists and media outlets to position the City as a trusted voice on homeless services and unhoused response.

This includes pitching stories, providing interviews, issuing press releases, hosting press conferences, monitoring coverage, managing sensitive PR issues, and monitoring and coordinating responses to email and phone messages from community members.

• Translate complex data and topics into accessible and compelling communication materials by producing visuals such as videos, data visualizations, presentations, and other media to communicate program outcomes, successes, emerging issues, and other topics.
• Manage vendors working on related communication campaigns to ensure high-quality communications materials are delivered on time and on budget.
• Strengthen the City’s legislative communications related to homelessness by coordinating with policy experts, the Intergovernmental Relations Manager, and City leadership, to produce clear, compelling materials that help decision makers understand Eugene’s homelessness response efforts and needs.
• Supports and respects diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace.
• Supports building partnerships both within the City organization with various organizations and businesses.
• Serves on a variety of City teams, committees, and work groups, including being on the Public Information Team, and both the Homeless Services Team and the Public Space Team and acting as a liaison between the two, along with coordination with the Downtown Incident Commander and Team.
• Attends meetings or activities that may occur outside of normal working hours.
  
  

Qualifications

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 transferable skills from a variety of sources and experiences.

If you are interested in applying, we encourage you to think broadly about your background and skill set for the role.

When screening your application, the City will consider an equivalent combination of relevant education and experience which provides the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to meet minimum qualifications for this position.

Minimum Qualifications

Experience:

Four and a half years of progressively responsible professional community relations or communications experience, preferably in the public sector, including at least one year of program management or supervisory experience.

Training/Education:

Equivalent of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in communications, journalism, marketing, public relations, planning, public policy management, community development, community organizing or related fields.

License or Certificate:

Possession of, or ability to obtain a permanent, valid Oregon license.

• Organizational and management practices as applied to the analysis and evaluation of programs, policies, and operational needs.

• Principles and practices of project/program management and communication and the ability to manage multiple initiatives/projects with multiple teams simultaneously.

• Latest trends and methods in the assigned program area.

• Research, writing, and public speaking skills.

• Principles and practices of diversity, equity, and inclusion policies, goals, and related objectives.

• Modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment.

Ability

• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, with supervisor, coworkers, cross-departmental staff and leadership, agencies, consultants, interested residents, City staff, advisory committees, and public officials. Develop positive working relationships.

• Work effectively and cooperatively with key stakeholders, including other public employees within the City, division managers, executive managers, elected officials, and the public to support and inform decision making processes and move key initiatives forward.

• Evaluate impact of program decisions upon the organization.

• Manage multiple initiatives, projects, and assignments to achieve City, Public Space Team and Homeless Services goals within specific timeframes.

• Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, forecast consequences of proposed actions and implement recommendations in support of goals. Work towards creative problem solving involving sensitive situations and issues.

• Conduct long-range planning for the program area.

• Perform a variety of administrative duties with little or minimal supervision.

• Develop and evaluate improvements in operations, procedures, policies, or methods.

• Learn City of Eugene organizational structures and interrelationships.

Skills

• Communicating clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.

• Content creation and communications related project management skills.

• Establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships.

• Developing and executing strategies for building connections with community members through engagement.

Additional Information

Working Conditions

Work is done generally in an office environment with correctable conditions such as lighting and room temperature.

This work includes occasional field work, which may involve navigating uneven terrain, light hiking, and walking on wet or muddy surfaces.

Work includes operating a computer and a variety of office equipment. May be required to sit, keyboard, or stand for extended periods of time. Regular focus on a computer screen.

May require attendance at meetings or activities outside of normal working hours.

Non-Represented Retirement Program

Upon eligibility, the City will contribute an employee contribution of 6%, as well as the employer contribution, to a retirement program administered by the Oregon Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS).

In addition, the City will pay a 3% contribution to a deferred compensation program if the employee contributes at least 1%.

From January 1, 2020, through December 31, 2034, most retirees may work for a PERS-participating employer for an unlimited number of hours while continuing to receive their pension benefit based on HB 2296.

If you have questions about your specific situation, including any restrictions to hours, please refer to the PERS: Work After Retirement.

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.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

The City of Eugene is committed to a respectful work environment. We value the cultural, educational, and life experiences of each employee.

We believe that a diverse workforce enables us to deliver culturally responsive services to all members of our community.

As part of our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion we desire to welcome, respect, and create a sense of belonging for a wide range of identities and experiences in our workforce.

Women, people with disabilities, and persons of color are strongly encouraged to apply.

The City of Eugene complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Any applicant with a qualified disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act may request accommodation by contacting an employment coordinator at (541) 682-5061.

In compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, the City of Eugene will request all eligible candidates who accept employment with the City to provide documentation to prove they are eligible for employment in the United States.

NOTE: The City of Eugene does not participate in the E-Verify program; therefore, candidates requiring E-Verify for employment authorization will not be eligible for employment with the City.